Bryan Hansel
@bryanhansel.com
Photographer and photo workshop leader specializing in seascapes, landscapes & nightscapes. Fav place: Boundary Waters. A good Minnesotan. Grand Marais. Learn more at www.bryanhansel.com. I write at bryanhansel.substack.com and at paddlinglight.com.
Most people don't understand the other dangers of cold water exposure and think it's hypothermia that will kill you. It will, but before you get to that state cold shock and cold incapacitation will likely kill you first. Learn more about these dangers.
Woman Washed Off Breakwater and Into Lake Superior
In early November 2025, several people were f'ing around on a breakwater during a gales warning on Lake Superior, and they were about to find out. Waves ranged from 10 to 12 feet, and they were breaking over breakwater. A large enough wave hit and washed one of the group into Lake Superior. The video below shows the wave and the woman getting washed into the big lake. Water temps were around 50°F, which is very cold. Luckily, she survived. While I've written about cold water before, this was a good reminder to write about it again.
www.paddlinglight.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Most people don't understand the other dangers of cold water exposure and think it's hypothermia that will kill you. It will, but before you get to that state cold shock and cold incapacitation will likely kill you first. Learn more about these dangers.
Not a bad sunrise. Not bad at all.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior
November 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Not a bad sunrise. Not bad at all.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior
This is a selfie and it's always been one of my favorite self portraits.
November 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This is a selfie and it's always been one of my favorite self portraits.
Silent Sports Magazine ran a profile piece on me and my photography. You can read it at the link.
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
Bryan Hansel - Silent Sports
Minnesota landscape photographer Bryan Hansel caught COVID early in 2024 and remained ill for months. “I remember not having any energy at all,” Hansel recalls, “just kind of …
silentsportsmagazine.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Silent Sports Magazine ran a profile piece on me and my photography. You can read it at the link.
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
silentsportsmagazine.com/stories/brya...
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: A National Treasure
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: A National Treasure
One of the wildest routes in the BWCA, shared with family, and just enough light to make magical photos. Plus a ridiculous number of beaver dams, because the Frost River always throws a loop.
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: A National Treasure
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
Photos from my annual October trip to the BWCAW and the gear that I brought
open.substack.com/pub/bryanhan...
I've spent many nights waking up shivering at 3am and many more in that half-sleep state knowing that I was too cold but could do anything about it. I've learned a few tricks that changed everything. Now my nights are comfortable, and yours can be too.
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
How to Stay Warm in Your Sleeping Bag
Learning how to stay warm in your sleeping bag can transform your paddling trips. Learn a few tricks so your nights are comfortable.
www.paddlinglight.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I've spent many nights waking up shivering at 3am and many more in that half-sleep state knowing that I was too cold but could do anything about it. I've learned a few tricks that changed everything. Now my nights are comfortable, and yours can be too.
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how...
I think it's always interesting to see what photos of mine other people like. My wife loves this one. I'm not sold on it, but I didn't delete it because she likes it.
October 31, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I think it's always interesting to see what photos of mine other people like. My wife loves this one. I'm not sold on it, but I didn't delete it because she likes it.
My 2026 Northern Landscape Calendar is available. The images are all from northern #Minnesota.
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
October 30, 2025 at 10:24 PM
My 2026 Northern Landscape Calendar is available. The images are all from northern #Minnesota.
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
It's available here: bryanhansel.com/out/calendar
Sunrise over Lake Superior on Minnesota's north shore
October 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Sunrise over Lake Superior on Minnesota's north shore
I had a great Lake Superior sunrise on Sunday morning!
October 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I had a great Lake Superior sunrise on Sunday morning!
Over MEA weekend we paddled the Frost River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Here are a few photos from the trip.
October 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Over MEA weekend we paddled the Frost River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Here are a few photos from the trip.
The ThermoWorks ThermoDrop is a small thermometer that can help you track high and low temps and evaluate how your sleeping bag performs at night. I used it on a recent late fall trip and found some unexpected and surprising results.
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
ThermoDrop Thermometer Review
The ThermoWorks ThermoDrop is a small thermometer that can help you track high and low temps and evaluate how your sleeping bag performs. I used it on a recent late fall trip and found some unexpected...
www.paddlinglight.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:03 PM
The ThermoWorks ThermoDrop is a small thermometer that can help you track high and low temps and evaluate how your sleeping bag performs at night. I used it on a recent late fall trip and found some unexpected and surprising results.
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/ther...
I just had a cancellation on my December 5 to 7th Seascapes of Lake Superior Photo Workshop in Grand Marais, MN. You should come. www.bryanhansel.com/shop/seascap...
Seascapes of Lake Superior Photo Workshop ⋆ Bryan Hansel Photography
Seascapes of Lake Superior Photography Workshop Register Now → Dates: December 5 to 7, 2025 Location: Grand Marais, MN Cost: $499 Explore the rugged and
www.bryanhansel.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I just had a cancellation on my December 5 to 7th Seascapes of Lake Superior Photo Workshop in Grand Marais, MN. You should come. www.bryanhansel.com/shop/seascap...
I laughed out loud when I saw this tent stake bag with a bloody graphic and "Vampire Killing Kit" printed on it. It really struck me in the heart and I couldn't resist its pull. Here's my short review. It was worth it!
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/hal...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/hal...
Halloween-Inspired Tent Stake Bag
A fun tent stake bag inspired by Halloween and horrors. You never know when you might need a Vampire Killing Kit.
www.paddlinglight.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I laughed out loud when I saw this tent stake bag with a bloody graphic and "Vampire Killing Kit" printed on it. It really struck me in the heart and I couldn't resist its pull. Here's my short review. It was worth it!
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/hal...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/hal...
I love northern Minnesota sunrises! Here are a few recent shots. It was worth the hike in to this spot and waking up a 4am to get there.
October 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I love northern Minnesota sunrises! Here are a few recent shots. It was worth the hike in to this spot and waking up a 4am to get there.
Don't mind me; I'm just going to have a little something to eat.
October 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Don't mind me; I'm just going to have a little something to eat.
There's a new attack on public lands. It's a bill with the Orwellian name of "Border Lands Conservation Act." It would open up designated Wilderness Areas to "tactical infrastructure," such as border walls and fences, runways, roads, and surveillance towers.
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/a-t...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/a-t...
A Trojan Horse for Wilderness: Boundary Waters Under Attack, Again
Daily, it seems that there’s a new attack on America’s public lands. This is occurring even though over 74% of Americans support public lands, the public lands are seeing record visitation showing a s...
www.paddlinglight.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
There's a new attack on public lands. It's a bill with the Orwellian name of "Border Lands Conservation Act." It would open up designated Wilderness Areas to "tactical infrastructure," such as border walls and fences, runways, roads, and surveillance towers.
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/a-t...
www.paddlinglight.com/articles/a-t...
Dusk at Craters of the Moon National Monument
September 26, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Dusk at Craters of the Moon National Monument
Trump and the Republicans are not only threatening to shut down the government; they are threatening to fire all the National Park Service employees. Why? So they can give tax breaks to billionaires, throw people off their health insurance, and close rural hospitals. They are messed up in the head.
September 25, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Trump and the Republicans are not only threatening to shut down the government; they are threatening to fire all the National Park Service employees. Why? So they can give tax breaks to billionaires, throw people off their health insurance, and close rural hospitals. They are messed up in the head.
Western Mountaineering FlyLite Sleeping Bag First Look www.paddlinglight.com/articles/wes...
Western Mountaineering FlyLite Sleeping Bag First Look
Here's a first look at the ultra-lightweight Western Mountaineering FlyLite sleeping bag. I hope this ends up being the perfect summer bag.
www.paddlinglight.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Western Mountaineering FlyLite Sleeping Bag First Look www.paddlinglight.com/articles/wes...
Reposted by Bryan Hansel
there is a line from a YES song that reminds me of the Tetons.
"Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there"
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/photos-fro...
@bryanhansel.com has been in the Tetons (and I have envy, not been there in a few years)
"Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there"
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/photos-fro...
@bryanhansel.com has been in the Tetons (and I have envy, not been there in a few years)
Photos From the Tetons
As I write this from my tent, I've just finished up teaching two photo workshops in Grand Teton National Park and have spent two weeks in the park.
bryanhansel.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:53 PM
there is a line from a YES song that reminds me of the Tetons.
"Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there"
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/photos-fro...
@bryanhansel.com has been in the Tetons (and I have envy, not been there in a few years)
"Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there"
bryanhansel.substack.com/p/photos-fro...
@bryanhansel.com has been in the Tetons (and I have envy, not been there in a few years)
Reposted by Bryan Hansel
The Blue Hour
A Magic and Often Missed Time for Photography
bryanhansel.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The Blue Hour
A Magic and Often Missed Time for Photography
open.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM