News from the Northwoods

The 1986 Steger North Pole Expedition put Ely on the map for extreme adventure.  But of the dozen polar treks that have based here (a world record!), the quirkiest by far was the first: the little-...

Recently my news feed has been filled with articles about people creating "pods" or "bubbles" for social health and wellness. The term PODS is not new to me or my colleagues at PolarExplorers. We'v...

The Wind River Range in Wyoming is a climber’s paradise. Towering granite peaks, glistening lakes, and alpine valleys extend as far as the eye can see, or at least for its 100-mile length. With onl...

We all get scared sometimes - and some scares make great stories. Around 5 years ago my spouse, 100 lb dog, and I went backpacking along the North Shore. The day felt casual and relaxed. We meander...

In order to keep the spaces we love wild, we must all do our part to practice good wilderness ethics such as Leave No Trace. Personal responsibility is especially important when organizations are ...

Whether on a day hike or expedition, wearing the proper outdoor clothing is an essential part of staying comfortable and safe outdoors. If you’ve ever been caught in the rain wearing jeans, you’ll...

Hit by the COVID pandemic, my summer plans were canceled. I was feeling confined, restless, and yearned for adventure. The Boundary Waters had just reopened after the pandemic closure. So I called ...

“Have you heard of Mt. Stuart,” my friend Tim Bemrich asked, “the complete North Ridge? You should look it up!” There is a moment for every climber where she stands on the edge of trust in her skil...

I am a Swedish naturalist who got the wonderful opportunity to explore northern Minnesota. I wanted to know more about the wolves of the north and I wanted to experience the vast Boundary Waters Ca...