Hi: The Midwest Mountaineering Spring Expo is April 27-29th, 309 Cedar Ave. Minneapolis Minnesota. I have not received the paper program but all the details are posted on the Midwest Mountaineering "Expo" tab on their web site. Once again some excellent presentations and it's FREE!! Something to dream about between snow shoveling and snow blowing!!!!!!

I’ve heard that the guy doing the Alaska presentations is pretty good. ;) Lots of great presentations scheduled. Don’t miss out!

old_salt: "And with our winter continuing on... it’s nice to know the exhibits are inside and no longer in the tent. I’ve heard that the guy doing the Alaska presentations is pretty good. ;) Lots of great presentations scheduled. Don’t miss out!"

Dang, I'm having a pretty tough surgery on the 26th. Is it smaller now? How are they accommodating the booths?

I didn't like the inside exhibits at last year's Winter Expo (November). I'll keep an open mind for Spring this year, but I actually liked the tent, lol. I'll be there!

I just rechecked their website and my earlier post is now false. I will delete it. They have gone back to the tents, so dress warm. Mea culpa. Hope to see you there.

Here is a link to their Expo website. There are some good looking presentations, and this is a great time to get some gear as everything is on sale.

I'll be there off and on all weekend. I can never resist the coupons and specials. This year I have been saving my Christmas gift cards so I can get myself that much 'needed' new gear.

Several of us from the women's forum are getting together at Beer & Gear on Friday night... keep an eye out for us if you are so inclined to say hello! I'll try to remember to wear some flying moose gear. Maybe the new knit hat since it could be brisk in the tent if our current weather pattern holds.

Maybe I can get Linden to rescue me from the hospital and bring me down. Haha... I had him do that in Duluth a year ago so I could attend a wing night. Haha.

They probably ought to post a guard at your room;)

Do we think the Midwest Mountaineering "paddlesport demo" on Nokomis will happen on the 26th? Has Nokomis lost its ice yet?

sns: "Do we think the Midwest Mountaineering "paddlesport demo" on Nokomis will happen on the 26th? Has Nokomis lost its ice yet?"

Still full of ice. Not sure about depth, but there is still ice at Nakomis.

The expo is this weekend, but the paddle demo is postponed to May 10. This is actually fantastic news, so one could now have time for both.

The presenter calender is a bit high-end for me, and I’m trying to own less stuff and not buy new stuff, but I think I’ll go for a few hours anyways.

The only thing I’m ‘selling’ is the DIY (do it yourself) Alaska Experience! Priceless! I’ve got a few freebies.

Hope to make that, Rich. My wife really wants to go back to visit Alaska; she worked in the Tongass forest with the YCC, in her younger days. I have never been...
Also, Phil Cotton is scheduled to present about Wabakimi and about the Wabakimi Project. Second is particularly interesting, as I bet he will have plenty of recollections about the Project, which he pretty much organized from scratch and has garnered hundreds of participants over the years. Summer, 2018, is the final year for Project canoe trips, which have occurred for something like 12 years, and the Friends of Wabakimi will be involved in similar efforts, going forward.

Looking forward to seeing you again, Ray. Looking like the roads to Minneapolis will be plowed and open.

sns: "Do we think the Midwest Mountaineering "paddlesport demo" on Nokomis will happen on the 26th? Has Nokomis lost its ice yet?"

The paddle sports demo has been rescheduled for May 10th.

The line up of speakers did look especially good this year. I don't know if I'll make it.....I put away all my puffy down jackets, and if I remember correctly, wearing is a requirement for entrance. :)

The speakers will be inside, but no guarantee can be made that the audience will be windproof. ;)

There should be enough hot air that you won’t need the heavy coat.

Favorite three days of spring! LOTS on deck in the schedule, will be hard (as usual) to choose. They've pitted several favorites up against each other in time slots and the headliners are presenting during the auction. Sigh - times like this I wish I could clone myself!

Some links (copyrighted images):

Main Expo Page

Craig Blacklock

Lonnie Dupre

Dave any Amy Freeman (it appears they will be arriving by bike)

Hugh Smith

Sarah Ehlen

NotLight: "


Dave any Amy Freeman (it appears they will be arriving by bike)

"

Yep, arriving by bike from Ely pulling the petition canoe ( the canoe is a signable petition to fight the proposed mines near the BWCA)

We’ll have a great time. Don’t miss out! It’s FREE!

carmike: "The line up of speakers did look especially good this year. I don't know if I'll make it.....I put away all my puffy down jackets, and if I remember correctly, wearing is a requirement for entrance. :) "

I did not remember the puffy jacket requirement, however after being here all day, I can say that you are correct! If not a jacket, then at least a vest. I didn't comply.

Got to the show later than I wanted to. Wandered through the boats being peddled, and was surprised to see three Bell Magics. I missed the auction, but a couple of those hulls looked nice.

My goal was to leave with some Quetico maps, but, of course, I took more than that home today. Bought a small CCS 8 x 10 tarp to go with the bigger ones I rarely use. Figure the 8 x 10 is a perfect solo size.

It was good to see you, Ray.

old_salt: "I just rechecked their website and my earlier post is now false. I will delete it. They have gone back to the tents, so dress warm. Mea culpa. Hope to see you there."

I talked to Harlan at Copia and he relayed that MWM was having trouble with the fire marshal to get approval for the tent set-up. They obviously were able to get that squared away.

Frenchy19: "Got to the show later than I wanted to. Wandered through the boats being peddled, and was surprised to see three Bell Magics. I missed the auction, but a couple of those hulls looked nice.


My goal was to leave with some Quetico maps, but, of course, I took more than that home today. Bought a small CCS 8 x 10 tarp to go with the bigger ones I rarely use. Figure the 8 x 10 is a perfect solo size.


"

An 8 x10 is a great size for a solo, Mark! I packed one for several years and loved it.

Had a Great time, both Friday, and Saturday
Fewer boats at the Auction, 75. I think people are getting wise to the expense of selling and buying.
It's a great place to meet face to face with internet connections, and old friends alike ! Also to rub shoulders with Manufacturers, and Celebrities.

I'll be back, May 10 for the test paddle at lake Nokomis !

Jim

Went Friday and Saturday. Picked up some geared I'd been planning to pick up Friday. On Saturday I went with my daughter, and although I'm not an impulse buyer at all (I have spreadsheets with things ranked by priority), I saw the MSR Trailshot on special for $29.96 (down from $49.99) and picked one up.

Also, the gyro food truck is really good.

Did a quick in and out on Friday, picked up a CCS small ridge line stuff sack for 20% off and a LUCI lite for 50% off.

T

HighnDry: "

Frenchy19: "Got to the show later than I wanted to. Wandered through the boats being peddled, and was surprised to see three Bell Magics. I missed the auction, but a couple of those hulls looked nice.



My goal was to leave with some Quetico maps, but, of course, I took more than that home today. Bought a small CCS 8 x 10 tarp to go with the bigger ones I rarely use. Figure the 8 x 10 is a perfect solo size.



"

An 8 x10 is a great size for a solo, Mark! I packed one for several years and loved it."

Why did you stop?? Did the seams today, and my wife did not even notice! Win!!

I haven't stopped soloing and I still carry a tarp. It's just a tad bit bigger.

1JimD: " Had a Great time, both Friday, and Saturday
Fewer boats at the Auction, 75. I think people are getting wise to the expense of selling and buying.
It's a great place to meet face to face with internet connections, and old friends alike ! Also to rub shoulders with Manufacturers, and Celebrities.


I'll be back, May 10 for the test paddle at lake Nokomis !


Jim"

I sat through the whole auction and it was entertaining and informational. It really was a good year to be buying a kayak if that's what you were looking for because they could hardly give them away. Most canoes held their own, except one that sold for $50.

Another successful three days at the Expo... went to a couple presentations... shopped way too much (things we planned on and things we didn't) ... saw several members as well... BelloLake who we hadn't seen in a couple of years so that was great fun. And planned meet-up with BWPaddler and JeepGirl. Daydreamed about adding to the fleet but settled for new portage shoes and a new paddle.