Jeff Lynch, Author at Sawtooth Outfitters

16Mar

Unique Ski Experiences You Can’t Miss

There are many options for skiing beyond basic alpine and cross country. Groomed trails are great but so are frozen rivers, powder covered ridges, and crust covered lakes. Check out these three twists to traditional alpine and nordic skiing.1. Backcountry Hok Skiing: Break trail and go your own way with the Altai Hok Ski. Cruise the woods, bomb the hills or take to the frozen rivers. With a partial climbing skin integrated into the base, the ski climbs with ease. The skin also makes the ski slower and easier to control than traditional skis. The ski’s shorter, wider design make it incredibly maneuverable, ideal for any ungroomed terrain. This is truly an all-purpose backcountry tool. This skis requires no groomed areas, no lifts, no tickets. Stop in the shop to try and pair or buy your own before the winter is over.2. Skijoring: Do you want to get outside with your furry friend. You both can get a high speed work out with this exciting ski sport. Skijoring is a sport in which a dog (or dogs) assist a cross-country skier. One to three dogs are commonly used. The cross-country skier provides power with skis and poles, and the dog adds [...]

12Feb

Top 5 Winter Wilderness Camping Tips

#1 Travel on Back Country SkisWhen breaking new trail in the back country, snowshoes will get the job done, but Hok skis will make the job fun and fluid. These innovative skis from the Altai Company are a ski/snowshoe hybrid. With a wide base, permanent skins, and enough length to achieve glide, these skis are the best way to flow across our frozen lakes, rivers and streams.Try a Rental Pair #2 Set Up a Base Camp Since breaking trail in the back country is slow and tedious, don’t plan on changing locations every night like you may be accustomed to doing in the summer time. Pick a scenic yet sensible base camp site and launch day trips to explore the surrounding area. #3 Stay Warm and Dry Sounds Obvious, Right? But it can be easier said than done. First and foremost, plan to “hot-tent camp”. Being able to generate heat with a wood stove in a canvas wall tent is worth the extra weight. With that in mind, consider that foot travel in the winter leads to heat and perspiration while pulling a sled or breaking trail. When stopping to set up camp, that heat will dissipate quickly. Be prepared to set up your [...]

11Oct

Fall Camping in the Northwoods

Fall is an amazing time to camp on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Whether you are paddling in the Boundary Waters, Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail, or hammock camping in the State Parks, you are sure to encounter beautiful forest canopies of red, orange, yellow, green and gold. Just as likely on any October trip are high winds, rain, and even snow. Thus the bold must endure the elements in order to camp under the majestic canopy of color. In this month’s blog post we feature the top pro tips to stay warm and dry in any camping conditions so that you don’t have to suffer while savoring the beauty. The key to staying comfortable is in the tools you take in the wilderness and how you use them. From tarps to tinder it takes extra time to get it right.Warmth:Your first and most important source or warmth is your self-generated body heat. Make sure to bring all the necessary layers. A wool base layer is ideal to trap heat against your skin and wick moisture away from the skin when you sweat. A high quality fleece can be worn over the base layer as an additional [...]

07Sep

Fishing in Canoe Country

When fishing lakes both within and around the BWCAW, versatility, and stability are of utmost importance. In this month’s blog post, we are sharing our favorite spots for catching a wide variety of fish species in northern Minnesota as well as the canoes that we recommend. As we are located on Highway 61 in Tofte, MN, we are on the way to wherever you may be heading into the wilderness. From lakes 15 minutes away to an hour and a half at the end of the Gunflint Trail, we have plenty of recommendations for where to explore, fish, and relax. In terms of fishing, here are a few of our picks for different fish species.Outside the BWCAW:Crescent – Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, MuskellungeWilson – Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchSilver Island – Walleye, Northern Pike, Black CrappieTwo Island – Walleye, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Smallmouth BassToohey Lake – Walley, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, White Sucker Inside the BWCAW:North Temperance – Northern Pike, WalleyeSouth Temperance – Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth BassWinchell – Lake Trout, Northern PikeAlton – Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern PikeKawishiwi – Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow PerchMalberg – Walleye, Northern PikeBrule – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern PikeKoma – Walleye, Northern Pike [...]

30Jul

Staff Picks: Daytrips, Destinations and Detours

There are so many beautiful places here on the north shore and so many different ways to visit them. You likely have a spot you make sure to visit and explore every time you venture north. Each member of the team here also has a favorite spot we love to visit when time allows. We want to share those favorite places with you. Keep reading to discover the beautiful places that call us into the wild. You may just feel the same call we do.Sarah - Lake Paddling/Camping:Silver Island Lake is a special wilderness lake in Superior National Forest. It has eight FREE first come, first served camp sites on the shore with four other sites only accessible via canoe or kayak. Travel further on the Portage from Silver Island Lake into T Lake to enhance the wilderness feel at three more campsites with increased solitude. I love how quiet and out of the way this lake is. It’s so pretty with numerous nooks and crannies to explore. The lack of traffic on this lake makes it a perfect getaway whether just a day-paddle or an overnight break from the business of life.Jeff - Mountain Biking:Britton Peak hosts some [...]

20Jun

Weekend Warriors

Summer is a busy time for everyone and many of us can’t take weeks off of life and work to adventure in the north-country, hence the need for the weekend warrior. The weekend warrior is a master of making the most of a 48-hour explore-cation. How can you learn the warrior way? Keep reading for some suggestions on how to begin right here on the north shore of Lake Superior.Friday:Start the weekend right by stopping at Tettegouche State Park on your way up the shore. A quick 15 minute hike out to shovel point will land you the perfect vantage for taking in the sunset over the Big Lake with the Sawtooth Mountains in the background. If you need to kill a few hours before sunset, stay in the park and head to the 70ft high falls on the Baptism River and rock on the suspension bridge. Follow all that up with Dinner at Northern Lights Road House and Pub for an Elk burger, glass of wine, or a pint of craft beer. Want to sleep under the stars? Then crash for the night in Superior National Forest at one of the many inland campgrounds. Many of them are [...]

27Jan

Thunder Storm Safety

You’re out camping, backpacking, or canoeing on a beautiful day and out of nowhere the sky is black and you are caught right in the middle of a huge thunder storm. How do you stay safe?Seek out shelter if possible. If out on the lake get off the water and onto shore as quickly as possible. Avoid being the tallest object. Don’t put your tent by or stand by tall lone trees, rocky outcrops or other tall objects. They are prefect targets for lightning. Ditch your backpack, cooking kit, fishing poles, any electronic device (this includes your weather radio) and tent. Although most tents no longer have metal poles they still an unsafe place to be during a storm. If you are in the forest stand under small trees that are surrounded by taller trees. This can offer you some protection. The lightning is more likely to strike the tall trees over the short trees or you. NEVER lay flat on the ground, if you get struck by lightning this would be a great way to stop your heart. Instead stay in a crouched position sitting on your heels with your head between your knees. Minimize the amount [...]

24Jun

All About Lake Superior

Lake Superior WeatherPredicting the weather any where is never an easy task. However, here on the North shore this is even more of a challenge. It is a challenge because of a phenomenon known as the “lake effect” which can drastically alter the predicted weather. In the summer the shore line of Lake Superior tends be about 10° cooler than if you are to drive about five miles inland up the ridge where it is about 10° warmer. The opposite effect happens in the winter time, the shore is 10° warmer and up the ridge is about 10° cooler. This is because water is slower to absorb and release heat than land. Storms can quickly become stronger than expected with the added moisture and speed of the wind traveling across the lake. This can create gale size waves and massive snow storms depending on the direction of the wind. Fog is another factor that is created because of the lake effect. Fog hides Duluth under a heavy blanket for 52 days in an average year by comparison, Minneapolis averages 11 day.Ship Wrecks Lake Superior is responsible for at least 350 reported shipwrecks. The oldest of which was the SS Algoma [...]

07Jun

Edible Bugs

Imagine being lost in the Boundary Waters. Your boat has an extremely large hole in it and you are unable to patch it, you just ate the last of your dehydrated food. It could be days maybe weeks before another group passes by to help. What are you going to do to survive? Could you handle eating a bug? Here is a list of edible bugs you can eat that are located right here in northern Minnesota that can help you survive.Remember when preparing your bug dinner never eat any bug raw. Sushi -insects can cause you to become extremely ill, due to the fact that insects can carry parasites and bacteria.AntsAnts are easy to find and are located just about everywhere in the woods. Although I personally have never eaten an ant or any bug; other than the occasional gnat that flies into my month unwillingly, they are said to have a sour flavor. This is because when an ant feels threatened it secretes an acid that gives it a sour flavor. The best was to catch ants, find an ant hill and poke a stick into the hill and wait for it to be engrossed with ants. [...]

22May

Bike the Hill Climb

Hey bikers do we have a killer bike course for you. Do not have a bike? This is no problem, Sawtooth Outfitters rents bikes and you can leave right from the parking lot. This route is called the hill climb route and it certainty lives up to its name. The ride is a little over 20 miles. For the average rider you can approximate on riding for around two hours. This route has you warm up right away with your first hill, climbing the Sawbill Trail/County Rd 2, ride past where pavement ends and continue on the gravel until you get to the Six Hundred Rd/Forest Rd 166. Take a left and cross over the Temperance River. Feel free to take up the road and take in all its gorgeousness. This road is closed to all vehicles, just watch out for the occasional ATV. The Six Hundred RD has the famous Heartbreak Hill. Once you havve made it to the top of this hill you are halfway through your ride. Feel free to stop and give yourself a nice pat on the back and maybe a let out a little “woo hoo”, I know I did. Continue to ride [...]