UpNorthica

Posts will drop off for a few days, as we’ll be vacationing this week along the sun-drenched Minnesota Riviera. Check back next week for more of UpNorthica.com!

Ely outfitter Jason Zabokrtsky conducts this little experiment in his million-acre northwoods lab. Testing the bouyancy of not one, but two fully loaded packs, his findings might surprise you. Will factors like duck canvas, plastic pack inserts and semi-air-filled items (air mattresses & aerosol cans) keep the water out and the weight afloat? Place those [...]

Ever reach into the food pack for some mallows, only to discover the sun’s heat has fused the bagful into one huge, sticky clump of Stay-Puft? …Is that really such a bad thing? Here’s an easy hack to guarantee less s’mess with your s’mores. At home, empty the bag of marshmallows into a large ziploc. [...]

There’s nothing quite like fumbling around neck-deep in underbrush and mosquitos, trying to spot an adequate tree from which to hang your food bag: Lessee, you tell yourself, there are those jack pines nearby, but the branches won’t support more than my fleece hat and a t-shirt, soaking wet. That birch, on the other hand, [...]

This looks curious: Chemfire Capsules are a new product that, when paired with a few drops of solution, start your fire chemically. Potential as a UL alternative to a box of waterproof matches? Hmm, maybe. But unscrewing a glycerin capsule, setting half to the side, then reassembling the thing, all in the rain? At least [...]

A message to all you holdouts who still use Hefty Bags to haul gear into the BW: Granite Gear loves you and they just want to help. Yes, it’s true that tall kitchen garbage bags could be considered within ultra-light weight class. And the newer models with Country Lemon Scent, do cut the odor of [...]

This week, President Obama proclaimed June “Great Outdoors Month,” and with good reason. There’s a slew of celebrations during the month, including National Trails Day, National Fishing and Boating Week, National Get Outdoors Day, and the Great American Backyard Campout. But before you start Googling all those, check out our list of Five Free Things [...]

The immediately likeable author/paddler Kevin Callan explores Wabakimi Provincial Park, whose history is just as unique as its geography. Deep within the park lies Whitewater Lake and upon it, Best Island — hermitage of amateur scientist Wendell Beckwith. Dedicating his life to researching everything from astronomy, to human migrations to the pyramids, to the recurrence [...]

Missing thousands of Kodak moments to shutter delay over the years (thank you Coolpix) will teach you something: To appreciate the pure experience of simply seeing a thing. You learn how to watch actively. And if perchance you are witness to something remarkable, you become exceedingly good at relishing the magic of that moment. The [...]

Midwest Mountaineering kicks off their Outdoor Adventure Expo on Thursday. Still going strong in its 48th year, it doesn’t look at all downsized due to the recession, we’re happy to report. That’s only sorta good news, because it’s still impossible to see and do everything. From discovering Arctic Scandinavia by paddle, to protecting our own [...]

Spotting animal tracks — with your iPhone? It can do THAT? It was a short 2 years ago, that the outdoor industry was bemoaning “nature deficit disorder” among our younger generations. Some, like the MN-DNR, had hoped to lure people into state parks with geocaching events and contests. But overall, many observed with concern, a [...]

If you’re a total paddle-head, the kind who spends hours online devouring trip reports, we’ve got a rare treat for you. Our tour has been one of daily excitement, filled from first to last with grand old forests, noble waterfalls, picturesque lakes, and cascades. A region in which an artist might linger many weeks with [...]

We at UpNorthica have never claimed to be the absolute authority on all things camping, but we thought we had a pretty good grasp. Until now. We’ve had it all wrong. But thanks to Rusty and Larnold of the South Carolina Manhood Network, we’ve seen the light. Or is that blinding flash of inspiration, just [...]

Mention GoLite around the water cooler and you’ll likely get blank stares. But bring up the outdoor brand around your outdoorsy buddies, and people listen. Those on the fringes of your conversation will crash it. Pulses quicken, shirt collars get unbuttoned. You’ll have to throw them subtle hints to wipe the drool from their jowls. [...]

I’m sure there actually are words to describe the fanciful works coming out of the Kenspeckle Letterpress — but those words are above and beyond the grasp of my humble lexicon. The engravings, prints and posters of Duluth resident Rick Allen feature images of boreal wildlife, as well as mirthful scenes of camping misadventures. Often, [...]