January 31st, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Gear, Winter Sports
For adrenaline junkies in Minnesota, the prospects for winter fun may seem…flat. Few ski hills to choose from. Just thousands of desolate frozen lakes, silent in their winter sleep. Hectares of snow-shrouded steppes laying fallow ’til spring thaw, right? Enter the Snowfer. Sails—no, flies!—over ice and even over snow alone. Looks wayyy cooler than snowmobiling [...]
January 30th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Camping, Outdoor Living, Survival Skills
A North Carolina man (that is to say, not a Minnesotan) hones his survival skills by attempting a friction fire with various conifer woods. In the dead of winter, while neglecting to bring gloves. You know, fer fun!
Jabs aside, it is interesting and well-documented. It’s a blessing that our modern times have allowed ’survival skills’ [...]
January 30th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Gear
I’m crying as I write this, Garmin. You must know that someday, perhaps our love could work… but today is not that day. No, please, let me explain… I adore the good looks of your Colorado 400i model, with its color display and uber-cool Rock ‘n’ Roller controls. And I love your brilliant mind too—all [...]
January 29th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Outdoor Living
This time of year, paddlers begin to get restless. Longing for the open water, we pull out crackly maps from years past and plan the next trip. We put the finishing touches on voluminous, 46-page trip reports from last fall. And we sign up for the Far North Symposium, at St. Paul’s Metro State University, [...]
January 29th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Wildlife
Findings from fifty-year study (the longest such study ever done) on the predator/prey relationships of wolves and moose are being shared with the public. The anniversary will be commemorated in speaking engagements (sadly, none in Minnesota) and lesson plans for teachers. Like you, I’d wondered, Great, but what’s so unique about the study to [...]
January 29th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
North Shore, Winter Sports
From heavy melts Monday and freezing rains overnight, to sled dogs eating their booties(?), it’s been a wild race so far. The weather conditions have definitely run a range, but they haven’t stopped the dogs nor the mushers yet. Don Galloway of Makinen, MN has been declared the winner of the Mid-Distance Marathon. [...]
January 29th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW, Quetico, Resources
Headed up into Quetico this year? Here’s a heads-up about new regulations, effective January 31, on acceptable forms of identification as you cross into Canada. Sounds like, “Hi, I’m Me, and I’m an American” won’t cut it anymore…
January 27th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Art, BWCAW
When I joined the Boundary Waters Flickr Pool a few years back, there were maybe a dozen members. It’s now up to 150, turning out a steady current of beautiful images like “Morning Mists” here, by member Himalayafan. Make yourself happy today and pay the pool a lingering visit. Better yet, jump on in and [...]
January 26th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW, Wildlife
This is fascinating! A winter camper captures several minutes’ footage of a wolf and its prey on a frozen lake. And at the end, a couple seconds of a dude wearing infrared stalker gear, apparently?
January 25th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Gear, Winter Sports
A longtime supplier of aluminum to snowshoe companies like Tubbs and Atlas will soon be producing its own line of 80% recyclable snowshoes. While Easton Snowshoes will sport handy features like asymmetrical frames and independently-pivoting crampons, their sense of environmental responsibility impresses me most. They will even take the snowshoes back for recycling if none [...]
January 24th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Winter Sports
On the cusp of this weekend’s 25th Annual Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon comes another race…a much more *dangerous* game. [Insert steely, rough-hewn voice talent here] A grueling test of mettle in that most vicious of all outdoor arenas, New York City. Where only the most courageous and cunning souls drive their shopping carts to victory…I [...]
January 23rd, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW, Environment
A researcher’s computer simulations have predicted how global warming may affect the makeup of our boreal forests, and what—if anything— should be done to manage the changes.
Personally, while the forests as I’ve known them in my life are different than the ones of centuries (even decades) past, I found this article a bit disturbing. I [...]
January 22nd, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW, Environment
You may not have known who Bill Rom was. But if, when in the BWCA, you’ve ever appreciated the absence of noisy planes overhead, or felt thankful that campsites weren’t littered with bottles and cans; if you’ve ever enjoyed traveling the Kekakabec Trail that joins the Ely region to the Gunflint…then you have known his [...]
January 22nd, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW, Camping, Gear, Winter Sports
When bread-bag booties stuffed inside the ol’ moon boots just don’t cut it, go by this primer for layering in winter, by OutdoorReview.
January 22nd, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Outdoor Living, Winter Sports
An entertaining and fascinating site chronicling the quintessential Minnesotan past-time of ice fishing. The altogether beautiful and quirky photography; the audio of fishing tales and tinny radios blaring country music in the background…it all paints a warm picture for something that’s typically done in freakishly cold temps. It’s produced by Unfolding Forms, a collaborative effort [...]