Happy campers?
I'll admit being a little biased as I scan the weather maps these days. My eyes seem to drift up north to near Ely, where I'll be heading next week for a little R & R in the BWCAW area.
With morning temperatures in the low 40's I have to wonder if campers up north have been happy campers this summer. Bill Hansen and his group at the Sawbill outfitters on Sawbill Lake keep a weather record. They have only hit 80 degrees twice this summer, 82 on July 1st and 81 on July 6th! This past month highs have been running in the 70's and lows in the 50's, a bit below average. Lately lows have been dipping into the lower 40's in many northern Minnesota locations.
Now that's fine camping weather, don't get me wrong. There's nothing better than paddling in 70 degree weather and avoiding a long sweaty portage in 85 degree heat. Sitting around the camp fire on an evening in the 60's is delightful.
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But Minnesotans have become a bit spoiled these past few years. On a trip to Grand Marais two years ago after a few days at East Bearskin Lake on the Gunflint Trail I was stunned. We came down the ridge into Grand Marais to find a dead calm Lake Superior. It was over 80 degrees in Grand Marais right at the shore. I have never seen the lake this way. The big smooth rocks on the cobblestone beach were warm to the touch, almost hot from a day of direct sun and 80 degree weather. It could have been San Diego in summer, except that one foot in a hypothermic Lake Superior reminded us where we stood.
Last year on our two family excursion near Ely it was almost too hot. We were pushing 90 nearly every day, and sleeping bags were optional at night. Think of me next week as we will likely be zipped tightly in our sleeping bags this year!
If you think our Minnesota weather can be wild and crazy, check out this weeks Jet Streaming podcast. We talked with Scott Henley from Mt. Washington observatory in New Hampshire's White Mountains. This wind swept 6,200 foot peak is the place with the highest recorded wind gust on earth at 231 mph. Winds routinely exceed 100mph there in the cooler months. It's a remarkable place, and we had a really great chat this week.
Think warm thoughts when I'm shivering in Ely next week!
PH