Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for the spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. – Rachel Carson
As rejuvenating and healing as the outdoors can be, the darker powers of nature must also be respected. My books feature characters that ventured into the wilderness unprepared. They lacked proper supplies, and, more importantly, they lacked knowledge of wilderness skills. That led them to make poor decisions.
My characters endured trials and tribulations that I would not like to experience myself, and that I would not wish upon you. Although my books have happy endings, not everyone that ventures into the woods unprepared is so lucky.
Here are some resources to help you get outside in a much less traumatic fashion than that featured in my stories. If you have a favorite resource you would like to see added to this list, please email me at [email protected]. I’m always looking for new opportunities.
Table of Contents
- Wilderness Medicine
- Guided Trips
- Outdoor Skills
- Packing Lists
- Food Ideas
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Wilderness Medicine
Wilderness Medicine Institute of the National Outdoor Leadership School
(WMI of NOLS)
“When 9-1-1 is ot an option, the rules change.” WMI is the leader in wilderness medicine education. Browse their website for wilderness medicine knowledge, course offerings, first-aid kits, and true stories of wilderness medicine in action.
Guided Trips
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
REI Adventures – Active Vacations for Everyone
Outdoor Skills
Making water safe to drink with bleach.
This is the easiest, cheapest option I know to get safe drinking water. I regularly use it as a backup to my other methods, since one of my many allergies is to chlorine.
Midwest Mountaineering
A Minneapolis based outdoors store. If you live in the area, they have an extensive calendar of programs, clinics, and events. I always enjoy learning from them.
Backpacker Magazine’s Skills section of their website
REI’s Learn section of their website
Do you want your blog listed here? Email me at [email protected]
Packing Lists
Backpacking gear lists from Backpacker Magazine
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness gear list as provided by Piragis Northwoods Company
Food Ideas
Freezer Bag Cooking – revolutionized the way I do food outdoors. I love it.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Permits – Trips into the Boundary Waters require a permit. Get yours here.
Piragis Northwoods Company
Canoe outfitting, trip planning, group trips, canoes for sale. I stop here every time I’m in Ely. If I need to rent anything, I rent it from them. They always provide top gear and top service.
Voyageur Maps
Set of 10 maps that covers the entire Boundary Waters. Available to view online. Great planning tool. I’m slowly accumulating all 10. I also use the Fisher and McKenzie maps.
