Here’s a mid-winter update from store owner Jack Stone…

The past few weeks have been exciting for those of us at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. Some of us have been living vicariously through others — through friends of ours.

Frank leaving the Sawbill checkpoint

We watched Frank Moe, who handles all of our risk management, tours and rentals, take second place in the White Oak Classic Sled Dog Race in early January. Everyone watched him prepare for the John Beargrease race, and some of us were on hand at the Sawbill Checkpoint as he came in on Monday morning at sunrise. We heard tales of trouble he ran into on the trail and watched as he fed and bedded his dogs down and got ready to push on.

Frank's sled and dogs resting at Sawbill

Early Tuesday morning he found that, due to some dietary issues experienced by his dogs, he had to pull out of the race. We all felt his pain, knowing that the connection between Frank and his dogs was such that his main concern was the welfare of his team, not whether or not he placed or finished the race.

In addition to tracking Frank’s races, we also spent part of this winter following another staff member Tom Suprenant’s adventures. Tom worked as the base camp manager for Lonnie Dupre as Lonnie attempted to make the first January solo climb of Denali in Alaska. That trip ended after Lonnie was wind bound for seven days in a snow trench at 17,200 feet. At that point he had to abandon the attempt for this year. Who knows? He may try it again next year.

As I write this, Lonnie just left the store after spending 20-30 minutes telling the staff about his adventure. His lost toenails and had what he referred to as superficial frostbite on his fingertips. We hope to have both him and Tom give another Denali presentation to the public in the upcoming weeks.

Along with Frank and Tom, other staff members have been busy this winter as well.

One recent Saturday afternoon, Scott, Ben and I learned the art of snow kiting with the help of Mike Kratochwill from Lakawa. Now, Scott and Ben are trying to practice so they can become kiting instructors at Stone Harbor this summer and next winter. As far as I’m concerned, I am still trying to get the hang of flying the kite, much less getting up on skis. But even just flying the kite is a lot of fun.

During the Beargrease, we had everyone on staff out at the Sawbill checkpoint at one time or another. Some even spent the night in one of our Snowtrekker tents. We talked to many great people and hope that next year it can be even bigger and better.  Mark it on your calendar and visit us next year.What is left for the winter? Well, we are renting fish houses, skis, snowshoes, winter tents and pulk sleds. We are taking folks ice climbing and ice fishing. We’ll be participating in many upcoming events, including:

• Mush for a Cure sled dog race, Gunflint Trail, March
• Canoecopia, Madison, Wis., March
• Central Canada Outdoor Show, Thunder Bay, February
• Ham Run, Gunflint Trail, May

Then, we’ll prepare for a much bigger summer than we had last year. For example, we are doubling our kayak fleet to accommodate the growing number of people wanting to take one of our kayak tours.

Me with my sons and grandson

So that is where we are today. We are looking forward to seeing old friends and new friends in the store in the coming months. Stop in and say hello.