UpNorthica

Results from a recent study from the National Academy of Sciences are showing that “all major lines of evidence point to an ongoing and fundamental shift away from nature-based recreation.” And what is inciting this wave of laziness? Things like Xbox 360, YouTube and blogs.
Furthermore,
“The replacement of vigorous outdoor activities by sedentary, indoor videophilia has [...]

For adrenaline junkies in Minnesota, the prospects for winter fun may seem…flat. Few ski hills to choose from. Just thousands of desolate frozen lakes, silent in their winter sleep. Hectares of snow-shrouded steppes laying fallow ’til spring thaw, right? Enter the Snowfer. Sails—no, flies!—over ice and even over snow alone. Looks wayyy cooler than snowmobiling [...]

From heavy melts Monday and freezing rains overnight, to sled dogs eating their booties(?), it’s been a wild race so far. The weather conditions have definitely run a range, but they haven’t stopped the dogs nor the mushers yet. Don Galloway of Makinen, MN has been declared the winner of the Mid-Distance Marathon. [...]

A longtime supplier of aluminum to snowshoe companies like Tubbs and Atlas will soon be producing its own line of 80% recyclable snowshoes. While Easton Snowshoes will sport handy features like asymmetrical frames and independently-pivoting crampons, their sense of environmental responsibility impresses me most. They will even take the snowshoes back for recycling if none [...]

On the cusp of this weekend’s 25th Annual Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon comes another race…a much more *dangerous* game. [Insert steely, rough-hewn voice talent here] A grueling test of mettle in that most vicious of all outdoor arenas, New York City. Where only the most courageous and cunning souls drive their shopping carts to victory…I [...]

When bread-bag booties stuffed inside the ol’ moon boots just don’t cut it, go by this primer for layering in winter, by OutdoorReview.

An entertaining and fascinating site chronicling the quintessential Minnesotan past-time of ice fishing. The altogether beautiful and quirky photography; the audio of fishing tales and tinny radios blaring country music in the background…it all paints a warm picture for something that’s typically done in freakishly cold temps. It’s produced by Unfolding Forms, a collaborative effort [...]

Gentlemen, start your Malamutes! The 2008 marathon is almost upon us, so to get yourself in the mood for mushing, listen to a collection of ambient audio clips of the event from years past.
UPDATE: Ooo! And more field recordings of the Northwoods, here.

The lighting is poor; my camera work is shoddy at best. So why post this? Because it is Snowshoeing at Night, my friends. And if this serves to inspire only one person to enjoy the beauty and mystery of the outdoors this winter, it’s worth it.

Let me make it official that I am Totally Game for this emerging form of winter fun! Just you read this post (and subsequent article) by The Gear Junkie and then try to settle back into your insulated, snowless, devoid-of-frozen-waterfalls, barren wasteland called Indoors.
My buddy Ryan and I took a crack at this last weekend, [...]