One of the many displays at the Boundary Waters Expo was a new map for the BWCA. Here, Jerod Alrich, one of the creators of True North Map Company, points to a canoe route on a large version of the map while two gentlemen try to find the same route on a smaller version. What makes the maps different is that they are printed on fabric and can be worn as a scarf or a bandana. The innovative concept has taken off and Jerod and his partner Joe Spadino might eventually branch out and make maps for other destinations around the country. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
The two-day Boundary Waters Expo held June 8-9 at Bearskin Lodge got a nice dose (mostly) of weather and with it a wide array of camping and canoeing gear on display and for sale, perfect for an excursion into the BWCA.
Featuring speakers, vendors and family friendly activities, the expo had something for everyone.
Exhibitors included Accent Paddles, the maker of the lightest paddles in the world; Cook Custom Sewing who designs and produces gear for canoeists and campers; Borealis Wool Co., a designer of garments made from merino wool; Gunflint Trail Artisans, who displayed locally made arts and crafts; Nemo Equipment, who creates and makes outdoor gear; Northstar Canoes, an innovative canoe designer and builder; Nova Craft Canoes, who builds canoes from fiberglass and also uses composite materials including aramid, basalt/innegra, and carbon fibre in their manufacturing process.
Also displayed were Primus cooking stoves, Sealskinz waterproof, windproof, breathable hand, head, and foot accessories, hand crafted cedar strip St. Croix Canoes, cedar and canvas Stewart River Boatworks, and Voyageurs Outdoor Gear, a builder of camp stoves.
Former Gunflint canoe guide Josh Rude displayed his canoe paddles at the Boundary Waters Expo last weekend. Look for a feature about Josh in next week’s Cook County News-Herald. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
There were also tables with information about the Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness organization, and the Northwoods Volunteer Connection, a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to recruiting, training and delivering volunteers to work on projects within or near the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota.
There was a rousing round of Dead Fish Polo where competitors, using their canoe paddles, attempted to throw a wet sponge (the fish) into each other’s canoes. At least one canoeist took a bath when he overturned his canoe while trying to retrieve a sponge with his canoe paddle. There were activities for kids each day including a coloring contest.
Saturday presenters included Sue Plankis, who led an early morning walking trip in search of birds native to the Boundary Waters. Mike Bartz discussed canoe camping basics and Bear Paulsen talked about his 27-day solo canoe trip in the Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park. With their medical backgrounds and numerous years exploring the great outdoors, Paul and Kelly Dahl presented “When Mishaps Happen: First Aid Tips & Techniques.”
Camping’s Top Secrets, written by Cliff Jacobson 25 years ago, is still very relevant today and Jacobsen led a discussion delving into those practical solutions to problems encountered by most novice campers; Dan Cooke displayed ways to utilize a tarp to make your camping more enjoyable; USFS Wilderness Ranger Dan Disch’s talk was titled “A Day in the Life of a Wilderness Ranger.”
The day wouldn’t have been complete without a presentation, Canoe Camping in the Boundary Waters— skills, routes and tips by Rob Kesserling and a demonstration on how to make a proper bonfire by Cliff Jacobsen.
Sunday presenters included a hands-on demonstration from Rob Kesserling on how to make bannock, a paddling demonstration from Sue Plankis, Nace Hagemann was on hand to discuss his wildlife photography and Cliff Jacobsen presented, “Bug- Proofing your camp,” which, given the recent hatch of blackflies and mosquitos, should have been mandatory viewing for everyone getting ready to camp in the BWCA. Or anywhere in the Northland, for that matter.
Glorud Design
Josh Rude’s degree in communications from North Dakota State University somehow led him to a career as a woodworker. Or more specifically, a maker of exquisitely designed handcrafted canoe paddles.
“I’m not sure how I really ended up in this field,” he said as he stood smiling at his stand that displayed his splendid work.
Josh lives and works in Duluth. He has a shop near Lake Superior and in that space he turns out high quality canoe paddles that look like an artist made them.
When asked if anyone uses his creations to actually paddle a canoe he said, “They are all made and meant to be used as canoe paddles. But (and he held up a cloth clip) you can use this to put them on your wall, if you like.
“I went through a lot of trial and error when I was learning how to make paddles,” he said.
To learn more about his business, go to josh@GlorudeDesign.com or go to Gloruddesign.com.
True North Map Company
This was maybe the most novel idea presented at the Boundary Waters Expo.
“It’s a map of the Boundary Waters that is durable and up to date,” said Jerod Arlich, co-founder of True North Map Company.
There is no need to carefully fold this map and place it in a waterproof tube, it’s meant to be worn, if you like.
Arlich and his partner, Joe Spadino mulled over the idea of creating a wearable map after Spadino came back from a canoe trip paddling with his brother when the thought occurred to him, wouldn’t it be great if the map was on my brother’s back?
That was two years ago. Spadino reached out to his longtime friend Arlich with the new idea and after some hard work investigating how it could be done, the rest is history.
Printed on fabric, the maps are 25” x 24½” and can be worn as a scarf or a bandana, shoved in a pocket or tied on a backpack, Jerod said.
The wearable cloth also has button holes on each corner that allow it to be clipped onto canoe cross bars, belt loops, portage packs, anywhere that makes it more accessible.
The maps are made from sweat wicking, UV-blocking, ultra-soft microfiber fabric that can be washed and still retain all of its detail.
In fact the company claims the maps can be washed 15,000 times before one can notice fading.
When asked where he got the information for the maps, Jerod explained, “We get our information to create the maps from a variety of public sources, including the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey, anywhere we can get the latest GIS data that’s in the public domain.”
Because conditions change in the BWCA, the maps will be updated to reflect changes or additions to campsites and BWCA canoe routes, he added.
To make the product easier to read, lake depths and elevation numbers were left off.
During the day Jerod works in 3M’s IT department, with map-making taking place in his spare time. He was at the expo with his daughter, Lyla, who was a big help to her father as he displayed his maps to curious onlookers, some who made purchases.
Ten percent of all proceeds from the maps go to support Save the Boundary Waters, a nonprofit organization, “in their efforts to spread awareness, and ensure the legacy of this one-of-a-kind wilderness from the threat of sulfide ore copper mining on its borders,” said Arlich.
To learn more about True North Map Company, go to truenorthmapco.com/ or email conact@truenorthmapco.com.
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