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Some classes need a little explanation, you can find those here.
Pimp Your Pants
Full day class for customizing your wool britches
with Kevin Kinney
Pimp Your Pants
Full day class for customizing your wool britches
with Kevin Kinney
Hot on the heels of last year's demo, this full day class is for 6 participants who want to reinforce their own pair of winter pants. We'll set up early, the strip our pants open to quarter panels. Once they're laid bare, we can craft custom patterns and markers for adding knee and seat panels of breathable, durable Supplex Nylon. Then we'll reassemble them. Bring your own sewing machine. I'll provide a serger for finishing the raw edges, and have a heavier machine on hand to sew those portion that yours can't handle. The class is $30, payable as a donation to the WCS.
This is a Thursday class in Mitchell 9:00am to 3:00pm
Introduction to natural soap making: a hands-on workshop
With Deb Johnson
This introductory course is perfect for beginners. No prior experience in soap making is required.
What you'll learn
Cold Process Soap Making: Master the safe and effective use of lye (sodium hydroxide) in the cold process method, including proper safety procedures and ventilation techniques.
Recipe Formulation: Gain a basic understanding of formulating your own soap recipes and calculating lye quantities.
Hands-on Experience: Create your first batch of soap, learning the step-by-step process of mixing ingredients, achieving "trace," and pouring into molds.
Curing and Storage: Understand the importance of curing and proper storage for handcrafted soap to ensure a long-lasting and luxurious bar.
Take-home
You'll leave the workshop with the knowledge and confidence to make your own natural soaps at home, a 5 pound custom batch of soap you created (about 10 bars), and a comprehensive handout to guide your future soapmaking adventures.
This course offers a unique blend of practical skills and historical context, empowering you to create healthy, beautiful, and sustainable soap products.
Tea and Titles With Irene Henderson and Beth Peterson
Join Irene Henderson for tea and cookies and a discussion of two books depicting the tale of survival in the rugged wilderness and harsh terrain of Labrador.
The first was a tale of tragedy beset with mistakes and problems. An expedition by Leonidas Hubbard, adventurer and journalist, along with his friend, Dillon Wallace, a New York lawyer. Along with their Native guide, George Elson, they intended to go up the Nauskaupi River, but instead mistakenly took the Susan Brook. Upon reaching Lake Michikamau their food began to run out and they decided to turn back. October 18, 1903, Wallace and Elson left Hubbard in a tent, too weak and starved to go any further. Wallace was lost in a snowstorm and Elson reached an occupied cabin in a week. Wallace was found alive on October 30 by a search party, but it is believed that Hubbard died on the same day they left him at the tent or a day after that. A tragic, sad story about what could have been a grand adventure, you almost feel the bite of the cold and wind and hear the crunch of the snow.
Mina Hubbard, wife of Leonidas Hubbard Jr., decided to complete his journey, honoring him and correcting misunderstandings about his tragic expedition. And her journey in his memory was at that time the only one recognized by the geographical authorities of America and Europe.
This was a 576 mile journey, completed in record time, with complete success and without serious mishap. Accompanied by four gentlemanly northern Canadian guides, including George Elson, her adventure was filled with warmth and confidence and does not demean the Native people.
The same journey, two startlingly different results.
Please bring your favorite cup and join us!
Leftover Night with Kevin Kinney
Did your elders leave a garage full of toys? Join us for a roundtable
discussion about rehabbing and repurposing older outdoor equipment. Hear
what a few local experts have to say, then add your thoughts.
Thursday Evening- McLeod
No One Cares That You Telemark
Josh Stamper
Nordic cross country skiing is one of the purest forms of winter travel and exploration. Telemark skiing is nordic's unwashed, deadhead cousin. There is all kinds of free heel skiing in between nordic and telemark. This class will expose you to the spectrum of freeheel ski applications, classic exploratory ski routes along the shores of Lake Superior, and resources to become a better skier. This class is a cautionary tale about how the free heel skiing bug can consume your winter months, and the next thing you know you are skiing down frozen rivers, lowering sleds down waterfalls, skinning up cat tracks, bathing in a hot tubs, and winter camping in a parking lot in the UP. Be forewarned.
Antler Handle Knife - Workshop
Warren Peterson
Antler Handle Knife - Workshop
Warren Peterson
Making an Antler Handle Knife Participants will learn to assemble a small blade into an antler handle as well as stitch together a sheath that will hang around the neck and will be provided information on sources for knife blades, leather, and tools required to make knives on their own. All materials are provided by the instructor. Cost is $50.00 per person. Contact Warren prior to Symposium if interested in taking this workshop. Warren M. Peterson, cell # 715-314-0797, email: wildexposurewp@yahoo.com
Screen Print Class
With Leigh and Amy Hunter
Don’t miss out on this workshop! You only need to bring a shirt from home, plus $5, and you can have the pleasure of seeing that old laundry pile transform into a state of the art Winter Camping Symposium souvenir torso wrapper!
The print designs will be posted at the symposium for scrutinizing. You can then decide if you’d like to join us for the funky fabric freakout!
The screen printing process works best on a shirt you already own and fit into, or you can head down to your favorite thrift mart to find the right item to be printed (any color shirt will work). We will have multiple designs to choose from, one geared toward the grown-ups and one geared toward the grown-downs. You can pick whichever suits your fancy.
This workshop can be whatever you want it to be, we will be happy to discuss the entire process, bits & bobs of what we’ve learned or you can just hang out and make snarky jokes, it’ll also be totally socially acceptable to just drop your shirt off, and let us print it for you while you’re off symposiuming!!
COST: the shirt off your back, and $5 ink donation per print.(kids free)
Each participant needs to bring;
100% cotton T-shirt/Hoodie (cotton blend will work) any color.
A willingness to have fun.
Patience to wait for paint to dry.
WCS Snowshoe Lacing Class
WCS Snowshoe Lacing Class
Jackson Harren
Choose your snowshoes and register for this year's class at the Winter Symposium!
Add your snowshoe shape of choice & checkout to complete registration. Please be sure to include Name, Email & phone so we can contact you.
Sign Up Here!
Paige and Jamiah will be back as vendors, but will also be running forge demos all weekend.
Traditionally knife makers would work together allowing each maker to perfect their craft. The smith would forge the blade and then pass it on to the handle maker and then on to the sheath sewer, this was not always the case but it was a very effective system. While Jamiah does follow the more modern approach of making the entire knife he also participates in the old tradition with fellow knife maker and close friend Paige May over at Wilderness Effects. Jamiah forges and grinds the blades and then Paige finishes the process by creating excellent traditional scandinavian style handles and sheaths.
Backcountry Axe Craft
Curt Isaacson
Backcountry Axe Craft
Curt Isaacson
In this hands-on workshop, Hults Bruk Ambassador Curt Isaacson will teach you some safe and effective ways of putting axes to work in the backcountry, with a particular focus on limbing, bucking and splitting firewood. He’ll also cover axe selection, maintenance, and first aid considerations. Feel free to bring your axe, as Curt will stick around afterward to help you gain confidence in your axe craft.
Solo Winter Trekking 101/201
Pete Brautigam
Solo Winter Trekking 101/201
Pete Brautigam
Solo Winter Trekking 101
Join us in an hour-long two-part discussion on how to start solo trekking in the backcountry including the BWCA. Topics include route planning, safety, food, and camp setup.
Solo Winter Trekking 201
Join us for part two in an hour-long discussion on how to start solo trekking in the backcountry including the BWCA. Topics will include, training, gear and tips and tricks to safely get you and your gear over difficult portages alone.
Circumnavigate Sturgeon Lake by Bike
Jason Busch
Circumnavigate Sturgeon Lake by Bike
Jason Busch
I brought my bike to the WCS last year, and rode around Sturgeon Lake on Saturday, and thought it would be fun to see if others wanted to join me this year, as it was a nice, scenic, easy ride.
We will meet at the basketball court, in front of the main lodge and registration tent, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. You can complete the ride in under an hour, if you like, or take a more leisurely pace, and join me for a true Minnesota cultural experience, at the weekly Meat Raffle, at Ray and Marge's resort. Bring some cash/$1 bills if you want to experience the meat raffle. It's a blast!
The route is approximately 13 miles, and is predominantly on paved shoulders, with some gravel, and a short section through the woods at Camp Miller. I will ride a gravel bike for this, but it's suitable for mountain bikes, fat bikes, and even road bikes.
There is a covered bridge, that would make for a great group selfie stop, and Ray and Marge's resort is a short distance from camp, near the end of the ride. My intent is to be back to camp in time for the tour of the tents.
The ride is not suitable for younger riders, some sections are on the shoulder of a highway with a 55 mph speed limit, so keep that in mind if you intend to ride. The route is on public roads, there are no closed roads, all riders must obey traffic laws, and ride at their own risk.
The RideWithGPS route file is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56209876
Helmets and lights are recommended, this is on public roads, and there will be some traffic on the road. Ride smart, ride safe, and obey all traffic laws.
Reach out if you have any questions, happy to talk about the ride, the meat raffle, or whatever.
Also, if you have your bike, the Munger trail is not too far away, and it's a nice ride up to the town of Moose Lake, from camp.
Winter Camping 101
Winter Camping 101
An overview class of equipment used, safety and styles of travel. Tents, sleeping bags, clothing, toboggans, snowshoes/skis, and other items will be discussed.
Ryan will share equipment he has used, and currently uses. This class will also cover basic safety concerns and tool usage. Questions, and discussion at the end of class are encouraged!
Hiking Staff Class
Roger Pilsner
Hiking Staff Class
Roger Pilsner
What: You will select the perfect piece of wood to create a custom hiking staff.
Why: Preparation for your elderly years and arduous hikes back from festivities.
Where: Hanson Building and the casual relaxation around the fireplace.
When: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, From @10:00 am to @ 3:00 pm
Cost: $10.00 per staff. All BS is free.
Wood Type: Hop Hornbeam, Tag Alder, Popple, Maple, Ash, Oak
I will Supply: I will have available a selection of dry pre-cut saplings, knives,
rasps, scrapers, sandpaper, draw knives, shaving horse, glue, Danish Oil
Finish, rags, and some other handtools. Oh yah, and some band-aides.
You Supply: You should bring some simple hand tools. A sharp whittling knife,
scrapers, sandpaper, wood rasps of various shapes. To embellish your
staff you could bring fabric, lacing thread/string, leather, fur, feathers, glue,
markers of various colors, fingernail polish is a great paint. Simple
woodburning tools are excellent for designs. Advanced embellishments
could be done with a Dremel, a Fordham, caving tools, metal inlays.
This class with run basically all day and you can come and go as you like. There is no
required time to start. I will address each participant as they wish to begin. You should
be 18 years old or more to participate in this class, as I will provide very minimal
supervision, children require more attention than I am capable of giving. Skill level will be
basic woodworking and sharp tools. You will select a sapling and begin to embellish or
refine the shape to your desires. I will have some examples and books relating to this
project. A typical fancy walking staff takes me approximately 2-3 hours to complete.
What I need from you! Please fill out the surveys and return them. If you have
projects that you would like to see, please let me know. I am very open to other
woodworking, metalworking, lapidary and leather craft ideas. How about a wood box for
your craft supplies and tools, a leather belt bag, a birch bark knife sheath, craft a copper
bowl, a canvas tool roll for your chisels, craft a knife or chisel from a sawblade, make your
own Whetstones and other sharpening aides. Please, please respond.
Map and Compass Land Navigation Class
with Michael Neiger
Map and Compass Land Navigation Class
with Michael Neiger
Crossing the Big Lakes
Josh Borchardt
Crossing the Big Lakes
Josh Borchardt
This talk will focus on finding arctic style exploration right in our backyard. At the start of the pandemic I decided to take my teaching online and cross Lake Mille Lacs on a 2 day trip on skis, sharing my experience and science with students across the country as I went. Since then, I and my team have successfully built trips and crossed Leech Lake and Lake of the Woods. Enjoy the talk and learn about my gear, trip planning, and my experience crossing some of the biggest lakes in Minnesota and how anyone can get the feeling of being at the poles within a couple hour drive from home.
Paddle In- Ski Out
With Bear Paulsen
Paddle In- Ski Out
With Bear Paulsen
Paddle In - Ski Out
For two decades Bear dreamed about a long winter camping trip. He wanted to experience the arc of winter. The year before his son entered kindergarten, the dream came true. Bear, his wife, Claire, and son, Dashwa, paddled into the BWCA in October. They travelled slowly, exploring, and living in a 10x10 tent warmed by a wood stove. They skied out 130 days later having not seen another person.
The Movable Feast:
With Joshua Stamper
The Movable Feast:
With Joshua Stamper
Food for Thermoregulation and Cozy Patrol Basics. You will not be cozy if you do not have adequate food, water, and shelter. Simple tools and tricks to incorporate into your winter camping kit
The Tools of Survival from Mors Kochanski and Tom Roycroft with Brian Rice
When the chips are down, and you find yourself in a survival situation, you're going to need some tools to make it through it. Mors and Tom came up with tools to make your situation better. For travel through the boreal forest in deep snow, they made the Ski Shoes, to cook food, Mors developed the Burtonville rig from a camp he found. Tom developed a pack frame that could be made out of three sticks, which he could use to haul out equipment or even a person. Mors improvised a frame saw based on a bucksaw to process firewood in the boreal forest. I'm going to make most of these and show you their uses. If you want to try to make the bucksaw in the back you can, but know that this class is about showing off these tools and less about construction. As time is limited, and each of these tools could take over three hours to create for the first time, they are made. (Students who want to try making the saw can reach out to me at Threeravensbushcraft@gmail.com for the materials required to make a bucksaw.)
“BWCA Winter Camping Primer” with Earl Swenson
Let’s talk all things Winter Camping in America's most visited wilderness area the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northeastern Minnesota. Winters coming fast and you want to be ready! Make this the first year you go or the year you go back! We’ll talk when to go, where to go, where to camp, travel tips, tips for staying warm and more. Bring your questions, concerns and experiences to share.
HOW TO BUILD A SNOW SHELTER AND SHORT FILM
by Chris Ozminski of CozWild.com
"We will have a snow shelter on display and after the film, a short presentation on building snow shelters.
Crossing the Height of Land
Off-trail in the Wild
Run Time: 16 minutes
Travel on foot through the great white north with a team of expeditioneers. Immerse in wilderness while crossing into the Arctic Watershed, navigating harsh conditions and the approaching winter of life.
8:00pm Mitchell after Keynote
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