This 1954 film was produced and directed by Roy Dale Sanders for the Minnesota Foundation. It's a classic. I think Sigurd Olson is one of the paddlers.
Wow, great film. It is now over 60 years later, and the 17-foot Grumman remains essentially unchanged. I have to admit, I am thinking of buying one. I have enjoyed paddling lighter, sleeker kevlar boats, but I am somewhat attracted to the idea of buying a Grumman and knowing that I could probably use it for the rest of my life.
Great time watching this. Reminded of two things, being back at school watching educational films and that Men were Men back then. They didn't worry about no drowning. Where's their PFD's.
Great stuff Kevin. Thanks for uploading and sharing this classic - there's a lot of outdoors people who could learn a lot from this movie and the ethos it portrays...
When my dad was alive and in good health 20+ years ago, we often talked of using traditional equipment (canvas tents, canvas canoes, etc) for the challenge and nostalgia of it. Though today's hammock campers in a way have taken the Baker Tent concept to a different level not unlike the old canvas tents- that would be nice being able to point the open end towards the east overlooking the lake:-).
Sigurd Olson has been one of my favorite naturalist writers for 20+ years. Incredible film! I like the camera attached to the rifle stock, film, not shoot,
'mornin, Kevin; glad 2 watch these from days of yore.Thanks 4 sharing with us. Hoping all's well safe & warm,there Happy Trails From Down East ATB Terry
I'm thinking it would be a great film project this summer to do something similar but updated. Of course, I have no idea how to fund something like that...but it would be a cool project. Maybe Kickstarter?
You could start a Kickstarter campaign..or if you are actually serious about trying to film something like this, you could get some sponsors on board. Possibly even a Government initiative, like a wilderness documentary that promotes Algonquin and getting outdoors! Just an idea, always wanted to create an educational video like this for Algonquin.
great video, i always leave firewood for the next campers ,Lots of great advice and common since, i only disagree with using leaves to start a campfire, they suck as a campfire starter, thank you for sharing :)
Kevin,i gave the gang at bwca.com a link to this great old video and the folks there felt the guy in the campaign hat was not Sig,who by the way pushed the brim back on his.maybe in a few days people will come on and ID the paddlers who i would guess are guides from the way they do all the camp chores and handle the canoe. thanks again.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news... but I checked with the Listening Point Foundation in Ely, MN, who checked with Sig's long time friend and biographer about the video, and he said, "That's a cool film, but that's not Sig." Sig was 55 when this film was made, with white hair. It's still an awesome film.
I pronounce it portage too. Not the affected por-TA-ge. I had to laugh how the narrator is preaching the wilderness ethos and then this buffoon picks up a wild fox cub whose mother is ready to pounce on him from the nearest tree.
