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Boundary Waters BLOG
Jan
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Nov
15
Reminder: Comment Period Now Open on BWCAW Towboat Usage
Please take a few minutes to share your opinion on towboats in the BWCAW. They are allowed in limited areas and aid in the dispersal of canoeists. Survey at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=64312
The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration. Anonymous comments and comments submitted after the close of the final designated comment period will not provide the commenter standing for administrative review. Comments, or in some cases other expressions of interest, along with respondent's contact information, submitted during the comment period may be necessary to establish a respondent's eligibility to participate in an administrative review for this proposed action. Interested members of the public should review the proposal's information to determine the applicable administrative review process and the eligibility requirements for that process.
Your comments are requested through 1/1/2024 11:59:59 PM (Central Standard Time).
202 Hits
Jun
13
Superior National Forest Restricts Campfire Use
Drying conditions continue across Northern Minnesota prompting campfire restrictions
Duluth, Minn., June 13, 2023—Due to continued dry conditions and worsening wildfire danger conditions, the Superior National Forest has issued an Emergency Forest Order - effective June 14 - restricting the igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and wood burning stoves to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire on the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Forest Order 09-09-23-02#). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; St. Louis, Cook, Carlton, and Lake Counties; and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are also enacting campfire restrictions.
The restrictions will go into effect beginning Wednesday morning (00:01) a.m., June 14, 2023.
Campfires are allowed ONLY within Forest Service provided campfire structures (fire rings) at designated recreation sites, which include fee campgrounds with campfire structures designed/ installed by the Forest Service as well as designated campfire structures at U.S. Forest Service permitted Resorts, Recreation Residences, or Organizational Camps. A list of designated recreation sites, Resorts, Recreation Residences, or Organizational Camps where campfires are allowed, as shown on Exhibit A of the Forest Order, and a map of the area, as shown on Exhibit B of the Forest Order, available on the Superior National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/superior
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) designated campsites, no-fee rustic campgrounds, or dispersed/ backcountry campsites are under full restriction and are NOT exempt from this order.
Gas or propane cook stoves are allowed throughout the Superior National Forest and are a safer option than campfires. These restrictions will continue until further notice.
The potential for wildfire is high across all ownerships in Northern Minnesota at this time. It is extremely important that people area careful with campfires in areas where they are allowed. If you are in a location where you can have a campfire, consider if the conditions are right and if you need a fire. Be sure to keep your campfire small and put it out cold to the touch whenever you leave it. All campfires must be attended all times.
For additional information regarding fire-related and/or forest closures and updates:
• see the Superior National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/superior,
• the MN Department of Natural Resources https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html,
• the Minnesota Incident Command System website at www.mnics.org
• SNF Forest Orders are available here: https://bit.ly/SNFforestorders
• An advisory has been issued for Eastern Minnesota along with Wisconsin and Michigan for elevated fire risk effective Monday the 12th of June - https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/fuels_fire-danger/fuels_fire-danger.htm
Copy of Press Release
Copy of SNF Forest Order - Fire Restrictions Eff 6/14/23
Copy of SNF Fire Restriction FAQ
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
576 Hits
Nov
30
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643 Hits
Nov
09
Hi all!
I wanted everyone to know that we are working on the new Gazette and hoping to get those
mailed out to you around Thanksgiving.
Please drop me an email or give us a call if you need to update your address!
Thank you,
Amber
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702 Hits
Sep
13
Jul
29
The Berst Family thanks you all so much for outfitting us for our unforgettable trip to BWCA! We had such a fantastic time back in June. We had a variety of experience levels, some have gone many times and others it was their first, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it! VNO played a huge role in the success of our trip, thank you all again!!
740 Hits
Feb
19
What if there was one simple thing you could do to make a remote camping, hiking, fishing or skiing trip far more safer?
Well the truth is that there is … taking a Personal Locator Beacon, or PLB, with you.
The fact is these beacons have saved tens of thousands of lives in remote country.
But tragically, not enough people who enjoy the great outdoors know about them, or how to use them.
Every year, people die unnecessarily doing what they love when a small investment in obtaining a PLB would have saved them.
So to help those who love the outdoors, and our tireless search and rescue authorities, we wrote this guide to Personal Locator Beacons.
At Tackle Village, we use PLBs whenever we are fishing in a remote environment for safety and for peace of mind. That could be while in the kayaks, hiking in the mountains or just on foot a long way from the car up a remote valley trout fishing when phone reception is limited.
Table of Contents
Why should I carry a PLB?
First of all, because it can save your life. If you are injured and immobile – whether that’s from a fall, capsize (if on water), snakebite or onset of illness – your PLB is your lifeline to safety. As discussed below, activating it will trigger a search and allow rescuers to hone in precisely on your location. PLBs can be bought from camping/hiking/adventure retailers or also rented from specialist outlets. Remember, these beacons are small and light, no bigger that a sunglasses case and fit easily in your backpack.
Can’t I just use a mobile phone?
In many parts of the world where people enjoy adventure sport there is little to no cell phone coverage. Mobile phones, especially in areas where coverage is poor, chew through a lot of battery life maintaining a signal and are apt to go dead right when you need them. We’ve had hikes where the phone’s battery has drained in half a day without making a call. Phones are inoperable if wet and lose battery life quickly in the cold. Plus if you are lost, even if you get through on the phone to authorities you will be unable to pinpoint exactly where you are. They’ll know the general area of course, but not with as much accuracy as they would if you had carried and activated a PLB.
How do PLBs work?
A PLB – when it is activated – connects to specialised search and rescue satellites, which in turn pass that message on to emergency authorities in the country where the PLB is activated.
The best PLBs (the ones we recommend) have the ability for authorities to easily trace where the signal is coming from and provide rescuers with a precise location using the GPS (Global Position System) in combination with the satellite signal.
Which satellites do these beacons use?
PLBs rely on the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network – an international group of satellites that is dedicated to search and rescue purposes. These satellites also conduct monitoring of distress signals from planes, paragliders and other aircraft. PLBs send their signals to these satellites on the 406 Mhz frequency reserved purely for this purpose.
How do you use a PLB?
The first thing to do when you buy, rent or borrow a PLB is to register it with the search and rescue authorities in your country so that if it is activated, they know who they are looking for. The registration info allows search and rescue authorities to be able to see where you intended going (if updated) and which relatives or friends they can contact. (In many countries, you have the ability to update your details with the key search and rescue agency prior to a trip to record where you are going and when.) The beacon’s signal and the GPS will also reveal/confirm the location of course, but maintaining an up-to-date registration helps with liaising with family and confirming it is not an accidental activation.
What beacon do you use?
The beacon we use – a KTI – operates like the majority of models on the market. It comes in a small case and is about the size of a small compact camera.
Before every trip, we test the beacon according to the instructions by unclipping the antenna, raising it and then pressing the test button. You can see from the combination of flashing lights that the beacon is working.
The KTI has a battery life of 10 years and can transmit for 24 hours once activated. It is both waterproof and self buoyant.
We bring it with us on all remote trips into the mountains and remote regions and keep it close to our body so we have it close to hand if – for example – we fall and break a limb or we are tipped out of our Hobie kayak or injure ourselves in any other way.
Just like the fish finder we use on the kayak, the PLB is a vital electronic aid to a good day on the water and gives a great deal of peace of mind while we are doing what can be a dangerous activity.
In our region, the weather is notoriously variable and the wind can swing 180 degrees and gather strength in moments. One minute you are fishing in calm conditions, and the next minute you are dealing with significant swell!
How do you activate a PLB?
If you are injured or lost and need to activate your PLB, you unclip and raise the antenna, slide off the protective cover and push the red button until the green lights on the unit start flashing.
This immediately sends a signal to the satellite network with our position (via GPS). The satellite network can also triangulate the position of the beacon.
The beacon will continue to send this information in short bursts to conserve the battery life. Our model will transmit for at least 24 hours.
What happens next?
Search and rescue authorities will assess the location of the beacon at the time of activation before deciding on the appropriate action. For example, if they can see the signal is coming from your home address, or in an urban environment they will likely assume initially it was activated by mistake and confirm that with you or your nominated contacts by phone.
However if it is coming from somewhere more remote, they will contact the relevant emergency services and get them to commence a rescue operation.
Is there any risk my PLB won’t work?
As we are dealing with satellites, the beacon must have line of sight to the sky. So if it is activated, for example, in a cave or in a car, the signal may have trouble getting through, or not get through at all.
What are the limitations of PLBs?
PLB’s are designed for one sole purpose – providing that signal and location to rescue authorities. So it’s worth noting that they can’t send text messages, you can’t use to place calls. They are purely an emergency beacon.
Have PLBs saved many people?
Yes, PLBs are extremely effective and have saved numerous people’s lives including people stuck in the desert with only a drink bottle. A quick search on the internet shows up a range of recent rescues including a hiker in Norway, a yachtsman who’d fallen overboard during an ocean race and a paddleboarders on Scotland’s Loch Ness! He fell off in a gale – there was no involvement from the fabled Loch Ness monster.
The website of beacon manufacturer ACR includes a host of survival stories from all over the world incorporating the use and deployment of a personal locator beacon by hikers, fishermen and women, hunters and other lovers of the outdoors: https://www.acrartex.com/stories. These are often told in the person rescued’s own words and offer a really compelling look at how things can go wrong and how having the beacon can be truly a life saver.
According to the Cospas-Sarsat website since its inception in 1982, the system has been used for thousands of search and rescue events and has been instrumental in the rescue of over 35,000 lives worldwide.
Are more people using PLBs?
Yes, as awareness grows of the role PLBs have played in rescues and helping people enjoy the outdoors safely, their usage is growing. It is still surprising that some people aren’t aware of the service they can give – our sister in law recently attempted a four-day hike in Tasmania and it was only via me telling her that she took a PLB. As it happened, she didn’t need it but appreciated the comfort it gave her that she could get a rescue message out if injured. She rented a PLB, which is another option for people who hike infrequently and want to avoid the cost of buying a unit. There are many companies that will rent you a PLB and give you a return envelope to post it back in when you have finished using it.
How much are PLBs?
Around $300 will get you a PLB with GPS positioning. This is the kind you want to buy.
Where do you buy a PLB?
PLBs can be bought from both electronics stores and camping and hiking outlets, as well as specialists online retailers. Because they are so small, buying them online is a popular way to purchase a PLB. You can also borrow a PLB from a friend.
Can you carry a PLB on an aircraft?
While there are restrictions on lithium batteries, airlines at this point in time do not actively ban the carriage of PLBs.
How do I register my PLB?
Registration is via search and rescue authorities in your country. Here is a list of links for registering a PLB in a wide range of countries:
United States – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Canada – Canadian Beacon Registry
Australia – Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
United Kingdom – United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Greece – Ministry of Merchant Marine
France – CNES
Italy – Stazione Satellitare Italiana – Cospas Sarsat
Netherlands – Agentschap Telecom (NL)
New Zealand – New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre
International – Cospas-Sarsat International 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database (IBRD)
PLB vs EPIRB?
In general terms, an EPIRB is a beacon that is fitted to a ship or boat (the beacons used for aircraft are known as ELTs). These function in the same way, but must conform to higher standards and have more features than the smaller PLB.
What does EPIRB stand for?
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.
What does PLB stand for?
Personal locator beacon.
Rick Wallace
1335 Hits
Nov
22
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let you know that the 2020 Gazette will be going out in the mail in a couple weeks.
If you have a new address or would rather get an email copy please let us know.
Have a safe & Happy Holiday Season,
Amber & the Vno Crew
2188 Hits
Sep
13
Aaron was featured in Travel & Leisure's Instagram story today about the Boundary Waters, thanks to his friend Ashlea who went with him. She's a big freelancer and captured some great stories of the trip.
https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18079856749097017/
1867 Hits
Aug
13
Hi Amber,
We completed our trip last week and I wanted to thank you and everyone else at VNO we interacted with (Lynn, John, Lucas and Big John) for being so hospitable! We had a great time doing our Lake One to Snowbank Lake trip, and John had great tips about the desirable campsites. Big John was at our pickup point earlier than 1 pm, which was fantastic considering we made great time and wound up there around 11:30 am! I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to sip those cold drinks after the furious paddling we had to do in the big, windy portions of Snowbank and Disappointment Lakes.
We look forward to coming back next year as we already miss the beauty and tranquility of being in the Boundary Waters, and the fantastic service we enjoyed from everyone at VNO. Have a great rest of the summer, and please give our thanks to everyone!
Best,
Stephanie
2171 Hits
Jan
15
What good luck ice fishing for JP & his Dad!
2108 Hits
Oct
16
Chris, Tom & Chuck at the start of their 2018 BWCAW canoe trip!
They saw Lynn, Amber & April at the portage from Eugene Lake to Steep Lake.
Chris was really happy that we sat and talked at the portage- said it was nice to chat & take a quick break.
2122 Hits
Jul
17
Part of our 2018 cleaning crew heading out for an overnight trip!
2336 Hits
Jun
22
Jun
12
Giant smallmouth explodes on the surface, chasing a top water bait in the rain.
After 3 attempts to net the big bass he was in the boat.
After Aedan kissed the bass for good luck he was successfully released back to the lake.
2413 Hits
