Author Archive
Stand Up Paddling Demo
Come learn about the hottest new sport to hit the North Shore! During this demo, you’ll learn how to cruise across the flat water of area lakes and literally look down on the kayakers. You can use a paddleboard to tour the beautiful BWCA, or even fish – come learn more during this demonstration.
Birch Bark Canoes with Erik Simula
Learn about traditional birch bark canoe construction and wilderness tripping from Erik Simula, a birch bark canoe expert who traveled 1,000 miles with his dog in his own handmade canoe from April to August 2009.
Erik is currently employed as a seasonal park ranger and canoe builder at Grand Portage National Monument, instructor at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota, and wilderness guide and musher at Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail.
Customer Appreciation Event
Join us for FREE Schwan’s Ice Cream Sandwiches as we celebrate our first year of business. We’re thanking our customers for their support, especially through the winter!
Sunday, May 22, 11 am-2 pm
North Shore Steelhead Fishing Starts Soon!
This angler caught his first steelhead last year on Lake Superior's North Shore with one of our guides!
Each spring on the North Shore, steelhead trout run up the rivers to spawn. A few weeks later, they return to Lake Superior, where they remain until the following year.
With such a short window to pursue these silver bullets, it’s no wonder why many steelhead addicts make annual trips to this area. They can’t wait for the chance to feel the powerful runs and crazy jumps of these magnificent fish.
Together with Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, you too can experience this exhilarating adventure. Our experienced fly fishing guides will lead you down hiking trails and wade with you through rivers, searching for fish.
We’ll fish deep runs, riffles and pocket water for fresh steelhead and avoid disturbing spawning pairs. If you haven’t tried it, you must – sight fishing to individual fish is an incredibly fun and challenging way to fly fish. No tour will be the same – we may fish one tributary all day, or try three or four different rivers to find fresh fish.
Steelheading is always an adventure. Give it a try with guides who know exactly where to go for the best catch.
Musher Frank (1st installment)
Frank Moe our resident musher gave us an overview of his last sled dog race:
Thanks to Stone Harbor for the great gear that we used for our 2nd place finish in last weekend’s White Oak Sled Dog Classic.
The Princeton Tec Extreme headlamp burned bright all night even though it was 30 below. And my Terramar long underwear not only kept me warm but were still dry after 130 miles. That Geo Fleece Baselayer is the best top layer I’ve ever worn by far.
Stay posted for news from the Beargrease….coming soon.
Climbing — Climb On!
Lot’s of fun climbing activities going on these days at Stone Harbor!
Frank and Scott have been climbing their hearts out on the awesome ice up here in the frigid north (there has to be an upside to these temperatures right?).
On one of the climbing adventures staff member Melissa was able to join them…we’ve got some great pictures and Melissa’s thoughts on the day:
The sun was shining, sky was blue, river was flowing and the temperature was perfectly comfortable for a full day of ice climbing.
The beautiful Cascade River
I’ve attempted rock climbing indoor and outdoor, but have never gone ice climbing before. I was excited and eager to start. We parked the car at the base of the trail and hiked for about 15 minutes into the woods, to the wall of ice. The freshly fallen snow was still adorning the spruce, and there were open spots in the river that allowed us to hear the rushing of the unusually high water. Frank guided us through the woods, during which he spent time pointing out and naming the different trees that we passed. There’s nothing like an informative nature walk to get the excitement flowing! (Oh sorry got distracted…back to the real purpose of this trip!)
The Challenge
Once we arrived at the base of the ice wall Scott and Frank did a great job of teaching us the different knots and giving a demonstration on what to do, and what not to do. I was ready!
Scott the expert...showing how it done!
Last minute gear check
I was climbing second so I had time to watch someone else and to devise my plan of attack. I felt prepared… three points of contact on the ice… trust my crampons… make sure the pick never gets too close to my face… BUT don’t grip them too tightly (so much to remember). After only a few minutes and 15 feet or so up the massive wall of ice my hands went numb, my legs started knocking like Elvis, it was time to descend.
Halfway there...
After I recovered from the numb hands I gave it another shot and it felt great! I was starting to get the hang of it thanks to Scott and all those tips. I definitely earned my lunch — prepared by the local coop. Then a few more runs,before the exhaustion settles in…
What an accomplishment!
When can we go again?
So close to what one climber described as a "cathartic moment"!
Melissa makin it look like a walk in the park
Get Your Santa Photos!
Did you get your picture taken with Santa during our sale last week? If so, to get your print-ready file, please send an email to photos@stoneharborws.com – please include your name and any file number(s) we may have provided at that time. Thanks for participating!!
A Sneak Peek at Winter
Hey Stone Harbor friends/fans! Here’s note from store owner Jack Stone…
As you may recall, we opened our store last June – and from there just had a fabulous summer. We met so many interesting people, and heard about their canoe/kayak/camping trips. We took people on tours, and participated in local festivals. We started sponsoring things like the Ham Run, the Banadad Trail Association and Kid’s Plus to name a few. It’s been a blast, and now we’re looking ahead to winter.
If you thought summer was a great time to come here, keep an eye on this winter in Grand Marais. Here at Stone Harbor, we will be renting and selling cross-country skis and snowshoes. We will be guiding/instructing folks in cross country skiing, snowshoeing, winter camping, snow kiting, ice climbing, dog sledding, ice fishing and more. Keep watching us here and at facebook.com/stoneharbor to keep up with any additions and more specifics.
The merchandise in the store will be just as exciting. As you’ve heard, we have Wintergreen gear. We not only sell it, but rent it too – if you come up here and don’t have the right warm clothes, we can get you something appropriate for the activity you are doing. We have Rossignol and Madshus skis. We have MSR and Louis Garneau snowshoes. For those who like the traditional snowshoes, we will have both finished snowshoes and kits from Country Ways. We will have a full selection of winter boots. And I have to tell you….I have never seen so many hats and gloves and mittens in my whole life. We have all that, along with fabulous long underwear from IO-Bio and Icebreaker, as well as down clothing from Mountain Hardwear and Marmot. It just gets better and better.
Let’s leave it at that today. As we move into the winter, we’ll let you know about more of the great stuff that will be hitting our store. Just so you know, there is a strong rumor that things are going to be crazy around here come Thanksgiving. We’ve heard that there may be a visitor from the North Pole who is going to chat with all the young ones who visit. Here in Grand Marais, he brings along his sled dogs – and he’s even willing to get his picture taken with you. Don’t miss out! We’ll let you know more specifics soon!
Thanks for supporting Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply!
Jack Stone
Wilderness First Aid Course Dec. 7-9
Wilderness First Aid is the perfect course for outdoor guides or trip leaders who want a basic level of first aid training. Students who successfully complete the course will be certified in Wilderness First Aid for two years by SOLO, the oldest Wilderness Medicine School in the World. This course meets the guidelines of the American Camping Association. The WFA is 20 hours long (two and a half days), and focuses on the basic skills of:
- Response and Assessment
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Environmental Emergencies
- Survival Skills
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Medical Emergencies
Course Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 7 through Thursday, Dec. 9 – 9 am-5 pm each day.
Cost: $160 Course Materials are included. Lodging and meals are the responsibility of course participants but we at Stone Harbor would be glad to assist you in finding accommodations if you need them.
Registration: To register contact Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply by phone at 218-387-3136 or email.
Instructor: Frank Moe
Frank has been teaching for SOLO for 13 years, has a Masters Degree in Human Physiology from the University of North Carolina, has been certified as an EMT and a Wilderness EMT.
For more information about SOLO and Wilderness First Aid, visit soloschools.com. Here are some FAQs from their site:
Where and when is it held?
The WFA is held around the world throughout the year. See Schedule.
How much does it cost?
The total price will vary depending on the sponsoring organization and what amenities (e.g. room and board) they include. The Course Schedule may list the specific price for each course, or sponsor information will be provided. WFA courses taught at the SOLO campus cost $160 (tuition only).
What about room and board?
Room and board for the class at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply is not included; however, if you contact us we can make recommendations.
Is there an exam?
Yes, there is ongoing evaluation of practical skills, and there are written assessments throughout the course.
Do I get certified?
Yes. You will receive a SOLO WFA certification, which is good for two years.
Does the WFA count as continuing education?
The WFA may give continuing ed credits (depending on the specific requirements for your certification) and is approved for recertifying SOLO’s Wilderness First Responder program.
Iconic Outdoor Apparel Available Now at Stone Harbor
Wintergreen Northern Wear is only available in a few places in Minnesota (yes, one of them is Stone Harbor!) - but its classic style is catching attention across the nation. According to this Wall Street Journal article, the hottest trend for men this fall is “iconic outdoor apparel.” Another site, headbutler.com (a site written by a former contributing editor for publications like Vanity Fair and New York) calls Wintergreen the “Gold Standard” when it comes to this type of outerwear. Read his full article here.
But don’t take the East Coast’s word for it, come see for yourself. We have a wide variety of Wintergreen apparel available in store at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply – along with all sorts of gear to help you get out and enjoy the snow this winter. Come see us today!
