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Monthly Archives: October 2009
A Real Boundary Waters Ghost Story
Are there any scary ghost stories from the Boundary Waters? That’s a tall order, I gotta admit. I’m neither historian, mystery buff, nor ghost-chasing psychic with a hotline, so why should I know something so obscure?
Just so happens, that while working on another post, I recently came across a very mysterious native legend.
One of the first Europeans to write of the region was Alexander Henry the Older. In 1775, while navigating the Pinawa (just a little northwest of Lake of the Woods,) he writes:
On the thirteenth, we encamped at the Carryingplace of the Lost Child. Here is a chasm in the rock, no where more than two yards in breadth, but of great and immeasurable depth. The Indians relate, that many ages past, a child fell into this chasm, from the bottom of which it is still heard, at times, to cry.
So of course I wanted to find the place; see what it’s like today. And that’s where the mystery comes in.
Balaclavas Can Be Beautiful, Too
A toasty, warm balaclava will ward off the cold. It’ll also repel most females. That’s a darn shame, ‘cause the ladies need to stay warm too, right? So what’s a girl to wear, without looking as creepy as you do?
Luckily, we found a decent selection of handmade women’s balaclavas on Etsy. Here’s the clincher: They’re actually nice-looking. Yes, definite signs of Prettiness going on here, here and here (awww, cute.) Plus, it’s nice to see some color options besides the standard black and camo (oh yeah, and let’s not forget classic winter camo.)
We’re a little grey on the whole ‘elvish’ connection on some, though; pointy hood equals Elf Princess? Ah well, at least with any of these, nobody will mistake you for an ice troll — more than can be said of most winter hats for men.
Portage with a Wolf Pack!
Find a wolf print on the trail? Hmm, that’d make a neat photo… Meeting a whole pack of wolves, face to face in the wild? Now you’ve got a real story.
Hiker/blogger Nina Asunto and a companion were recently on Isle Royale, when they experienced a close encounter of the Canis Lupis kind; one I’m sure she’ll never forget.
On the fifth morning of their 8-day hiking trip, they awoke early to the howling of a nearby pack. A few hours later, a short ways into their walk, her companion suddenly halted along a curved stretch of plankwork, alerting Nina to an amazing sight:
‘I’m not kidding,’he said. ‘There are at least five wolves on the trail ahead of us.’ The next few moments were the most surreal and exciting I’ve ever experienced.
Gunflint Trail Now a National Scenic Byway
Nobody loves the Gunflint more than you and I, but for those who’ve never been there, its spot on the map just got a little brighter.
The Gunflint Trail has now been designated as a National Scenic Byway (PDF.) That’s a good thing, says Nancy Seaton of Hungry Jack Outfitters. The Chair of the Trail’s scenic byway committee told me, “It’s an invitation to be part of our neighborhood; a natural neighborhood…” of rare places and creatures.
Is ‘more people’ a good thing? I’d say yes. Because even though our little wilderness secret is a bit less-so, the increased exposure means more new friends for the area. And more friends mean more advocates. This week, Seaton told me she sees it this way:
A Weekend of Wilderness Medicine
“Oh my aching head!”
I need someone to high-five this girl —STAT!
Big time props go to UpNorthica staffer Pam, who spent a long, hard weekend earning her Wilderness First Aid certification through NOLS.
The National Outdoor Leadership School taught the course on the grounds of Macalester College, where passersby got to observe Pam and classmates in numerous training scenarios. Not just practicing mouth-to-mouth on mannequins, though — we’re talking fake blood, bruises, even simulated vomiting (the recipe: a pinch of oatmeal, left sitting in the mouth for several minutes.)
Run, Mush or Ski to the Winter Camping Symposium
Photo: Flickr user alexindigo
Winter seems poised to come in like a lion (or a snow leopard, or something) so why not meet it head-on this weekend at the Winter Camping Symposium?
For the uninitiated, ‘winter camping’ continues to encompass a panorama of outdoor activities. Having surprisingly little to do with trying to keep warm, its biggest challenges lie in choosing which fun things to do next, as this year’s schedule reflects:
Sessions will include warm tent and cold tent camping, solo winter travel in the BWCA, snowshoeing, skiing, dog trips, toboggan pulling, safety, and winter campcraft. Participants may also sign up for special workshops where they can actually build a sled or practice their outdoor culinary skills.
A look at the range of workshops, presentations, films and gatherings, shows there’s a lot for all levels of experience — and income.
Racing Reindeer For Fun and Enjoyment
Never mind that this is how crazy Scandinavians have fun in winter — think of the sheer practicality of a racing reindeer at your beck and call!
Just imagine how fast you could haul your winter camping gear with ol’ Blitzen at the helm! A 12-point rack that’s tailor-made for drying out damp socks and mittens! And let’s not forget, an ample supply of venison if food supplies run short (I didn’t just say that.)
No? Okay, I suppose the wolves would appreciate having a reindeer around camp, far better than you or the reindeer would. Maybe we’ll leave Rudolph to his racing. At least it’s more humane than when Santa gets drunk with his buddies and does that awful Christmas Elf-Bowling thing. So demeaning… Via Wend.
Educate Your Outdoors Self With Upcoming Events
With your Fall chores out of the way (oh wait, it never came this year,) you oughta have a few slots open for some hard-earned fun. So why not check out these events, sponsored by Midwest Mountaineering.
Winter Camping: Traveling
Thursday, October 29, 6:30pm, in the Expedition Room
If you’ve only winter camped a little, survived it, and are ready for more, this would be a great clinic to attend. In this free class, Instructor Bear Paulsen will teach you the finer points of choosing a campsite, knowing your shelter options, and you’ll discuss foot travel using backpacks and pulk sleds.
And if you think about it, would you really want to learn about winter camping from anyone who *didn’t* have a name like Bear Paulsen? Like, who would show up for a winter survival course led by a Nigel Billingsley III?
Make Your Own Canoe Paddle Workshop
November 10-12, 6:00-9:00pm in the Expedition Room
Join experts from St. Paul non-profit Urban Boatbuilders, for a 3-evening course in making your own paddle. With their guidance, you’ll be able to literally carve out your own legacy, as parent-child participants are encouraged. Pick your materials and paddle style, even decorate it when you’re done. And I’m sure they can’t stop you if you wanna give your paddle some flowery name, like they do with swords in LOTR (any suggestions?)
Your Input Needed on Mining Near the BWCA… Badly
A proposed mining operation that could drain sulphuric acid into neighboring federally-protected waterways (that would mean the BWCA.) Wow, that’s an even brighter idea than building an open-air ball park, next door to a municipal garbage incinerator!
Next week, PolyMet Mining will release their environmental impact statement (EIS) regarding a copper-nickel mine they’d like to hollow out near Hoyt Lakes. And on November 2, the public (that would mean You) will get to comment on whether or not it belongs there. If you don’t have an opinion about it yet, let’s go back just a sec and see just how close Hoyt Lakes is to the BW.
One of the greatest concerns among environmental groups is how ground water, seeping through sulfide-bearing waste rock, produces sulphuric acid. Next to the BW. I’ll add that also among these concerned are People Who Like Water, The Unspoiled Wilderness Appreciation Club , and Citizens Against Lakes Full of Dead Fish.
$100,000 Duluth Pack on eBay
With snow falling already, (sheesh!) holiday shopping can’t be far behind. So why not throw in your bid for this vintage portage pack from 1882? The “buy it now” price is a mere $100,00 American dollars.
While packs like this have never been cheap, this one’s value rests upon more than just how well-preserved it is. According to the seller, this one was handmade by the founder of Duluth Pack, Camille Poirer. Moreover, the date stamped on the brass tag reads “November 10, 1882” — just over a month before Poirer applied for a patent on the thing! So potentially, this thing could be *the* first of its kind. More details:
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