January 22nd, 2010 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Wildlife
Giving birth to bear cubs isn’t easy. Now, I’ve never done it, but something in me knows it must be. I just know. Tougher still, is delivering cubs in front of the whole world.
Meet Lily the Black Bear. She’s become an internet sensation as an infrared den cam has captured her days and hours leading [...]
January 4th, 2010 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Winter Sports
It feels great to kickoff 2010 on a good note: Several positive changes are afoot on the BWCA’s Banadad Ski Trail this winter.
First, the way has recently been paved (no, not literally) for better winter travel. A DNR grant, as well as donated time from volunteers have resulted in some wider, clearer and flatter [...]
December 1st, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment, Voyageurs
Some day, our children will enjoy clear, haze-free views of the Boundary Waters.. Or at least their kids might?
Per the Clean Air Act, state and federal agencies are beginning the first steps in reducing air pollutants which, specifically in Minnesota, cause hazy skies over the Boundary Waters at least 20% of the time.
While cleanup [...]
November 19th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Flim, Nature, North Shore, Winter Sports
Dude, drop what you’re doing. Cancel all your evening plans (as if you have anything important on a Thursday night.)
There are two great outdoorsy films showing tonight in Minneapolis. Both are at cool venues. Both offer Super Extra Bonus incentives to attend. Your challenge will be picking which one to see. That’s right, they overlap [...]
November 4th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Nature
And if I’d seen this while lost on Gordon Lake during a cold rainstorm at night, I can tell you, I would have filled my bilge with fraidy-pee. I’m tellin’ ya… right off the cover of a Hardy Boys novel — at least from this angle. From the right, it more resembles a [...]
November 3rd, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment
Last week finally saw the public release of the PolyMet environmental impact statement. Anxious to hear how the proposed mining operation could affect the neighboring BWCA, interest groups are still poring over the 1,500-page reading assignment.
The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness have already been busy doing their own homework. Next Wednesday, they’ll premiere “Precious [...]
October 22nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW
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 [...]
October 20th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Winter Sports
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 [...]
October 14th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment
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 [...]
October 8th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Hiking, Nature, Superior Hiking Trail
The windstorm that buffeted Minnesota’s Arrowhead region last Monday, is gone. And gone with it are miles of clear hiking trails.
Best to plan carefully if you intend to hit the Superior Hiking Trail or the BW anytime between now and spring, as reportedly the damage is significant in some areas. How significant?
The SHT has [...]
October 6th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Art, BWCAW, Food, Nature
After canoeing last week through parts of the Boundary Waters ravaged by the 2006 Famine Lake fire, I had to smile at this one…
Duluth illustrator Rick Allen’s logo design for a microbrew, offers up sage words. And, as always with Mr. Allen’s work, it’s served with a chaser of mirth and wit. Witnessing how just [...]
October 6th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Wildlife
Are people crying wolf, over the rise in cougar sightings in Minnesota?
Sure, there’ve been a few publicized cases in the last several years. Even one of our favorite paddlers, Erik Simula, blogged about facing a big cat in the Arrowhead this summer. But when a motorist killed a cougar near Bemidji in late September, [...]
September 29th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Survival Skills
We’re headed off for 5 days of adventure along the Frost River — where the forecast may indeed call for some frosty mornings.
But don’t worry, we know preparedness is the key: If things go bad, we’ll just do what those two Aussie girls did on Sunday when they got lost in a sewer for hours. [...]
September 16th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, History
Everyone knows that fires like Ham Lake blaze can help spawn new growth in the forest, but who would’ve guessed it would pave the way for archaeological discoveries? Sue Prom has posted word of exciting goings-on, along the Gunflint Trail.
First, the potential discovery of a fur trade encampment:
‘Forest Service archaeologists may have identified a [...]
September 15th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment, History, Resources
Raise your cans of Leinie’s and join us in toasting a victory for the BW: The former site of the Chainsaw Sisters Saloon is now federally-protected wilderness protected from the development of kajillion-dollar log cabins.
With the Mudro Lake entry point literally just out the back door, the rustic saloon became a favorite trailhead stop in [...]