June 30th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Art, Hiking
Most of us hikers pride ourselves in ‘leaving no trace’ where our feet have trod. Jim Denevan makes a point of leaving as big a trace as he can. The performance artist has just made the world’s largest drawing in this dry Nevada lake bed (Jim is the tiny speck in the center). This record-breaking […]
June 25th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Living
This Saturday, over 20,000 people will be celebrating The Great American Backyard Campout to discover and share the joys of the outdoors – even here in our own backyards. Whether you’re a self-described ‘indoorsy-type’ or a seasoned Boundary Waters canoeist, we at UpNorthica want to do our part to get you outside. So let us […]
June 16th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Hiking, North Shore, Wildlife
We just posted some images from a recent 3-day hike along the Superior Hiking Trail. It’s been a few weeks since, but we’re still enjoying the blazing green hues of new growth; the fresh signs of wildlife in the mud and mossy duff; and the smell of chili with chorizo sausage links at the […]
May 15th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Living
As Minnesota commemorates its Sesquicentennial, it’s great to see a number of the celebrations are in the best places our state has: the Outdoors.
On June 1st, for example, day admission to all state parks will be free, as they host the “Great Minnesota Picnic.” The aim is to encourage folks to bring their picnic lunch, […]
May 5th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Gear, Hiking
An upcoming weekend of hiking the Superior Hiking Trail has me prepping my gameplan for footwear. And how to deal with blisters, if and when I get them. Typically, we’ve found that the moleskin remedy does pretty well. Today though, I came across Band-Aid’s Blister Block stick, which is applied over blisters. Judging from the […]
April 16th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Hiking
Although a whopping $208 million in capital investment projects were cut from the bonding bill by Governor Pawlenty, thankfully the veto treaded lightly on our state parks and trails. Here’s a list of trail improvement projects that are moving ahead this year, and how much money’s going into each. I’m especially glad to see a […]
April 11th, 2008 | by Arthur | published in Camping, Hiking, Resources
It’s official, we are approaching the time when hardy northwoods people everywhere will walk out their front door, blink their eyes a little and realize that the mukluks and parka are a little excessive. Until this time of showing off pasty white skin we need to find a way to channel our outdoors enthusiasm.
A new […]
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 11th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Hiking, Outdoor Living, Wildlife
There’s no shortage of exotic ways to tackle Northern Minnesota’s backcountry. There’s canoe camping, dogsledding, snowshoeing with pulk sleds in winter… you can even x-country ski from yurt to yurt. But here’s something we don’t yet have:
Pathfinder Lapland is a reindeer-trekking guide service in the northernmost reaches of Sweden. Lennart Pittja’s business not only keeps […]
March 4th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Canoeing, Gear, Hiking
Just how good do you look while carrying your handheld gear on the trail? Still using fanny packs? Please, no style whatsoever. Or those silly pockety photojournalist vests, so very silly and… and pockety? No. If you are truly rugged and tough, then say so! with a Grabit Pack. Its three pouches may carry harmless […]
February 20th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Gear, Hiking
Adventure Light’s Lazer Stik AA is marketed as “a direct replacement for chemical light sticks.” Even though most folks will buy it for light saber battles, the thing does sport an impressive feature list. In addition to its reported 50 hours of battery life, the light has both steady-on and flashing functions, is water-resistant […]
February 15th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Hiking
More specifically, they’re much better at remembering details of unfamiliar trails, than novice hikers. Here’s a summary of that study. Via Modern Hiker.