-
-
-
Recent Posts
ADS
Our Favorites
Quetico
Cross Quetico Canoe Marathon This Weekend
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 add that part: “cash money;” it just makes it sound that much better. In addition to the winnings, we’ve gotten more details on the competition, the first of this scope since 1964. Read on, sports fans…
Canoe the Heart Expedition Report: Wrap-Up at Ft. William
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 1815; a fitting finale to their weeks-long journey in a large, voyageur-style canoe.
Canoe the Heart Expedition Report: Crane Lake to Ely
“Canadians and Americans joining forces to fight invasive species and tackle climate change — two nations in one canoe, on a mission for Good in the heart of the continent.”
…Sound like a movie trailer? or one of those DC/Marvel comic book crossovers?
Maybe that’s on account of the heroic push the Canoe the Heart Expedition made yesterday, outpacing a rainstorm to arrive in Ely two hours ahead of schedule.
Of course, it could also be the idea of so many leaders and protectors (like Quetico Superintendent Robin Reilly, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, and Wilderness News‘ Tim Eaton, to name a few)… all assembled to empower the people towards a greater advocacy of public lands. Read on…
Canoe the Heart Expedition Report: Atikokan to Crane Lake
Day-long hard paddling made bearable by frequent breaks, a little esprit de corps… and a lot of second helpings at supper time.
The first report from the Canoe the Heart Expedition sounds strikingly similar to a day in the life of the voyageurs. Minus, that is, the pipe-smoking at every break. Put nine people from Canada and the U.S. in a voyageur-style canoe, launch ‘em on a goodwill mission along the Border Region and you’re going to get adventure.
But so far, so good; the first 2 legs of the journey (Atikokan to International Falls, to Crane Lake in Voyageurs National Park) are now complete.
Canoe the Heart Expedition Kickoff Today
It’s the closest thing to a rock tour, ever to hit the Boundary Waters.
The Canoe the Heart Expedition begins today with the launch of a 24-foot voyageur canoe in Atikokan, Ontario. Paddling the tour bus-sized craft are rangers, parks staff and wilderness advocates from both sides of the border.
The Cross Quetico Lakes Tour
Just as the BWCA wraps up its 30th year, Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park begins its 100th anniversary (wow!) celebration. More on the anniversary itself, in another post, but one upcoming event you should know about is the Cross Quetico Lakes Tour.
Hosted by a local x-country ski club this March, the tour spans the frozen lakes and portages of Quetico. The extensive trail system offers 3 distinct routes of 35, 45 and 55km to pick from. Oh, and skijorers and mushers are also invited.
Sound daunting? Superintendent Robin Reilly says, “A wilderness park might seem too challenging for many but this social event has allowed many skiers to experience the winter in a fresh new way”. Plus, after all the Getting-Lost-in-Quetico stories I’ve heard, at least you can backtrack the groomed trail to the trailhead if you get, uh, ‘separated.’ Via Superior Outdoors.
I Spy a Lob Pine
Paddling in the Boundary Waters, I’ve taken for granted how easy it is to pass between lake and portage with the aid of well-marked maps and a compass. Nature’s job is reduced to providing the scenery.
In the early years Native guides helped trappers and Voyageurs, without a single waterproof MacKenzie among ‘em. But with all the look-alike trails and myriad lakes, how did so few get lost? How did they have such a concrete sense of direction?
Paging through The Voyageur’s Highway by Grace Lee Nute, I came across one way routes were marked: The Lob Pine.
The playground just got bigger: Canada’s new wilderness area
These days, the moss is looking pretty green on the other side. The last several months have seen Canada taking huge steps to preserve its boreal wonderlands for future generations. The latest announcement comes from Ontario and Manitoba, who have agreed to establish and co-manage a new Interprovincial Wilderness Area. And it’s freaking huge [PDF map here].
Formed from several provincial parks along the Ontario-Manitoba border, including the Atakaki and Woodland Caribou, the new area totals about 2,300,00 acres. By comparison, our own BWCAW is a little over 1 million acres.
This is a big win for Nature, first and foremost. And good on the First Nations tribes who have worked with the government to preserve these wild lands, to be sure. But I must admit: I’m already checking Google Maps for drive times from our neck of the woods. Me wants to play!
New fishing regulations in the Quetico
If you’re planning on doing some fishing across the border on your next canoe trip, be aware of the new regulations that came into effect this past January. The use of barbed hooks, live bait and formerly live bait are now banned. Barbless hooks reduce the damage done by a hook and lower the mortality rate of fish. Barbed hooks may be present in you tackle box; just not on your line. Crushing the barbs to make them flush with the shaft of the hook is acceptable. Live and formerly live bait are banned to prevent the introduction or spread of non-native species. Yes, this means artificial bait only. A ban on the use of lead, while planned, did not happen this time.
The ban is outlined on the Quetico Parks page and more in-depth information is available on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website.
“Paradise Lost” exhibit at Bell Museum
A collaboration between artists, scientists and educators, “Paradise Lost: Climate Change in the North Woods” does more than spread awareness about climate change. On exhibit through April 11 at the Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis, it’s inspiring as much as it is, sobering. And in a more digestible format than Al Gore’s PowerPoint. Details on the exhibit, here.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Flickr
