Frost River

Gayle is not a nature girl. In fact, her idea of roughing it is having to stay at a Best Western when the Westin St. Francis is full. Hence, she's happy to let me go off on my Earthwatch trips to those "cold and horrible" places, while she plans her next luxury getaway.

I was recently reminiscing about 2 trips I made in College to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), and how I'd love to go again while seeing a little of North Shore Lake Superior along the way. Here immediate reaction was that I should feel free to do so, while she relaxed at some Lutsen-area resort.

One way to dream about my next BWCA trip is to browse through the Duluth Pack or Frost River catalog, while consulting a good map of the area. Both businesses are out of Duluth, and offer reliable goods for your next hunting, fishing, canoeing, or other outdoor adventure. And their goods are made locally or in other parts of the good old US of A.

The Frost River actually exists within the BWCA. With large and small lakes, beautiful falls, winding streams (and beaver dams), tough portages, canoeable rapids and adventurous options, this area is one of many inspirations for Voyageurs-related exploration and discovery in this magical area of the US/Canadian border.

My guess is that Frost River was initially started by folks that split off from Duluth Pack. It also looks that Frost River hit some hard economic times in 2008 and has recently been reborn with either new owners and/or infused capital. J.W. Hulme in St. Paul recently went through a similar process.

The biggest difference that I see between the 2 is that Frost River's version of their offerings includes a sturdy waxed canvas and leather combination that is hard to find outside of C.C. Filson in Seattle. This particular combination does a good job of both repelling water and allowing the fabric to breathe.

I recently purchased some storage accessories and found the quality and practicality to be excellent. And if you look further within their online store, you'll be presented with may other great (and guaranteed) choices of canoe packs, tents and tarps, luggage, briefcases, shoulder bags, cabin accessories, tote bags, day packs, fishing and hunting stuff, bike Bags, and winter wear. And like Gayle, they will all improve with age and look great in camouflage.