Around the Great Lakes

Two Months and Counting

In just under two months, I’ll seal myself into my new kevlar NDK Explorer, paddle out of the Grand Marais harbor (web cam), and head to my first camping site 20 miles from Grand Marais. The first campsite is located at Lutsen Resort, the company that I guide for. I’ll be camping on a DNR Lake Superior water trail campsite just a short walk from the resort. I may have to soak in the hot tub after the paddle. I’m hoping that a few local paddlers will paddle along on the first day. It’ll be pretty casual.

Winter is almost over on the Northshore of Lake Superior, but it’s one of those rare years when the Lake almost freezes over completely. It’s been great for picture taking, but not so good for training. (My training has been about 20km of cross country skiing 4 days a week.) Last year, we had open water all winter long, so I would have been out paddling by now. Hopefully, in the next couple of days, the warmer weather will break up the ice. I expect that I’ll still run into snow and ice the first few weeks of my trip. It’ll be interesting to see if much of the Apostles will have thawed out.

I’m currently working on the finishing touches of the expedition. March is the month of making all my maps and printing them, sorting the gear as it comes in the mail, making food packages to send out to post offices along the way, and trying to wrap up a few last minute details. Press releases are also going out.

I still haven’t found a tent and sleeping bag sponsor yet, nor a stove sponsor, but I do own those items so I’m not too worried. I was hoping for the sponsorship to help out companies that I believe in through the publicity that this trip is going to generate.

Speaking of publicity. I’ve been interviewed a number of times now. I’m going to be featured as part of an article in the May/June issue of Paddler Magazine. And I have another interview planned for later this month. I ended up guiding for a TV show this winter as well and I had to do a bit of acting.

It’s been a busy winter, but I’ve also been having a ton of fun. The above picture is from a photo shoot with Eric Larsen, a friend of mine and fellow Grand Maraiser. (There are a ton of adventurers in this little town.) We were shooting pictures for the sponsors of his upcoming Save the Poles Expedition. You should read his humorous blog post about the photo shoot. Getting some friend time in before 5 months of solo travel and making new friends is important for me.

I’m still looking for a bit of logistical support around the way, so if you want to help out. Drop me a line.

Did I mention hats?

Tags: eric larsen, photo shoot, Planning, save the poles, training