January 30th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canada, Wildlife
We’ve recently discovered so many great films on the newly-launched nfb.ca, that we’ve decided to invite you along on our cinematic adventures. For the next number of Fridays, we’ll be featuring some of the very best nature flicks we’ve found (a few are even feature length!)
Beaver Family, filmed in 1924, is:
A short silent film [...]
January 28th, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
Jason Barron crossed the finish line this afternoon for an impressive second consecutive win in the 2009 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon:
Barron, of Lincoln, Mont., said he put “money in the bank” when he let his two top dogs rest in the sled during the first 120 miles of the 380-mile race. Then, when Barron [...]
January 28th, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
Early morning found only 6 remaining dog teams in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Exceedingly low temps and a hard trail have caused all 15 other teams to scratch. Maybe they wouldn’t have dropped out, if they’d known a portable sauna had been set up for mushers at the Finland checkpoint. Wow, sounds like [...]
January 27th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Winter Sports
A fun appearance of the Frekings on last Saturday’s PHC. If the dogs look distracted, it’s because they kept hearing people sing about those biscuits over and over. Enjoy.
January 27th, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
Finland, Minnesota mushers Blake and Jennifer Freking pulled to the front of the pack around mid-day. Only seven mushers remain, including defending champ Jason Barron of Lincoln, MT. Blake and Jennifer now hold first and second spots, respectively.
Don’t miss our interview with Blake from just before the race; the Frekings’ story is quite memorable.
January 27th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living
Go and read this article on life in a Minnesota logging camp kitchen, and see if you don’t instantly become hungry as a lumberjack. After reading it the other night, we were so inspired that we promptly made a huge breakfast at 11pm. And ate it with a lack of manners that woulda made those [...]
January 27th, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
The race looks tight on this third morning of the race, but leading the pack are teams almost entirely from Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Can I hear a WOO please!
Those in the lead are between Trail Center and Devil Track Lake. Currently in first is Matt Rossi of Herbster, Wisconsin. Featured mushers Jennifer and [...]
January 26th, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
[Long pause] …Just waiting ’til you’ve gotten the jokes out of your system. That behind us, — [more jokes, waiting again. waiting...] Ahem. Yes, this is the real thing. Jamaica has a dog sled team, and you may even see them next year at Beargrease ‘10.
And Yes, I sure do see this as a positive. [...]
January 26th, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
Yesterday’s weather conditions were optimal for the start of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, and it shows:
Dave Turner of Sandy, Ore., won the 150-mile John Beargrease Mid Distance sled dog race from Duluth, arriving at the finish line in Tofte just after 8 a.m. today.
That’s a great run; Turner, 38, is up from placing [...]
January 25th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Camping, Canada, Survival Skills
Digging out a snow shelter is always a blast, but there’s something about winter camping in an igloo that just feels even more quintessential than a quinzee.
Check out the lead photo in this article about igloo camping in British Columbia; the thing looks huge — bigger than the Thunderdome, which is only just smaller [...]
January 24th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Bushcraft, Canada, Survival Skills
The National Film Board of Canada just launched nfb.ca, a fantastic collection of online films, many of them full-length. A little digging around and you’ll find enough nature documentaries to sustain a man for some weeks.
“Survival in the Bush” here, is like Survivorman of the ’50s… almost. You’ll see. Purposefully stranding himself in the wild [...]
January 23rd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living
Hey, you — Whatsyerface. In honor of survivalist Bear Gryll’s new kid Huckleberry, we asked you to come up with the craziest outdoors-inspired baby names you could think of. You know, for fun. and we even had a prize for the best name.
Congrats to Joe for submitting the most enviable entry (drum roll please): [...]
January 23rd, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
When Blake and Jennifer Freking’s dog teams began their run at last year’s Iditarod, fans in Minnesota anxiously looked on. Jennifer’s hand was still healing from an injury sustained only weeks earlier, during Beargrease ‘08. But when tragedy threatened to force the couple out of the Iditarod altogether, all eyes were on them.
A local’s snowmobile [...]
January 23rd, 2009 | by Arthur | published in Gear, Winter Sports
Winter camping leaves us exceptionally susceptible to dehydration, and carrying water is always problematic. But CamelBak’s newest product aims to take care of that little water-freezing-in-your-bottle issue.
The ShredBak is a vest with a built in 72 oz. hydration bladder. Keeping your water unfrozen isn’t the only feature though. The vest actually uses the water to support itself similar to [...]
January 22nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living
If Sarah Palin can name her kids after things she can see from her house (Track, Willow, etc) then why can’t we?
Today’s your last chance to send us your wacked-out name ideas for kids born in our frigid boreal climes. The winner gets a cool Wenonah repro tin sign. No limit to entries, but sorry, [...]