June 18th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment, North Shore, Voyageurs, Wildlife
Recent heavy rains have caused flooded basements and washed out roadways, making things rather difficult (if not disastrous) for human-types in far Northern Minnesota. So, how are the wood-folk handling the high waters?
This article details which fish and wildlife species are struggling, and which may serve to actually benefit from the changes. Most of those […]
June 2nd, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing
In Part 1, we laid out some guidelines on how to tweak your BWCA trip planning, to allow for your kids. Today, let’s talk about what best solidifies a trip as a good memory for your kids: Co-owning it.
May 29th, 2008 | by Pam | published in BWCAW, Camping
So, did your Boundary Waters camping experiences become limited at best after having kids? Do you feel like you need everyone potty-trained before you set your sights on a jack pine again? If you have borderline feelings about hefting the canoe while chasing the two year old for 160 rods, let us assure you: […]
May 28th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Canoeing
Saturday, rescue teams had to bail out two separate parties of canoers –– ten people in all –– from the rapids off of Fall Lake in Ely.
A sure reminder that even in the otherwise serene and placid Boundary Waters, be sure you know what you’re getting into, before you get into it. End of lecture.
May 22nd, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Canoeing
Think you’ve had a few grueling portages worth bragging about (or whining about)? Before you do either, meet Jim Kurz. The 63-year old resident of Ladysmith, WI is toting his aluminum canoe and 320 lbs of gear, on a very long portage to the BWCA. Seeing as how he’s not been there since his days […]
May 13th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW
The thirty acres of preserved landscape on Burntside Lake in Ely, was originally a personal retreat for Olson. He named the land Listening Point, “…because only when one comes to listen, only when one is aware and still, can things be seen and heard.” Though the revered author died in 1982, The Listening Point Foundation […]
May 7th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW
Probation to nine months’ jailtime for three of the BWCA shooters: Long enough? Not likely.
Three-year period in which they’re banned from entering the BWCA: Long enough? Thirty would be too short.
April 25th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Food, Outdoor Living
I couldn’t even begin to cover half of the presentations, speakers, demos and exhibitors scheduled this weekend for Midwest Mountaineering’s Outdoor Adventure Expo. I certainly won’t be able to attend all the ones that I’d like to. So help a guy out and go to the Expo yourself. We’ll compare notes and share our goodie-bags […]
April 10th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Resources
Does it ever bug you that most BWCA online trip planners are stuck in the Stone Age of the web? It sure bugs us, so we’ve begun work on a planning tool and resource of our own. A few weeks back we posted a survey for UpNorthica readers, but we want to get as much […]
March 31st, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Wildlife
Lately, I’ve been posting a bit about Northern Minnesota wildlife that’s either become increasingly uncommon, or increasingly unwelcome. But I’m happy to report there are all kinds of wonders for new eyes to discover, as well.
It was my wife who first spotted several odd things floating just under the surface of Ruby Lake, as we […]
March 29th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Uncategorized
Say it isn’t so!
March 27th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW
Sadly, for the third time in its long history, the Hungry Jack Lodge was destroyed by a fire yesterday. The cause hasn’t yet been determined, but nearby resort owner Sue Prom, (also one of the volunteer firefighters brought in to help) has posted her account of the blaze on her blog.
Our thoughts and prayers go […]
March 27th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment, North Shore
When I recently learned of the Department of Agriculture’s plan to treat 85,000 acres along the North Shore this year to fight gypsy moth infestation, I had two questions.
The first was, “Whoa, just how big an area is that?” It certainly sounded alarming. I really wanted to see a visual; some way to better understand […]
March 26th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Resources
If you’ve been to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, we want to hear from you. We’re starting to build an online planning tool that will be a fresh, unique resource for folks like all of us. Yeah, we’re pretty jazzed about it.
This site will be for you. So we really need your help and […]
March 25th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, Resources
I’ve never taken a kayak into the BWCA, but while touring a stretch of the St. Croix a year ago, it didn’t take long to see some differences between kayak-camping and canoe-camping. Wish I’d read this article by seasoned kayaker Rob Lyon, there are great tips you can take away, even if you can’t afford […]