UpNorthica

This last weekend saw the 14th annual Book Across the Bay an annual 10k snow shoe/ski race across the Chequamegon bay. This year the race had 3300 registrants raising money that goes to the Book Across the Bay Community Grant Program. This program gives funds to organisations that encourage physical and mental wellness among residents [...]

Sunday begins the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth. The race is steeped in the history and legend of the North Shore mail carrier of the same name. And this year, organizers are bringing spectators closer to the race — and its roots.
Read on for a glimpse of what to expect. Then rush to [...]

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 [...]

Aspire to go winter camping, but have cold feet? Backpacker has posted a fairly comprehensive ‘winter camping essentials’ guide to help allay your fears and warm you up to the experience.
The collection of articles covers how to dress, what to bring, and how to do what you need to do — all without losing precious [...]

It feels great to kickoff 2010 on a good note: Several positive changes are afoot on the BWCA’s Banadad Ski Trail this winter.
First, the way has recently been paved (no, not literally) for better winter travel. A DNR grant, as well as donated time from volunteers have resulted in some wider, clearer and flatter [...]

If you’re a dedicated runner, you’ll get your miles in, regardless of any amount of snow. You don’t let it stop you, so why even let the stuff slow you down?
This re-printed article on running with snowshoes has good advice for staying on top of your fitness — and on top of the snow [...]

Dude, drop what you’re doing. Cancel all your evening plans (as if you have anything important on a Thursday night.)
There are two great outdoorsy films showing tonight in Minneapolis. Both are at cool venues. Both offer Super Extra Bonus incentives to attend. Your challenge will be picking which one to see. That’s right, they overlap [...]

A toasty, warm balaclava will ward off the cold. It’ll also repel most females. That’s a darn shame, ‘cause the ladies need to stay warm too, right? So what’s a girl to wear, without looking as creepy as you do?
Luckily, we found a decent selection of handmade women’s balaclavas on Etsy. Here’s the clincher: They’re [...]

Winter seems poised to come in like a lion (or a snow leopard, or something) so why not meet it head-on this weekend at the Winter Camping Symposium?
For the uninitiated, ‘winter camping’ continues to encompass a panorama of outdoor activities. Having surprisingly little to do with trying to keep warm, its biggest challenges lie in [...]

Never mind that this is how crazy Scandinavians have fun in winter — think of the sheer practicality of a racing reindeer at your beck and call!
Just imagine how fast you could haul your winter camping gear with ol’ Blitzen at the helm! A 12-point rack that’s tailor-made for drying out damp socks and mittens! [...]

I woulda waited to post this ‘til later, but given the low temps all summer, I figured why not?
The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon just posted this on their Facebook page: a new logo!
Very cool; and as another FB’er pointed out, it has a nice reference to the Sawtooth Range. A nod to whoever created [...]

The kayaking world lately seems fixated on Highest Waterfall Drop record-setting. Glad to see somebody’s out to set a record for Most Fun.
This video was shot in Austria, but snow kayaking really needs to happen right here in Minnesota, right now. Or six months from now (I’m just trying to be emphatic. whatever.) I’m thinking [...]

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 waning [...]

Whether you’re trail running in two below or ‘shoeing into the woods for winter camping, it seems there’s a lot you have to watch. Watch your body temp; be careful of your footing; stay hydrated; try not to frighten locals with your scary facemask…
Stephen over at Gear Junkie has posted 10 tips for winter running [...]

Hard to pronounce? Yes. But hundekjøring, or dog-driven skiing, is easy to appreciate:
You, on your skis, go faster while still getting a workout. And little Speck gets out of the house to play.
The latest issue of Minnesota Conservation Volunteer offers this helpful introthis helpful intro to the nordic-style mode of self-propulsion. Along with sharing its [...]