Piragis Northwoods Boundary Waters News

December 12, 2013

Greetings!



Boom, Boom da Boom, Crack.  Lying in my warm bag with my little dog, Cisco, pressed tight against me I tried to tune out the deep sounds that were evident of the falling temperatures.  My wife, Jen, and our larger dog, Pepper, were fast asleep and their breathing was relaxed.  Inside our four-season tent, my bearded face was cool, but not uncomfortable -- our winter bags and insulated sleeping pads were keeping us warm enough and so were our two canine companions, an added benefit, although they had come along to add to the fun...

Camping in the Boundary Waters during the winter months can be exciting and full of adventure, laden with opportunities to walk and camp on frozen waters where one can only paddle when the ice is out.  One of my favorite trips found us camping on Hegman lake the day after Christmas in 1997 with our two dogs.  Winter camping has a few basic essentials that are similar to their summer counterparts and many other tools of the camping trade cross over.  We had a four-season tent,  winter sleeping bags, pads, a reliable campstove that would start in very low temperatures, fast-drying clothing that layered and insulated well, and a pulk, for starters.  Skis, snowshoes, dog-booties, skijoring equipment and high-energy food made our trip successful, as did my ice-fishing kit.

It's important to make sure you have the clothing and equipment that will keep you warm and allow you to travel in a variety of snow/ice conditions.  Safety, is key as always when out in the wilderness, so items like safety ice picks and plenty of back up fire starting kits or stashes, can mean as much as a lifejacket in the summer in the case of misadventure.  Wall tents and super lightweight titanium woodstoves can make your winter camping experience a wonderful home away from home.  Food choices and meal plans should provide enough energy to compensate quickly for energy expended during skiing, snowshoeing, skijoring and those inevitable snowball fights.  If you're bringing your four-legged friends, they could use some pet energy bars or homemade meal supplements in addition to their regular fare.

Some of the highlights of our trip included finding a wolf kill site, a huge brownish ring on the ice with some fur and minimal remains of what had once been a deer in the reddened center.  Our dogs were very interested in that as well.  Skiing and skijoring, we visited the pictographs around Hegman lake and discovered huge icicles that fell from overhanging cliff faces to form makeshift caverns that looked like large toothy mouths.  We made our camp right on the ice and as it turned out we began our adventure on the coldest day of winter to date that year.  The booming sounds continued through the nights that followed as we approached the turning of the new year.  It was great fun and a challenging way to spend the holidays!



Take along a good book or story like Jack London's "To Start a Fire" or "Into Thin Air" if you want to set the mood for adventure.

 

Yours, from the End of the Road,
Tim Stouffer
Piragis Northwoods Company

 


Free Standard
Shipping through December 24th.  To Qualify Enter Coupon Code FREESHIP13 online or over the phone at 1-800-223-6565.
Oversized Item Charges apply and offer valid for Standard
Shipping to the lower 48 States only.


Boundary Waters Gear Spotlights 
Our best-selling World's Finest Camp Knife as recommended by Cliff Jacobson, now comes in an attractive and finely crafted Damascus version.  Handcrafted and finished with the highest degree of detail by John Bradley, each knife comes with its own handmade leather sheath, specifically fitted to that particular knife.  When John puts his name on a blade, you know that it is one of the best.  We've decided to give some of you an early Christmas present and put the ones we have in stock on sale.  $25 dollars off:  Normally $450, now $425 and free standard shipping when you use code FREESHIP13.

 
Click Picture for more information and to Purchase
"Very impressive knife, Steve. I can't believe the beautifully thin cutting edge. It takes real skill to grind a knife that fine. Bradley is a fantastic bladesmith. The steel is a high end alloy and it is the very best. The balance is superb. The blade length is just right, and the sheath is top notch." Cliff Jacobson.


New Jewelry by Jaymie Stocks

Click Picture for more information and to Purchase

 
Made in Ely, Minnesota, by resident artist Jaymie Stocks.

All pendants have slide through style hanger with an adjustable black cord.
 
All pieces are hand cut and laid  and kiln fired. No two pieces are the same.
 
From the Artist:  "I was born and raised in Ely MN and have been working with glass for about 5 years. I have a BS in Art with an emphasis in glass. I work in both stained glass and fused glass. I like to re-purpose different materials into my  jewelry; such as aluminum tent poles, copper wire, and aluminum cans. The images in my pieces are a reflection of my local area."
2013 Rental Canoes ON SALE!
Each year, we sell off our entire rental fleet of canoes and this year is no different.  We have many great tripping models available at a discounted rate.  For the complete list of our used canoes, follow this LINK.



 
Call Steve Schon at 800-223-6565 to purchase yours before we run out.

Greetings from the Outfitting Desk

2014 Canoe Trips

Drew and Adam are here to talk with you about your upcoming adventure in 2014.  Permits are not available yet (see permit section below for more info), but we can help you with routes, canoe rental, gear rental, shuttles, etc.  Call or email us anytime.  We enjoy setting up trips and hope you will be joining us this summer.  Many people have already "booked" their trip with us so if you know your dates, call and you can put your official reservation under the tree as a perfect present.

 

2014 Guided Group Trips

This is a great way to enjoy the Boundary Waters.  We make it very easy for you.  These trips have our Full Outfitting package, include a guide, lodging before and after the trip, shuttles to/from the entry point, and the BWCA permit.  Join us as you experience a true wilderness with a professional guide, great gear, delicious food, and meet others from around the country who love the outdoors.  This is the first time we are marketing the dates so sign up soon to reserve a spot.  Call Adam or Drew with any questions or to learn more about them.

 

Here is what we are going to offer:

Smallmouth Trip                    May 31-June 6

Women's Wilderness             July 12-18

Northwoods Fishing               July 12-18

Cliff/Steve Trip                       August 9-15

Howling with Wolves              August 23-29

Stargazing Trip                     September 20-26

Autumn Colors Trip               September 27 - October 3

Quetico Canoe Trip               Dates TBD

 

Used Gear

We still have "experienced" gear from last season including Granite Gear Superior One Packs, Bending Branches Outfitting Paddles, PFDs, and much more.  Call Adam or Drew for help with this.  It's a nice way to save some money on gear that is in very good condition.

Click here to see our complete list of USED GEAR.

 

A Big Thanks

The entire outfitting department would like to thank all of you who have taken BWCA and Quetico trips with us.  We are truly grateful for each and every one of you whether you were a first-timer or you have been a loyal client over the years.  Outfitting people into the greatest canoe paddling wilderness is what we love, as well as sharing our knowledge to make sure you have an experience that will create amazing memories.  We pride ourselves on supplying you with new canoes and gear each season, so you know you are getting the best equipment available.  You know you can count on us and we want to make sure we gain your trust.  Our slogan "Your Friends in the Great Northwoods" is not taken lightly.  We are thankful for all the wonderful friendships we have gained over the years.

 

Come on back for another journey!  If you are thinking about your first trip, give us a try.

 

Paddle On!!!

 

Call Drew or Adam at 800-223-6565 to start planning your adventure!

 

BWCA Permit Information
For the best chance to get the permit of your choice, it is important to start planning early.  Now is a great time to grab your BWCA overview map and start dreaming of your 2014 trip.  If you don't have an overview map, contact us and we will send you one.  Follow this link to request Trip Planning Information.

Important Dates to Remember:
Permits for Fall Lake and Moose Lake can be obtained through a lottery. The lottery is open from 9:00am Central Time on December 17, 2013 to 9:00pm Central Time on January 14, 2014. After the lottery has run, all remaining Moose Lake and Fall Lake permits will be available on a first-come-first-served basis starting at 9:00am Central Time on January 29, 2014.

All other permits can obtained on a first-come-first-served basis beginning 9:00am Central Time on January 29, 2014.

Contact Adam or Drew at 800-223-6565 and we will walk you through the permitting process and help you choose the route that best fits your group.

Happy Planning! 

 

Satellite Phones, Winter Tents, Stoves, and more Winter Rentals Available
Experience the Boundary Waters in the winter.  We have all the camping gear to help you get set up for a successful winter trip.  We have skis, snowshoes, Snowtrekker tents, wood stoves, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads.  And don't forget to bring a Satellite Phone.

We also have a couple of new tents to try out this year:

Cooke Custom Sewing Winter T Octagon Tent

Designed for the winter camping enthusiast who is tired of man hauling heavy canvas tents. Made from 1.1 oz Silicone Coated Ripstop Nylon with double stitched seams. Unique snow pockets all around the base and at the bottom of the door. These pockets are like a snow flap only the pockets are filled with snow and seal to the ground, to keep all drafts out. Front door has a horizontal section at the top of the door that can be open for venting.

The equal sided octagon footprint, with center pole, allows for the more interior headroom compared to other winter structures, with plenty of space to sleep four. Tall enough door to enter easily and stand up fully.
Door pole is offset out from the front door for ease of entry.  The Winter T Octagon  has a 30" knee wall all around , allowing all the floor space to be usable. Stove jack comes ready for a 3" stove pipe.  The Tent can stuff down into our multi stage stuff sack  to a 7 �" diameter by 9 " long.  Also included are the two aluminum nesting poles with Stuff sack.  

Our reflective cord is tied off to all knee wall corners and to front door opening.  Stock color is white with Red door.  Total weight including poles is 6 lbs.

 

NEMO Moki 3P Adventure Base Camp

 

A bomber base camp tent designed for all types of weather. Convertible panels reveal mesh when temps are warm. Check out the Moki™


When we say 4 season, we mean it. Our ambassadors take Moki™ to the Himalayas and we use it for surf trips on the coast. Over half of Moki's™ single-wall exterior is convertible to mesh, which gives you the flexibility and comfort you need in any climate. A large vestibule is included with Moki™ and an optional, additional vestibule can be zipped to the opposite door for extra gear storage. With the ability to link together, add insulation, or unzip half the tent shell to expose mesh, Moki™ is the perfect base camp for all of your adventures.


� Three-person, four-season tent built using Nemo's Extreme Conditions Technology
� Condensation curtain isolates respiration to prevent frost buildup
� Pressure Porting system allows air to escape even during high winds
� 43 square feet of sleeping space; pair of welded polyurethane skylights
� Measures 90 x 48 x 75 inches (W x H x D); weighs 7.5 pounds

 

 Go to our WINTER RENTALS page to see everything that we offer.

 

Read Our Blog
Our BLOG is a wealth of information that will help you plan your next outdoor adventure and keep you posted on important information and dates here in the BWCA.  Subscribe to get the latest information and articles as they become available. 

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And, don't miss articles from renowned author Cliff Jacobson.

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Your Friends in the
Great Northwoods
105 North Central Avenue
Ely, MN  55731
1-800-223-6565
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