UpNorthica

This last weekend saw the 14th annual Book Across the Bay an annual 10k snow shoe/ski race across the Chequamegon bay. This year the race had 3300 registrants raising money that goes to the Book Across the Bay Community Grant Program. This program gives funds to organisations that encourage physical and mental wellness among residents of the Chequamegon Bay region. Recently this has included the Legion Memorial Library in Mellen, the City of Ashland Parks and Recreation Department, and the UW-Extension, Bayfield County among others. According to the Event’s creators:

Book Across the Bay is the upper Midwest’s most unique winter event, open to skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels. The 10-kilometer course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn, and follows a route not on land, but over the frozen surface of Lake Superior, the world’s largest lake. The event is held at night, and the course is lit by the stars above and up to 1,000 candles in ice luminaries that line the entire route.

For those of you wondering, yes the event does include beer and chili as mandated by the Wisconsin State Constitution. All post race aches and pains aside I have to say my first snow shoe race was a great experience and I’m definitely returning next year. More info on the Book Across the Bay site, and a growing photo set on Flickr.

It took a few weeks, but we’re back and very happy to be so!

When our hosting service’s grid server suffered a security breach, we found some malicious code was causing our site to redirect users to random web sites. Many thanks go to our friend Matt for his troubleshooting expertise in eradicating the problem!

Now that it’s finally(!) been removed, we can’t wait to start show-and-telling about the best place on earth: The Boundary Waters. Let’s go!

Like a first time paddler launching into a vast island-dotted lake, the world became a lot bigger for me as I viewed “This is Canoeing,” the latest project from paddler/filmmaker Justine Curgenven. Gathered into this 2-disc set are 12 film featurettes, each bringing a fresh and memorable viewpoint of what it is to canoe today.

A veritable film fest in and of itself, “This is Canoeing” sees Curgenven globetrotting across the UK, Canada and the US for unique stories of paddling — no, I mean *really* unique. Like the 4-year old kid who runs rapids. The modern-day voyageur. The pair who teach canoes how to dance. There are solo-trippers, slalom champs and trusty canine sidekicks. There’s paddling, poling, sailing, lining and a few good spills. Canoes are harmed in the making of this film.

Read on for descriptions of each featurette, and more…

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The buzz began last week, when a spokesperson for a relief organization in Haiti made this desperate plea in a New York Times article: “Tents, tents, tents [...] That’s the word we want to get out. We need tents.”

Some 100,00 tents, in fact, will be needed to shelter an estimated half million refugees.

It didn’t take long for people to act. Minnesota’s own Gear Junkie (Stephen Regenold) soon found himself being nominated by bloggers to organize a tent donation effort. Turns out, he discovered, there’s one in motion already; one that you and I can help with, too.

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Sunday begins the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth. The race is steeped in the history and legend of the North Shore mail carrier of the same name. And this year, organizers are bringing spectators closer to the race — and its roots.

Read on for a glimpse of what to expect. Then rush to pack your bags for the race!

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Giving birth to bear cubs isn’t easy. Now, I’ve never done it, but something in me knows it must be. I just know. Tougher still, is delivering cubs in front of the whole world.

Meet Lily the Black Bear. She’s become an internet sensation as an infrared den cam has captured her days and hours leading up to the birth; the first of its kind to be caught on video. Poor mama — such pressure, such loss of dignity. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LIVE FEED RIGHT NOW!!!

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Duluth Pack has been making their Moose Hide Choppers since infinity ago. For so long, in fact, I’d heard a rumor that they actually hold a patent on the moose itself.

As with their canoe packs, Duluth Pack’s choppers have maintained a certain loyalty among outdoorsy types. While most outerwear brands have chased after ever-newer materials and technology, the choppers have changed little since Ely tanner Henry began making them in 1974. Are they still tough enough?

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To truly appreciate this time-lapse, you need to watch it in HD. The tiny waterbugs at the bottom right are the 40 teams competing in the Quebec Winter Carnival canoe race. Dodging icebergs. Risking capsized canoes and probably luring hungry arctic wolves. In all seriousness, this kind of crazy stunt is a beautiful way to celebrate the sheer wildness of Winter’s offerings.

Which draws immediate comparisons; their Winter Carnival sure sounds more thrilling than Minnesota’s. What do we have? People casing the parks of St. Paul late at night for medallions. Icky Vulcans on parade who people shield their kids from. The occasional ice castle that you can watch as it melts beneath sponsored JumboTron video walls.

In a state wherein you can find polar bear swimming, dogsledding and snowmobiling over open water… perhaps we shouldn’t wonder why our Winter Carnival is so lame. Via Paddling.net.

Aspire to go winter camping, but have cold feet? Backpacker has posted a fairly comprehensive ‘winter camping essentials’ guide to help allay your fears and warm you up to the experience.

The collection of articles covers how to dress, what to bring, and how to do what you need to do — all without losing precious body parts to frostbite. There’s a lot to be learned, so read on for our highlights.

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It feels great to kickoff 2010 on a good note: Several positive changes are afoot on the BWCA’s Banadad Ski Trail this winter.

First, the way has recently been paved (no, not literally) for better winter travel. A DNR grant, as well as donated time from volunteers have resulted in some wider, clearer and flatter sections of the Banadad.

Which leads to the new managment: After twenty years, Boundary Country Trekking (a company) has passed the trail management along to the newly-formed Banadad Trail Association.

And then there’s Olga. As one of the yurt accomodations along the trail, the structure known affectionately as “Olga” has been rebuilt and restored to her former yurty glory. And if you’ve never stayed in a yurt before, they’re an experience not to be missed — almost a mashup between camping and cabining.

Winter is sorta whipping into shape again, so news like this should spur you to make skiing plans along the Banadad, about now-ish.

I’ve never done a stellar job with knots, myself, but I’d give almost anything for the full story behind this one.

Recently posted in the Duluth News-Tribune:
“FOUND: Canoe on I-35. Call [# omitted] to identify.”

Awesome. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!

Ah, snow caves and igloos: Bringers of warmth and shelter amidst Winter’s deepest cold. Symbols of welcome and hospitality — perhaps never more so when they’re spared for the next weary winter camper who comes along.

So why do we have to drag them into the Leave No Trace debate?

There’s an interesting discussion over at NWHikers about whether or not snow shelters should be destroyed when it’s time to break camp. As with leaving firewood, isn’t leaving an igloo intact, considered an act of goodwill? And doesn’t it melt eventually, anyhow? Actually, the argued ‘whens’ and ‘whys’ make a bit of sense; it’s worth a read.

What do you think? Should snow shelters be left behind in the BW?

Via SnowCampers WinterCampers.
[Photo: Flickr user Paul Jerry]

When considering the topic of winter survival, I’m compelled to believe that snow forts just SO ROCK!

In what feels like a page stolen from a modern architecture journal, Wend Magazine has posted a number of unusual igloo creations.

Igloo construction tools (like Grand Shelters’ ICEBOX) are becoming more widely used in winter camping. So it’s more than just fun to see how creative people are getting with them — the gallery is actually a pretty good resource.

Even with an ICEBOX, it can take up to 4 hours to build an igloo. That doesn’t leave a wide margin of error, in terms of daylight. So maybe next time I endeavor to build one, I’ll steal this page myself (especially that rad Fortress of Solitude one.) Via WinterCampers.

If you’re a dedicated runner, you’ll get your miles in, regardless of any amount of snow. You don’t let it stop you, so why even let the stuff slow you down?

This re-printed article on running with snowshoes has good advice for staying on top of your fitness — and on top of the snow — this winter. The advice on going small is something I’d say can be applied for trips into the BW during winter. You really don’t need shoes as big as canoe paddles.

Very helpful stuff; wish I’d followed the workout suggestions long before my last winter camping trip.

Yeah, that’s right, I’m doin’ it to you again: Just as you were getting antsy for a decent snowfall and all the fun of a Minnesota winter, I have to tantalize you with crazy warm weather activities again.

Nine-plus minutes may seem a little long for watching this guy SUPing in whitewater, but ride it out. It allowed me enough time to watch’n'learn a little from his technique. By the end, I felt like I’d taken the first session in an instructional course. Enjoy, but don’t get any ideas — even I would be wary of trying this for the first time, in December. Via Canoeroots.