February 2nd, 2010 | by Andy | published in Canada, Canoeing, Flim, Outdoor Living
Like a first time paddler launching into a vast island-dotted lake, the world became a lot bigger for me as I viewed “This is Canoeing,” the latest project from paddler/filmmaker Justine Curgenven. Gathered into this 2-disc set are 12 film featurettes, each bringing a fresh and memorable viewpoint of what it is to canoe today.
A [...]
January 8th, 2010 | by Andy | published in Canada, Canoeing, Winter Sports
To truly appreciate this time-lapse, you need to watch it in HD. The tiny waterbugs at the bottom right are the 40 teams competing in the Quebec Winter Carnival canoe race. Dodging icebergs. Risking capsized canoes and probably luring hungry arctic wolves. In all seriousness, this kind of crazy stunt is a beautiful way to [...]
December 30th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, Outdoor Living
I’ve never done a stellar job with knots, myself, but I’d give almost anything for the full story behind this one.
Recently posted in the Duluth News-Tribune:
“FOUND: Canoe on I-35. Call [# omitted] to identify.”
Awesome. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!
December 2nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canoeing
Yeah, that’s right, I’m doin’ it to you again: Just as you were getting antsy for a decent snowfall and all the fun of a Minnesota winter, I have to tantalize you with crazy warm weather activities again.
Nine-plus minutes may seem a little long for watching this guy SUPing in whitewater, but ride it out. [...]
November 17th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canada, Canoeing, Gear
If you’ve ever known the love of a Langford Canoe, you’ve likely felt it either while visiting Canada, or in having to travel there yourself to buy one. So sad, like a bittersweet camp romance.
Take heart, unrequited paddlers — this one’s got a happy ending. Canada’s oldest operating canoe company is now importing to the [...]
November 2nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, Flim
By the beard of Bill Mason, why’s it that so many outdoorsy film fests lately, seem to have largely forgotten Paddling? Unless it involves kayaking down the world’s tallest frozen-over waterfalls in a wingsuit? I mean, is the level of mere ‘extreme-ness’ their sole criterion for including a film?
Good thing we just found out [...]
October 16th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Camping, Canoeing, Outdoor Living, Resources
With your Fall chores out of the way (oh wait, it never came this year,) you oughta have a few slots open for some hard-earned fun. So why not check out these events, sponsored by Midwest Mountaineering.
Winter Camping: Traveling
Thursday, October 29, 6:30pm, in the Expedition Room
If you’ve only winter camped a little, survived it, and [...]
September 18th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Camping, Canada, Canoeing, Food
I was up last night until umpteen o’clock, prepping meal ingredients for an overnighter on the Namekagon River. With all the planning, portioning, storing and bear-proofing measures taken, my food will be traveling way more safely and comfortably than my buddies and I. Though all the effort was for just one meal— breakfast burritos — [...]
September 9th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Canoeing, Outdoor Living
The long last legs of Erik Simula’s Arrowhead Journey must have seemed like a blur, for all the experiences that filled them. As the multi-talented canoe maker, guide and ranger has wrapped up this amazing solo trip, we’re tempted to let our little re-cap become an all-out Russian novel. But we’ll leave the writing of [...]
August 14th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Canada, Canoeing, Quetico
Happy to see, at last, some report of last weekend’s race.
Participant Chris Stromberg took the images and all in all, it sounds like a good race with only a few small injuries. Well done, everybody! Via Canoeing.com.
August 11th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Canada, Canoeing, Quetico
Race results are (finally) in from this weekend’s Cross Quetico Marathon Canoe Race. We have few details so far, but for a brief comment by USFS Recreation Planner John Pierce:
I’ve been around people when their tank is empty due to a long race or some other event, but my admiration seeing everyone in that canoe [...]
August 6th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canada, Canoeing, Environment, Quetico
In just two days, the waters of Quetico will be astir with twenty-plus canoes in a fervid, knuckles-down race — but not one to claim available campsites.
As the date of the Cross-Quetico Marathon Canoe Race now approaches ramming speed, the teams are undoubtedly coveting the first prize of $5000 cash money. You always have to [...]
July 27th, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Canada, Canoeing, Environment, Quetico
To the sounds of traditional dances and the firing of musket and cannon salutes, the Canoe the Heart Expedition has come to a close at Historic Fort William in Thunder Bay.
Its crew of Canadian and American park officials, forestry staffers and avid paddlers alike, pulled into port and was greeted by guests in costumes from [...]
July 23rd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, Resources
How to find the right-sized paddle for you? Sheesh, I still struggle in remembering how to fit a backpack for hikes on the SHT. So I’ll gladly hear how the folks at Duluth Pack do it.
Check out the methods they use, maybe you’ll learn something too. Unless, that is, you have a method they don’t [...]
July 22nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canada, Canoeing, Flim
If you ever did summer camp in the Boundary Waters, Surviving Crooked Lake will probably float your boat.
The feature-length indy flick, opening this Friday, has all the wrong right elements of a teen thriller: 4 girls and their “slightly older male guide” go canoe camping in the wild. Romance, jealousy and mild peril ensue. But [...]