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 […]
March 24th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Art, BWCAW, Resources
An area photographer shares some user-friendly tips on how to get the best shots of the Aurora Borealis. Every bit helps, for a guy like me that still can’t turn my flashbulb off in broad daylight.
March 21st, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Resources
One day last fall, my family and I put in on Snowbank Lake. On that day, there happened to be 40-mph gusts, with waves reaching 2-1/2 feet high. While passage across the lake gave me a newfound respect for Nature’s power, I was most impressed with all the windfalls literally crashing around us on the […]
March 17th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment, Hiking, Resources
It’s the perfect getaway plan: Simultaneously a way to give back to the BWCAW, and a valid excuse to squeeze in one more trip up north this summer. The American Hiking Society has posted their 2008 Volunteer Vacations schedule. Join a small crew to help maintain trails for about a week in August, paddling and […]
March 14th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment
Well, not quite. But I’d choose this over High School Musical any day: An original drama portraying events leading to the passage of the BWCAW Act, was a noted entry at a History Day competition held at UMD last weekend. “An Environmental Conflict: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Compromise.” was produced and performed by […]
March 13th, 2008 | by Arthur | published in BWCAW
Both per trip and seasonal fees for the BWCA will be increasing this year. For an adult this means an increase from $10 to $16, children $5 to $8. This is the first increase in 10 years, and is merely an adjustment for inflation covering the past few years and the next five. It will […]
March 10th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing
And one or two of the sailors who had been oldish men when the voyage began now grew younger every day. Everyone on board was filled with joy and excitement, but not an excitement that made one talk. The further they sailed the less they spoke, and then almost in a whisper. The stillness of […]
February 27th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Environment
When’s the last time you got to plant 150 red and white pines along the Gunflint Trail, to enjoy them decades later with your great-grandchildren? That’s right, you never have, but you’ll get that chance on May 2-4. From the organizers of the Gunflint GreenUp:
The residents, resort owners and outfitters realize that while we are […]