May 1st, 2008 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, Kayaking, Outdoor Living, Resources
In the weeks before our family trips to the BWCA, my dad used to warm up by portaging our canoe around the block. This wasn’t a bad idea, or even uncommon today. But the thing isn’t exactly street legal and it’s hard to hand-signal your turns.
So, earlier this year, I asked a trainer at my […]
April 21st, 2008 | by Andy | published in Environment, Resources
I recently got a taste of Canada’s beautiful wilderness, from the presentations at the Far North Symposium. I’ve never been in those parts, so I found it incredibly inspiring. One of the presenters in particular urged us all to visit these vast waterways and woods soon. His reasoning: Many of the rivers had radically been […]
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 […]
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 […]
April 3rd, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Resources, Wildlife
Research findings of a Brigham Young University wildlife biologist show bear spray to be a far more effective deterrent to aggressive bears, than guns are. On average, it takes four shots from a gun to stop a bear, with your odds of success being about 66%. But based on the research, opening up a can […]
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 18th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living, Resources
Question: How easy is it to find a decent, reputable web site with tips on finding shed deer and moose antlers?
Answer: About as easy as finding the antlers themselves.
Ugh. Ya know, I do my best to be a resource, honestly I do. I mean c’mon, gathering antlers is a great way to get outdoors and […]
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 Outdoor Living, Resources
The MN-DNR’s site has a set of helpful tips for ice safety and recommended ice thicknesses, including a downloadable wallet-size reference card.
I would also add that you should never, ever, EVER do this.
March 10th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Resources, Survival Skills
While not 100% failsafe, here’s one way to find north using only a stick and the sun, should you ever lose your compass. Anyone out there in UpNorthica ever had to use this method in a pinch?
March 7th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Food, Outdoor Living, Resources
Holy buckets! Beginning March 8th, several Minnesota state parks will be teaching free classes on how to harness the pure, raw power of Maple. Learn about the history and process of maple syruping, or better yet, register to take part in tapping, collecting and boiling down a batch for yourself.
I was blessed as a kid […]
March 6th, 2008 | by Arthur | published in Art, Resources, Wildlife
John James Audubon may have never made it to Minnesota, but he knew the birds of our state better than most any of us ever will. His seminal work Birds of America contains 435 incredible full color life size plates. The University of Pittsburgh, which owns a rare full copy, has made each plate available […]