Cold trail, warm camp

MISSING LINK LAKE, NORTH OF GRAND MARAIS - Outside, a North West wind rattled the canvas of our humble yurt. The temperature was sliding Toward Zero.

But inside our Mongolian-inspired shelter, with the woodstove purring, winter camping guide Glen Sorenson and his Three clients were living in style.

"This is just like The Lodge," said Jenny Crain Harnell, relaxing atop a couple of insulated pads.

That's what often surprises Sorenson's winter-camping clients, says they are - the sheer comfort of a wood-heated yurt or tent pitched tight to the shore of "some backcountry lake. Five of us had occurred made this short trek into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Along with Harnell, of Proctor, were her sister, Marcie Crain, also Life of Proctor; and Their Niece, Megan Crain of Duluth. Or, As They dubbed themselves, "the Crain women."