Seattle

The young man known as the “Barefoot Bandit” pled guilty to several criminal counts in a Washington state courthouse today, earning himself more than 7 years in prison. Colton Harris-Moore, 20, managed to evade police in stolen planes, boats and cars for 2 years before officials finally caught up with… Read the rest

This year, the American Alpine Club is bringing its annual Craggin’ Classic climbing festival to the Northwest to celebrate the land purchase that has kept a key climbing area from becoming a privately-owned development. In 2009, AAC, Access Fund, the Washington Climber’s Coalition and locals raised the funds necessary to… Read the rest

What is it with people trying to steal bicycles at all costs these days? According to Seattle Crime, a man reportedly used a bicycle to fend off a butcher knife-wielding attacker this morning.
The victim had been standing next his friend’s bike when the suspect attempted to steal it. Some… Read the rest

The 911 calls began at 2:31 p.m. on Monday when onlookers noticed a 20-year-old woman riding her bicycle, naked, along a highway in the state of Washington. A trooper was dispatched, but was unable to locate her. Later that afternoon, at 4:20, another call came in to police. The woman,… Read the rest

If you’ve ever wanted to climb Mount Rainier, but haven’t yet mustered the strength, money or whatever to actually get out and do it, now’s your chance. Companies Outdoor Research, International Mountain Guides and Skram Media have partnered to form the Climb a Northwest Icon Sweepstakes, which will send one… Read the rest

The San Juan Islands are a Northwest gem. Located near Seattle, they offer their own array of natural beauty in the form of rock and sand beaches, sprawling forests, lakes and protected wetlands. The Islands also happen to the be epicenter of whale watching in the Northwest, where you can… Read the rest

Welcome back, all you sublimity-suckling vertebrates. This week’s dose of the awesome was shot at the Seattle Aquarium, where staff just couldn’t seem to find out why all the four-foot sharks in one particular tank kept dying. It remained a scientific mystery until one of them decided stay overnight with… Read the rest

Paddle to Seattle Trailer from Ben Gottfried on Vimeo.
What do you get when you paddle 1,300 miles in homemade wooden Pygmy kayaks from Alaska to Seattle? One incredibly epic story and film with beautiful boats, shots and wildlife as well as a taste of the tad bit of craziness… Read the rest

According to the Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus, absent-minded (drunk?) cyclists have forgotten 400 bicycles in the five years since the agency first began installing racks on its buses. The agency also claims that about three-quarters of those bastardized bikes never even get reclaimed.
But it’s not just Columbus.… Read the rest

In order to encourage people to drive less, and also promote kicking back and truly enjoying the day, the City of Seattle will close three streets for several hours on three consecutive Sundays. With no cars on the street — except local traffic — they’ll be open for all kinds… Read the rest

Add L.A. to your list of big cities doing good things; the L.A. City Council voted Tuesday to ban plastic bags in stores beginning July 1, 2010. Starting that date, shoppers will have to shop with their own bags or pay 25 cents for a paper or biodegradable bag. L.A.… Read the rest