A million acres of wilderness encompassing over a thousand lakes and streams and over fifteen hundred miles of canoe routes comprises the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) of northeastern Minnesota. The first white people to visit this area, the Voyageurs, were some of the most colorful people in North America's history, reputedly paddling seventeen to eighteen hours a day and carrying 180-270 pounds per man over lengthy portages. These powerful French Canadian boatmen would start out from Montreal, or nearby regions, in 25-foot birchbark canoes carrying goods to trade with the Indians for luxurious pelts of beaver, otter, mink and muskrat.
The Voyageur routes through the vast wilds of modern day Ontario and Minnesota ultimately became the international border between the United States and Canada. Part of the border agreement was the commitment that "all the water communications and all the usual portages shall be free and open to the use of the citizens and subjects of both countries". BWCA offers today's decidedly more wimpy canoeist an opportunity to experience extended travel across the many lakes and rivers of this area coupled with shorter portages of modern, much-lighter canoeing gear. We probably won't canoe over 5-6 hours a day and it is highly unlikely any of us will be capable of carrying much more than 50-100 pounds very far. What we have planned might have been unchallenging for the Voyageurs but should be adequately challenging for us.
Participants, canoes, and gear are transported from Ely to the chosen BWCA entry point by our outfitter, Voyageurs North, run by the very helpful John and Lynn O'Kane. For seven days we paddle as the French Canadian Voyageurs did in the early 1800's, stopping at established campsites along the way. Located on spectacularly isolated lakes, these primitive campsites include a fire ring, tent pads, and a privy. After a week of paddling, we are returned with all of the rental gear to Ely by the outfitter.
Originates @ Ely, Minnesota.
Fishing
Portage
