Idaho State Fish is the Cutthroat Trout

http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/emblem.htm

The Cutthroat Trout was designated the state fish by the 1990 legislature. The Cutthroat, along with the Rainbow and Bull Trout, is native to Idaho. The body color varies with the back ranging from steel gray to olive green. The sides may be yellow brown with red or pink along the belly. The Cutthroat name comes from the distinctive red to orange slash on the underside of its lower jaw. The scientific name for Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki, is in reference to William Clark who first described in detail the Cutthroats of the Columbia River. His partner Meriwether Lewis earlier encountered Cutthroats near the great falls of Montana's Missouri River in July of 1805. Cutthroat species found in Idaho are the Westslope Cutthroat which is found in northern and central Idaho and the Yellowstone Cutthroat which is found in southeastern Idaho.

Interesting note on YNP wolves

Maybe these wolves will still be in the area when I get to the Lamar Valley and Slough Creel area this summer. The one time I heard a wolf howl was AWESOME.

Lack of snow sends Yellowstone wolf pack wandering

More news about lake trout in YNP

This idea is pretty good. Get them at the source. Kind of like how they always get the aliens in movies....go for the eggs.

`Judas fish' to help kill lake trout, save cutthroat

New/more Environmental study results

Whatever your view is on wolves, this interesting reading from an Oregon State Univ study.

'Yellowstone increasingly looks like a different place' | Eugene News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KVAL CBS 13 | - Eugene, Oregon | Local & Regional News for Eugene, Springfield Oregon

YNP stats from "Natural Resource Vital Signs"

Here are some new stats about Yellowstone National Park, via KTVQ.com Mobile Friendly Website.

Yellowstone National Park's 2011 "Natural Resource Vital Signs" report is helping park managers and scientists more fully understand the status of important ecological "health indicators."


• Invasive Species: Since 1994 more than 550,000 invasive Lake Trout have been removed from Yellowstone Lake to help revive the population of native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.


The 2011 report can be found online at http://www.greateryellowstonescience.org/sites/default/files/Vital_signs_report_2011NOV.pdf

First Aid in the backcountry....use the winter time to learn some!

This post has been sitting as a draft for a while. It's time to post it!

Safety is number one out in the backcountry, but sometimes we do get hurt. Below is a great article about basic backcountry first aid.

"Whether you're a guide, trip leader, or just enjoy getting outdoors, Wilderness First Aid training is a fantastic thing to have. Our class ran the full spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts including five trip leaders from TerraMar Adventures, several river guides, and folks who enjoyed solo and extended trips. The skills we learned will be valuable for all of us. You'll learn how to care for people who are far from definitive medial care, and that kind of knowledge is priceless. Find a course near you through NOLS WMI."






adventure-inspired: Seven Important Takeaways from Wilderness First Aid Training with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Bloomsburg University Quest

Idaho autumn morning

Travelling early in the morning. Beautiful sunrise on a crisp morning.