UpNorthica

Ironic that Minnesota’s oldest state park, should be the first in our state to adopt that 21st-century amenity known as wireless internet access. But Itasca State Park is making the woods safe for persons entirely dependent upon their laptops and Blackberries. Or at least through year’s end, as part of an experiment of sorts to see if wireless is something that will draw visitors out.

Does it look like Minnesota is blazing a high-tech trail? We’re not. Jumping on the bandwagon would be a more accurate observation, as 28 other states have already made the move to high-speed wireless in their parks. But the MN-DNR is hoping this and similar tech-centric efforts, will spur an outdoors migration of execs and Twitterers alike.

At first, I bristled a little at the notion: If someone can’t escape their own cyber-busyness, that the problem is somehow the parks’. That suddenly a place intended to be all about ‘getting away from it all,’ should get back a little closer to it. But in contrast, there have been generations of park visitors in Winnebagos who eat on a picnic table before retreating back inside to watch Matlock re-runs, considering it all an outdoor experience. As a more ‘granola’ type, I may not prefer that, but as long as their television doesn’t affect my experience, then everyone’s happy.

Does wireless belong in the woods? What’s your take?

Unless you’ve been taught how, dealing with a swamped canoe can seem about as manageable as changing a tire on your car – while you’re still in motion. This quick video shows how to right the boat and get it safely to shore. This guy does it without even losing his shades; wow, he’s good.

Most of us hikers pride ourselves in ‘leaving no trace’ where our feet have trod. Jim Denevan makes a point of leaving as big a trace as he can. The performance artist has just made the world’s largest drawing in this dry Nevada lake bed (Jim is the tiny speck in the center). This record-breaking piece is three miles across and is comprised of over 100 miles’ worth of hiking. Denevan uses smooth, sandy landscapes as canvases and crude walking sticks to scrawl the monumental artworks. Incredibly, he does it all without any measuring aids! Most of his work is done on the oceanside, and is washed away by high tides. Check out some additional in-process shots of the drawing and more of Jim’s amazing works, here.

I love these low-impact artworks that cause one to stop and appreciate the natural environment all the more. I wonder if it’d be possible to do a connect-the-dots drawing in the Boundary Waters? Maybe by leaving a trail of gorp along the portages… Via Sierra Blogging Post

This Saturday, over 20,000 people will be celebrating The Great American Backyard Campout to discover and share the joys of the outdoors – even here in our own backyards. Whether you’re a self-described ‘indoorsy-type’ or a seasoned Boundary Waters canoeist, we at UpNorthica want to do our part to get you outside. So let us put a bug in your ear offer some great ways to make your campout memorable (as in, a happily memorable sort of way.)

Idea #1: Take a local hike
Start your campout by finding a trail that’s new to you… and just exploring it. Don’t drive far; find something local if you can. Then, take in one of the true simple pleasures of hiking: Finding out what’s around the next bend. It may be a turtle crossing the gravel path; a close encounter with deer hiding in the tallgrass… You’ll be surprised at the benefits from even a beautifully-shaded stretch of much-needed peace and quiet. Whatever you find, it makes for a great warm-up for your campout experience. And don’t forget that camera!

Now, where to find that trail?
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Blame it on high gas prices, or on low motivation to unplug the Xbox, but nobody disagrees that Americans have migrated indoors in the past few years. That’s no small tragedy, as it means a whole generation is literally missing out on a world of discovery.

Guarantee yourself a great weekend while you help reverse the trend by pitching in this Saturday, June 28th to celebrate The Great American Backyard Campout.

Held each June and now in its fourth year, Great American Backyard Campout™ is a national event that encourages individuals, youth, friends and families to camp out together for one night. Camping out in the backyard is an excellent introduction to this favorite pastime and the first step families can take to get outdoors and explore nature.

Organized by the National Wildlife Foundation, the event’s official web site has more activities and ideas than you could shake a trekking pole at, including campfire songs and stargazing resources.

Don’t own or rent any kids? Take heart! This week, UpNorthica will be sharing our own ideas to help prove that the outdoors really are for everybody. Be sure to check in – we’ll make a happy camper out of you yet.

We recently spent a camping weekend, under siege by wave after merciless wave of invading mosquitos. Our best defense? A kid-friendly bug spray that was so safe on skin, the bugs were misting themselves with it as a moisturizer. I would rather have smoked them out by lighting my own hair on fire, if I knew it would’ve worked better.

Luckily, I found this roundup of consumer-rated mosquito repellents available today. I’ve not tried the ‘natural’ favorite, but just might. Right after I grease myself up with a base layer of pure, certified organic DEET, made from vine-ripened DEETberries and hand-selected by honest local farmers named DEETer.

What works best for you?

 If you’ve been out in the Northwoods this year you may have noticed it’s a little easier to catch a glimpse of black bears (hopefully not while the’yre eating your food). While they aren’t as thick as mosquitos, the black bear population is at an all-time high. A study done by Timothy Van Deelen, a wildlife ecology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, indicates that there are at least twice as many bears as the Wisconsin DNR previously thought. This puts their population at around 26,000 in that state, which is on par with Minnesota and the UP.

Even with the bear population being twice as big as previously thought, the number of Wisconsin bear hunters is around 82,000 people, still greatly outnumbering the bear population.

via the Chicago Tribune and the Wisconsin DNR

Hey there, overcompensator! Now you can be your very own Rambo with this 80’s-era “Survivor” knife! The only thing missing from this multi-use marvel, is a collapsible mullet comb (maybe that’s sold separately?)

Favorite line: “…so perfectly balanced, it cuts like an extension of your own hand.” Huh?

Recent heavy rains have caused flooded basements and washed out roadways, making things rather difficult (if not disastrous) for human-types in far Northern Minnesota. So, how are the wood-folk handling the high waters?

This article details which fish and wildlife species are struggling, and which may serve to actually benefit from the changes. Most of those negatively impacted, can still adapt, but topping the ‘happy’ list is of course, the Minnesota state bird (and no, I don’t mean the loon.) Time to musk up on the DEET. Via Voyageurs.

Give yourself a minute to drool (like we did) over this latest project from Murat, a traditional paddle maker we’ve featured before. We’d love to have taken it on its maiden voyage in the BWCA. The warm tones of the birch bark, the natural lashings, the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail… lust lust lust.

But before you whip out a blank check (like we did) to order yours TODAY, you should know that it’s a miniature! Fits in his bathtub. Murat hopes to build a full-scale version soon, but this one will go on his wall. What! Not even for sale? If that news still leaves you bummed out (like we are), hopefully re-reading your copy of Paddle to the Sea will sate your desire for pretty little canoes.

We just posted some images from a recent 3-day hike along the Superior Hiking Trail. It’s been a few weeks since, but we’re still enjoying the blazing green hues of new growth; the fresh signs of wildlife in the mud and mossy duff; and the smell of chili with chorizo sausage links at the end of a day’s walking.

Photo highlights include a fresh moose track, a coyote pelt and lots of views that look good in pictures but when you were actually there, really felt a lot like creepy but beautiful LOTR scenes. Don’t take my word for it, though – go!

By Jove, they’ve done it! Chaska residents (and overall canoeing rockstars) Sean Bloomfield and Colton Witte, have completed their paddling voyage. A message to their families via locator beacon confirmed their Hudson Bay arrival at 2pm on Sunday.

The final days of the journey seem to have proven to be among their most challenging. They’ve not only had to reckon with rain and snow, but have had to time the last leg of their paddling, to avoid camping in polar bear territory. And that same weather is delaying the flight plan for their return home. Whenever they get back, I’m sure they can expect a heros’ welcome. Way to go, Men of Chaska!

JUST ANNOUNCED: A “Welcome Home Celebration” for Sean and Colton, to be held at the Bloomington REI on Thursday, June 26, at 7:00PM.

If you were planning this weekend to take your first dip of the season, up at the Temperance River swimming hole… better take out a bigger policy. As seen in this slideshow, heavy rainfalls have rivers along the North Shore at near-record water levels.

Swimming may be out, but head up Highway 61 this weekend with a camera, if for no other reason than to take a waterfalls tour. I found a halfway decent map of North Shore waterfalls, but if you wanna know about some of the real gems, email me: andy (at) upnorthica dot com.

Sean Bloomfield and Colton Witte, both ‘08 graduates of Chaska High School, are paddling 2,250 miles from their hometown to Hudson Bay, this summer. Though inspired by Eric Sevareid’s similar journey there from Minneapolis, (as told in his classic book “Canoeing With the Cree”) the duo may reach their goal in half of Sevareid’s time. At last update, they’d spent the night near Knee Lake in Manitoba [map], possibly the last patch of civilization before reaching the Hudson Bay community of York Factory.

I’m not sure that enough people have made that trek, to officially say they’d be breaking a record? I can say with all confidence though, that the journeys of Bloomfield and Witte do officially blow my mind. Powering through unforgiving weather and waters; fed on week-old, moldy pizza and other meager provisions… nobody will ever call them ‘boys’ again.

You can follow their progress on a site run by their family, and perhaps find inspiration for an adventure of your own.

I am darn good at putting holes in socks. From special order Icelandic hiking socks to popular domestic brands, my feet for some reason seem to be genetically designed to destroy socks. Over the last few months I’ve had the opportunity to test new challengers: Darn Tough Socks. I’ve worn them on early spring Lake Superior slush and Minnesota trails, and I can unequivocally say that they are my new favorite socks.

I tested both the Hike•Trek Micro Crew and the Boot Sock.

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