-
-
-
Recent Posts
ADS
Our Favorites
Monthly Archives: September 2010
UpNorthica Eats: Earnest Whole Food Bar
We’ve choked down a few trail bars in our life that were waxy and more dense than particle board. How many dollops of over-processed flavor do you want?
We hoped Earnest Whole Food Bars were honest. When you have granola-y bar flavors like Cran Lemon Zest or Choco Peanut Butter, Earnest Bars, you’ve got our attention. These little bars are made in small, homemade batches, free of preservatives and artificial ingredients.
Ok, so, how do they rate?
Very good actually. The flavors are fresh with natural ingredients shining through. The bars are not overly thick or dense. A little bit chewy. Just right. Made with whole foods – no mashed, packed mystery bits. You can actually see the entire nut or berry. They also use heart-healthy, rich-tasting almond butter instead of conventional oil. The Choco Peanut Butter is especially tasty. Many can be eaten by those with allergen issues.
Dear Earnest Bar, you’ve won a spot in our pack.
Grab some here.
Alex Horner’s “The Boundary Waters”
The faster the leaves change colors, the more we must slow ourselves down to fully enjoy them before they’re gone.
There’s a lot of that truth in this short video by Alex Horner, one of our fave filmmakers. His study of shapes, shadows, and stillness makes us all the more appreciative of a gorgeous time of year in the Boundary Waters. Plus, Alex’s choices in music are always fresh; nice to see an artistic piece like this that’s not set to tired-out, folksy 12-string guitar pickin’.
More of Alex’s commercial and personal work, here.
This Dude Just Paddled His Canoe From Coast-To-Coast
If you’re gonna do something as insane – and amazing – as paddling 4,300 miles from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine, you’d be downright crazy *not* to swing through the Boundary Waters along the way.
On Friday, 24-year old Alexander Martin of Kensington, Conn., completed a cross-country journey across America. His trip took him down rivers, across some very long portages, and through the BWCAW in the frigid throes of November.
The entire trip was handled in 3 legs (beginning in April 2009) and held more adventures than we could ever hope to cover. But we’ve picked out the best parts just for you… read on!
Bioline Biodegradable Fishing Line
A kajillion bits of fishing tackle have been lugged on many trips to the Boundary Waters. We’ve witnessed firsthand, tackle boxes that are larger than our packs.
You too? We knew we were not alone.
Which got us thinking. There must be miles of fishing line lost to snags, strainers and runaway walleyes. Could there be a better way to leave no trace?
Check out Bioline’s Biodegradable fishing line. Manufactured to biodegrade within 5 years, it makes us believe it would be a low-impact choice for a wilderness area. Normal monofilament takes at least 500 years to decompose. Guess no one has to do the math there. Even the packaging is reusable and recyclable. Each spool holds 225 yards, with test weights ranging between 4 and 12 pounds.
Now you don’t have to feel too bad when that pike gets away with your line.
Land yours here.
Winter Camping Symposium 2010
The Winter Camping Symposium is almost here and looks to be a good one. The event will be held October 22-24 at the YMCA Camp Miller, 45 minutes south of Duluth.
Each year has an interesting blend of speakers, workshops, gear to check out and this year will include many choices. But if you twisted our arms, we’d say that these are some we’d like to catch.
Mule Manship 101
Donald Kevilus has owns and uses mules for many years. Come hear this intriguing talk about how mules can fit into wilderness tripping. Bring your friends and ol’ Number 7 too.
The Modern Micro Yurt
Michael Maruska and his brother Brian have begun to make a name for themselves by creating their own winter camping gear. You can bet you’re going to see some pretty unique stuff.
Across the Arctic Divide and the Plight of the Barren-Ground Caribou
Be awed by adventurer Rob Kesselring’s epic 750 mile, unsupported canoe trip through the Northwest Territories this past summer. His tales are interesting, filled with meaning and enriching to the soul. Plus, he’s kinda funny.
Pack your Mukluks. We’ll see you there. Go here for registration info.
UpNorthica Eats: Baking with a Jello-Mold Oven
Dessert is one of the comforts from home that many of us enjoy after our evening meals around the campfire. Baking them, however can feel intimidating.
Through online message boards we discovered the Jello-Mold oven and started baking with it. We were intrigued by the ability to make an outdoor oven ourselves with minimal cost.
At home preparations.
We picked up an 8″ aluminum jello-mold pan from the local thrift shop for a buck. Plainest one we could find. Yes, its a funny looking pan, but the hole in the center allows for even heating and baking.
Use a 8″ aluminum pie or cake pan for the lid.
Make or buy your own favorite dry-mix baking treat. You can make nearly anything you can bake at home. We like brownies, biscuits and gravy or blueberry muffins.
Pack any wet ingredients separately. You can find many mixes where you just add water.
At the campsite.
Build a campfire and allow it to burn long enough so that you have nice hot coals. If you can’t hold your hand over the grill for more than 4 seconds it may be too hot. Too much smoke or flame will ruin the recipe as well.
Grease the Jello-Mold according to your recipe directions.
Add your mix, and top with pie or cake lid.
When we’re in the Boundary waters, we heap a pile of hot coals under the grill. The pan is placed about 5-7 inches from the hot coals on top of the grill.
We found that cook time is similar to cook time at home. Check your baking periodically.
When baking is done, carefully remove Jello-Mold remove from heat. If you’re making a dessert, let it cool 5-10 minutes, then either scoop out the treat or invert it into the pie pan.
Most everything takes on the ring shape, but is still just as tasty.
Archaeology of Knife Lake Uncovered
Bifaces from the Wendt site, one of the survey locations.
The Boundary Waters doesn’t give up her secrets easily, but archaeologists surveying on Knife Lake last fall came upon what they believe to be ancient Paleolithic quarries. Sites were found that indicated Stone Age tools had been crafted here for thousands of years.
Thanks to Friends of the Boundary Waters, the researchers are going to share with the public, their discoveries about the first humans who inhabited the Boundary Waters area. A rare opportunity to pause and reflect on a place we regularly paddle right through.
What is wonderful is that anyone can attend this free presentation held at Macalester College in St Paul on October 19 at 7:30pm.
For more details go here.
Photo by US Forest Service and Mark Muniz.
UpNorthica Reviews: Granite Gear Superior One Pack
Hauling your pack over a 325-rod portage should be like walking in a park. Almost. So, how do you choose a well made, durable pack and save your back for future trekking?
We put Granite Gear’s Superior One Pack through extensive testing on several trips.
The largest of their Expedition Series, the Superior One is made of 210D nylon Cordura fabric. For the layman, 210D –denier– refers to the thickness of the nylon measured. The higher the number, the more tear-resistant and waterproof the material is. Cordura fabric is known for combining lightweight, water resistant and long-lasting properties. Our pack has sat in mud, on rocks, been drug over dirt and we can happily report that it has held up without any wear.
Monitor the Loon Migration Online
Maybe you’ve never given much thought to where loons spend their winters. You’ll have good reason to now… As it happens, many of the 12,000 Minnesota state birds call the Gulf of Mexico home in the cold months; specifically, areas affected by the BP oil spill.
As the birds begin their southward trek, MN-DNR wildlife specialists are keeping tabs on four of them on this web site – and so can you.
Having surgically fitted the birds with tiny satellite transmitters, the specialists can track their progress, location, and well-being. The latter of which, says Natural Resources Supervisor Pam Perry, is a heightened concern this year. Although the headlines may proclaim that the surface oil has been removed, loons will dive up to 200 feet deep to catch fish which may be contaminated.
Sadly, Perry told us on Friday, one of the loons (#55482) has already died along the western shore of Lake Michigan.
“Someone is on the way to retrieve the bird, so we don’t yet know the cause of death.”
On a happier note, bird lovers can do more than passively observe. The DNR has a page dedicated to the issue of loons in the Gulf, with many opportunities for volunteering and donating.
UpNorthica Reviews: Cabela’s GORE-TEX PacLite Rainy River Pants
Maybe it’s all the rain that we’ve been having, but staying dry is on our radar.
After picking up Cabela’s GORE-TEX® PacLite® Rainy River™ Pants a few years ago, we are happy to verify that they hold up incredibly well.
We have slogged through mud, over fallen trees, and thick brush to find that after all the abuse, the pants held strong. Made of the lightest GORE-TEX fabric, they are a durable top layer without the added bulk. The Paclite fabric has been bonded to the GORE-TEX, eliminating the need for an additional liner. Best of all, the fabric has nearly invisible polymer dots on the membrane that protect it from damage.
We like that they peel off easily thanks to a draw-cord adjustable waist and side leg zippers. They slipped right over our chunky hiking boots.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Flickr
