A woman, her dog, and the wild
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 10 months ago
THE BOUNDARY WATERS— A young woman from Duluth is pitting her tenacity and desire for outdoor adventure against whatever Mother Nature serves up over the next month here, along the U.S.-Canadian border. With the help of her canine companion, named Diggins, Emily Ford left Crane Lake last Friday at the start of a 210-mile trek through the wilderness to Grand Portage.
She headed into the wilderness just ahead of some of the coldest temperatures of the winter. Thermometers around the area dropped to the mid-40s below zero on Sunday, with daytime highs struggling to reach above zero. But Ford, who spoke to the Timberjay just hours before embarking on her adventure, was confident she had the ability to meet the challenge.
Ford has spent much of the winter working at the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, near Ely, where she started as an intern. “But she was so competent, we just put her on staff,” said Wintergreen owner and operator Paul Schurke. She helped lead dogsled trips into the wilderness, where she learned winter survival methods from some of the most experienced polar explorers anywhere.
“It was awesome,” said Ford of the experience.
She’s road-tested her gear in the weeks leading up to her adventure and she’ll get some assistance from Diggins, who has learned to skijor, so he’ll be providing an assist as Ford propels herself and about 145 pounds of gear she’ll pull in a sled, known as a pulk, behind her. Ford couldn’t really predict what the trail conditions will be like over the next month. She expects to be able to follow snowmobile tracks for a portion of the route that’s outside the Boundary Waters wilderness boundary. She also expects to find trails broken by mushers in other locations. But she’ll likely be breaking trail at points along the way. On large lakes, where the wind helps to pack the snow, the going may be relatively smooth. But with about two feet of snow on the ground, the going is likely to be challenging on untracked portages or smaller lakes. She expects to average about seven miles a day.
Ford will be traveling without a heated tent. Her new four-season tent includes a vestibule, where she’ll be able to cook meals, which is likely to provide a least a little break from the winter’s chill. Overnight, she’ll rely on a zero-degree-rated sleeping bag, a heavy quilt and the warmth provided by Diggins, who will sleep under the quilt, to stay warm.
I predict a difficult go of it. That dog is going to be taking a heavy load during the trek, or she is. Or both. That’s a heavy sled too.
She may need to drop some of that weight, but the question is, what? She needs the food, she will need the lights she’s carrying, she needs to bring a Garmin with her, she needs to carry a large bore handgun, and she needs medical supplies. She needs the tent, she needs the quilt (I’d carry more than one), and she’ll need food for the dog too. She’ll need a stove to thaw her water and water for the dog. She’ll need fuel for the stove. Isobutane doesn’t work very well in such cold temperatures or at high elevations.
On February 16, 2022 at 10:25 pm, luke2236 said:
OK, if shes that stupid, fine. But dont subject the poor dog to all that.
On February 17, 2022 at 5:45 am, Hudson H Luce said:
Chances are that she’s done stuff like this before. A friend of mine won the Iditabike mountain bike race three years in a row, that’s 1000 miles along the Iditarod river in Alaska, under winter conditions. So it’s definitely possible to do stuff like that.
On February 17, 2022 at 8:55 am, Fred said:
Maybe this will turn into something where others will try the same route alone with one dog. If she makes it, the challenge will be thrown down to all who would dare.
On February 17, 2022 at 9:20 am, blake said:
This is stupid. I’ve lived where it got to 20 below and 20 below is dangerous, even in a metro area.
She’s willingly going out where temps are even colder in a wilderness where no help can be expected?
@hudson, your friend was involved in a race, probably with checkpoints and teams that would go looking for people that failed to show up. Huge difference between that and going solo in -40.
On February 17, 2022 at 11:31 am, Frank Clarke said:
I’m from Florida. +50F is what we call “polar winter” where we walk our dogs while wearing North Face parkas (over layers of warm clothing).
Brrrrrrrrr….
On February 17, 2022 at 2:31 pm, Ohio Guy said:
I really don’t think this is a good idea. She’s got some creds, ok, but mother nature will have the final word on surviving this trek. A bit too risky in my opinion.
On February 18, 2022 at 12:03 am, Dan said:
Hopefully we took a SatPhone or an EPIRB…..for the inevitable call for help. Otherwise she may never be seen again.
On February 18, 2022 at 1:37 am, TheAlaskan said:
@HHL
The iditarod invitational is only 300 miles. Fat-tire mountain bikes are used in that race…in winter. Tough 300 miles indeed. The iditarod River itself is about 325 miles long.
The iditarod sled dog race is around 1,000 miles. Only dog sleds can be used.
On February 18, 2022 at 3:19 pm, JoeFour said:
False confidence perhaps? She might want to read “To Build a Fire” … short story by Jack London:
https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/to-build-a-fire.pdf
On February 19, 2022 at 7:36 am, Snowgoose said:
No doubt a challenging trip, but she is probably coached and prepared by Paul Schurke. He and Will Steger are the gold standard in winter expeditions and arctic exploration.
A couple comments: The BWCA elevation is mostly less than 2000 ft above sea level. The highest elevation in the BWCA (and Minnesota) is Eagle Mountain at 2300 ft.
A “large bore handgun.” For what???
On February 19, 2022 at 7:09 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Let’s presume black bears are in hibernation now (not sure that’s the case).
Moose.
https://www.wtip.org/increasing-bear-hunt-proves-valuable-moose-calves-grand-portage-land
Moose will stomp you and your beasts to death. In fact, while it may be wonderful thing to have the assistance and company of the dog, the dog may end up being a Moose attractant.
https://www.captainsjournal.com/2022/02/09/when-a-380-isnt-enough-namely-bull-moose/
A Large bore handgun. For what???
That’s what.
The decision, as always is up to the individual.
On February 19, 2022 at 10:23 pm, Snowgoose said:
Yes, absolutely, the decision should be up to the individual. But think about it; if you have to carry/pull all of your equipment and supplies for 200 miles do you really want an additional 3 lbs that you absolutely will not need, and will certainly be buried in some inaccessible place in a pack. Do you have any idea how many layers of bulky clothes go into dressing for -20F?
I am just home (Thursday) from xc skiing on the Gunflint Trail between the BWCA and the Canada border. I will again be canoeing in the BWCA this summer. I own several handguns but none will be coming with me (although I have brought a shotgun to hunt grouse on a fall trip). Portaging an 80 lb. canoe and a couple Duluth packs is tough enough.
Kinda like the pioneers on the Oregon Trail who dumped the bedroom furniture midway across the mountains.
Oh yeah, the bears in Minnesota are all in deep hibernation now.
On February 19, 2022 at 10:30 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Snowgoose,
” … do you really want an additional 3 lbs that you absolutely will not need.”
You do not know that. You just made that up. You don’t know that any more than the lady linked above “knew” that she wouldn’t face a moose.
You’re welcome to go into the bush without a firearm if that’s what you choose. I will always choose differently.
On February 20, 2022 at 12:02 am, TheAlaskan said:
@snowgoose
“Do you have any idea how many layers of bulky clothes go into dressing for -20F?”
Yes, I do…and ensconced in those layers of ‘stuff,’ is a 44 magnum wheel gun…always, every season, every day. Savvy?
On February 20, 2022 at 1:00 am, Hudson H Luce said:
@TheAlaskan – When John talked about it, it certainly seemed like 1000 miles, but you obviously know about it. He went on to win the Race Across America three times. I’ve still got his first ride sheet from the Cincinnati Velo Club – he won his first long distance race that year, Race Across Missouri – 540 miles in 27 hours. His motto: “What does not kill me, makes me stronger.” And he got his degree in psychology…
On February 20, 2022 at 12:21 pm, Paul J said:
Wolves. Plenty of them in Northern Minnesota
On February 21, 2022 at 9:17 am, Paul J said:
The dog would look pretty tasty this time of year