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Monthly Archives: October 2010
Photo Friday: Marty Harris
Dang! I always, always, always forget to bring along a nature journal or moleskine when I head into the BW.
Detail
Marty Harris doesn’t though, and we’re very glad about that. “Mike & the Gray Jay” is a sketchbook study in ink, that’s dripping with a general tone and overall feel of AWESOME-BOMBness (btw, you are absolutely required to click the image to see the larger version.) And that’s just drawing stuff around camp! A good reminder that while lovely sunsets and loon sightings make good pictures, those campsite memories are worth capturing too.
Marty’s photostream on Flickr has lots more where this came from. Keep on drawing, friend; you have inspired many today!
“Play Again” Documentary Takes Teens Offline… and Into the Woods
What happens when you unplug six tech-savvy teens, and take them on their first wilderness trip? You know the answer already… so telling you wouldn’t quite be a spoiler, would it?
“Play Again” promises to carry a redemptive, much-needed message. Sadly, the documentary doesn’t appear to have any scheduled screenings in the lecture halls or art-house theaters of Minnesota – for now. But of all people, it’s the kids who need to see this the most. So do the next generation a solid and pass along the “Hold a Screening” link to any teacher friend you know.
Via Trailspace.
Winterer’s Gathering IX and Arctic Film Festival
Winter adventurers, mark your calendars to attend North House Folk School’s Winterer’s Gathering IX and Arctic Film Festival, November 18-21.
Held in Grand Marais, MN, this event will cover the history, handiwork, bushcraft, lore and traditional ways of life and winter travel in the north.
These are some of not-to-miss offerings we think you’ll enjoy.
The Raven’s Gift: Living Magically and Acting Practically in a Modern World
From a man who has traveled the Arctic and the Gobi, featured speaker, Jon Turk will lead workshops on nature and spirituality. He has followed the history and culture of stone-age people who traveled by dugout long ago. You are sure to hear some thoughtful storytelling of his inspiring journeys.
Bushcraft: Wilderness Living Skills
Presented by the Mors Kochanski, outdoor educator and author of Bushcraft. He will demonstrate skills that will allow you to survive comfortably in the bush. After you make a wilderness kit, you’ll head out into the forest to put your knowledge to the test.
Featured Film Screening: The White Dawn
What happens when three whalers become stranded in the Arctic in 1896 and are rescued by Eskimos? Discover how they are affected by new customs and a unfamiliar culture. Inuit dialect is included in the film, adding to the over-all richness of the story.
There will be tours of winter tents, gear to swap and s’mores to eat. After you’ve pieced together your own mukluks and stoked your wood stove, fill your belly at the Deep Freeze Chili Feed or head on over to the Snowshoe Shuffle Dance.
For the complete experience, bring your own winter tent and stay at the group camp harbor side. Come with a friend or bring the family.
More info here.
Jetboil Crunchit
What do we do with all those fuel canisters collecting in storage? We like Jetboil’s Crunchit. This small, fool-proof tool eliminates remaining fuel and makes the canister safe to recycle in most metal recycling programs. Check your program locally.
Shucks, we were thinking of using our empty canisters for garden art.
Looky here.
Via REI.
2010 Winter Camping Symposium, Report #2
Rain – not snow – was the backdrop for last weekend’s 12th Annual Winter Camping Symposium. But it didn’t dampen the spirits of anyone there. Not the campers. Not the mushers. Not even Bryce the snow-kiting dude, who donned a wetsuit to demo his sport in the frigid depths of Sturgeon Lake.
If you missed our first report of this awesome event, head back and read that first. To all others, read on for more – Yukon ho!
UpNorthica Reads: Paddle North
We recently received our long anticipated copy of Paddle North: Canoeing through the Boundary Waters-Quetico Wilderness, by photographer Layne Kennedy and essayist Greg Breining. These two intrepid paddlers spent countless hours bringing together a captivating, modern assemblage of photos and essays of the north.
Each chapter highlights key elements of the region such as the history and lure of canoe travel as well as the characteristics that make the Boundary Waters-Quetico areas stand alone, while being similar enough to share cooperative border. Kennedy’s unique perspective of breathtaking beauty combined with elements of camping so familiar to us all, makes the book feel like it could have been our own journey. Breining follows up his informative and descriptive essays with short facts that will make the next campfire stimulating.
The book provides interest to both the novice and the seasoned traveler.
Buy here.
Archaeology of Boundary Waters Enters New Chapter
Did you know your next campsite in the Boundary Waters may be near the quarry or workshop of a group of people from the Late-Paleo period? We’re talking 10,000 years ago.
Archaeologists are just beginning to tap into northern Minnesota pre-history, piecing together who the first people were in the Boundary Waters. How did they live and travel? Why where they attracted to the regions stone? How did they make their tools and what where they used for? These are just a handful of questions combined archaeologists from the USFS, Superior National Forest, Minnesota Historical Society, Grand Portage National Monument and St. Cloud State University are trying to bring to light.
And now they are revealing their amazing findings to the public.
Dr Cow Tree Nut Cheese
We like to stop mid-day along the trail for a pick-me-up. It’s good to have something that is prep-free. We’re always on the lookout for something unique that will make the bites more interesting.
Everyone, meet Dr Cow Tree Nut Cheeses. Made by a small eco-friendly facility in New York these “cheeses” are dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan.
Could they possibly be good, we thought? We tried the cashew and macademia nut flavors.
The texture is similar to a slightly dry cream cheese. First off don’t expect them to totally resemble cheese in flavor or texture. We found however that they had very light nutty and slightly tangy flavors, heightened by pink Himalayan salt. The cashew nut cheese was our favorite and tasted similar to a mild cheddar with a lemon finish. They spread nicely on our crackers and we could see using them as a spread for other breads or veggies. Packaged in 4oz compostable containers, each allows for a generous single serving or a nice tasting for two. Plus, you’ll carry out less garbage.
Now there is more room for the wine.
Shop here.
2010 Winter Camping Symposium, Report #1
Just back from the 2010 Winter Camping Symposium, we’re full of inspiration, up a few new friends and fresh out of patience as we wait for snow to fall in Minnesota.
The tall pines of YMCA Camp Miller in Sturgeon Lake, were the setting for this year’s event. As in past years, an ever-growing community of white canvas tents dotted the grounds.
A strong ‘do it yourself’ theme pervaded this year, extending beyond the workshops and into many of the presentations. There’s lots to read in this, our first report, so roll up your sleeves and let’s get into it!
UpNorthica Reviews: Pulk Sled Roundup
A bad pulk sled choice will turn you a miserable pack mule on a winter camping trip. And while there are good ones out there, how do you determine which is best for you?
On a more recent trip, we were fortunate enough to test out three top pulk sleds: The Paris Expedition Sled, the Shappell Jet Sled Jr. and the Snow Clipper. Pulling them down a few especially long portages near Angleworm Lake (and mistakenly up a frozen creek), we ran them through the paces to see how they compared.
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