January 22nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Gear
Buyer beware: A bottle opener made from a reclaimed tent peg makes for a novel gag gift, but resist, my friends! Succumb to laying down your money for this and you venture down a slippery slope; first it’ll be a merino wool beer can cozy. Then you’ll just *have* to pick up a two-beer caddy [...]
January 21st, 2009 | by Andy | published in Books, Canada, Nature, snowsurfing
You rush to the window for a look: Every tree-top branch is traced with careful white lines, while the grass, the walk, the streets have all but been erased. The din of traffic has been swept away, replaced with an almost church-like hush. There’s a certain kind of magic to snow that transforms our surroundings [...]
January 19th, 2009 | by Andy | published in North Shore, Winter Sports
The 26th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon begins this Saturday. We’ve got our faves picked and have stocked up on rawhide treats for snacking. We’ve got several posts planned this week in leading up to the race, so check back soon, often… and a lot. For the uninitiated, read up on the [...]
January 16th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Outdoor Living
TV adventurer Bear Grylls welcomed his new son, Huckleberry, into the world yesterday [pause for laughter]. I’ll say it again: Huckleberry. Hmm, might not have been my choice in names, but clearly there is a growing trend in giving kids names inspired by outdoor lifestyles. Just ask Track, Willow, Bristol, and Trig (short for “Trigger?”) [...]
January 16th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Camping, Gear, Hacks
Every winter camper knows that shoveling out the dough for a bivy sack and/or ground sheet is a necessary evil (as if the cost for an adequate sleeping bag isn’t steep enough.) But before you go cold on the thought of blowing your budget, check out this article on how to make your own bivy. [...]
January 13th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Art, Canada, Canoeing
Synopsis: Hugely popular apparel company [that would be Nau], sends a terrifically talented photographer [that would be Peter Bowers], into one of Canada’s most idyllic wilderness areas [you guessed where]. The trip was made to support the conservation efforts of TheBigWild.org. It also causes sudden outbreaks of cabin fever and wanderlust, in every paddler who [...]
January 13th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canada, Quetico, Winter Sports
Just as the BWCA wraps up its 30th year, Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park begins its 100th anniversary (wow!) celebration. More on the anniversary itself, in another post, but one upcoming event you should know about is the Cross Quetico Lakes Tour. Hosted by a local x-country ski club this March, the tour spans the frozen [...]
January 12th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Wildlife
Researchers at Cornell University have identified a musical mating ritual in our other state bird. As you well know, a mosquito’s wing-beats create a certain and very annoying tone. Well, that tone is normally different for males and females. When courting, however, they will change their tune and actually ‘sing’ harmony (a nonetheless annoying harmony [...]
January 10th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living, Winter Sports
With the goal of getting families outside in the winter, Winter Trails Day is now in its 14th year. And it’s today (you dressed yet?) Events across the country offer *free* snowshoe and cross-country ski lessons to all ages. Of course, Minnesota has several in the BWCA area, with the anchor site being at Fort [...]
January 9th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Winter Sports
In an online competition to “Invent a Sport,” you’re bound to get some creative entries. Especially if it’s sponsored by the fun-lovin’ folks at Horny Toad Activewear. But Freestyle Snowshoe Boulder Jumping, which placed First Prize in the contest, gets my vote too. While we don’t have the 13′ depths that Tahoe has seen this [...]
January 8th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Gear, Winter Sports
Looks like my Christmas wish for this one, never made it to the ‘Pole. KickSpark kicksleds are one sweet means of self-propulsion in the winter months. Imagine a mashup between skating and dog-sledding. Only, *you* are the dogs. With “allround” runners that send you soaring over ice and packed snow alike, and specialized runners for [...]
January 6th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Hiking
Some groups think so. Among them is the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee, who’re meeting today with U.S. Forest Service rangers to make those recommendations. Between the blowdowns and fires of the last some years, parts of the trail have become almost completely obscured — and that’s not just the opinion of the lost hikers of [...]
January 5th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Bushcraft
Well, they don’t slow down, that’s for sure. Take this entry from the Bushcraft International Toothbrush Challenge, for example. Yes: A competition to make toothbrushes out of twigs. I viewed several submissions on this rather slow news day and found the above video the most inspired, yet efficient, means of staving off gingivitis when lost [...]
January 5th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Books, Canada, Canoeing, Environment
I’m always fascinated by the people and events that came together over the course of many years to create what is now known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Many times, it almost never was. We have this unique bounty of land that culminated because of numerous hearts, minds and hands. One of those [...]
January 2nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Camping, Resources, Winter Sports
If you’ve never done it before but want to learn, there’s an excellent Beginner’s Guide to Winter Camping just posted on Backpacker’s blog. Though brief, it covers the bases well. It also makes clear that the winter camping experience is very different (albeit very fun) from camping in the other 3 seasons. I was happy [...]