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108-629: Voyageurs National Park is located on the southeastern corner of the lake, where it connects with Kabetogama and Namakan lakes at Kettle Falls . Rainy Lake is part of an extremely large system of lakes forming the Hudson Bay drainage basin that stretches from west of Lake Superior north to the Arctic Ocean . The Rainy Lake watershed includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), portions of

216-664: A humid continental climate with warm summers and year-round precipitation ( Dfb ). According to the United States Department of Agriculture , the Plant Hardiness zone at the Ash River Visitor Center (1129 ft / 344 m) is 3a with an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -36.3 °F (-37.9 °C). According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. Potential natural vegetation Types, Voyageurs National Park has two classifications;

324-427: A wax or texture on the ski bottom under the foot for traction on the snow to allow the skier to slide the other ski forward in virgin or tracked snow. With the skate skiing technique a skier slides on alternating skis on a firm snow surface at an angle from each other in a manner similar to ice skating. Both techniques employ poles with baskets that allow the arms to participate in the propulsion. Specialized equipment

432-480: A Great Lakes Spruce / Fir ( 93 ) vegetation type with a Northern Conifer Forest ( 22 ) vegetation form, and a Great Lakes Pine ( 95 ) vegetation type with a Northern Conifer Forest ( 22 ) vegetation form. This national park is home to timber wolves , black bear , moose , an abundance of white-tailed deer , and smaller mammals such as fox , beaver , river otter , muskrat , snowshoe hare , and weasel which may be seen crossing frozen lake surfaces during

540-442: A bust by 1898. The town of Rainy Lake City was gone by 1901. When the park was established in 1975, there were over 60 resorts around the park. Within the park, there were 12 resorts, 97 leased cabin sites, and over 120 privately owned recreational homes. Many sold their land and buildings to the park. Some people chose to sell their property and leave immediately, while others chose to sell their property, but maintain use for either

648-410: A coordinated use of poles and the upper body to add impetus. Three common techniques are "V1", "V2" and "V2 alternate". In "V1" the skier pushes with a double pole plant each time the ski is extended on a temporarily "dominant" side, this technique is optimal for climbing. In "V2 alternate" the skier performs the double pole plant before the "dominant" ski is extended, this technique allows for maintaining

756-452: A foot (called a basket) near the end of the shaft that provides a pushing platform, as it makes contact with the snow. Baskets vary in size, according to the expected softness/firmness of the snow. Racing poles feature smaller, lighter baskets than recreational poles. Poles designed for skating are longer than those designed for classic skiing. Traditional skiing in the 1800s used a single pole for both cross-country and downhill. The single pole

864-415: A gliding surface and, for classic skis, a traction zone under foot. The base of the gliding surface is a plastic material that is designed both to minimize friction and, in many cases, to accept waxes. Glide wax may be used on the tails and tips of classic skis and across the length of skate skis. Each type of ski is sized and designed differently. Length affects maneuverability; camber affects pressure on

972-425: A higher speed and is often used on slightly downhill terrsin. In "V2" the skier performs the double pole plant each time the ski is extended on either side, on flat ground and in slight inclines this technique is often the fastest and most efficient of the 3. Skiers climb hills with these techniques by widening the angle of the "V" and by making more frequent, shorter strides and more forceful use of poles. A variant of

1080-580: A lifetime tenancy or a 25-year use and occupancy reservation. As these properties are vacated, the park will remove many structures to restore natural conditions. Twenty properties, containing over 50 structures, will be retained and managed by the National Park Service because of their historic significance. Large fishing operations began on the Rainy River in 1892. By the 1890s and early 1900s, seven or eight fishing companies operated in

1188-670: A northwesterly trending Precambrian fault system. The northwest corner of the park contains metamorphosed rocks of the Wabigoon subprovince, which form a northeast trending greenstone belt . A lateral strike-slip fault separates the two subprovinces, referred to as the Rainy Lake-Seine River fault zone. It is this northwest area of the park, on the Kabetogama peninsula, which saw a gold rush from 1893 to 1898. The Little American Mine, on Little American Island,

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1296-472: A public ski competition occurred in Tromsø , 1843. In Norwegian, langrenn refers to "competitive skiing where the goal is to complete a specific distance in groomed tracks in the shortest possible time". In Norway, ski touring competitions ( Norwegian : turrenn ) are long-distance cross-country competitions open to the public, competition is usually within age intervals. A new technique, skate skiing ,

1404-655: A significant sector of the local economy. Winter access to Rainy Lake by car is provided by an ice road maintained by the National Park Service of the United States. Popular winter sports include ice fishing , cross-country skiing , snowshoeing , and snowmobiling . Rainy Lake spans the Canada–United States border . The laws of Canada and the Province of Ontario apply to the portions of

1512-678: A stickier substance, called klister . Ski boots are attached to the ski only at the toe, leaving the heel free. Depending on application, boots may be lightweight (performance skiing) or heavier and more supportive (back-country skiing). Bindings connect the boot to the ski. There are three primary groups of binding systems used in cross-country skiing (in descending order of importance): Ski poles are used for balance and propulsion. Modern cross-country ski poles are made from aluminium , fibreglass-reinforced plastic , or carbon fibre , depending on weight, cost and performance parameters. Formerly they were made of wood or bamboo . They feature

1620-413: A summer camp from 1922 until 1940. Civil engineering students would attend the camp. Today there is still a cabin known as "Polaris," where the professors lived, in addition to foundations and chimneys from other structures. Rainy Lake City Rainy Lake City was a boom town in the 1890s during a short gold rush period. The site has a longer history of use than just the gold rush. A saloon still stands and

1728-498: A system of canoes and boats available for rental at interior lakes. During summer months, the park also offers shuttle service to an interior lake, as well as ranger-led boat tours that explore the park's natural features and history. The park has over 50 miles (80 km) of hiking trails. While some trails are located on the mainland, the majority traverse the park's interior peninsula, including long-distance backcountry trails. The Voyageurs Forest Overlook, Beaver Pond Overlook, and

1836-627: A technique for traveling cross-country over snow on skis, starting almost five millennia ago with beginnings in Scandinavia . It may have been practised as early as 600 BCE in Daxing'anling , in what is now China . Early historical evidence includes Procopius 's (around CE 550) description of Sami people as skrithiphinoi translated as "ski running samis". Birkely argues that the Sami people have practiced skiing for more than 6000 years, evidenced by

1944-452: A traction zone, called the "grip zone" or "kick zone", underfoot. This comes either from a) texture , such as " fish scales " or mohair skins, designed to slide forward but not backwards, that is built into the grip zone of waxless skis, or from applied devices, e.g. climbing skins , or b) from grip waxes . Grip waxes are classified according to their hardness: harder waxes are for colder and newer snow. An incorrect choice of grip wax for

2052-569: A variety of formats for races over courses of varying lengths according to rules sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS) and by national organizations, such as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and Cross Country Ski Canada. It also encompasses cross-country ski marathon events, sanctioned by the Worldloppet Ski Federation , cross-country ski orienteering events, sanctioned by

2160-404: Is International Falls, Minnesota . Unlike many other national parks, where the main access to the park is by motor vehicle, bicycle or foot, the primary access to Voyageurs is via water. Many visitors travel by kayaks and canoes, while others rent houseboats or take a guided tour boat. The park encompasses all or part of four major lakes: Of these, Namakan, Rainy and Sand Point lakes straddle

2268-562: Is 28 miles (45 km) long running from Black Bay (the Rainy Lake Visitor Center) to Kettle Falls. It runs along the northern shore of the Kabetogama Peninsula, running inside the off shore islands. As it nears Kettle Falls, it turns south up a deep bay and then overland to avoid the soft ice along the narrows. The Kettle Falls Trail is 7.4 miles (12 km) runs overland along the narrows, avoiding

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2376-518: Is a strike-slip fault zone passing through Rainy Lake from Tilson Bay in the southwest to Seine Bay in the northeast. The Quetico Fault passes through Rainy Lake on an east–west path through McDonald Inlet. The fault system forms a triangular wrench zone separating the granite-greenstone terrain of the Wabigoon subprovince to the north from the metasedimentary terrain of the Quetico subprovince to

2484-522: Is a fine example of why the park was established. The bluffs of the Bay rise 80 feet (20 m) above the water. From the top, there are views of the bay and Rainy Lake. Anderson Bay is the northern trailhead for the Cruiser Lake Trail system. From the landing, a loop trail goes to the top of the bluffs. Anderson Bay is two-thirds of the way from Rainy Lake Visitor Center to Kettle Point. It is on

2592-417: Is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a means of travel. Variants of cross-country skiing are adapted to a range of terrain which spans unimproved, sometimes mountainous terrain to groomed courses that are specifically designed for

2700-418: Is a form of cross-country skiing competition that requires navigation in a landscape, making optimal route choices at racing speeds. Standard orienteering maps are used, but with special green overprinting of trails and tracks to indicate their navigability in snow ; other symbols indicate whether any roads are snow-covered or clear. Standard skate-skiing equipment is used, along with a map holder attached to

2808-412: Is adapted to each technique and each type of terrain. A variety of turns are used, when descending. Poles contribute to forward propulsion, either simultaneously (usual for the skate technique) or in alternating sequence (common for the classical technique as the "diagonal stride"). Double poling is also used with the classical technique when higher speed can be achieved on flats and slight downhills than

2916-440: Is an example of summer recreational cabins in the park. It is located on a sand beach. Grassy Bay Grassy Bay is a large western bay on Sand Point Lake. It is rich in natural and cultural resources. The cliffs are well-known among park visitors. The Mittet cabin is an example of early recreation (1880s- 1920s). Ingersoll Estate The Ingersoll lodge was built by Illinois philanthropist William Ingersoll in 1928. The estate

3024-434: Is available in the diagonal stride, which is favored to achieve higher power going uphill. The classic style is often used on prepared trails (pistes) that have pairs of parallel grooves (tracks) cut into the snow. It is also the most usual technique where no tracks have been prepared. With this technique, each ski is pushed forward from the other stationary ski in a striding and gliding motion, alternating foot to foot. With

3132-608: Is limited to the frozen lake surfaces and the Chain of Lakes Scenic Trail through the center of the Kabetogama Peninsula. Trail maps can be obtained from the visitor centers. The use of snowmobiles in Voyageurs National Park, like in Yellowstone , is controversial, with opponents claiming they damage the natural beauty of the park and adversely affect wildlife. Designated Snowmobile Trails Rainy Lake Trail

3240-597: Is located between Lake Namakan and Rainy Lake, and is the location of the Kettle Falls Hotel. The hotel was constructed in 1910 by timber baron Ed Rose and operated as a hotel and resort to this day. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Kettle Falls can only be reached by boat in the summer months and is one of the few places in the lower forty-eight states where one looks south into Canada. Anderson Bay Anderson Bay

3348-641: Is located on the southern shore of Namakan Lake, east of Ash River and the visitor center. Moose River Indian Village Moose River, enters Moose Bay, west of Hoist Bay. The Bois Forte Ojibwe once occupied the area from the 1760s through the 1930s. They lived in the area of the park until the Nett Lake reservation was established. Five bands lived throughout the park, including the west end of Kabetogama Lake, Kettle Falls, Black Bay on Rainy Lake, Crane Lake, and Moose River of Namakan Lake. I.W.Stevens Pine Cove Resort The I.W.Stevens Pine Cove Resort represents

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3456-652: Is nearly 6 miles (10 km) long to the junction with the Chain of Lakes Trail on the Kabetogama Peninsula. An additional 3.5 miles (6 km) crossing the west end of Kabetogama Lake brings you into the Kabetogama community with a short 1 mile (2 km) or so drop around the point to the Kabetogama Visitor Center. In the Kabetogama community, there are linkes to the Arrowhead Trail , Woody's Trail , Peterson Bay Trail , Tone Dawg Trail , and

3564-452: Is on Rainy Lake just north of the mainland. It is the furthest western island in the park. It was the site of gold discovery in 1893. The island has been upgraded to provide an accessible trail, a comfort station and dock. Ellsworth Rock Gardens The Gardens was an enchanting sculpture once filled with flowers. Mr. Ellsworth created his garden as a part of the families summer home. Boat tours from Kabetogama Visitor Center visit this site on

3672-444: Is one of 13 abandoned mines within park boundaries. Terminal moraines are found in the southern portion of the park, while the northern portion contains glacially scoured lake basins, but accumulations of glacial outwash and glacial till less than 100 feet is the norm. Lake Agassiz deposits are evident within the park, while glacial striations and glacial erratics are common. The largest city near Voyageurs National Park

3780-618: Is popular for sport and recreational fishing of species such as walleye , northern pike , muskellunge , crappie , largemouth and smallmouth bass , which are all considered excellent freshwater game fish . Rainy Lake is home to the annual Canadian Bass Championship, which has been held every summer since 1996. The lake is dotted with many small islands on both the Canadian and American sides; numerous fishing cabins, small fishing resorts, and vacation homes have been built on these islands. Fishing tourism and guided fishing services comprise

3888-464: Is proposed as a shelter for exhibits. Former streets and archeological remains of buildings can be seen. Rainy Lake City is the northwestern point of the Kabetogama Peninsula facing Little American Island and the mainland. Harry Oveson Fish Camp Oveson's fish camp is an intact commercial fishing camp. There are still several structures, including Oveson house, ice house, and fish processing building. Little American Island Little American Island

3996-401: Is purely a competitive sport and not for amateurs. He further noted that in some competitions the skier "is also required to show his skill in turning his ski to one side or the other within given marks" at full speed on a steep hill. Nansen regarded these forms (i.e., jumping and slalom) as "special arts", and believed that the most important branch of skiing was travel "in an ordinary way across

4104-601: Is referred to as stå på ski (literally "stand on skis"). Fridtjof Nansen , describes the crossing of Greenland as På ski over Grønland , literally "On skis across Greenland", while the English edition of the report was titled, The first crossing of Greenland . Nansen referred to the activity of traversing snow on skis as Norwegian : skilöbning (he used the term also in the English translation), which may be translated as ski running . Nansen used skilöbning , regarding all forms of skiing, but noted that ski jumping

4212-410: The voyageurs — French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area. Notable for its outstanding water resources, the park is popular with canoeists , kayakers , other boaters, and fishermen . The Kabetogama Peninsula, which lies entirely within the park and makes up most of its land area, is accessible only by boat. To the east of the park lies

4320-551: The Boreal Loppet , held in Forestville, Quebec , Canada. Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting . Depending on the shooting performance, extra distance or time is added to the contestant's total running distance/time. For each shooting round, the biathlete must hit five targets; the skier receives a penalty for each missed target, which varies according to the competition rules. Ski orienteering

4428-483: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness . The park has several boat ramps and visitor centers on its periphery, though the main body of the park is only accessible by boat or, in the winter, by snowmobile , ski , or snowshoe . In 2018, the park hosted 239,656 visitors. Voyageurs National Park is located on the Canadian Shield , with the rocks averaging between 1 and 3 billion years old. These are some of

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4536-728: The International Orienteering Federation , and Paralympic cross-country skiing, sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee . The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. From 1924 to 1939, the World Championships were held every year, including the Winter Olympic Games . After World War II,

4644-579: The Japanese , motivated by the death of Japanese soldiers during a snow storm. Starting in 1919, Vladimir Lenin helped popularize the activity in the Soviet Union. Norwegian skiing regiments organized military skiing contests in the 18th century, divided in four classes: shooting at a target while skiing at "top speed", downhill racing among trees, downhill racing on large slopes without falling, and "long racing" on "flat ground". An early record of

4752-715: The Ojibwe . By 1780 the Ojibwe were the primary residents on the border. They filled key roles as suppliers of food, furs, and canoes. Logging came to the northwoods as the stands of white pine in Michigan , Wisconsin and central Minnesota were harvested. Beginning in the 1880s and 1890s, logging grew until there were two major logging companies. The International Logging Company in Koochiching County used sawmills at International Falls and Fort Frances until 1937. It

4860-666: The Ray Access Spur . After leaving the Kabetogama Visitor Center, the Voyageur Trail crosses the south side of Kabetogama Lake for 7 miles (11 km), to the Kabetogama Narrows (Ash River Visitor Center) and the Rudder Bay Trail . Another 3 miles (5 km) brings it to Ash River. In Ash River, there are links to other trails, including Bill Morgan Trail and the 'Ash River Links" to both

4968-1115: The Ski Classics , which started in 2011, and the Worldloppet . Skiers race in classic or free-style (skating) events, depending on the rules of the race. Notable ski marathons , include the Vasaloppet in Sweden , Birkebeineren in Norway, the Tartu Maraton in Estonia , the Engadin Skimarathon in Switzerland , the American Birkebeiner , the Tour of Anchorage in Anchorage , Alaska , and

5076-760: The Superior National Forest on the US side of the border, and the Quetico Provincial Park on the Canadian side of the border. For exploration and fur trade history, see Winnipeg River and additional references below. The earliest documentation of the lake's name is "Tekamamiwen" (shown in French transliterated as "Lac de Tecamamiouen" on the Ochagach map (c. 1728). The name was represented in various spellings: as "Lac Tacamamioüer" on

5184-605: The United States , Australia and New Zealand . Competitive cross-country skiing is one of the Nordic skiing sports. Cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship are the two components of biathlon . Ski orienteering is a form of cross-country skiing, which includes map navigation along snow trails and tracks. The word ski comes from the Old Norse word skíð which means stick of wood. Skiing started as

5292-576: The hydro-electric power houses of the international dam that spans the Rainy River between International Falls and Fort Frances, at two water-control dams located at Kettle Falls where the outflow from Namakan Lake enters Rainy Lake, and at the Sturgeon Falls Generating Station located on the Seine River. The companies that own and operate the powerhouses (Boise Paper on the US side and H2O Power Limited Partnership on

5400-408: The "diagonal stride" variant the poles are planted alternately on the opposite side of the forward-striding foot; with the "kick-double-pole" variant the poles are planted simultaneously with every other stride. At times, especially with gentle descents, double poling is the sole means of propulsion. On uphill terrain, techniques include the "side step" for steep slopes, moving the skis perpendicular to

5508-506: The 'left' or port side of the channel. Red number buoys mark the 'right' or starboard side. It is the opposite when downbound. For Rainy Lake and Namakan Lake , upbound is going east. For Kabetogama Lake , upbound is going west. If you're on Sand Point Lake or Crane Lake , upbound is going south. Hazardous rocks are common throughout the park and can lie just beneath the surface. Less than ten percent of these hazards are marked. The park consists of parallel ridges of rock, which form

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5616-642: The 1739 de l'Isle map, as "Lake Tecamaniouen" on the 1757 Mitchell Map , and as "Lake Tekamamigovouen" on the Thomas Jefferys 1762 Map of Canada ). Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye said that the name was a corruption from the Cree "tahki-mâna-kimiwan" , meaning "It always is raining", referring to the Rainy River . He said that the lake was also known as "Ouichichick" ( Ojibwe word Gojijiing or Cree Kocicīhk , both meaning "at

5724-526: The Arrowhead Trail and Crane Lake. By staying on the Voyageur Trail , you'll cross the southern shore of Namakan Lake and then turn south through Nakd Point Lake, Mukoda Lake and Crane Lake to Crane. This last link is 28 miles (45 km) long. The entire length of the Voyageur Trail is about 37 miles (60 km). According to the Köppen climate classification system, Voyageurs National Park has

5832-773: The Canadian side) are responsible for maintaining lake level and flow changes from the dams within normal ranges, subject to regulatory oversight by the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB). The IRLWWB is a board of the International Joint Commission (IJC), which is a bi-national organization created out of the International Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 for the purposes of handling boundary water issues between

5940-513: The Danish-Norwegian army included specialized skiing battalions from 1747—details of military ski exercises from 1767 are on record. Skis were used in military exercises in 1747. In 1799 French traveller Jacques de la Tocnaye recorded his visit to Norway in his travel diary: Norwegian immigrants used skis ("Norwegian snowshoes") in the US midwest from around 1836. Norwegian immigrant " Snowshoe Thompson " transported mail by skiing across

6048-746: The International Ski Federation, or national standards. Standards address course distances, degree of difficulty with maximums in elevation difference and steepness—both up and downhill, plus other factors. Some facilities have night-time lighting on select trails—called lysløype (light trails) in Norwegian and elljusspår (electric-light trails) in Swedish. The first lysløype opened in 1946 in Nordmarka and at Byåsen ( Trondheim ). Cross-country ski competition encompasses

6156-722: The Kettle Falls Dam area are all popular stargazing locations in the park. In 2020, the International Dark-Sky Association awarded the park its International Dark Sky Park certification. The park is snow-covered from late November until early April. An ice road on Rainy Lake is plowed and marked from the visitor center's boat ramp, heading toward Cranberry Bay or around Dryweed Island, depending on ice conditions. Available activities include lake driving, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, winter camping, ice fishing and snowshoe hiking. Snowmobiling

6264-486: The Mississippi strain (or Leech Lake strain) found throughout southern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lake Whitefish are also a popular quarry via sport netting in the fall when they move into shallow water to spawn. Visitors travel and explore the park's lakes and islands with canoes, kayaks and motorboats. The park's interior peninsula is only accessible by boat except when frozen lakes provide outer routes. The park has

6372-718: The Sierra Nevada between California and Nevada from 1856. In 1888 Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen and his team crossed the Greenland icecap on skis. Norwegian workers on the Buenos Aires - Valparaiso railway line introduced skiing in South America around 1890. In 1910 Roald Amundsen used skis on his South Pole Expedition . In 1902 the Norwegian consul in Kobe imported ski equipment and introduced skiing to

6480-641: The US and Canada, can apply for the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program (I-68 Permit Program) which allows them to report to US Customs and Border Protection by telephone. With proper documentation, these permits can be obtained at the US and Canadian customs offices located near the International Bridge in International Falls and Fort Frances, respectively. The level of Rainy Lake is controlled at

6588-452: The United States and Canada. Rainy Lake (Rainy River) plays a pivotal role in Tim O'Brien 's novel The Things They Carried . Other novels set on Rainy Lake include: Non-fictional works set on Rainy Lake include: Voyageurs National Park Voyageurs National Park is a national park of the United States in northern Minnesota established in 1975. It is located near the city of International Falls . The park's name commemorates

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6696-606: The United States-Canada border. Lake Namakan and Sand Point Lake are accessible only by boat except in the winter. The southern boundary of the park is the northern shore of Crane Lake . The park has many smaller lakes, especially on the Kabetogama peninsula. The most popular of these are on the Locator Lakes trail. Campsites are maintained by the National Park Service and are accessible only by water. The 282 sites are classified as frontcountry or backcountry tent, houseboat, or day-use sites; all are designated by signs. Tenters may not camp in houseboat sites or day-use sites. Maps showing

6804-452: The Wisconsin Glacial epoch and earlier. Most of the rocks in the park belong to the Archeon Quetico Subprovince , of the Superior Physiographic province , associated with the Kenoran Orogeny . These consist of schists and gneisses in the west and central portion of the park, and granitic rocks of the Vermillion Granitic Complex (2.69 to 2.64 Ga ) in the east and southeast. The Kabetogama-Kenora dike swarm (2.2. to 2.1 Ga) follows

6912-416: The World Championships were held every four years from 1950 to 1982. Since 1985, the World Championships have been held in odd-numbered years. Notable cross-country ski competitions include the Winter Olympics, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships , and the FIS World Cup events (including the Holmenkollen ). Cross-country ski marathons —races with distances greater than 40 kilometers—have two cup series,

7020-423: The animals they hunted and with the ripening grains. Fishing grew into a major source of food during this time. The Woodland Period (100 A.D.- 900 A.D.) saw an increase in the use of the wild rice. Beginning around this time, they used ceramics to create small, side-notched triangular projectile points. European exploration began about 1688. French explorer Jacques de Noyon wintered along the Rainy River . But it

7128-431: The area. Most were on Crane Lake. The main production was caviar, taken from the eggs of lake sturgeon . Most fell by the wayside as long distances and a lack of refrigeration affected the industry. By the 1930s all the large operations were gone. Family fishing replaced the large operations. By 1910 there were around 48 family business'. The catch was sold at local auctions held at Kettle Falls. By 1923, commercial fishing

7236-479: The ban, most race waxes combined fluorinated hydrocarbon waxes with fluorocarbon overlays. Fluorocarbons decrease surface tension and surface area of the water between the ski and the snow, increasing speed and glide of the ski under specific conditions. Either combined with the wax or applied after in a spray, powder, or block form, fluorocarbons significantly improve the glide of the ski. Skis designed for classic technique, both in track and in virgin snow, rely on

7344-399: The base using an iron or applied in a liquid form. The excess wax is first scraped off and then finished by brushing. Most glide waxes are based on paraffin that is combined with additive materials. The paraffin hardness and additives are varied based on snow type, humidity and temperature. Since the 2021-2022 race season, fluorinated products are banned in FIS sanctioned competitions. Before

7452-488: The chest. It is one of the four orienteering disciplines recognized by the International Orienteering Federation . Upper body strength is especially important because of frequent double poling along narrow snow trails. Paralympic cross-country ski competition is an adaptation of cross-country skiing for athletes with disabilities. Paralympic cross-country skiing includes standing events, sitting events (for wheelchair users), and events for visually impaired athletes under

7560-464: The composition of the forest. Where white and red pine once dominated the forest, they are a minor part. Few stands of large, mature trees exist in the park. In the summer of 1893 George Davis, funded by Charles Moore, discovered gold on Rainy Lake. Davis was on a small island near Black Bay Narrows. Here, he found a gold-bearing quartz vein. The "Little American" discovery gave rise to the island's modern name, Little American Island. With confirmation of

7668-426: The condition of the snow—crystal structure, temperature, degree of compaction, moisture content, etc. Depending on the initial condition of the snow, grooming may achieve an increase in density for new-fallen snow or a decrease in density for icy or compacted snow. Cross-country ski facilities may incorporate a course design that meets homologation standards for such organizations as the International Olympic Committee,

7776-410: The country". In Germany, Nansen's Greenland report was published as Auf Schneeschuhen durch Grönland (literally "On snowshoes through Greenland"). The German term, Schneeschuh , was supplanted by the borrowed Norwegian word, Ski , in the late 19th century. The Norwegian encyclopedia of sports also uses the term, skiløping , (literally "ski running") for all forms of skiing. Around 1900

7884-560: The creation of the park was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on January 8, 1971. Established in 1975, this is Minnesota's only national park. Voyageurs National Park has been occupied by humans for nearly 10,000 years. During the Paleo-Indian Period , people entered this area as the waters from glacial Lake Agassiz receded. Then during the Archaic Period (8,000 B.C. - 100 B.C.) nomadic people moved with

7992-730: The development of the Little American Mine, other prospectors entered into the search. Mining remains which can still be seen (13 sites in all within the park boundaries ) include those of the Lyle Mine north of Dryweed Island, the Big American Mine on Big American Island, the Bushyhead Mine on Bushyhead Island, and the Soldier Mine on Dryweed Island. The low production from the mines ended the rush with

8100-509: The discovery, Charles Moore hired Jeff Hildreth, a miner from the Black Hills to obtain title to the island. In the spring of 1894, development of the mine and of the nearby Rainy Lake City began. Rainy Lake City was incorporated on March 17, 1894. By summer the city was a community of several hundred people. It had a school house, bank, general store, hotels, restaurants, a newspaper, hardware store, butcher shop, and several saloons. With

8208-458: The fall line, the "herringbone" for moderate slopes, where the skier takes alternating steps with the skis splayed outwards, and, for gentle slopes, the skier uses the diagonal technique with shorter strides and greater arm force on the poles. With skate skiing, the skier provides propulsion on a smooth, firm snow surface by pushing alternating skis away from one another at an angle, in a manner similar to ice skating . Skate-skiing usually involves

8316-436: The heel to enable a walking pace, as with Nordic disciplines and unlike Alpine skiing . Ski touring's subgenre ski mountaineering involves independently navigating and route finding through potential avalanche terrain and often requires familiarity with meteorology along with skiing skills. Ski touring can be faster and easier than summer hiking in some terrain, allowing for traverses and ascents that would be harder in

8424-443: The islands and the peninsula. Snowmobiling is a major recreational activity during the winter months. In the heart of the season, the most hazardous areas regarding thin ice or open water are along the river channels including places like Rainy River or any of the narrows. The current under the ice causes pressure ridges and soft spots. Snowmobiles generally avoid these areas. Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing

8532-469: The lake on the Canadian side of the border; the laws of the US and the State of Minnesota apply to those portions on the US side of the border. The relevant law enforcement agencies of each country are responsible for the portions of the lake within their respective borders. The Canadian and US Coast Guards maintain navigational aids on their respective sides of the border. Boaters and fishermen must be aware of

8640-409: The location of these sites are available at the visitor centers. Permits are required for overnight stays. Permits can be obtained at recreation.gov and any park visitor center or boat ramp. Public and private campgrounds, accessible by car, are located near the perimeter of the park. The major lakes in the park are home to Walleye , Northern pike , Muskellunge , Smallmouth bass , and Crappie . In

8748-405: The mid-1800s. Early skiers used one long pole or spear in addition to the skis. The first depiction of a skier with two ski poles dates to 1741. Traditional skis, used for snow travel in Norway and elsewhere into the 1800s, often comprised one short ski with a natural fur traction surface , the andor , and one long for gliding, the langski —one being up to 100 cm (39 in) longer than

8856-536: The minor lakes that dot the park, Largemouth bass , Lake trout , Bluegill and other small sunfish and Yellow Perch are also found, although not every lake has every species. For example, Lake Trout are found primarily in Cruiser Lake north of Kettle Falls. Shoepack and Root (Little Shoepack) lakes in the center of the park's peninsula are home to the Shoepack strain of Muskellunge , distinctly different from

8964-480: The north side of the Kabetogama Peninsula. Surveyor's Island Surveyor's Island is on the east end of Rainy Lake marking the entry to the American Channel to Kettle Falls. Here the boundary surveyors had a campsite during the early 1900s. Voyageurs would use this island as a stop before they entered the open waters of Rainy Lake. Camp Marston Camp Marston was where Iowa State University operated

9072-463: The northern shore of Kabetogama Lake. Hacksaw Pass Here, visitors may visit several wetlands, the Gold Portage, Woodenfrog family residence and other sites related to Ojibwe history. Hoist Bay Hoist Bay has been an area of logging and seasonal recreation. You can spot piers of the former railroad trestle, and buildings from, the resort era. The area is set up for day use. The bay

9180-467: The oldest rocks on the North American continent. Formed during the early ages of the earth formation, the rocks of the park were compressed, and folded under tremendous pressure. Then molten flows of lava intruded through the layers creating a mosaic of various gneiss and granites. Over time, additional layers of sedimentary rocks developed on top, to be stripped away by the continental glaciers of

9288-414: The other one during endurance events; this became known as the "marathon skate". The word ski comes from the Old Norse word skíð which means "cleft wood", "stick of wood" or "ski". Norwegian language does not use a verb-form equivalent in idiomatic speech, unlike English "to ski". In modern Norwegian , a variety of terms refer to cross-country skiing, including: In contrast, alpine skiing

9396-750: The other—allowing skiers to propel themselves with a scooter motion. This combination has a long history among the Sami people . Skis up to 280 cm have been produced in Finland, and the longest recorded ski in Norway is 373 cm. Ski warfare , the use of ski-equipped troops in war , is first recorded by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in the 13th century. These troops were reportedly able to cover distances comparable to that of light cavalry . The garrison in Trondheim used skis at least from 1675, and

9504-548: The place of inlets"). Early documents lists the portion of Rainy Lake east of the Brule Narrows as "Cristinaux [Cree] Lake" or as "Little Lake." Geologically Rainy Lake is part of the Superior Craton of the Canadian Shield and retains features associated with it, such as a large, ancient caldera and fault lines that can be clearly seen in satellite images of the lake. The Rainy Lake - Seine River Fault zone

9612-591: The requirements imposed by relevant jurisdictions while traveling or fishing on Rainy Lake (see External links ). Visitors to Canada must report to a Canada Customs office before going ashore in Canada. However, US and Canadian citizens and permanent residents traveling on the lake who wish to go ashore can apply for a CANPASS Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit allowing them to enter into Canada without reporting to Canadian customs. Boaters entering US waters from Canada, and who are citizens or permanent residents of

9720-579: The resort recreation period. The site's historic buildings are set among large scenic pine trees. The site consists of I.W. Stevens' home, a guest cabin, sauna, generator shed, and root cellar. I.W. Stevens acquired the property from the Virginia & Rainy Lake Lumber Company. The company chose not to cut the red pine on the site and many of the trees have reached a large, mature state. Casareto Summer Cabin The Casareto Summer Cabin

9828-442: The rules of the International Paralympic Committee . These are divided into several categories for people who are missing limbs, have amputations, are blind, or have any other physical disability, to continue their sport. Cross-country skiing has two basic propulsion techniques, which apply to different surfaces: classic (undisturbed snow and tracked snow) and skate skiing (firm, smooth snow surfaces). The classic technique relies on

9936-408: The snow beneath the feet of the skier; side-cut affects the ease of turning; width affects forward friction; overall area on the snow affects bearing capacity; and tip geometry affects the ability to penetrate new snow or to stay in a track. Each of the following ski types has a different combination of these attributes: Glide waxes enhance the speed of the gliding surface. The wax is either melted on

10044-415: The snow conditions encountered may cause ski slippage (wax too hard for the conditions) or snow sticking to the grip zone (wax too soft for the conditions). Grip waxes generate grip by interacting with snow crystals, which vary with temperature, age and compaction. Hard grip waxes do not work well for snow which has metamorphosed to having coarse grains, whether icy or wet. In these conditions, skiers opt for

10152-561: The soft and fractured ice of the narrows, until reaching the western end of Namakan Lake. The Rudder Bay Trail is a short connecting trail acround the north side of the western Namakan Lake and Voyageur narrows, to the Ash River Visitor Center. Here, it joins into the Voyageur Trail. The Voyageur Trail is a multiple segmented trail, beginning near the Thunderbird Lodge. From Black Bay (Rainy Lake Visitor Center), it

10260-540: The south. The rock under the lake and exposed on many of its islands is an exposed part of the North American craton composed of ancient Precambrian rock. This rock has been significantly affected by glaciation , which dominates much of the recent geologic history of the area. Voyageurs National Park maintains an extensive network of 46 boat-in camping sites on Rainy Lake, in addition to hiking trails and designated snowmobile trails for winter use. The lake

10368-462: The sport. Modern cross-country skiing is similar to the original form of skiing, from which all skiing disciplines evolved, including alpine skiing , ski jumping and Telemark skiing . Skiers propel themselves either by striding forward (classic style) or side-to-side in a skating motion (skate skiing), aided by arms pushing on ski poles against the snow. It is practised in regions with snow-covered landscapes, including Europe , Canada , Russia ,

10476-402: The success of Bill Koch ( United States ) in 1982 Cross-country Skiing Championships drew more attention to the skating style. Norwegian skier Ove Aunli started using the technique in 1984, when he found it to be much faster than classic style. Finnish skier, Pauli Siitonen , developed a one-sided variant of the style in the 1970s, leaving one ski in the track while skating to the side with

10584-594: The summer and skiers in the winter. Groomed trail skiing occurs at facilities such as Nordmarka (Oslo), Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort and Gatineau Park in Quebec , where trails are laid out and groomed for both classic and skate-skiing. Such grooming and track setting (for classic technique) requires specialized equipment and techniques that adapt to the condition of the snow. Trail preparation employs snow machines which tow snow-compaction, texturing and track-setting devices. Groomers must adapt such equipment to

10692-492: The summer. Skis can also be used to access backcountry alpine climbing routes when snow is off the technical route, but still covers the hiking trail. In some countries, organizations maintain a network of huts for use by cross-country skiers in wintertime. For example, the Norwegian Trekking Association maintains over 400 huts stretching across thousands of kilometres of trails which hikers can use in

10800-690: The technique is the "marathon skate" or "Siitonen step", where the skier leaves one ski in the track while skating outwards to the side with the other ski. Turns, used while descending or for braking, include the snowplough (or "wedge turn"), the stem christie (or "wedge christie"), parallel turn , and the Telemark turn . The step turn is used for maintaining speed during descents or out of track on flats. Equipment comprises skis, poles, boots and bindings; these vary according to: Skis used in cross-country are lighter and narrower than those used in alpine skiing . Ski bottoms are designed to provide

10908-500: The very old Sami word čuoigat for skiing. Egil Skallagrimsson 's 950 CE saga describes King Haakon the Good 's practice of sending his tax collectors out on skis. The Gulating law (1274) stated that "No moose shall be disturbed by skiers on private land." Cross-country skiing evolved from a utilitarian means of transportation to being a worldwide recreational activity and sport, which branched out into other forms of skiing starting in

11016-606: The winter. In October 2022, a male cougar was spotted by a camera trap in the Park boundaries. Bald eagle , loon , double-crested cormorant , owl , and warblers are common birds found. The park was first proposed in April 1891 by the Minnesota Legislature in a resolution requesting that the president create a national park in the state. It wasn't until nearly eighty years later that federal legislation authorizing

11124-660: The word Skilaufen was used in German in the same sense as Norwegian : skiløping . Recreational cross-country skiing includes ski touring and groomed-trail skiing, typically at resorts or in parklands. It is an accessible form of recreation for persons with vision and mobility impairments . A related form of recreation is dog skijoring —a winter sport where a cross-country skier is assisted by one or more dogs. Ski touring takes place off- piste and outside of ski resorts . Tours may extend over multiple days. Typically, skis , bindings , and boots allow for free movement of

11232-471: Was banned on Kabetogama Lake. By 1942 only 10 licensed family operations were active. Old fishing camps and net-tarring sites still exist in the park. The best preserved is the Oveson Fish Camp (c. 1950s). The park has three visitor centers for obtaining information, viewing films, and seeing exhibits about the park's geology, wildlife, plants, and history: Kettle Falls Hotel Kettle Falls

11340-465: Was experimented with early in the 20th Century, but was not widely adopted until the 1980s. Johan Grøttumsbråten used the skating technique at the 1931 World Championship in Oberhof, one of the earliest recorded use of skating in competitive cross-country skiing. This technique was later used in ski orienteering in the 1960s on roads and other firm surfaces. It became widespread during the 1980s after

11448-585: Was the constant need for water that caused the dams to be constructed at International Falls, Kettle Falls, and Squirrel Falls in the early 1900s. The Virginia and Rainy Lake Lumber Company harvested trees to the east in Saint Louis County . They rafted logs down river to Hoist Bay until 1929. Hoist Bay is named for the machinery used to hoist floating logs out of the lake. Trains then took them to sawmills in Virginia, Minnesota . The logging has altered

11556-474: Was the demand for beaver pelts that brought the fur traders. As competition in the east depleted the beaver, the voyageurs expanded their range into the northwest territories of North America. Here along the modern border of the United States and Canada, the Cree , Monsoni, and Assiniboine tribes were first Native American contacts. By the mid-18th century these people had abandoned the Rainy Lake area, to

11664-435: Was visible from the lake just north of Harrison Narrows; however, the lodge collapsed in 2014 due to a combination of structural weakness, incomplete maintenance, and heavy weather. The lodge site was subsequently cleared and the lodge's remains were put in storage for a possible rebuilding. Safe channels are marked in the main lakes by the U.S. Coast Guard . When upbound in the lakes, there are green numbered buoys that mark

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