2018

At nearly 500 miles with an average elevation of over 10,300 ft, the Colorado Trail was just the challenge Alison Heebsh was looking for after section hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. In September 2018, Alison completed 104 miles of the trail from Denver to Breckenridge as the aspens were at the peak of their golden autumn majesty from the Lost Creek Wilderness to Georgia Pass. She will tell tales of the ups and downs of trail life on this challenging solo backpacking adventure.

Backpacker Magazine calls the 40-mile Teton Crest Trail one of the “Best Hikes Ever” with “mesmerizing and constant views of jagged peaks.” It passes through all of the best, most iconic landmarks in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), including Death Canyon Shelf, Alaska Basin, Hurricane Pass and Paintbrush Divide. Besides the towering granite Tetons, there are pristine alpine meadows, crystal clear lakes, glacially carved canyons and some of the boldest marmots anywhere. Paul and his family hiked the trail over four days in July and then spent three days relaxing in Jackson. He is excited to share their photos, talk about the differences between GTNP and Glacier National Park, and discuss a few of his “take-aways” from the hike.

Presented by Paul Stearns

A description of a trip to a remote part of the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja peninsula for desert camping, kayak surfing, hiking, and petroglyphs.

Presented by Fran Lesicko

After 8 years of thinking about going to Iceland, my husband Kris and I finally traveled there for 8 days in June of 2018.  Come hear about what makes Iceland such a popular tourist destination. You will get suggestions of what to pack, some tips on how to save money in this expensive country, and some highlights of our very rainy, yet wonderful time in this beautiful country.

Presented by Tina B.

Need to brush up on your winter basics? Bring your favorite freeze baby and yourself for some ideas to help keep your fingers and toes warm (and the rest of you). Get a refresher on hypothermia and frostbite. Learn how your activity level will dictate the gear to use.

Presented by Jerry Wallace

On May 5, 2007, two days into his twenty-seventh trip to the Boundary Waters, Stephen Posniak found a perfect spot on Ham Lake and set about making a campfire. Over the next two weeks, the fire he set would consume 75,000 acres of forest and 144 buildings. More than one thousand firefighters would rally to extinguish the blaze, at a cost of 11 million dollars.

Gunflint Burning is a comprehensive account of the dramatic events around the Ham Lake fire, one of the largest wildfires in Minnesota history. Cary J. Griffith describes what happened in the minutes, hours, and days after Posniak struck that fateful match—from the first hint of danger to the ensuing race to flee the fire or defend imperiled property to the incredible efforts of firefighters and residents battling a blaze that lit up the Gunflint Trail like the fuse to a powder keg.

We all hear about the extremely low odds of being struck by lightning, but those odds increase dramatically in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Many recreational activities take place in vulnerable settings, with long exposures to dangerous conditions and limited options for true protection. This safety-oriented presentation will provide observational strategies for recognizing thunderstorm potential in the field, so that recreationists have enough time to make strategic decisions and find relative safety.

Presented by Kenny Blumenfeld, Ph.D.

A bucket list conversation with girlfriends prompted us to book tickets to Iceland, and we decided we wanted to see as much as possible in the course of a week.  I’ll share some of the decisions and logistics required to make our trip happen, as well as gorgeous photos. If you like waterfalls, rainbows, glaciers, and northern lights, you’ll want to join me for this presentation.

Presented by Sue Wittkop

A number of Rovers will show how they use smart phone apps to help them explore and enjoy the outdoors. Come and see these apps demonstrated.

Four MN Rovers hiked 60 miles in the Alps with light daypacks to mountain huts with showers, meals, beer and sleeping bunks. We experienced spectacular scenery with great September weather.

Presented by Mike Hogan

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife refuge is a gateway to what feels like wilderness only a short drive from the city centers of Minneapolis and St. Paul. How did 15,000 acres of wildlife habitat with over 30 miles of hiking trails spread along 80 miles of the Minnesota River Valley escape development? What does it mean today to be one of only 14 Priority Urban Wildlife Refuges in a network of over 560 national wildlife refuges? Discover the answers to these questions and the many ways YOU can enjoy this amazing place.

Presented by Suzanne Trapp, Urban Program Manager, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Ron, A.K.A. Huckleberry, took 8 months in 2017 to through hike 2,189 miles on the Appalachian Trail. He had thought about it for 52 years and finally accomplished it. Come and hear about his hike, why he got the trail name Huckleberry and his adventures along the way.

Presented by Ron Buckley

Learn about mosquito biology, how to avoid mosquitoes, how to avoid diseases like West Nile virus and also risk analysis and trends in mosquito monitoring and control. Mike from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD), a multi-county government agency responsible for controlling mosquitoes and black flies (biting gnats) in the seven-county metro area, will talk about the organization’s role.

Presented by: Molly Nee – Communications Specialist for the MMCD

In the wilderness, one false step can make the difference between a delightful respite and a brush with death. Jason Rasmussen, a third-year medical student who loved the forest’s solitude, walked alone into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on a crisp fall day. After a two-day trek into a remote area of the woods, he stepped away from his campsite and made a series of seemingly trivial mistakes that left him separated from his supplies, wet, and lost, as cold darkness fell.

Enduring days without food or shelter, Jason faced the full harsh force of wilderness, in the place that he had sought out for tranquil refuge from city life. Cary Griffith’s book Lost in the Wild takes readers into realms of pain, fear, and courage, as Jason suffers dizzying confusion and unending frustration, and as he overcomes seemingly insurmountable hurdles in a race to survive.

Join author Cary Griffith as he recounts Jason’s struggle, using never before seen photographs that illustrate what went wrong, and how.

Over 109 miles and 130 locks, 15 Rovers spent two weeks traveling and living on two narrow boats (only 7 feet wide but 70 feet long). We traveled along canals whose creation goes back to the late 1700’s. Driving the boats and operating the locks was our responsibility and we managed to get through with only a few mishaps!

We also spent time off the boats hiking and visiting historic churches, cathedrals and other sites. We visited the site of the last battle in the English Civil War in 1651, sites associated with William Shakespeare and the mill that J.R.R. Tolkien used to play around when he was a kid, just to name a few. We also got to experience the beautiful English countryside with spring flowers and blossom in bloom and saw the start of the record 2018 hot, dry summer in Britain.

Presented by Bruce C., Jen O. and Barry S.

Are you tired of drying out tents when you get home from a camping trip?  Would you like a heated camping space during the shoulder seasons? This presentation will give you an idea of options when taking the next step from tent camping.  Three different types of campers will be available to view: pop-up, trailer & RV.

Quality used gear from people who know their stuff.

* Got Gear? End of summer cleanout? Unused gear cluttering your house? Sell it at the Swap!

* Need Gear? Trying a new sport? Looking for advice? Find it at the Swap!

Set-up starts at 6:30 p.m. in Como Park in St. Paul. Open to the public, feel free to bring friends and family.

Some of the items that will be there: 2017 REI solo tent used once, three pairs of snowshoes (2 pairs of the ORIGINAL Sherpa brand shoes), a couple of backpacks, an assortment of backpack/camping gear…

Enhance your next campfire with the aroma and anticipation of delicious food! Cooking with cast iron Dutch ovens and spiders is fun and artful. Anything you can cook at home, will taste better cooked over a fire. Chef Brian Goodspeed will introduce basic history, culture, tools and methods of Dutch oven cooking. Bring a fork!