Outdoor Writer & Consultant – Wilderness Guide – Custom Canoe Expeditions into the far north
Outdoor Writer & Consultant – Wilderness Guide – Custom Canoe Expeditions into the far north
Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Frost River Some years ago, I presented a program for the Minnesota Canoe Association. About 150 people attended. With the exception of six teenage girls—who were there to show slides of their trip in the Boundary Waters—everyone (including me) had gray hair. Murmurs of “look at all the gray beards” bounced […]
Drying off after a heavy rain. Heat from the fire reflects into the twin tarps and dries wet clothes. Smoke exits through the slit between the tarps so you can sit back, and be warm and dry even during rain. See my video, The Forgotten Skills and/or my book, Camping’s Top Secrets, 5th Edition. Some […]
Everyone who canoes the Boundary Waters knows that the maximum group size is nine people and four watercraft. The rule further states that “…you may not exceed either limit at any time or at any place in the BWCA, including portages, campsites or waterways.” Prior to 1995, a crew of ten were allowed. The new […]
ABOVE: INUKSHUK Wilberforce Falls, Hood River, Nunavut, Canada My first Arctic canoe trip was on the Hood River, Nunavut (formerly, Northwest Territories), Canada, in 1982. We ended at Bathurst Inlet two days early, so to kill time, we hiked to a traditional Inuit campsite about three miles away. It was a beautiful spot, nestled in […]
A properly equipped family canoe. EVERYONE is wearing a life jacket! Hardly a year goes by when there isn’t a drowning on some lake or river, U.S.A. In nearly every case the victims were not wearing life jackets. Boats capsize and people die. Why? Because they don’t know what they don’t know! Those who have […]
You are REQUIRED to hang your food in Yellowstone NP. Note that the bear-hanging pole is directly over a prime tent spot. Way to go, trail crew! DO NOT exit your car for a photo op! Animals have a minimum safe distance. Get too close and you’re toast! I grew up in Indiana, a few […]
I recently returned from my annual fall solo canoe trip into the Boundary Waters. My experience began at the Tofte ranger station where for the nth time, I was asked to watch the seven minute ethics video that is required of all visitors. I politely told the ranger that I had seen the video at […]
Above: Kopka River, Ontario Adirondacks, New York At the outset, I should make it clear that I am an environmentalist. I taught environmental science at a Minnesota Middle School for many years. I deeply believe that we are stewards of the earth and it’s our job to take care of it and to pass a […]
IF IT RAINS HARD ENOUGH AND LONG ENOUGH, WATER WILL GET INTO YOUR TENT! FLOODED TENT: NOTE HOW THE INTERIOR GROUND-SHEET KEEPS WATER AWAY FROM YOU! Old ideas die hard, and when it comes to camping, the hardest to die is that you should place a plastic groundcloth UNDER the floor of your tent. This […]