QUESTION NUMBER 6:

Why should we consider North Country to handle our trip?



NORTH COUNTRY'S ANSWER:

The answer to this question should best come from our customers, not from us. Almost any business that has remained successful after the first three to five years probably has achieved that mark through repeat customers. We hear many comments from past guests as they book their second trip with us (or fifth, or fifteenth). We would say, however, that the single reason we hear from most of our customers as to why the chose us to again outfit their trip is our individual, personalized, pre-trip customer service. We make every effort to match your trip expectations to the areas and lakes that will provide the best outdoor experience for you. We pick your entry point and design your trip route around you; we don’t fit your party into an "off the shelf" trip that is convenient for us.

About Our Equipment

We outfit our parties with exactly the same "top-of-the-line" equipment we use ourselves. Our ultra-lightweight materials are built to our demanding specifications. This allows us to provide our customers with safe, strong, comfortable equipment. Our suppliers are recognized by outdoorsmen as leaders in their respective fields.

Your complete outfit will be packed in rugged cordura nylon duluth packs. It will consist of an oversized Eureka tent, comfortable Kelty, Slumberjack, or Everest Elite sleeping bags, soft Therm-A-Rest sleeping pads, and all necessary Mirro cookware and Lexan eating utensils. Our checklists continue with no cost extras such as Coleman stoves & fuel, saws, axes, rope and fire grates to insure a memorable trip. Optional equipment in the form of lanterns and camp stoves are available for the asking. Your custom food packs, along with the packs supplied for your personal items, are stowed in are stowed in an ultra-light canoe from Mad River, Dagger, Old Town, or Alumacraft. Our canoes can save as much as 35 pounds over the weight of the standard weight, less costly, canoes provided by some outfitters.

About Our Food

We take great pride in our food packs. Personally trail testing freeze-dried foods from many suppliers has helped us choose a variety of brands and menus that are the tastiest, most nutritious, and easiest to prepare. We then pack quantities to satisfy north country
appetites. Included in our food packs are an ample supply of snacks, staples, and cleaning supplies. Most of our parties elect to have one of our fresh meat selections the first night out. Of course our featured items are our Certified Angus Beef™ Sirloin Steaks. For the 2001 season, North Country became the first and only outfitter in North America licensed by the American Angus Association to offer this product. The next morning you can find fresh eggs along with bacon, sausage, or ham in your frying pan. For fish: our private blended secret breading will be packed along with shortening, tarter sauce, and lemon juice. You can be sure our food packers will have included "a little something extra" for a special treat while you are in the woods.

Our governmentally licensed and inspected food packing facility operates under the direction of our on-site / on-staff, Minnesota State licensed food director. Very few outfitters qualify for this restaurant level of food handling: just another example of North Country’s superior level of quality.

About Our Accommodations

Most of our parties arrive the evening before their trip begins, and depart for home the morning after they return from the canoe trails. Private, comfortable, lakeside rooms here at our base are yours for a good night’s rest. Parties may choose our motel style rooms featuring single beds and private, attached restrooms. We also offer private bunkrooms utilizing bunkbeds & sleeping bags, and central shower facilities. Full menu dinner meals are available within 150 yards of our base, or if you prefer, 10 minutes away in Ely.

Our Trip Mapping Services

We take our commitment of providing the most professional outfitting services, seriously. Leaving nothing about your canoe trip to chance, we provide an in-depth questionnaire covering your interests, expectations, and experience level as part of our initial reservation form. This is how we learn what makes your party unique from our other customers, and forms the basis of planning a customized route. Your individual trip requirements, such as your basic reasons for taking a canoe trip, ability level, number of travel days, fishing expectations, etc., Are matched by us to the areas of the BWCA and Quetico Park that will best meet your vacation goals. Upon your arrival, we will discuss these areas with you, so you can make the final decision on which lakes will be right for your party. While routing your trip on large scale waterproof maps, we add our personal comments on the best campsites and fishing areas, portage crossings, and updated information on the area in general. Whether your interests are that of the camper/canoeist, naturalist, historian, photographer, or angler, you can be assured that you will be fully prepared for a memorable north country experience.

About Our Orientation Process

Upon your arrival at out base, our staff will review the equipment and food. This review is normally conducted by the individual staff members who actually did your packing. After your trip has been mapped out personally by North Country’s owner, you are free to paddle your canoe, swim, fish, relax on the decks as the sun goes down, or pick up a few pointers in our shop. The morning your trip is to begin, a hot continental breakfast will be available for a quick and nourishing start to a busy day.