Piragis Northwoods Company
105 North Central Avenue
Ely, Minnesota 55731
1-800-223-6565
www.piragis.com


Monday, January 14, 2008

Passport Travel Updates, $ALE$, Trip News, Client Pics, +

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What Documents will I need to travel to Canada and Return to the United States by land and water in 2008?

Latest information on Passport Requirements for the 2008 Paddling Season

Confusion and misinformation are the operative words when it comes to understanding what the passport requirements will be for 2008. We are trying to stay abreast of the the situation and want to pass the correct information on to you.

If you already have an official US Passport you are all set. Just bring it along with you. If you don't have one, it would be my recommendation to bite the bullet and get one. We will all need one sooner or later. It will simplify life for you.

If you do not want to get a Passport, here is what you need to know. As of January 31, 2008 you will need to have a copy of your Birth Certificate and a Driver's License (or photo ID) to paddle back into the US from Canada. Notice I said "to paddle back into the US". You do not need these things to get into Canada. You will need a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit (RABC) to paddle into Canada, but not a passport. If you plan to fly back into the US, you will need a Passport.

Scenario and Requirement Summary:

Paddling into Canada (Quetico Park) from the US (Boundary Waters) =
Remote Area Border Crossing Permit (RABC) and Driver's License (Photo ID)

Paddling back into the US (Boundary Waters) from Canada (Quetico Park) =
Starting January 31, 2008 - Birth Certificate and Driver's License (Photo ID)

Paddling back into the US (Boundary Waters) from Canada (Quetico Park) =
by June 2009 Passport ($90) or Passport Card ($40)

Flying into Canada (Quetico Park) =
US Passport or RABC and Photo ID.
If you paddle back into the US = see requirement above.

Flying back into the US from Canada (Quetico Park) =
US Passport


I hope this helps to clarify the situation for you. If you have any questions or want to talk about your specific situation please feel free to call either Bert or Drew at 800-223-6565.

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NEW DATES FOR GREENLAND KAYAKING
JUNE 12 TO 26

NEWS RELEASE:

SEE THE FIORDS OF WEST GREENLAND IN FULL SPRING BLOOM. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER Piragis Northwoods Company AND WORLDWIDE PADDLING ADVENTURES IS OFFERING A KAYAK TRIP IN UUMMANNAQ IN JUNE. PADDLE THE FIORD DURING THE SUMMER SOLSTICE WHEN THE SUN IS THE HIGHEST. THE SUN WILL NEVER SET AT THIS LATITUDE IN JUNE OR JULY AND THE WEATHER IS THE BEST OF THE YEAR. THE TUNDRA WILL BE IN PEAK OF COLOR IN ITS SPRING BLOOM. THE OTHER GOOD NEWS IS WE FLY TO UUMMANNAQ FROM COPENHAGEN AND RETURN IN ONE DAY EACH WAY; NO LAYOVER NIGHTS. THE RATES ARE EXCEPTIONAL FOR THE FLIGHTS. ROUND TRIP FROM COPENHAGEN TO UUMMANNAQ IS $1862 IF YOU ARE UNDER 60 YEARS OF AGE AND $1146 IF 60 OR OVER AT PRESENT EXCHANGE RATES. THE TRIP FEE ONCE YOU ARRIVE IN UUMMANNAQ IS $3400. DATES LISTED ARE START AND RETURN DATES TO COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.



"I ALWAYS HAVE ENJOYED GREENLAND AND THE KAYAKING WE DO IN THE FIORDS OF UUMMANNAQ. I BELIEVE IT IS THE BEST ARCTIC KAYAKING AND CAMPING YOU’LL EVER FIND. IT IS SAFE, NOT DIFFICULT, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND IN AN AREA KNOWN FOR THE BEST WEATHER IN THE ARCTIC.

PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR EMAIL ANY TIME. THE TRIP IS LIMITED TO 10 GUESTS WITH TWO GUIDES AND 7 SPOTS REMAIN OPEN AT THIS TIME. THANKS."

STEVE PIRAGIS, 1-800-223-6565
steve@piragis.com

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Ice is growing even with warm days.

Ice in winter is never really safe because it is always in a state of flux. Change is the name of the game with nature and this winter has been tough on the ice. Some of the smaller lakes thaw with each warm day we experience and even though there are packed trails, they still are questionable to be out on. My friends have ice house out on Shagawa Lake and their trucks are parked next to them, so there is good ice in some areas. I took my portable dark house out on New Year's Day with my son and snapped the photos above.

If you're travelling on ice, be safe and sure. Have some matches and tinder packed dry in your kit in case you need to start a fire. Make sure someone knows where you are going and how long you plan to be gone. Don't take risks.

Here's the forecast for the days ahead. We are going to be building ice because temperatures are dropping down considerable each night of the week ahead.

Monday Partly cloudy. Highs 6 to 11. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Partly sunny. Highs 13 to 18. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Wind chill readings 15 below to 25 below zero in the morning.

Wednesday Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Highs 10 to 15. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Partly cloudy. Highs 3 below to 8 below zero.

Friday Partly cloudy. Highs 3 below to 8 below zero. Lows 23 below to 28 below zero.

Saturday Mostly clear. Highs 4 below to 9 below zero. Lows 23 below to 28 below zero.

Sunday Partly cloudy. Highs 1 below to 6 below zero.

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Ely Trail Conditions and Snow Level Report

The Ely website has an updated trail report that you can have sent to you if you like. We currently have 21 inches of snow on the ground with more coming every week. Winter activities are cranking up with the Ely Winter Festival coming towards the beginning of February and the The Ely Art Walk.

Click here for the current trail conditions around Ely, Minnesota:
http://ely.org/winter/trails.php

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Piragis Northwoods Company, Ely Minnesota, 1-800-223-6565