Canoeing the Boundary Waters
August 09, 2021
This past week I took a canoe trip with my brothers into the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area. The Boundary Waters is a million-acre wilderness in the Arrowhead Region of northeast Minnesota. Bordering Canada, the area contains over 1,100 lakes, rivers, and waterways interconnected by short trails or “portages.” National Geographic magazine describes it as a must-see destination for outdoor recreational enthusiasts. Approximately 80% of the wilderness is forest, with the remaining 20% water. Native wildlife includes deer, black bear, moose, beaver, otter, mink, lynx, bobcat, and Timberwolf. Bird-life include bald eagle, osprey, blue heron, and the loon. The region is the largest remaining area of uncut forest in the eastern portion of the United States. It was a perfect back-to-nature excursion for me.
The whole Boundary Waters region is under the US Forest Service. Conservation efforts began in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the early 1960s that conservationists began organizing more formally to preserve and protect the wilderness. In 1964 federal legislation designated the area as a wilderness. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area Act, permanently banning logging and motorized boat usage and forever preserving the area. Now recreational permit holders are required to “leave no trace” and to “pack out” what you “pack in.” A current fire ban due to a severe drought meant we were prohibited from any campfires.
Whenever I am out in Mother Nature, I am reminded of risk management and the importance of prudent thinking. Like financial planning, the bedrock to any safe journey is a well-planned trip, including plenty of warm clothing, ample food, shelter, and purified water. My childhood Boy Scout days taught me to always be prepared and to expect bumps or surprises along (just like the markets). Within a moment your circumstances and comfort could change. Pack some extra layers of clothing in case the temperatures drop. Paddle near the shoreline in extreme wind conditions and avoid unsafe waves that could capsize your canoe and ruin your day and dry gear. In the evenings, clear your campsite of any food that might attract a bear by hanging your food in a bear bag high in the trees. Watch your footing while portaging a canoe on your shoulders. Along the way, the risks are always present.
While there may be many risks to a wilderness adventure, the upsides are immense. Every moment there is something to soak in: a pretty sunset; the wail of a loon at dust; the crackle of campfire ambers, the inhale of fresh air, a grazing moose at the water’s edge; or, the soaring grace of a bald eagle.
Completing a successful outdoor adventure can have its ups and downs, but if planned appropriately and prudently managed, it can be a very gratifying experience. Next time you take an adventure, plan carefully, expect some challenges, and smell the roses along the way.
Gary Martin
