Planet Earth

Natalie and I have been watching the Discovery channel series called Planet Earth. Last week, one of the episodes was about forests. Much of the footage was shot in the northern forests, like what we see in Canada and have at camp. It truly is wonderful that Cap staked his claim in the Chippewa National Forest in 1935. As time goes on, being in a national forest will help limit the amount of development on and around Cass Lake and help preserve those huge red and white pines around camp. Those trees are a beautiful sight on the walk down to Buck Lake.

America's Cup Sets Sail

Without much fanfare in the US, the 32nd America's Cup is underway in Valencia, Spain with the commencement of the Challenger series. A quick check of the leader board finds the US team, BMW Oracle, leading all challengers. Most predict this to be one of the closest America's Cup in history, so it will be fun to watch the progress over the next several weeks. So far, the races have been plagued by little wind, and several races have yet to set sail. We'll keep an eye on BMW Oracle as the racing unfolds. In the meantime, we'll look forward to racing our new sailboat in the Kamaji regatta this summer!

Weekend Trip to Camp

I was walking Moby around my neighborhood yesterday when I heard the unmistakable song of the white-throated sparrow. Anyone who has been in a canoe in Canada recognizes its distinctive whistle. Hearing it in Tulsa undoubtedly means that the sparrow's migration back north has started. Of course, that means our migration back to camp is just around the corner.

JP, CJ and I will be headed to camp this weekend for a quick pre-camp planning trip. Many new exciting plans are ahead for camp and we'll be laying the groundwork for a few new projects during the weekend. Also, CJ will be working with his beehive preparing it for the summer months. Summer is almost here!

JP's Stories for Your iPod

Just in case you hadn't noticed, you can now download camp stories for your iPod. Currently, we have two stories posted, both read by JP. The Legend of Cedar Island and a story about the mameguesu are on our website. Click here to view our downloads and to add one of JP's stories to your iPod.

Coolest Places I've Been With Camp. Part 2: York Factory, Manitoba.

About 350 miles northeast of Norway House, Manitoba (as the canoe paddles, not as the crow flies) is York Factory. Located at the mouth of the Hayes River, York Factory was the long time North American headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company. Yes, the same Hudson Bay Company that Natalie and Cammy work for. As it sits on its banks over-looking the Hudson Bay and the Hayes River, York Factory is now a National Historic Site of Canada as well as an archaeological site. York Factory also plays host to literally dozens of tourist each year.

I went to York Factory in 2003 on the Hayes River trip with Sam Thiessen and 4 or 5 campers (their names elude me). As you approach York Factory, it sits 50 to 70 feet above the river on the bank, giving it that regal "don't mess with this fort" look. What is so great about the trading post now is it is a museum, so you can walk the grounds, learn the history of the area, the fort, the people, and touch everything. That's right, a museum where you can touch whatever you want. Items on display are essentially the items that were traded here at the post, not including pelts. We also climbed up into the lookout tower where people have been signing their names on the wall since as far back as at least 1929.

The highlight of York Factory was using one of the original branding irons used to mark goods. After deciding not to brand our biceps, the park staff was kind enough to brand the lid of one of our wanagans. The lid looks so cool now with its big YF emblazoned on it. Miraculously, the lid survived the trip house fire the following winter and will soon be on display in the new trip house.

One final note: On the flight out of York Factory, you fly over the Nelson River and a hydroelectric dam that is freakin' huge. As it turns out, this dam is the main supplier of electricity for the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. How they get that electricity from Northern-nowhere Canada to the Twin Cities is beyond me. I just don't understand electricity at all.

Bloodvein 2006 Photos

In case you hadn't seen them, the Bloodvein 2006 photos were posted a while back on the camp website. Thanks to Thomas Beadle who took most of the pictures. You can see them by going to the Chippewa Photo Albums page.

Thomas Beadle took this great photo last summer on the 'Vein!

Martin Strel Does It Again

Some of you may recall that in 2002, we headed out into the middle of Cass Lake in kayaks and the Chips Ahoy to see Martin Strel, the Slovenian swimmer, on his way to set a new world record by swimming the entire length of the Mississippi. As he passed through Cass Lake, CJ and some kayakers paddled alongside him while some of us watched him from the pontoon boat.

Over the weekend, Martin Strel made news again, crushing his previous world record by swimming the length of the Amazon. Amazing! You can find more information on Martin's website and on Wikipedia.

Martin swimming across Cass Lake in 2002

Spring Break at Camp

For all of you guys that recently returned from the beach during Spring Break, be happy you didn't head to camp. Today's high? 17 degrees. Low? 0 degrees. A little chilly for dip time!

About Sleeping Bags

I often receive calls or emails asking to recommend a sleeping bag for camp. With such a huge variety of bags available, it can certainly be a bit confusing. So, here is a short synopsis of considerations when you are hunting for sleeping bags.

When looking for a good bag for camp, it should be compressible (in other words, it stuffs into a smalls space) and sufficiently warm (which I'll discuss more below.) You will want to avoid large cotton sleeping bags that are rolled up. They are simply too bulky and a disaster when they become wet. Most of the sleeping bags you will consider should have a nylon exterior.

Next, be aware that good sleeping bags are generally placed in one of two categories: down or synthetic. This refers to the stuffing of the sleeping bag. Down is the most effective insulator and longest lasting stuffing, but it is more expensive. Synthetics have become pretty darned nice over the last several years with products like Qualofil and Lite Loft, but it is a bit heavier and doesn't compress quite as small. The good thing about synthetic bags is that they dry faster and are cheaper. Salesmen will tell you (as I used to do when I was a salesman at a backpacking store) that you can also stay warm in a wet synthetic bag, but the reality is that nobody wants to sleep in a wet sleeping bag, whether it is down or synthetic. It's simply too uncomfortable.

So which do I recommend? Depending on your age and camping experience and goals, I lean towards down. It may cost more, but if you feel that you can keep your bag dry, the bag will last forever and will keep you comfortable. If you are a bit younger and are not sure if you will do much overnight camping in the future, go for synthetic. It will last a long time and will dry much faster if it gets wet.

Finally, the temperature rating of the bag should be between 2o degrees and 40 degrees. This is the temperature above which the bag will keep you warm. My experience has been that even a 30 degree bag can make me hot in most camping situations.

For easy reference, here are a few bags I recommend:
Down Sleeping Bags
Marmot Arroyo
Marmot Arete

Synthetic Sleeping Bags
North Face Cat's Meow
North Face Equinox
Kelty Light Year

Good luck and don't hesitate to call me with any questions.