Alvins Phone Line snowshoe epic adventure?

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:48 am

This is the oldest active cache in Minnesota, and one of those rare 2000 caches. It's long been on our wish list. We'll be heading to that area next summer for DeLorme purposes, but this looks like a findable winter cache that could be fun on snowshoes. Travel is always the tricky thing in planning these, but it could be fun. It's a good six hours for us. Probably we'd do a halfway there kinda thing.

Discuss.

GC9FF

WGA Member Joined: 2007-09-11 Posts: 453

Depending on when, we might be interested in going.

WGA Member Joined: 2006-12-23 Posts: 5954

wow, thats up there. Doesn't look like a very long hike but would bet snow depth would be fun in jan/feb.

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:44 pm

Can you recommend a nice Canadian cache near the border to go with it? Would be nice to add another country while in the neighborhood.

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:58 pm

I was in International Falls over Labor Day and I think there are some easy ones in Fort Frances. I was traveling with others and that wasn't in their plan.
When Trekkin' and I were at Grand Portage last summer, it was really tempting to cross there too, but the two closest ones looked to be big hikes, and Trekkin' doesn't have a passport. (Tends to be the case for those who won't fly) I think you can cross at Grand Portage, International Falls or Warroad. That's a lot of wild open country, having been near all three areas in the past few months.

This one in Fort Frances appears to be the closest..

GC1H5GX

49.9 miles by the GPSr straight line method.

Yes, it's a long way. If we did this, we'd probably decamp in Duluth, which is about 1.5 hours drive then. I have done the trip from our place to Ely (just a bit to the east) in the winter for a storytelling retreat...all in one day. By myself. It can be done.

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:50 pm

Thanks much for the info, eh?

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:52 pm

Ya, if we do dis, make sure you got some of dem dere snowshoes to pank down da snow, eh?

This is what happens after thirty years of marriage to a Yooper!

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:37 pm

Just a hint on the parking on Alvin's: The closest parking is not the best parking.

z

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:55 pm

If santa brings me some shoeshoes like I asked for, I would be interested depending on when, and how comfortable I am walking with shoes by then.

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:33 pm

Get the feeling this might be the sort of adventure calling for some really big snowshooos, or a sherpa such as Team Black-Cat cutting trail Shocked

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Hmmmm, how would this compare to Eagle Source, or another snowy WI challenge it can be compared to?

Hmmmm, Hmmmmm.... recognizing one can't predict snow conditions, might a very experienced cacher dare to share and compare how they'd prepare? Question

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:05 pm

huffinpuffin2 wrote:

Can you recommend a nice Canadian cache near the border to go with it? Would be nice to add another country while in the neighborhood.

Thou Birden mentioned it, I will also. A passport would be need.

I can just hear it now.

Mounty-So what's you destionation in Canada eh?
HP- To do some cachin'
M- Cashin???What are ya cashin, eh?
HP- No, were not cashin anything, we're goin cachin.
M -And just what are you planning on catching???
HP-Not a thing! We're just goin' cachin!
M- Ummmm Riiiiiiggght! Why don't ya just pull over there and we'll check and see what your cashin'

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:58 pm

cheezehead wrote:

M- Ummmm Riiiiiiggght! Why don't ya just pull over there and we'll check and see what your cashin'

On second thought.....................

Actually, we had to empty our car at the border back in the '70's, but that was to get back in! Very Happy

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:44 am

Have snowshoes.... will travel!! Keep us updated!! Might be a fun weekend away. We both have Passports.

We were just up in Northern Washington State. Went over the boarder to claim the Provence. No problem over... a 45 minute search and rundown on the way back in, all because I bought kleenex, nose spray and 2 water bottles at Zellers!!

WGA Member Joined: 2009-07-04 Posts: 375

This does sound interesting. Keep us posted on when. Might be interested. Have a passport and would definitely want to grab Canada.

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:09 pm

Talked with Lone_Gunman and we would be interested. Keep us posted. I have a passport and would interested in getting another country.