July 31st, 2008 |
by Arthur |
published in
Art, North Shore
Here is some “the week is almost over” fodder for you. We just posted a new set of photos from a late June hiking trip to the Superior Trail from Britton Peak to Caribou. Take a gander and hopefully they’ll inspire you to jump out of your cubicle and get out of town, come on you know [...]
July 29th, 2008 |
by Arthur |
published in
Camping, Food
There are very few things I dislike about camping, bugs and rain don’t really bother me. In fact the only things that I hate to do while camping is the dishes, and I know I’m not the only one. In scouts (yes I was a boy scout) we would go to extreme lengths to [...]
July 28th, 2008 |
by Arthur |
published in
Gear, Hiking
Unless you are an ultra light ounce counter, everyone at some point makes the decision to pack comfort over weight. I’m not talking about hiking with the kitchen sink (unless that’s “your thing”), more like bringing the baking attachment for your camp stove, or the Coleman Camp Coffeemaker (mix this with the Traveler coffee grinder ). I certainly have [...]
July 24th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Art, BWCAW, Fishing, Wildlife
Lots of pure ‘n’ natural photo goodness mixed into this Flickr set of a trip to Lac La Croix.
Some great shots of an eagle and some other wildlife. But what impresses me most though, are the pics that simply focus on beautiful colors, in places I might have otherwise overlooked; a subtle stippling of blue [...]
July 22nd, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Camping, Outdoor Living, Survival Skills, Wildlife
Here’s a pretty cool ‘backwoods hack’ to try next time you go camping. Or if nothing else, a fun game to play with the kids at night. The equation is based on Dolbear’s Law; more on that here. But here’s how it works:
1. Count the number of cricket chirps heard in 13 seconds.
2. To that [...]
July 21st, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW, Canoeing
It’s only natural that a fundraiser for a fire department should involve water being sprayed and splashed in every direction.
Last Wednesday, the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races were held at the Gunflint Lodge, finding participants in outfitters, area residents and even resort guests. Between races that included paddling backwards and with paddles upside down, the well-attended [...]
July 18th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW, Camping
Well, maybe not quite. But Doug over at MNBicycleCommuter has posted a trip report unlike anything you’ve seen in a while. Entertaining as the notion of cycling to the Boundary Waters may be, it should come as no surprise that people’s longing to get out in the northwoods, is still unabated by the fuel crisis. [...]
July 17th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
BWCAW
Honestly, it all started out as just being a “beautiful night” for a boat ride – and booze. And fireworks. And AK-47s.
But despite whatever good intentions [cough] Barney James Lakner began with on the evening of last August 7th, the ensuing marathon of terroristic threats to campers on Basswood Lake left a dark, long-lived stain on [...]
July 16th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Art, Uncategorized
We love every half inch of this 388-square foot getaway. With a loft perched above, bunks nestled away for guests, one huge picture window to take in the view, and absolutely zero space for entertainment centers or computer desks, what more do you need? Just plop it down anywhere within a 50-mile radius of Ely [...]
July 15th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Camping, Fishing, Gear
If you’re camping, say, in the Quetico, where are no latrines, you now have yourself an alternative to digging a ‘cat hole’ (and can I just say right now, I’ve always been totally grossed out by that term).
Shit Box is a collapsible and re-usable cardboard porta-potty, in the truest sense. It comes with 10 biodegradable [...]
July 15th, 2008 |
by Pam |
published in
Books, Outdoor Living
I have a yearning for the north. Someday I plan to own a cabin, living as simply as possible (if I’m lucky, it’ll be without running water or electricity.) Like Elliot Merrick in his classic 1933 memoir, True North, I often contemplate the balance between the need to make a living and the need to [...]
July 14th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Art, BWCAW
“Over the millennia, Native Americans, explorers and voyageurs of the fur trade used canoe routes of the region and portaged around these falls. For nearly 10,000 years, Kawishiwi Falls has marked a significant “coming together of waters.”
So legendary photographer Jim Brandenburg describes the majestic subject of his latest collectible print. But the image says it [...]
July 7th, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Camping, Gear, Resources
I just got debriefed on “Stealth Gear” (that is, gear that promotes minimal-impact camping.) The podcast is the latest in a ‘leave no trace’ themed series at the Wildebeat.
Makes me thankful that there are people not only striving, but innovating, to preserve our wilderness areas. And even more thankful for a network of halfway [...]
July 3rd, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Camping, Outdoor Living
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 [...]
July 1st, 2008 |
by Andy |
published in
Canoeing
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.