News from the Northwoods

So they closed the Boundary Waters... what now? No worries, there are plenty of things to do in the Ely area! Here are some fun ways to spend your time creating an adventure of your own and enjoyin...

Team Wilderness Wenches have qualified and are registered to compete at the Adventure Racing National Championship. Find out more about Adventure Racing, the highs and lows, and the story behind th...

Mom & dad had a sense of humor. They also had a sense of adventure. Though thoroughly urban, they knew us rowdy kids needed room to groove beyond the confines of our Minneapolis neighborhood. S...

As an outdoor enthusiast and lover of fall and its flavors, I like to add some spice to my outdoor fall activities much like I enjoy that extra kick to my coffee. If you’re looking for ways to spic...

The patches of fog had deceived me. Although, I was still at the helm and we were moving slowly; being distracted by the port side plotter for a meer 2 minutes was all that was needed. Chico, who w...

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...