Outdoors

Duluth Surfing Footage from CBS News

[This post originally contained an embedded video that no longer exists.]

Ice volcanoes, if you dare!

The ice volcanoes of Park Point are spouting off big-time right now. Grab your ski goggles, your rain pants and your windbreaker and head on down.

Wow ’em with waterfalls

How many out-of-town guests have you brought up the North Shore to Gooseberry Falls? It’s the nearest of the North Shore’s “greatest hits.”

Now you can wow your out-of-town friends before they even get here. Take a waterfall photography class at Gooseberry, from Paul Sundberg. Paul is the former manager of Gooseberry Falls State Park and father of Duluth’s own biking chiropractor, Adam Sundberg. It’s March 26. Preregistration is required.

Weather Fight!

Toughest Weather City Tournament – Midwest Bracket

Duluth vs. Des Moines in round 1. How about we go kick some Des Moinian ass eh?

Duluth

  • Brutal cold and snow
  • 79.6″ snow
  • 45 days of subzero cold
  • 2 days of 90+ heat

Des Moines

  • Snow/ice, river flood, severe t-storms
  • 36″ snow
  • 15 days of subzero cold
  • 24 days of 90+ heat

Kayaking the snowy banks of Minnesota’s Blue Earth River

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vogk-yth1Z4

Might as well go ahead and try this at home.

Ski ’em all: Tour Du Luth

Ski season is definitely not over. The Duluth Cross Country Ski Club is sponsoring its seventh annual Tour Du Luth this weekend. Come out and ski as many of the city’s ski trails as you can, and end with a potluck at Hartley Nature Center.

Explore Duluth’s own ice mountains

After a few good northeasters this winter, the ice is stacked up deep on Park Point. You can read all about and find tips and directions in my blog.

ISO Used Telemark Gear

Anyone out there with some decent telemark gear they’d like to sell me? I’m just getting into it, but am already anticipating infatuation with it. Ideally skis would be 170s or shorter, boots a ladies 8.5 or 9 (European 26?), though I do have a wider foot, too. Any leads would be much appreciated!

How to avoid faceplants

Happy Meteorological Spring! It’s time to break out your no-wax skis. Some thoughts and advice from my blog after a recent ski outing to Hartley Park.

Save the deer, shoot a dog

This ranks pretty high on my list of stunning news releases.

Minnesota DNR: Dogs chasing deer an annual problem

In summary: Between Jan. 1 and July 14, it’s legal to shoot and kill a dog that is pursuing a deer.

Holy crap.

Community Gardens and Arts in Superior (Broadway Gardens) wants you!

Are you interested in gardening? Would you like to have your own community garden plot? The Broadway Community Gardens in Superior has organic raised beds to rent on the corner of Hammond and Broadway (Just over the High Bridge from Duluth, across from the Red Mug coffee house).
(more…)

Riding the Lake Superior Waves

Here’s what they were doing Sunday off Stony Point, just south of Knife River. 50 mph wind gusts, 21 degrees.

Lake Superior Waves Video

I’m new to the area, so I was really excited to see the waves and film some this morning. To all locals: what’s the biggest waves you’ve seen?

Hockey Day Minnesota: Portman Bruins vs. Glen Avon Red Army

[This post originally featured video from nhl.com that has since been removed.]

Duluth Deer Parts

Has anyone else noticed deer parts along Seven Bridges Road? You know where they close the road in the winter, and people walk and ski and snowmobile and run dogs? Near the barrier at the bottom, and in the woods next to Smiley’s, my dog is always coming up with a spine or a leg or a hunk of pelvis. What’s up with that? Do poachers dump the parts they don’t want there? Do old deer go there to die?

Community Clean-ups for Water Quality

Imagine Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes full of clean, clear, fresh water for future generations to enjoy. Together we can make this vision a reality.  The Freshwater Society, the Friends of the Minnesota Valley, and the McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League invite you to learn more about Community Clean-Ups for Water Quality, created to protect the water in our lakes and rivers. Presentation on Monday, Feb. 21 @ 7 p.m. at Hartley Nature Center.

Steelhead Fishing Class for Youth

Join the Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA) and Hartley Nature Center for a great opportunity to learn about and try steelhead fishing. This event has eight openings for youth ages 12-15 to work with LSSA mentors to learn everything from equipment to technique. Female mentors available, so female youth are encouraged to sign up!  Class includes: Two classroom sessions at Hartley Nature Center (3001 Woodland Ave.) on March 12 & 19, 2011 from 10 am to noon. Two field sessions at the Knife River, April 9 & 16, 2011. Equipment (if needed) will be provided. Participants will receive a certificate of participation and recognition at the LSSA Spring Banquet, April 16.

 Cost is only $25 and includes the banquet. For more information or to register contact Hartley Nature Center at 724-6735.  Together, teaching and encouraging youth to get outdoors and fish!

“Elements of Exposure: Images Made on a 10,000 Mile Journey” opens Friday, Feb. 11

"In the Heart of Mount Olympus" captured in Olympic NP

Duluth nature photographer Ryan Tischer opens an exhibit of new photographs at Washington Gallery on Friday, Feb. 11 from 6-8pm. His images are a compilation of new work created over the past year on travels through twenty states, covering over 10,000 miles by car.
(more…)

Duluth extreme swim video

Basic photography workshop with veteran local instructor Dave Kohne

Basic Photography: Taking Great Outdoor Pictures

Hosted by the Duluth Photography Institute. Registration open all — you do not need to be a member of the DPI.

Instructor: David Kohne

Saturday, Feb. 26, 10am-4:30pm (more…)

Snow Safari Winter Recess Camp

Looking for something for your child to do during Duluth public schools winter recess?  Join MinnAqua, Great Lakes Aquarium, and the Lake Superior Zoo for three days of winter fun.  Go ice fishing with MinnAqua, explore life at the Aquarium, and try to survive like an animal at the Zoo.

$40 for members (includes LSZoo and GLA members) and $50 for non-members

For kids in grades 3-5.  Pre-registration is required!  Registration deadline: February 18

More information: contact Lindsay at 218-740-2027 or lbrandt @ glaquarium.org.

XC Ski Hartley!

The XC Ski trails in Hartley Park are in top shape — which makes now a great time to get to Hartley Park and Nature Center for some cross-country skiing. Bring your own equipment or rent ours. Wednesday night, Feb. 9, from 7-8:30 pm, join members of the Duluth XC Ski Club for an evening headlamp ski on Hartley’s trails. Warm beverages will be provided in the Nature Center. Families are invited!

Alpine ski referral

Looking to change up the ski scene a bit and am wondering what’s worth a 6-8 hour drive from Duluth?  Or with that limitation, should one stick with Lutsen or Giant’s Ridge?

Fishing Superior Bay

Anybody got any good tips for ice fishing on Superior Bay off Park Point? I’ve tried it a couple times this year but haven’t had any luck. I talked to a couple people out there, but most everyone is tucked inside their fishing shelters and I hate to intrude. I’m wondering: what bait are they using? How are they rigging it? How deep are they fishing? Actively jigging or just setting tip-ups? Best time of day? I’ve heard of big walleye and even sturgeon, but haven’t seen anybody pull them up. What are they catching?

Easiest ski trail in the Duluth area

In a land of steep hills and deep valleys, where can a beginning cross-country skier in Duluth go without fear of hills and spills? Check out the new trails and new parking at Boulder Lake on my blog. Now we just need Slim Goodbuzz to check out the adjacent Island Lake Inn.