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I’m Kyle Mattson, a member of the service team here at Maverick Car Company, and I’m obsessed with mountain biking. This obsession of mine started when I was a kid riding my cheap Walmart bike around Ponderosa State Park in McCall. In junior high, I started riding dirt bikes, but by the end of high school, I transitioned to mountain biking. I loved how mountain biking put me in a different zone. Mountain bikes are quiet compared to dirt bikes. You can stop and enjoy the views and sounds of nature when you're not shredding down the trail. more These days, I ride on a team, but you don’t need to be a pro to enjoy mountain biking. To share my love of the sport, I put together this curated list of trails near Boise you can explore, no matter what your skill level may be. Disclaimer: If you’re new to this, stick to green and blue trails at first. If you’re not sure how trail ratings work, here’s a helpful guide from the international Mountain Biking Association. Easy Trails One of our #MaverickKids, Brooklyn, catching some air on Hell Mary. Learning Curve (Bogus Basin) Rating: Green Distance:.87 miles / Descent: -325 ft It’s not hard to imagine what this trail is like, given its name. For those looking to work on their downhill riding, this is an excellent choice. To access this trail, you need to ride the chair lift, which is nice when you’re not trying to wear yourself out. Pura Vida (Tamarack Bike Park) Rating: Green Distance: 2 miles / Descent: -677 ft This is a long, scenic ride with banked corners. There are great views of McCall Lake and the valley from the top of the trail. It doesn’t have many obstacles and you can ride fast. If you’re feeling bold, you can try out some of the rock features. Hell Mary (Eagle Bike Park) Rating: Blue Distance:.3 miles / Descent: -128 ft Even though it’s rated blue, this is a great entry level trail where you can get the feel of your bike, learn to ride terrain like berms, and get used to the flow of a mountain bike trail. Kids learn well on this, and it provides just enough challenge to help novice riders of all ages improve their skills. Intermediate Trails Brooklyn showing off her skills again on the Flow trail. Flow (Eagle Bike Park) Rating: Blue Distance:.6 miles / Descent: -208 ft As the name suggests, there’s some flowy terrain in this one. There’s also some jumps and you can ride this at high speed if you’d like. I like this trail because you can ride according to your skill level and still have fun. Flow (Eagle Bike Park) Rating: Blue Distance:.77 miles/ Descent: -481 ft There’s pretty steep berms and some great jumps on this trail, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practice. It’s a short and fast trail without any crazy terrain. It’s not too hard, but it’s just challenging enough to make your heart beat. Super G (Tamarack Resort) Rating: Blue Distance: 2.32 miles / Descent: -1,200 ft I’ve competed on this trail several times as it’s part of the race trail at Tamarack. What I like about this one is the length of the ride and variety of terrain. This one has a little bit of everything and is a really good time. Advanced Trails Shake n’ Bake (Eagle Bike Park) Rating: Black Diamond Distance:.5 miles / Descent: -218 ft Think of this run as Flow’s older brother. It has way bigger features and has more technical terrain than Flow. There’s plenty of drops, berms, jumps, a ladder ride and some rock gardens to feed your adrenaline. G-19 (Bogus Basin) Rating: Black Diamond Distance:.5 miles / Descent: -500 ft This one is super technical: big rock gardens and some heart-stopping drops. This is one of the toughest runs you’ll find in the Boise area. I would not recommend this trail unless you’ve spent plenty of time riding and wear protective gear. Double Shot/Stitches (Jug Mountain Ranch) Rating: Black Diamond Distance: 1.3 miles / Descent: -680 ft With two road gap jumps on this trail, what more could you ask for? Well, a few more road jumps I guess. There are plenty of technical options on this trail with plenty of opportunities to get rad or get an ambulance. We hope you found this article helpful and inspiring. There's a wide variety of bike trails all over the Boise area and beyond, so get out there and explore some for yourself. If there’s a trail you like that Kyle didn't cover, let us know. Our community loves swapping stories and info with other adventurers and learning from each other.

Our own, Kyle Wilson, at the summit of, you guessed it, Borah Peak; the highest point in Idaho, and one of only three mountains above 12k feet. I'm Ryan Thorne, part of the Marketing Team here at Maverick Car Company, and I love hiking. As an Idaho native, I've always been mesmerized by the beauty and isolation our state has to offer, and the great thing is, activities like hiking are absolutely free (besides gas and food 😉). Living in Boise puts us within driving distance of some epic wilderness and city hiking trails, and if you’re new to hiking or recently relocated to the Gem State, you should get out there and explore. more To share my love of the outdoors, I selected six day hikes you can check out. These trails are grouped into “moderate” and “difficult” categories. I also notated my favorite from each category. There’s no crazy terrain or climbing involved in the “difficult” category. Those trails will just take longer and have steeper terrain for novice hikers to get through. Disclaimer: You may notice I didn’t include “easy” day hikes on this list. Those trails are essentially flat walking paths with little to no elevation. If you’re wanting to get into hiking with an easier start, I highly recommend the Boise Greenbelt. Moderate Day Hikes Table Rock Trail Photo Credit: William Richmond via AllTrails Trailhead: Old Penitentiary Parking Lot Distance: 3.7 miles (Loop) / Elevation Gain: 895 feet This one is a local favorite because you can bring the whole family and get to the trailhead in no time. You can also push yourself hard or just take it easy and enjoy the seasonal wildflowers and panoramic views of Boise and the Treasure Valley. Most people access the well-worn trail from the Old Penitentiary parking lot and loop back around to the same spot. I don’t usually take the traditional route from the Old Penitentiary parking lot these days. That doesn’t mean the traditional route isn’t any good. I just prefer the alternate entrance near the Warm Springs Golf Course, which is located on the east side of warm springs across the street from the golf course parking lot. Bonus: If you’ve already done this hike and you want to mix it up a bit, take the path to the right on the fork just before the switch backs and check out the rocky approach on the back end of Table Rock. Bogus Basin Loop Trail Photo Credit: Rebecca Cathey via AllTrails Trailhead: J.R. Simplot Lodge Distance: 7.1 miles / Elevation Gain: 1,581 feet For absolutely gorgeous views of Boise, the Treasure Valley, and the protruding peaks of the Boise National Forest, this is the trail. It’s also a great option for the whole family and there’s cold drinks and tasty food when you arrive back at Bogus Basin. The higher elevation makes for more challenging hiking, but you can still take it pretty easy on this one. Watch out for mountain bikers on some sections of the trail. They can come around corners at high speeds. Bonus: To add a few more miles to the hike, you can extend the loop and do the 8.9-mile Deer Point Around the Mountain Trail. Station Creek Trail Photo Credit: Rebecca Cathey via AllTrails Trailhead: Off of Banks Lowman Road east of Garden Valley Distance: 5.5 miles (Out & Back) / Elevation Gain: 1,637 feet You’ll need to drive about an hour north on Highway 55 to Garden Valley to reach the trailhead. This is an uphill hike, and though moderate, you may not want to bring smaller kids or dogs along. As you head up the trail, you get great views of Garden Valley and the rolling hills/mountains surrounding the area. There are sections without any shade and you can end up looking like a human lobster if you don’t wear proper clothing or sunscreen. Once you reach the top, there’s excellent 360 degree views of the pine covered hills and valley below. Bonus: If this route is too short for your liking, you can go on to the peak of Bald Mountain by continuing for another three miles on the trail. Difficult Day Hikes Lucky Peak Loop Trail Photo Credit: John Dudek via AllTrails Trailhead: Residential parking off of East Highland Valley Road (Boise) Distance: 13.6 miles / Elevation Gain: 3,166 feet This one is closeby, challenging, and you can reward yourself with a meal and beverage post-hike since it’s near Bown Crossing and Downtown Boise. I’ve heard people disparage the “loop” label on this hike because, at least according to AllTrails, the trail runs along the greenbelt for a few miles to complete the loop. Also, sections of the trail are considered a dirt road by hiking purists. But all that aside, this is a fun hike with spectacular views of the Treasure Valley, and the rippling hills surrounding Lucky Peak Reservoir. Bonus: Extend this hike a few miles by taking the off trail above Highway 21 and the Boise River toward Lucky Peak Reservoir. You’ll have to turn around when the trail ends at East Sandy Point Lane. Trail Creek Lakes Photo Credit: Elizabeth Oldenkamp Trailhead: Grandjean Campground Distance: 10.3 miles (Out & Back) / Elevation Gain: 2,851 feet This one is a doozy, but the views and turquoise lakes are truly a sight to behold. The trailhead is about two hours from Boise via Highways 21 or 55 (there’s minimal time distance on either route). I recommend getting an early start on this because there’s a lot of elevation gain, and if you’re not trying to kill yourself, you’ll want time to rest and refuel along the way. I loved getting up into the Sawtooths from the opposite side of Stanley, and observing the massive, white stone columns of the range jutting into the heavens. If you bring a fishing pole, you can catch beautiful brook trout from the Trail Creek Lakes. Bonus: Keep following the main trail and you can head around the north end of Stanley Lake, or you can cut through the Sawtooths and connect to the maze of trails on the other side of the range for awesome multi-day backpacking. Trail Creek Lakes Photo Credit: Elizabeth Oldenkamp Trailhead: Pettit Lake Distance: 12 miles (Out & Back) / Elevation Gain: 1,675 feet This trail is a 2.5 hour drive from Boise on Highway 21. I love this hike because I grew up camping with my grandparents in the Sawtooths each summer and hiked sections of this as a child. After getting past Pettit Lake, you head through some thick forest and up some winding switchbacks on the side of the mountain. Keep your sandals handy as you’ll have to cross a stream filled with jumping brook trout before reaching Alice Lake. I’d pack a lunch and enjoy the silent spires of El Capitan peak and clear blue waters of Alice Lake before heading back. Bonus: You can make this an epic multi-day hike through the Sawtooth Range by continuing past Alice Lake. My favorite is the 27.6-mile Alice Lake to Toxaway Lake to Imogene Lake Loop. Amazing views and peaceful alpine lakes abound. We hope you found this article helpful and inspiring. There's a wide variety of day hikes all over the Boise area and beyond, so get out there and explore some for yourself. Apps like AllTrails are an excellent resource when looking for new trails. If there’s a trail you like that Ryan didn't cover, let us know. Our community loves swapping stories and info with other adventurers and learning from each other. Next Week: Best Mountain Bike Trails Near Boise

Adventure in the great outdoors is at the core of what makes Idaho such an amazing place to live. Sharing outdoor experiences with a four-legged companion makes life here even better. But, what do you do when you can’t get out of “the burbs," and you still want to blow off some steam with the pup? We've got you covered with helpful resources so you can make the most of your day-to-day "city" life with your best friend. In this article, we’ve mapped out the 5 Must-Visit Boise Dog Parks you should go explore and we've curated some gear to help you transport your furry friend to and from the dog park, or wherever your adventures take you. more Five Must-Visit Boise Dog Parks 1. Dog Island at Ann Morrison Park (Boise) This is the Ritz-Carlton of dog parks. With 5.4-acres of space to run and play, dogs absolutely love this place. There’s a big moat surrounding the location, so water retrievers and other water-loving dogs have ample swimming space. If you’re trying to acclimate a new shelter dog or puppy to socializing, there’s also a fenced “shy dog” area they can hang out until they’re ready to get out there and start mingling. 2. Nampa Dog Park This park easily could have made the top spot on our list. It has six acres of space for dogs of all sizes, ages, and interests. It has separate spaces for small/older dogs and larger, more rambunctious dogs, walking trails, dog/human drinking fountains, and even a swimming pond for water lovers. We don’t recommend any humans use the swimming pond, however. Sorry, it needed to be said. 3. Storey Bark Park (Meridian) Dog Island may rank highest on our list, but it doesn’t have a pooch playground like the one at Storey Bark Park. This runner-up spot features dog steps, jump-through rings, and a walking bridge for dogs training to earn gold in the obstacle course at the next Westminster Dog Show. There’s separate fenced areas for small and large dogs. Human visitors can also enjoy the paved walkways and restrooms. 4. Military Reserve Dog Park (Boise) To be honest, this isn’t the nicest looking dog park around. It’s just a dirt park with a bit of fenced space for the canines to run around and get to know each other. The real draw for this park, however, is the large network of nearby foothill trails with quick access via a rear gate. Some trails are designated off-leash and some aren’t, but there are plenty of signs indicating each trail’s rules so you don’t get the stink eye from mountain bikers and/or trail runners. 5. Molenaar Dog Park (Boise) Molenaar Park is a quaint little spot with a pond, picnic tables, and cavity nester bird conservation station you can check out after you’ve let the dog burn off some energy in the acre-sized fenced dog park. This location also features a smaller “shy dog” fenced area for social training. If you’re into angling, the Molenaar Park Pond is open year-round to fishing and has been stocked with Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Largemouth Bass. Dog Gear for Your Vehicle 1. Backseat Cover Price Range: $50-150 Dogs just don’t care about keeping your seats clean. If it was up to them, they’d roll around in the mud and cover the inside of your car with a layer of muck that can take hours to remove. But even if your dog loves getting dirty, you can still keep your vehicle pristine with a backseat hammock cover. They’re really easy to install and remove so you can hit the road in no time. 2. Seat Belt Zipline Price Range: $20-50 You’re probably not going to be pulled over and ticketed for failing to seatbelt the family dog, but investing in a doggie seatbelt is still a great idea. These devices attach to your rear seatbelts or hand grips and some even come with a wearable harness so you’re not having to worry about lap dive-bombs or preventing daring escapes through lowered rear windows. 3. Rear Barrier Price Range: $50-100 Even with a rear seat cover, it can be pretty hard to keep your interior free of scratches and hair. If you’ve got the rear space in your SUV or truck, why not make that area the designated dog space? Getting an adjustable mesh barrier will help keep your interior pristine and allow your pooch to stretch out in comfort on road trips or after an especially grueling day of adventure. 4. Cooling Mat Price Range: $30-80 Dogs operate best when kept cool. You don’t want to end up with a hot dog! Ok, we’ll stop. Horrible jokes aside, getting a cooling mat for the car helps your canine friend stay comfortable on those long road trips or cool-down periods after a run or session at the dog park. These come in all sizes too, so you can keep that chihuahua or husky chillin’ all summer long. 5. Dog Ramp Price Range: $50-100 Like us, our canine companions start to show some wear and tear over the years, and for older dogs, getting in and out of your rig can be challenging or painful. These step ramps allow aged or larger dogs to get in and out of your ride with ease. Just because your beloved dog is getting up there in years or is too big to lift, doesn’t mean you can’t maximize adventure time. We hope this article has provided good information for you and has inspired you to check out a few new places for your furry friend. If there’s a dog park we missed that you really like, let us know. We love having your input and our community is always looking for great information and resources. Next Week: Best Hiking Trails Near Boise

Trucks are as American as apple pie. Like vanilla ice-cream pairs with that classic fruit pastry, trucks also pair well with a tow package. If you’re looking to invest in a boat, snowmobiles, or a side-by-side, you’re going to have a hard time towing in the family minivan. Buying a truck is serious business, and looking at each truck class’ towing capacity will help you make the right decision when it’s time to visit a dealership. To help with that choice, we looked at three top-selling trucks in each class from 2016-2021, compared their towing capacity, and had our Maverick truck gurus, Service Manager Rich Wilson and Service Advisor Jesse Lawson, make their recommendation from each class. more We’ve also included Kelly Blue Book expert and user reviews, so you can make an informed purchase and get your toys out in Idaho’s outdoors to get started on your first of many adventures to come. Bonus: Check out this helpful tow guide to see if the rig you’re looking to buy can handle the toys you’re planning to tow. Mid-Size Class For the couple or solo traveler, mid-size trucks are a great fit because they’re capable of towing small boats, A-frame campers, and teardrop trailers, and they get decent gas mileage, especially compared to trucks in other classes. 2016-2021 Chevrolet Colorado 2016-2021 Toyota Tacoma 2016-2021 Nissan Frontier Half-Ton Class When you’re looking to get a great daily driver that can also haul whatever you need, like an average sized boat, camp trailer, and the entire family, a half-ton pickup is an excellent choice. Keep in mind, if you’re trying to tow big toys like 5th Wheel campers attached with gooseneck hitches, that ain’t happenin’ due to half-ton trucks’ payload capacity and tow limitations. 2016-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2016-2021 Toyota Tundra 2016-2021 Ford-F150 3/4 & One-Ton Class Now we’re talking about some serious trucks! Buying a three-quarter or one-ton truck also means you can tow pretty much whatever the heck you want. That means gooseneck hitched trailers with the side-by-side loaded in the back or pontoon party boats that will give you an extra boost of popularity each summer. 2016-2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 & 3500 2016-2021 Ford F-250 & F-350 2016-2021 Dodge Ram 2500 & 3500 We hope this information has been helpful to you. With this market research you have the info needed to buy the rig of your dreams. Feel free to browse our trucks or come by to test drive anything you’d like. Our team is here to serve you and help get you rolling on your next adventure! Next Week: Dog Gear & Park Guide

There’s never been a time in human history where travel has been easier. We have powerful computers in our pocket with the ability to help plan and execute any adventures we can imagine. Developers have created apps to help save travelers money, find the best routes to their destinations, and help find memorable locations where they can rest and take in the sights and sounds. If you’re planning the road trip of a lifetime, or you’re just looking to get out of town for the weekend, we created a list of helpful apps for you and your vehicle, so your adventure can be even more fun! more Apps for Your Vehicle 1. Hipcamp (Free): Cross-country road tripping isn’t quite the same if you stay in cheap motels the whole way, even though you may meet some interesting characters. America is best experienced with a nightly campfire, and the Hipcamp app helps you find a campground pretty much anywhere the road takes you. Don’t just stay at a run-of-the-mill site. Hipcamp has partnered with private landowners so you can reflect over the day’s deeds near campfires on unique sites like vineyards and country farms. 2. iOverlander (Free): An overlanding rig is the best vehicle for blazing new trails, or discovering old trails for the first time. You can even pretend you’re in the Lewis and Clark expedition, but with engines and cell phones (and antibiotics). iOverlander helps you navigate new territory, find amenities like gas and propane, and share specific routes and locations with other app users. This is a great safety app to have on your phone during trips since it records your GPS location in case you get stranded. 3. TruckMap (Free): Anyone who regularly hauls a trailer with their rig knows navigation is far more difficult if you’re towing something, especially something big. The designers of the TruckMap app wanted to help other road warriors find truck-friendly routes with proper bridge weight allowances, low clearance avoidance, and roads that are too narrow for trucks. Bonus: This is a great app for RVers who tow or drive a motorhome. 4. GasBuddy (Free): If you haven’t noticed, gas ain’t cheap these days. Before you go selling off the family heirlooms to afford the big roadtrip, download the GasBuddy app. It helps you find the best gas prices in your area, and if you’re needing to answer the call of nature, the app shows you which gas stations have public restrooms. For the professional road-warriors, this app tracks and exports your travel log for tax purposes. 5. Parkopedia (Free): Parking spots are a limited commodity. Before you experience an unnecessary spike in blood pressure and/or get into a fist fight, try the Parkopedia app. It has an extensive parking database covering 8,000 cities around the world. The app is especially helpful if your road trip includes stopovers in big cities, or if you’re carrying valuable cargo like expensive mountain bikes and need more secure parking. Apps for You 1. Alltrails (Free): Even when you’re new to an area, there’s no excuse for sitting on your rear and packing on the pounds. Alltrails allows you to find trails near you at your skill level, read reviews from fellow hikers and bikers, and share your outdoor adventure with your friends on social media. Because who cares what you did if you can’t brag about it on the internet? (wink emoji) Alltrails Pro ($29.99 per year): allows you to download maps and use GPS even when you don’t have a signal, share route progress with friends/family, get notifications when you’ve left the trail, and design and print custom topographic maps for backup navigation. Also, no pesky ads. 2. Strava (Free): Competing with yourself gets old real quick. Strava is the ultimate app for pushing yourself to new heights because it has a literal leaderboard comparing times and distances from fellow athletes on local biking and running routes. Set records and challenge your friends to beat them. Boasting about your athletic accolades has never been easier. Strava Premium ($7.99 per month, $59.99 per year): No ads. In-depth analysis of your performance data, customizable training and workout plans, and live feedback from pros so you can get better results on each workout. 3. Peakfinder ($4.99): Fortunately for you, Idaho has plenty of peaks unlike some other states in the U.S. (sorry, Kansas). That means you have ample opportunity for natural vistas worth working for. Though it requires a one-time payment, Peakfinder helps you navigate both easy and difficult ascents from Mount Borah to the Boise Foothills with offline capability and lunar/solar orbits, so you can plan your climb for the safety of daylight hours. Did we mention they don’t collect your data and there’s no ads? 4. Skyview Lite (Free): Idaho has plenty of wilderness and a big chunk of central Idaho is a designated Dark Sky Preserve, meaning light pollution is restricted so views of the stars are the best you can get on the planet. We all can find the Big Dipper, but pointing your phone at the sky with Skyview allows you to locate other constellations and identify stellar objects like planets and satellites. You can even see what the stars looked like for our ancestors. Don’t worry about being out of cell range, this app can be used without a data connection. 5. Chimani National Parks Guide (Free): Before you hit the road on your epic road trip, download this app and explore the national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, national monuments, and state parks in your area of travel. The app also features location descriptions and topographic maps. Subscribe to Chimani Perks ($29.99 per year, $99.99 lifetime) and get detailed park guides, shuttle bus schedules, and discounts on things like whitewater rafting, inns, and campgrounds. Honorable Mention Toilet Finder (Free): Mother nature has very strict rules, and when she calls, you’d better listen or you may have a mess on your hands. Not to worry, though, there’s an app for that. Toilet Finder houses an easy-to-use database of thousands of toilets so you can find some porcelain relief when that gas station burrito starts to churn your insides. You can even help out other toilet seekers and submit bathroom locations in your area to become part of the Toilet Finder mutual assistance community! We hope you've found this app list to be helpful for your epic road trip or overlanding adventure. If there are apps you love to use and we didn't include them, feel free to shoot us an email or message us on social with your thoughts. We love hearing from you and sharing tips and information with each other. Next Week: Towing Trucks

Our very own Melissa Dawson tackling some terrain near McCall, Idaho. Hi Everyone! We’re excited to bring you Week 5 of our Summer Adventure series. This series is meant to inform and equip you with useful resources for making the most of this summer. As a reminder, our goals for each article are to: 1. Equip & Inspire - Each article will be specifically crafted to outfit you and your vehicle for the given topic. 2. Dive Deeper - Though some of the recommendations will be straightforward, we’ll also include products you’ve never thought of or know much about, but can have an impact on your adventure. 3. Support Local - We’re a local small business and want to support other local small businesses. That said, we also want to give you options, so we’ll include both a local business and an online outlet for you to choose from. more This Week’s Focus: Climbing For climbers, Idaho is the place to be. Over thousands of years, volcanic eruptions occurred in the state’s southern high desert creating plenty of basalt terrain for bouldering and rope climbing. City of Rocks National Reserve near Burley is a bucket list locale for outdoor junkies across the world, as it features excellent routes on 2.5 billion-year-old granite. Head up to central Idaho and you’ll find great climbing in the Sawtooth Range and Jughandle Mountain. Further north in the Idaho panhandle, experienced climbers can try their hand at routes on Chimney Rock near Priest Lake. Regardless if you’re a born and bred Idahoan, new to the state, or just passing through, the gear below will help you take your climbing to the next level. Equipping Your Vehicle 1. Hangboard Price Range: $50-100 // Besides the palm sweat and anxiety brought on by the climbing movie, Free Solo, legendary athlete Alex Honnold showed that climbers can strengthen their finger grips on the road. Honnold had a hangboard installed in his live-in sprinter van inspiring us to include this item on our gear list. Bonus: The ideas in this hangboard install video can be easily applied to a cargo basket for easy use and stowage. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Cargo Box/Basket Price Range: $150-$600 // If your vehicle doubles as an adventure mobile and sleeping space, and you don’t want to nestle your head in a pile of climbing rope, an overhead storage box/basket may be your best solution. Disclaimer: This box cannot be used for your smelly climbing companions lodging. 😂 Buy Local Buy Local Buy Online Buy Online 3. Gear Organizer Price Range: $50-100 // It’s always best to begin climbing in a great mood, and nothing turns a great mood into an adult tantrum like having to dig through piles of tangled climbing gear. Organizers keep everything in the right place, meaning you can soothe your soul and start scaling those sheer rock faces with a feeling of serenity. Buy Local Buy Online Equipping You 1. Belay Glasses Price Range: $200-300 // Imagine the scenario: After several hours of belaying your partner, your upper vertebrae becomes fused leaving you staring up at the sky. You’re then forced to consume all of your meals through a Krazy Straw and mount your TVs to the ceiling. All of this can be avoided with belay glasses. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Climbing Salve Price Range: $200-300 // Climbing chalk makes for dry hands. Dry hands crack and bleed. Climbing salves moisturize your hands so they look and feel smooth and beautiful. For those looking to become a professional rock climber and earn some side money as a hand model for online catalogues, this stuff is a must. Buy Local Buy Online 3. Brushes Price Range: $200-300 // Whether you’re sharpening your skills at the climbing gym or taking on an elite route in the great outdoors, you may be faced with dirty holds that don’t offer much grip. Having a climbing brush handy allows you to perform at the highest level, smashing national and international records and earning a place in climbing legend. Buy Local Buy Online 4. Gear Backpack Price Range: $200-300 // Sure, you could just use your arms as a crude bucket, piling ropes, carabineers, chalk and other gear onto yourself before the hike to the desired climbing destination, or you could use the advanced technology offered by backpacks and store your gear in a big enclosed pocket on your back. Life is full of tough decisions. Buy Local Buy Online Honorable Mentions 1. Lederhosen Price Range: $50-$100 // Everyone knows you can’t really be an authentic climber without authentic German lederhosen. Disclaimer: When wearing this historic deerskin garb, you’ll be prone to yodeling and playing the accordion. Buy Online We hope you've found this list to be helpful as you plan some epic climbing adventures. If there are items you love to use and we didn't include, feel free to shoot us an email or message us on social with your thoughts. We love hearing from you and sharing tips and information with each other. Next Week: Adventure Apps

Hi Everyone! We’re excited to bring you Week 4 of our Summer Adventure series. This series is meant to inform and equip you with useful resources for making the most of this summer. As a reminder, our goals for each article are to: 1. Equip & Inspire - Each article will be specifically crafted to outfit you and your vehicle for the given topic. 2. Dive Deeper - Though some of the recommendations will be straightforward, we’ll also include products you’ve never thought of or know much about, but can have an impact on your adventure. 3. Support Local - We’re a local small business and want to support other local small businesses. That said, we also want to give you options, so we’ll include both a local business and an online outlet for you to choose from. more This Week’s Focus: Water Sports This summer has been a real scorcher. Luckily for Idahoans, we have plenty of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that provide a cool haven in the summer heat. If you’re looking to get some exercise and enjoy the water, there’s plenty to do from adrenaline pumping white water kayaking to peaceful, meditative paddleboarding. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a thrill or a chill, the following gear will help outfit your vehicle and yourself, so you can cool off in comfort and style. Equipping Your Vehicle 1. Waterproof Seat Covers Price Range: $200-300 // You’ve been so vigilant about keeping your seats clean that you’ve made your family walk home from the lake on recent trips. Investing in some water/stain proof seat covers means you can load up the wet family (and dog) right after pulling out of the water, without getting mud or water on your seats. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Truck Bed Cargo Net Price Range: $25-$150 // After a joyful day out on the water, the last thing you wanna do is send your expensive, beloved water gear sailing down the highway and into the windshields and front bumpers of innocent commuters. Avoid the unnecessary carnage and/or loss of your expensive boating equipment and invest in a mesh cargo net. Buy Local Buy Online 3. Canoe/Kayak Rack Attachments Price Range: $50-$300 // Having a roof rack is great, but throwing a canoe or kayak on your vehicle could result in you scratching your paint or dealing with a damaged watercraft that’s fallen off the rack while driving. These specific rack attachments keep things secure and make loading and unloading your water toys a breeze. Buy Local Foam Racks Buy Local Buy Online Buy Online 4. Kayak/Canoe Cart Price Range: $100-$150 // Not a fan of bulged disks? We aren’t either. Our rule of thumb is to avoid debilitating back injuries whenever possible. That’s why we highly recommend picking up a kayak/canoe cart for those days when you’re planning to make a solo trip out on the water. Instead of lugging your vessel from the parking lot to the water, these wheeled contraptions bear the load for you and save you from visiting a chiropractor. Buy Local Buy Online Equipping Your Watercraft 1. Dry Sack Price Range: $30-$100 // Testing the waterproofing capabilities on your iPhone may sound cool until you remember that you paid over a grand for your pocket computer. Beyond your cell, there’s probably other items you’d like to keep dry, especially if you’re planning a longer trip requiring additional layers of clothing. Dry sacks come in a variety of sizes and can help save you money and the misery of wet, chilly conditions. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Anchor Kit Price Range: $25-$50 // Doing yoga on your paddleboard is a great way to get in touch with your body.  Without an anchor to keep you in the same spot on the lake, you could be shaken from the plane of higher consciousness by boaters or protruding rocks. These anchor kits are small enough to be taken on board, yet heavy enough to keep you locked in place long enough to reach nirvana. Buy Local Buy Online 3. Bluetooth Speaker Price Range: $100-$400 // What’s better than the sounds of birds chirping and water lapping against your kayak? Loud pop music! 😉 Don’t be forced to sit with your own thoughts and have to contemplate the meaning of existence on your next outing. Distract yourself with some music played through a waterproof bluetooth speaker. Buy Local Buy Online 4. Rod Holder Price Range: $20-$50 // Unless you specifically purchased a fishing kayak with rod holder, holding a fishing pole and trying to paddle at the same time can result in you hooking yourself and making a special summer trip to the emergency room. These handy rod holders can be clamped to any spot on your water vessel to prevent personal injury while giving you quick access so you can land a real lunker. Buy Local Buy Online 5. Waterproof Cooler Price Range: $10-$100 // Ham and mayonnaise sammies are quite tasty during a day out on the water, but fail to keep them cold and you could end up spending the night hugging porcelain and praying for death. Keep your food and drinks cool with an easily mountable, waterproof cooler. Your body will thank you. Buy Local Buy Online Honorable Mentions 1. Wearable Umbrellas Price Range: $20-$50 // Are you sensitive to the sun but not sensitive to the jeers of other water goers? Then the wearable umbrella is for you! These things don’t look great and certainly won’t help you with your love life, but they do offer superior upper body protection from the sun’s harmful rays, even if that protection comes at the expense of your dignity. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Bull Rider Floaty Price Range: $120-$150 // Attempting an amateur bull ride in real life is likely to end with some broken ribs or becoming a human shish-kabob. Instead of risking life and limb, take your first bull ride on this inflatable version. Buy Local Buy Online We hope you've found this list to be helpful as you plan some epic excursions out on the water. If there are items you love to use and we didn't include, feel free to shoot us an email or message us on social with your thoughts. We love hearing from you and sharing tips and information with each other. Next Week: Adventure Apps

Photo Courtesy of Sawtooth Mountain Guides Hi Everyone! We’re excited to bring you Week 3 of our Summer Adventure series. This series is meant to inform and equip you with useful resources for making the most of this summer. As a reminder, our goals for each article are to: 1. Equip & Inspire - Each article will be specifically crafted to outfit you and your vehicle for the given topic. 2. Dive Deeper - Though some of the recommendations will be straightforward, we’ll also include products you’ve never thought of or know much about, but can have an impact on your adventure. 3. Support Local - We’re a local small business and want to support other local small businesses. That said, we also want to give you options, so we’ll include both a local business and an online outlet for you to choose from. more This Week’s Focus: Backpacking Backpacking is a beloved pastime in Idaho. There’s so much to see and so many places where you can truly get away, with only the sights and sounds of nature as company. Our state has seemingly endless miles of trails to explore with varying terrain, from the high deserts of the southern plain, to the mountains and forests of central and northern Idaho. The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness alone features over 3,500 square miles of roadless protected lands to explore. It’s the largest wilderness preserve in the lower 48 states. If you’re making plans to delve into Idaho’s primitive areas or are even a veteran hiker, this guide of personal and vehicle backpacking-related equipment will help make your trip a memorable one. Equipping Your Vehicle 1. Showers Price Range: $300-500 // Returning to civilization after days on the trail can be quite smelly and even dangerous. If you don’t shower before heading back home, citizens of the nearest town may mistake you for sasquatch and attack with pitchforks in hand. These two vehicle shower setups will prevent that scenario by making you look and smell like your normal human self. Note: Both setups do require a 12-volt plugin for compression or pumping purposes. For you DIYers who want to build your own solar shower, check out this video tutorial from REI. Roof Rack Shower To pick-up locally, this item will need to be special ordered from a Yakima authorized vendor like Idaho Mountain Touring. Buy Local Buy Online Propane Shower Price Range: $150-$200 // Propane showers harness the “magic of science” so you can have warm water on demand. They are easy to assemble and use, plus their plastic components can be replaced with metal parts for extended life. To operate these showers, you’ll also need an inexpensive 12-volt water pump. Note: We read plenty of reviews written in all caps warning about damage in freezing temperatures, SO STORE THESE IN A WARM AREA! 🙂 This helpful video shows how you can create a box shower setup for easy storage and mobile use. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Solar Panels Price Range: $150-$1,000 // How will anyone know you went backpacking unless you brag about it on social media?😉 Luckily, using the power of the sun, you can document everything and share how in touch you are with nature and the universe. There’s plenty of solar sizes and setups for wilderness junkies. If you’re wanting to charge on the go, you can mount one to your pack, or bring a larger, foldable version for charging at the campsite. Buy Local Buy Online 3. Recovery Pads Price Range: $100-300 // The parking lots of commonly used trails are often clogged with newbies who don’t really appreciate the majesty of mother nature like you do. Sometimes you just gotta find your own trailhead. If that’s the case, bring some recovery pads to get you unstuck when the unpaved road gets too muddy or sandy. Buy Local Buy Online 3. First Aid Kit Price Range: $100-300 // The parking lots of commonly used trails are often clogged with newbies who don’t really appreciate the majesty of mother nature like you do. Sometimes you just gotta find your own trailhead. If that’s the case, bring some recovery pads to get you unstuck when the unpaved road gets too muddy or sandy. Buy Local Buy Online Equipping You 1. Smart Watch Price Range: $450-$600 // If you’re winging it out in the wilderness, having a smart watch could mean the difference between an enjoyable journey or Donner Party experience. The Apple Watch has a bunch of hiking friendly apps that can help guide you on your next off-grid adventure, but it’s limited to a seven hour GPS battery life. For tough navigating on multi-day trips, we recommend getting a watch with extended GPS mapping capabilities (up to about 72 hours), like the Garmin Fenix. While an investment, it could prove quite valuable in the wild. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Hanging Solar Shower Price Range: $10-$100 // Just cause you like being out in nature, doesn’t mean you need to be a filthy animal. We recommend buying a solar shower that holds no more than 2.5 gallons, since it’s much easier to fill and hang, and is less likely to pop under its own weight. Also, 2.5 gallons is more than enough for two people. Buy Local Buy Online 3. Jetboil Price Range: $100-$400 // Hiking makes you hungry. Really hungry. The last thing you want to do after several hours on the trail is expend more energy getting dinner together. The Jetboil design gets water boiling in about 2.5 minutes, so you can have your pre-made trail meals on their way to your belly in less time than the average pop song. Buy Local Buy Online 4. Wool Socks Price Range: $10-$100 // Not all socks are made alike. Wool socks are the ideal choice for the trail for a number of reasons: They regulate temperature to prevent excessive foot sweat, have antimicrobial properties to prevent stinky feet, and offer extra cushioning so your dogs aren’t barking after a long day out on the trail. Bonus: REI has an excellent guide on the proper socks to use during a variety of seasonal trail conditions. Buy Local Buy Online We hope you've found this list to be helpful as you plan this Summer's adventures. If there are items you love to use and we didn't include, feel free to shoot us an email or message us on social with your thoughts. It's always great to hear from you and for all of us to share with each other. Special shoutout to Sawtooth Mountain Guides for the cover photo. If you’re looking for some professionals to guide you on an epic backcountry trip, we highly recommend their services. Next Week: Water Sports

Hi Everyone! We’re excited to bring you Week 2 of our Summer Adventure series. This series is meant to inform and equip you with useful resources for making the most of this summer. As a reminder, our goals for each article are to: 1. Equip & Inspire - Each article will be specifically crafted to outfit you and your vehicle for the given topic. 2. Dive Deeper - Though some of the recommendations will be straightforward, we’ll also include products you’ve never thought of or know much about, but can have an impact on your adventure. 3. Support Local - We’re a local small business and want to support other local small businesses. That said, we also want to give you options, so we’ll include both a local business and an online outlet for you to choose from. more This Week’s Focus: Mountain Biking Boise is a mountain biker’s paradise. With over 150 rideable trails in the Boise area alone, you will have no problem finding some epic routes, regardless of your skill level. Beyond Boise, a car ride will afford you amazing views and a plethora of trails among Idaho’s beautiful mountains. Whether you’re just starting out or already consider yourself a mountain biker, having the right gear can mean the difference between a day of frustration or pure joy. To help you make the most of your mountain bike adventures, we’ve compiled this gear list to elevate your biking game to the next level. Equipping Your Vehicle 1. Bike Racks Price Range: $100-$600 // Sure, you could just shove your mountain bike into the back of your SUV or truck, but you’re likely to do some damage to the bike or your car. As you’ve likely seen, there are a myriad of options of how to transport your bike(s) from one place to the next. Below we’ve touched on a couple options to get you going. Hitch Mount Rack Buy Local Buy Online Tailgate Pad Buy Local Buy Online Trunk Rack Buy Local Buy Online 4. Portable Air Compressor Price Range: $50-$100 // As they say “work smarter, not harder” and a portable air compressor is a perfect example of just that. They can be powered via your 12-volt cigarette lighter or a rechargeable lithium battery. On certain models, you can preset the PSI and the compressor will automatically shut off once it reaches the desired pressure. Buy Local Buy Online 4. Bike Tool Kit Price Range: $100-$300 // It’s such a bummer to get to the trailhead and unload your bike, only to find that you’ve broken something and can’t ride. That scenario can be avoided if you stock your vehicle with a full bike repair kit that has the tools necessary to get you back in the saddle. Bonus: If you’re wanting to build your own kit, check out this helpful video. And, don’t forget your tire plug kit! Buy Local Buy Online Equipping You 1. CO2 Tire Inflator Price Range: $50-$100 // Getting stuck out on the trail with a flat tire sucks, plain and simple. With a CO2 tire inflator setup, you can deal with the problem in the moment and get back to riding. These inflators are also compact enough to carry in a hydration pack. Buy Local Buy Local Buy Online Buy Online 2. Electronic Suspension Analyser Price Range: $300-$400 // Getting suspension just right for your riding style is usually a trial and error game, but an electronic suspension analyzer helps you dial in the right settings quicker and easier. How it works: Motion sensors attach to your front and rear suspension, analyzing motion and travel. Then an app allows you to view ride data and offers recommendations for air pressure, spring rate, compression, and rebound. Buy Local Buy Online 3. Cushioned Shorts Price Range: $20-$250 // No matter your biology, even the most comfortable bike seats can make those extended rides painful on the inner thighs and bum. Protect yourself and enjoy those longer journeys with some cushioned bike shorts. They come in all styles and are either already attached to shorts or can be worn under your favorite biking shorts. Buy Local Buy Online 4. Dropper Seatpost Price Range: $150-$800 // Sick downhill runs and jumps are far easier when you can drop your seat with the push of a button. Not to mention, it’s a real pain to be ejected from your bike due to a fully extended seat post, so we’ve heard. 😉 Letting your knees absorb the shock while riding rough terrain and navigating landings is a game changer. Buy Local Buy Online 5. Full Face Helmet Price Range: $50-$500 // Going all out downhill and on jumps can have some serious repercussions without wearing a full face helmet. While you might look really cool in the moment, you could also end up in the emergency room with mangled facial features. For your sake, for your (future) spouse’s sake, trust us on this one...go full helmet! Buy Local Buy Online We hope you've found this list to be helpful as you plan this Summer's adventures. If there are items you love to use and we didn't include, feel free to shoot us an email or message us on social with your thoughts. It's always great to hear from you and for all of us to share with each other. Next Week: Backpacking

Hey Everyone! We’re excited to kick-off our new Summer Adventure series where we plan to inform and equip you with useful resources for making the most of this summer. Starting today, and in the coming weeks, we’ll be hitting topics like: camping, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Our goals for each article are to: 1. Equip & Inspire - Each article will be specifically crafted to outfit you and your vehicle for the given topic. 2. Dive Deeper - Though some of the recommendations will be straightforward, we’ll also include products you’ve never thought of or know much about, but can have an impact on your adventure. 3. Support Local - We’re a local small business and want to support other local small businesses. That said, we also want to give you options, so we’ll include both a local business and an online outlet for you to choose from. more This Week’s Focus: Camping When we think Summertime, one of the first things that comes to mind is camping. Getting out of the hustle and unplugging from our daily routines is so enriching to our lives. Connecting with nature and the ones we love truly has mental and emotional health benefits. Lucky for us, we live in a beautiful state with so many places to explore and find that peace. Did you realize that 70% of Idaho is public lands? Amazing! With 9 national forests and 12 wilderness areas, there are nearly infinite places to explore and “get lost” for a while. To help you make the most of those adventures where you’ll camp, we’ve curated this list of gear for you to maximize your time and minimize frustrations. Equipping Your Vehicle 1. Vehicle Awnings Price Range: $150-$800 // The brutal heat of the summer sun or unexpected stormy weather make it essential to have a safe haven, and it’s especially convenient to have one directly next to your vehicle. Vehicle awnings are generally designed for trucks and SUVs, but if you have a roof rack on your sedan, you can attach one too. Several options are available, from those that provide overhead cover, to those that extend to the ground offering protection from wind gusts and sideways rain. Buy Local Buy Online 2. Gear Organizers Price Range: $500-$4,000 // Keeping track of gear can be frustrating and even exhausting. Purchasing a gear organization setup for your vehicle maximizes space use and shortens time setting up/breaking down the campsite. These add-ons are generally designed as setups for the trunk, bed, or third row of a vehicle and feature rollout or fold up drawers. The more expensive versions usually lock as well so your pricey camping or camera gear is safe while you’re out fishing or hiking. Setups range from basic nylon baskets to custom fabricated stainless steel drawers. Buy Local Buy Online 4. Roof Rack Tent Price Range: $1,000-$4,000 // Scoring that perfect campsite, especially during peak camping season, isn’t always an option. Or maybe you’re simply wanting to be as remote as possible. These handy roof mounted tents can be set up in a few minutes and let you get a good night’s sleep pretty much anywhere. They also keep you high off the ground and away from insects, snakes, and other wildlife. Campers access the roof rack tent via ladder, and some models even incorporate an extended cover for the ladder space, which can also double as a cozy hangout offering protection from the elements. Buy Local Buy Online 5. Bumper Dumper Price Range: $50-$100 // Doing your business in the middle of the woods can be a real bummer, pardon the pun. No longer must you squat awkwardly! You can get the Bumper Dumper, a hitch mountable toilet. For less than a $100, you can post up on the john and enjoy much better scenery than even your home has to offer. Feeling extra crappy errr crafty? Check out this DIY Bumper Dumper build video! Buy Local: We’re not seeing these anywhere in a local shop, but you might be able to find a handy neighbor with a welder to do the job for you. Buy Online: Uncle Booger’s Bumper Dumper 5. Insulated Coolers Price Range: $100-$500 // Without a full solar/battery bank setup, even small, energy efficient refrigerators aren’t a realistic option for extended camping. These hardshell, insulated coolers hold ice for several days and most come with bear-proof latches, so your meals don’t end up in their stomach instead of yours. Some models even come with dividers and wire baskets to keep food dry. Pro Tip: Fill the bottom of the cooler with some cold water and ice, let sit for a few hours, then remove to cool the interior immediately before use. To keep food cold for several days, use blocked ice instead of crushed. Buy Local Buy Online Equipping You 1. Laundry Cleaning Bag Price Range: $30-$100 // Let’s face it, camping is a stinky business. Dirt, sweat, fire smoke, and food stains can make for some pretty nasty laundry. These handy bags allow you to pack less clothing and clean small batches of laundry to hang dry. Simply fill the bag with laundry, water, and a bit of detergent, then shake/turn until your heart’s content. (Bonus: you’ll also get a nice arm workout.) Buy Local Buy Online 2. Bunk Bed Cots Price Range: $200-$400 // Navigating a tent full of sleeping campers without smashing any fingers can be an ordeal. Luckily, you can manage your space better and avoid discomfort from the cold hard ground with a pair of bunk bed cots. Some models even come with extra storage slots for sunglasses and headlamps. Disclaimer: These obviously work best in larger, family-style tents. Buy Local Buy Online 3. Portable Water Filter Price Range: $30-$100 // In a bad spot, these things can be the difference between life and death. They are also pretty handy if you know you’ll be camping near a water source and you don’t want to pack a bunch of H20. Now, you’ll see smaller straw-type designs, but those don’t allow you to store water in larger containers. Going with a pump filter means getting filtered water faster and in large amounts. Buy Local Buy Online 4. Camping Table Price Range: $50-$100 // Kitchen amenities are pretty convenient. Out in the woods, you quickly notice how essential basic items like tables make a massive difference when it comes to simple tasks like meal prep. Camping tables are manufactured in a variety of heights and sizes to fit your needs, whether you’re planning to go out with the whole family or do a solo excursion. Buy Local Buy Online 5. Portable Fire Pit Price Range: $50-$200 // Landing a campsite with a designated fire pit can sometimes be a challenge, and you don’t want to be responsible for a potentially devastating forest fire. So, bringing along a portable fire pit is a great alternative. These fire pits set up quickly and some are even designed for cooking attachments. Buy Local Buy Online We hope you've found this list to be helpful as you plan this Summer's adventures. If there are items you love to use and we didn't include, feel free to shoot us an email or message us on social with your thoughts. It's always great to hear from you and for all of us to share with each other. Next Week: Mountain Biking

Last time I checked, tire maintenance is still pretty important. You should treat your tires like your own children, with strict discipline. You should also give them plenty of attention and devote your energy to their care and wellbeing. For tires to grow up healthy and well-balanced, they need to be rotated and hugged often. Well, they don’t need to be hugged, but I have my own methods of care and it’s nobody’s business. more Why Should I Rotate? First off, tires are expensive. Unless you like to shelling out unnecessary dough on some shiny new rubber, you should rotate your tires to make sure they wear evenly. It’s far more likely that your tires will reach that intended lifetime mileage if you rotate your tires based on manufacturer’s recommendations, or at least every 5,000  miles. Rotating your tires helps ensure even wear and extends the life of your tires. Over time, friction from the road wears down your tires, and that wear needs to be distributed evenly to avoid poor performance, vibrations, and costly early replacement. Common tire issues from lack of rotation include cupping, which looks like scoops of the edge of the tire tread have been torn out. Also, you want the other pretty important parts of your vehicle—like the drivetrain—to last plenty long, so you don’t want to stress them out by not getting your tires rotated regularly. How Do I Do It? You’ll need a jack and jack stands to elevate your vehicle so you can remove the tires with a lug wrench and some elbow grease. Always be safe when elevating a vehicle and make sure it is secure and stable when you’re performing maintenance. Then you need to determine the correct rotation pattern for your tires. Bridgestone has a helpful guide to the various patterns needed for front-wheel, rear-wheel, and all-wheel drives with directional or non-directional tread tires, different sized rear and front tires, and vehicles without a full spare. Always roll your tire and check for things like embedded screws that can cause slow leaks and tire failure. Once you’ve gotten the proper pattern figured out, make sure the tires are tightened back onto the vehicle using the star pattern with your lug or impact wrench. Also, learn how to read the wear bars on your tire so you know when they are reaching the end of their life and need replacement. When you have your tires removed, don’t forget to check for any damage or embedded materials. Slow leaks are often caused by screws and other pointed objects. A slow leak can eventually become a big one and leave you with a flat when it’s most inconvenient. What Else Causes Uneven Wear? Though tire rotations are a crucial part of proper tire maintenance, it’s always best to maintain proper alignment. If you are noticing your vehicle pulls left or right when you’re not firmly gripping the steering wheel, you should get your car into the shop for an alignment check ASAP. Getting your tires balanced can help immensely too. Static tire imbalance can be the source of upward feeling vibration or jumping while dynamic imbalance causes side-to-side steering wheel shake or swaying. Not getting these issues fixed is an early death warrant for tires. Worn suspension and shocks can also contribute to uneven tire wear. Think about all of that stopping and going you do in your vehicle on one drive to work. Those forces compounded by countless days of commuting add up and will end up costing you a whole lot more in the long run if you don’t have components replaced based on mileage or manufacturer’s recommendations. Reading Tire Wear So those tires aren’t exactly new anymore, but how do you know when they are unsafe to drive and need to be replaced? Federal law requires manufacturers to include wear bars on tires that show the depth of tread. Checking tire tread depth helps determine whether your tire is safe and indicates when it needs to be replaced. Tread depth is calculated by measuring 32nds of an inch. Usually, tires are manufactured with a tread depth of about 10/32”. When tire tread is worn down to 3/32” and below are very dangerous and need to be replaced immediately. In fact, you’re breaking federal law by continuing to use tires with so little tread. If you’re having a hard time measuring tread depth with the attached indicators, you can always use a tread depth gauge. If you have a quarter handy, you can use our nation’s first president’s head as a makeshift depth reader. Insert Washington head first into the tread space. If you can see the top of his head, you need to invest in new tires.

Idaho is perfect for bouldering. The state’s geological history includes massive deposits of magma that shape the landscape all along the Snake River Plain. Ancient super floods and the Snake River have carved canyons and filled them with large basalt boulders offering climbers the chance to practice the sport they love without the need for a partner or a slew of expensive equipment. People have told me that bouldering is less intimidating than climbing with a rope. I’m not sure if I agree. Even though there are nice pillowy crash pads all along the base of the shorter walls at Asana gym in Garden City, a fall from a higher section could result in a nice broken ankle. more A Twist of Climbing Fate Most of Asana’s climbing space is dedicated to bouldering, but this Treasure Valley climbing staple almost never made it to Idaho. Asana owner Rory O’Leary never intended to open a gym here. Instead, he had planned to open a climbing gym in Germany where he’d lived as an exchange student. But before he could get that gym off of the ground, somebody else beat him to the punch and started their own gym. “Unfortunately, the demographic wasn’t large enough to support both gyms,” O’Leary said. “I ended up coming back to the states a year later to do the gym here.” Asana Gym Owner Rory O'Leary intended to start a gym in Germany, but ended up in Garden City. He went the bouldering route with the gym since the return on investment was better with lower startup costs, and fewer staff certification requirements. “Bouldering also tends to be more community-oriented,” he said. “People are sitting down together and working out different routes as opposed to holding a rope and having to keep a climber from falling.” O’Leary’s advice to those who want to get into climbing: go to a gym in the valley, try both bouldering and rope climbing, and develop friendships with other climbers who can help you improve. To simulate different outdoor climbing scenarios, Asana has climbing terrain like their top out boulder and arch so climbers can get used to pulling themselves all the way to the top of a structure and practice in overhead terrain. The “Father of Bouldering” Modern bouldering at Asana and throughout the world owes much of its debt to the American John Gill. Gill’s list of achievements is pretty impressive. He was a gymnast, an Air Force veteran, a renowned mathematician and professor, and is considered by many to be the father of modern bouldering. In the early 1950’s, Gill began to climb regularly and by the middle of that decade, he’d introduced gymnastic movements to the sport, the regular use of hand chalk for gripping, and introduced climbing problems never considered before. “Inspired by controlled releases and catches in artistic gymnastics, I began practicing controlled dynamic moves, as a technique of choice as well as one of necessity, calling some ‘free aerials’ (dynos). ” Gill wrote in Origins of Bouldering. The gym has a great variety of bouldering terrain for climbers of all skill levels. This “dynamic motion” technique introduced by Gill involves using the body’s momentum to reach holds as opposed to the traditional “static” technique in which climbers where slow, controlled movement is used. “I may well have been the first serious climber to specialize in bouldering and to promote the ‘new’ sport as a universal activity - not restricted to a particular locale - and to argue for its acceptance as a legitimate form of rock climbing,” Gill wrote. Beyond Rock Climbing Back at Asana, some of the gym members are honing their strength and grace doing things like aerial silk movements on the gym’s large aerial rig. “We do silk classes, lyra (aerial hoop) classes, we also do strap classes and we are always looking for experienced instructors in this field so we can offer more classes,” O’Leary said. “We have the highest setup in the state, I believe.” The aerial rig was integrated into the climbing gym, he said, because there was plenty of space and aerial exercises seem to go hand-in-hand with climbing. Asana also offers aerial silk classes using their large indoor aerial rig. “People who climb develop that grip strength and forearm strength and endurance which lends itself very well to anything aerial and vice-versa,” O’Leary said. He said when an aerialist comes in to practice at Asana, they have a strength advantage over beginner climbers and may take to the sport quickly. While I spoke with O’Leary, a young aerialist practiced with her coach, gracefully maneuvering while gripping the folds of a large red piece of silk. The young gymnast said she got into the sport after seeing an episode of America’s Got Talent. “I like it because it’s fun and unique,” she said. “It’s very hard and you have to be very committed.” Post-Exercise Relaxation Climbing is rigorous and takes a toll on your upper body. Asana offers some post-exercise brews for climbers who want to take a load off, discuss their technique with fellow enthusiasts and just enjoy each other’s company. “Here in Barsana, we’ve got eight taps,” O’Leary said. “We serve kombucha and seven local craft beers. We keep our selection to local so we’re supporting other local businesses.” There’s a sign located near the exit of Barsana which clearly states the gym’s rules regarding drinking alcohol: “Once that beer or wine hits your lips, no more grabbing the grips.” Overall, Asana is an ideal place for climbers to head after work to blow off some steam, challenge themselves mentally and physically, and make new friends from the local climbing community. With a full traditional gym, members can integrate bouldering into their daily workout. There’s even a traditional gym area for those looking to build strength or incorporate climbing into their regular gym routine. During COVID, the gym limits occupation to 50 climbers and offers contactless show rentals. For more information, call (208) 345-7625, visit the gym at 4977 N. Glenwood St. in Garden City, or go to www.asanaclimbinggym.com.