WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

LynnAnne Vesper has been a canoe guide for over 20 years. She also speaks French and Swedish, is a Fur Trade history buff, and on her days off enjoys what she calls "Extreme Day Trips" in the Boundary Waters. LynnAnne has been steering canoes since she was 10 and last year she completed a "dream" canoe trip of the Border Route, along with a group of women representing six generations from their 20s to their 70s, including her mother Bonnie, who was 79 when they made the trip.

In this June, 2025 edition of "Keep it Wild," we talk with Jo Swanson, director of the Friends of the Superior National Forest. Formerly known as the Minnesota Volunteer Connection, the Friends of SNF partners with the U.S. Forest Service on maintenance projects throughout the Superior National Forest, including the BWCAW, and area campgrounds and trails. The group is currently looking for volunteers to help with a number of projects this summer, including pulling invasive plants at the Pincushion Mountains trail system outside of Grand Marais, and trail maintenance work on the Moss and South Lake trails on the Gunflint Trail. (Photo courtesy of Friends of SNF)

In this episode of the Boundary Waters Podcast we talk to Chris Evavold about the value of public lands and traveling as a family over many years, and in all seasons. In the second half we talk with Cory Dack, a wilderness guide, youth instructor and world adventurer. Cory digs deep into the topic of access to public land and wild spaces, and the barriers often encountered by people of color, who, like others, are in search of a more meaningful connection to wild places and natural areas like the BWCAW.

In this edition of "Keep it Wild" we talk with Dave Seaton at Hungry Jack Outfitters. An official Boundary Waters Collaborator and permit issue station, Hungry Jack Outfitters just saw "ice out," and are ready for the paddling season. Dave explains the new permit pickup options and takes us through how to change the pickup location through your reservation at rec.gov. An advocate for wilderness travel for 35 years, Dave also provides some tips for a successful trip that promotes Leave No Trace principles. Photo of Hungry Jack Lake by Dennis Chick.

In this episode we talk with Mike Danielsen, who philosophizes about losing things while gaining others; including what can happen when a bear steals your pack. We also meet David Meier, longtime paddler and wilderness advocate for Friends of the Boundary Waters. David shares a story about the July 4th, 1999 Blowdown, which also happened to be he and his wife's honeymoon in the Boundary Waters.

The Superior National Forest is home to black bears, who are smart, have a good memory and most often prefer to keep to themselves. With increased human activity in the Wilderness, there is a chance that visitors to the BWCAW may encounter a wild bear. In this edition of Keep it Wild, Cheron Ferland, regional wildlife program manager for the Superior National Forest shares best practices and resources to help campers be “bear aware” as we move into early spring in the BWCAW. Keep it Wild is a Boundary Waters Podcast monthly feature. For bear-human conflict reports on the Superior National Forest contact the USFS: www.fs.usda.gov/main/superior/home (call one of the Ranger District offices or email the Tip Line: sm.fs.suf-tipline@usda.gov) More information on living with bears and where to find bear-friendly food containers: Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Bear-resistant Products https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-resistant-products/ MNDNR BearWise Living with Bears https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bears/index.html US Forest Service Bear Aware https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/bears Bear Canisters 101 https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bear-resistant-canisters.html Keep it Wild is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Boundary Waters Podcast sat down with Peter Komendowski, a wilderness traveler and president of The Partnership for a Healthy Iowa--a group that provides young people with resources to live free of alcohol, drugs and high-risk behaviors. In this insightful interview, Peter shares the story of a Boundary Waters trip he took with his two teenage sons and an up-close bear encounter. We also discuss his family connection to Ukraine, the symbolism of bears, what it means to move at "human speed" and the gifts of what Peter calls "traveling at the edge of the material earth."

The Hudson Bay Girls is an all-female canoe team embarking on a groundbreaking expedition to paddle a historic Voyageur Fur Trading Route - a 1,200-mile journey from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay, Canada. The WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast met them at Canoecopia where they talked about their plans for the trip and their mission to raise awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship, outdoor education, and gender equality in outdoor spaces. Learn more at https://www.hudsonbaygirls.com/home

Krystal and Tina have been traveling together for twenty years--mostly in boats--almost all of them canoes--and always with their dogs. Wilderness lovers and skilled paddlers, they visit the Boundary Waters as often as they possibly can, and enjoy outdoor adventure in all kinds of weather and conditions. In this episode, they talk about dehydrating food for long trips, the division of duties when they are at camp and how their love and appreciation for the wilderness helped them get through the aftermath of a serious car crash, and Krystal's recovery from injuries that occurred in the accident. The Boundary Waters Podcast is sponsored in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

In the February 2025 episode of "Keep it Wild," we learn more about hiking trails in the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Our guest is Lucas Raudabaugh of the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC), a non-profit group of volunteers that helps to maintain over 70 miles of trails in the BWCAW. They are official partners of the Superior National Forest, and cooperate with that agency within the USFS, as well as with other trail partners on tread rehabilitation, campsite maintenance and data collection. (Photo courtesy of Lucas Raudabaugh.) To learn more visit: https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/

Episode 115--Kyle Johnson is relatively new to the Boundary Waters, but so far has experienced the wilderness in all seasons, including solo trips in early spring and late fall. Kyle sets the scene for a recent outing in late October, where he encountered extreme quiet conditions, the mid-stages of wildfire ecology after the Ham Lake fire of 2007, a night perfect for astro photography, plus a wide range of temperatures. Kyle also shares the exciting story of catching his first walleye--one of the rare, blue walleyes who live in certain lakes in northern Minnesota and Canada. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Johnson)

In this edition of KEEP IT WILD, the Boundary Waters Podcast speaks with U.S. Forest Service Information Officer Joy Vandrie about the January 29th "Go Live" start of the 2025 permit reservation season. Joy emphasizes the importance of setting up an account on recreation.gov before the launch and highlights the 72 entry points with daily permit limits, including two new entry points created this year, for through-hikers in the wilderness. Vandrie notes that over 11,000 permits were canceled last year, with 58% reserved in January or early February. She urges travelers to only reserve what you need and to cancel early so other travelers have an opportunity to plan a visit. Vandrie also stresses the importance of using a valid email for rec.gov accounts for emergency notifications. Keep it Wild is a regular feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast (Photo by Dante Gilbert)

Episode 114 of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast features wilderness stories recorded at Canoecopia 2024. We hear from winter adventurers Brad Friend (Miyagi Travel) and Cyndi Guffey (pictured). We also hear fond memories about wilderness travelers who have passed along a legacy of appreciation and knowledge about the wilderness, and are still inspiring others to visit the Boundary Waters. With thanks to Brad, Cyndi, Jeff Wadley and Dan Morgan for sharing your stories with all of us! And mark your calendars--the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast will be at Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin, March 7 through 9, 2025. Please find our booth in the exhibit hall lobby and say hello. We would love to hear your Boundary Waters stories and record them for future episodes.

In this special, extended episode of "Keep it Wild," Ann Schwaller, a designated areas specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, shares the history of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as a certified, Dark Sky Sanctuary--a designation awarded by Dark Sky International in September, 2020. She explains her personal connection to the preservation of natural dark skies, and why the Dark Sky Sanctuary designation is considered "a fragile situation," due to the encroachment of light pollution at the edge of the wilderness, as well as light domes from the urban areas of Thunder Bay, Grand Marais, Ely and even as far away as Duluth. "Keep it Wild" is a regular feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast. To learn more, visit darksky.org

Signe and Ruben Hushagen have made a tradition of camping in the BWCAW every year, to celebrate their May birthdays. This year they decided to move their annual trip to September, to mark their child Ronan's first birthday. In this episode, Signe shares how to go about planning for a wilderness trip with a toddler--from choosing a simple route to researching the best gear options for young children. She also talks about what it means for her as a parent, to see the wilderness through brand, new eyes. The trip went so well the family is already planning for next year. (Photos courtesy of Signe and Ruben Hushagen, 2024)

It's self-permit season in the wilderness! Tim Engrav from the Lac La Croix District of the Superior National Forest, shares more about self-issue permits and the reasons why it's important to fill one out, even if you are visiting for the day. Plus, a quick ice report and a reminder about ice safety.

A story of family unity and lots of water--In Episode 112 of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast, wilderness traveler Peter Halverson shares the tale of his family's June 2024 Boundary Waters trip to Lac la Croix, which coincided with an unusually strong storm that dropped three to eight inches of rain over NE Minnesota. On June 18th, the storm washed out roads from International Falls to the North Shore of Lake Superior, and many locations experienced flash flooding and high water conditions--including in the BWCAW. Even after the rain stopped, the water continued to rise. With thanks to Peter for sharing this epic tale of adventure with WTIP. Photo courtesy of Peter Halverson.

In the October 2024 edition of "Keep it Wild," Fire Staff Officer Nick Petrack reports on the prevailing, dry conditions in the BWCAW and shares insights about human-caused wildfires in the Superior National Forest, which account for about half of wild fire incidents in the Forest each year. Photo courtesy of Dewey Pihlman, 2019

Sam Nichols works in the Alaskan wilderness on an expedition ship in the summer. This year on a break from work, he took a memorable canoe trip in the Boundary Waters, along with his friend Jimmy. They explored the Border Route Trail and got to know Rose Lake, up close and personal. Plus, a fresh segment of "Keep It Wild," with a summer bear report. The Boundary Waters Podcast is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. (Photo of Rose Falls, courtesy of Sam Nichols)

Episode 110 of the WTIP Boundary Waters podcast was recorded on a windy day at Camp Menogyn on West Bearskin Lake at the edge of the BWCAW. In his first season as a canoe guide for Menogyn, Dante Gilbert shares the story of paddling the old Fur Trade route from Crane Lake to Grand Portage with a group of five campers and their guide. Dante also explains his personal approach to finding and experiencing wilderness, from the backcountry to a city park near you. Plus--a bonus segment of 'Keep it Wild" about the seven principles of "Leave No Trace." The Boundary Waters Podcast is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

In the August segment we speak with Wilderness Operations Supervisor Chris Maher about human-caused impacts to wilderness character including burning trash or putting it in the latrine, building "furniture" on campsites, pounding nails in trees and other damage to trees. Chris also covers what the follow up to these infractions might be. "Keep it Wild" is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

Episode 109 is about life-long connections to the wilderness and what happens when life circumstances and health conditions change the way families are able to experience the Boundary Waters. Featuring a daughter-father interview by Lindsey Gau following her dad's recent dementia diagnosis and follow up discussion about dads, dementia and day trips. Plus a great "Keep it Wild" interview with USFS Wilderness Ranger Richard Pulsfus, who has worked on the Superior National Forest for 20 years.

"Choose your adventure," those are the words of William Choi, who spoke with the Boundary Waters Podcast about a family canoe trip in the BWCAW with three kids, two aluminum canoes, and exploring a new route. We also check in with Steve Piragis, of Piragis Outfitters in Ely, Minn, following a June 18th storm that dumped 4.5" of rain (or more), across Northern Minnesota, including the BWCAW. As of June 27th, 2024, some roads within the Superior National Forest remain closed due to flood damage, and water levels remain high in the BWCAW, with rapidly changing conditions and some flooded portages and fast moving water. All that, plus the June edition of "Keep it Wild," our monthly check-in with the Superior National Forest.

This episode is packed with stories from the Wilderness! If you've ever wondered about the permit quota system and how that came to be, you'll want to hear Bill Hansen's interview with Jim Hulbert, one of the people who developed the very first "Visitor Distribution Program," back in the early 1970's. There's also a new segment of "Keep it Wild," which covers BWCAW "Fishing 101." And we've also gathered up a collection of critter stories from Canoecopia 2024. We hear about a wolf "greeter," being charged by a moose, a hungry bear story and what happens when mice attack. Thanks to everyone who shared your stories with WTIP for this diverse, fun and informative episode! (Photo courtesy of Jim Hulbert)

Cory Dack has nearly 20 years of experience in wild places, including 17 years as a canoe guide in the BWCAW. Host Lindsey Gau talks with Cory about de-colonizing outdoor spaces, empowering youth to love the wilderness, social justice and the commonalities between "wilderness medicine" and "street medicine." Cory also shares some of the lessons learned about community building, and friendship on her seven-month through-paddle on the Mississippi River, from the headwaters to the ocean. Plus, a new segment of "Keep it Wild," about being bear-aware in the Boundary Waters. The Boundary Waters Podcast is funded in part by the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Boundary Waters Podcast attended Canoecopia in early March where we were able to connect with over 30 Wilderness travelers who shared stories and travel tips with us. In this episode we hear from four: Jolene Metcalf, Seth Taft, Gillian Fitzgerald and Monica Cofell. Thanks for traveling along with us! There is also a new segment of "Keep it Wild" about planning your early spring adventure in the BWCAW. Plus, a bonus from the archives! Photo courtesy of Seth Taft.

Over the summer of 2023 Aurora Gallagher spent 19 days canoeing and camping in Quetico Provincial Park as part of a YMCA Camp Menogyn trip. Aurora shares what the experience was like, from one week in, then two weeks, and finally how it felt to return home. It's all here--complete with foraging, fishing, traversing over multiple beaver dams, making blueberry crisp and all of the lessons learned along the way. Plus a new segment of Keep it Wild, our monthly check-in with the US Forest Service. This month's topics are augers in the Wilderness and summer jobs in the BWCAW. (Photo by Kian McDonough, 2023)

The WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast talks with Megan McClanahan of the US Forest Service about "Leave No Trace" principles in the winter. She covers the "dos" and "don'ts" of winter camping in the BWCAW, including harvesting firewood, where to build a fire, and what to do if you find a mess that someone else has left behind. "Keep it Wild" can be heard monthly as part of the Boundary Waters Podcast. (Photos courtesy of USDA Forest Service, Superior NF)

This episode is built on the connection between wolves and wilderness. Featuring Ellen Hawkins, a North Shore resident who had an extraordinary wolf encounter in 1985, that has shaped the way she thinks about wolves, wilderness and humans too. After Ellen's story about "the wolf in the window," Giselle Narvaez Rivera from the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN offers some perspective on wolf-human interaction, based on the work being done at the Center to educate others about the lives, behaviors and history of wild wolves. We also have a fresh segment of "Keep it Wild," our monthly check-in with the U.S. Forest Service. The topic of discussion is "Leave No Trace" principles in the winter season, when everything is covered in snow and ice. Photo of a timber wolf near the Sawbill Trail in Tofte, by Clare Shirley.

Catch this timely interview with Maggie Whiting, a USFS information specialist, who tells us everything we need to know ahead of the January 31st "Go Live" start of the BWCAW permit season. She covers all the details, to make your permit reservation experience go as smoothly as possible. Photo courtesy of Barb LaVigne, 2024

In this very special, one-hour episode, you'll meet Lindsey Gau and Bill Hansen, part of our new, rotating crew of podcast hosts. They each share memories from formative canoe trips--both were 15 years old, and included travels with life-long friends. And WTIP introduces a new podcast feature called "Keep it Wild," a conversation with a USFS Wilderness Lead about all things wild. We also say "see you out there" to Joe Friedrichs and M. Baxley, the founders of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast, who in this episode give their parting words, and share interview segments with Emily Ford, Bear Paulsen and Michelle Kwan about connecting to the outdoors. And finally, there's a look back to Christmas 2015 with Dave and Amy Freeman, Ely Wilderness Adventurers who spent Christmas in the BWCAW, complete with cookies and ice luminaries. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Gau)

In this debut segment of "Keep it Wild," USFS Wilderness Operations Lead Megan McClanahan discusses early winter adventuring in the BWCAW, including monitoring the fast-changing ice conditions, preparing for your skating or fishing trip and why it's nice to fill out a self-issue permit before you go. "Keep it Wild" is a new Boundary Waters Podcast special feature! Pictured: Ice safety gear, modeled by Ada Igoe of Tuscarora Lodge & Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail

It's the second duck hunting trip featured on the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast. Podcast friends Dean and Baylee share information about how to successfully hunt waterfowl in the BWCA in this episode. They also paddle alongside Joe and Matthew during an October hunt in 2023. Ducks were found, stories were shared, and the notion of a "mentor in the BWCA waterfowl hunting world" emerged on a crisp autumn day in the wilderness.

It's been a journey. 100 episodes. In this milestone episode, it goes back to the beginning, with Gaby, the German paddler who was featured on Episode One of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast. Over the past 100 episodes, hosts Joe Friedrichs and Matthew Baxley have learned so much about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park. This learning has come, largely, through the stories shared by those who've appeared on the podcast. That learning continues in a deep way with Gaby's return to the podcast. Also featured in this episode is Rick Slatten, the captain of the St. Louis County Rescue Squad. Slatten also appeared on Episode 91 of the podcast, talking with Joe about a capsizing event from May 2023 where the podcast duo faced their most intense experience in the BWCA. Other voices familiar to podcast listeners appear in this episode, including Bear Paulsen, Kevin "The Kman" Kramer, Jana Berka, Aubrey Helmuth Miller, Erik Dickes, Dave Freeman, Shug the Hammock Camper, Josh and Kaylan Dix, Adam Mella, Jason Zabokrtsky, and Ian Tamblyn.

Life can be hard. Its almost always busy. There are responsibilities, tasks, and to-do lists abundant. Anyone who listens to this podcast regularly understands the BWCA offers a relief from these burdens with the anticipation of a profound connection with the real world that wilderness offers. Heath Larson takes on an incredible 6-day solo journey through the wilderness for his second Boundary Waters trip ever. His goal, to explain why this place has captivated his attention in such a profound way. Follow along on his journey, insights and reflections in episode 99 of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

Ernest Oberholtzer is a name that will forever be connected to the Boundary Waters. And yet, far too many paddlers of the canoe-country know neither his story nor his legacy of wilderness protection. Oberholtzer, more commonly known as 'Ober,' first arrived to the Boundary Waters region in 1909 during a college trip to the North Woods. Three years later, an Anishinaabe canoe guide, Billy Magee, traveled with Ober on a canoe journey across Canada. The trip cemented a place in Ober's mind about the power and importance of water and healthy forests. Rainy Lake is located on the far northwestern side of the Boundary Waters region, about 100 miles from Ely. Oberholtzer lived on Mallard Island in Rainy Lake for most of his adult life. These days, Mallard Island is the base of operations for the Oberholtzer Foundation. Each summer, artists, Boundary Waters enthusiasts, and people who appreciate the legacy of Ober, come to gather, create, and connect. Podcast Host Joe Friedrichs was among those who came to Mallard Island in the summer of 2023, as we learn in this episode. Featured in the episode are Rebecca Otto, the executive director of the Oberholtzer Foundation, and Tanya Piatz, a Minnesota artist and birder. Follow the link below to learn more about the Oberholtzer Foundation. https://eober.org

There are new rangers at the Cache Bay Ranger Station in Quetico Provincial Park. For the first time since the passing of Janice Matichuk, the new rangers could become something of a fixture on what is known as Her Island. Matichuk, the longest serving ranger in the history of Quetico, passed away in August 2020. The new rangers are Peter Kranenburg and Stacey Hofer. Both in their late 30s, the young couple celebrated their first year at Cache Bay this summer. They also got married in July, making for a summer Peter and Stacey say they will never forget. Their plan, Peter and Stacey say, is to return to Cache Bay for years to come. The Boundary Waters podcast duo, Matthew Baxley and Joe Friedrichs, visited the Cache Bay Ranger Station in August 2023. They share a full report in this episode.

The paddler profile series continues with the inspiring story of one incredible human's walk across the wilderness. From a boy in Iowa to an adventurer in Ely, this is as much about life's journey as it is about a journey through the woods. And swimming the lakes, in October.

There are unexplainable things that can happen to people in the Boundary Waters. Strange energy. Powerful feelings that someone, or something is nearby. One campsite, located on an island on Tuscarora Lake, is occasionally referenced when this discussion surfaces. It was here, in May 2020, that a young man from Indiana died after their canoe capsized. Others have reported strange energy at the island, in fact leaving the campsite to travel on before the campers spent a night on the island. In this episode, Matthew and Joe travel to this island on Tuscarora Lake. At the island they met Thang Huynh. Thang, his family, and others, were camped on the island in late July. They shared their experience with the podcast duo. Also featured in this episode is Nataly Yokhanis, Billy Cameron's girlfriend up until his passing in 2020. We also hear from Shy-Anne Hovorka, an Indigenous musician, songwriter, and educator who lives in Canada near Lake Superior.

The Barefoot Paddler returns to the podcast, this time to share stories of walking every portage in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Mark Zimmer, more commonly referred to as the Barefoot Paddler, took several years to walk every maintained portage in the BWCA. He tracked his steps and created a map of the portages. He intends to offer this digital map to the paddling community in the near future. Also featured in this episode is co-host Joe Friedrichs sharing an experience from the wilderness on the tail-end of a bout with COVID. The wilderness doesn't cure everything, but it can add some perspective on the journey, as Joe and Matthew Baxley discuss throughout the episode.

For many paddlers, the BWCA is the ultimate destination for all trips. For others, its the training ground for trips further north. Maddy and Cory, two sisters, grew up on the edge of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Both eventually found themselves paddling further north in Canada, though took very different paths to get there. Outdoor writer, Sam Cook, returns to share stories of his own travels into far northern territories. Get inspired and pick up some tips while following along on these tails of adventure.

A large section of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will be closed near the end of the Gunflint Trail due to the ongoing threat from an active wildfire. The closure area will include an area west of the Gunflint Trail. Lakes and campsites included in the closure are Ogishkemuncie Lake, sections of Knife Lake, Ottertrack Lake, Jasper Lake, Kekekabic Lake, Spice Lake, Hanson Lake, and Ester Lake, among many others (see map above). Day-trip paddling and overnight camping is currently prohibited in the closure area. The Kekekabic Trail is also closed at this time. Approximately 80 campsites are off-limits in the BWCA as a result of the fire and subsequent closure area. The closure went into effect Friday, June 16. There is also a campfire ban in effect for the BWCA at this time. Learn all the details in this short track of the podcast.

It's all about hammocks in Episode 92. Back to share stories and information and hammocks and hammock camping in the Boundary Waters is none other than Shug. Well known for his YouTube channel and extensive hammock-camping adventures in the BWCA and along the Superior Hiking Trail, Shug shares information about Superior Gear hammocks, along with tips of the trade for hammocks in the BWCA. Also featured is Kevin "The K-man" Kramer, an experienced Boundary Waters paddler who ditched his tent years ago in exchange for a hammock.

Episode 90 proved to be a pivotal moment in the history of the podcast. A capsized canoe on the Temperance River in the BWCA just days after ice out led to a memorable story that was shared by the four members of the trip: Matthew Baxley, Kevin "The K-Man" Kramer, Omaha Erik Dickes, and Joe Friedrichs. In this episode, we learn more about the experience, including some lessons learned. St. Louis County Rescue Squad Captain Rick Slatten also shares perspective on the situation, specifically about Friedrichs getting pinned behind a white pine in the river after the capsizing event. This episode also features supplemental commentary from the K-man about his family's reaction to the experience, and there's some bonus audio from around a BWCA campfire just days after the canoe capsized on the Temperance River.

The WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast duo of Matthew Baxley and Joe Friedrichs met up with Kevin "The K-man" Kramer and "Omaha" Erik Dickes for the 2023 fishing opener. The group set out in search of fish and open water. Not long after portaging around a stretch of rapids on the Temperance River, the adventure went sideways. This was not the fishing opener the group expected it to be.

The sights of the Boundary Waters are what many people think of when asked what they appreciate about the canoe-country wilderness. Seeing a moose. A sunset from camp. A stringer of walleye in summer. These are all images connected to the Boundary Waters. However, for Paul Dickinson, there's much more than just seeing the wilderness. Dickinson connects to the land, water, and sky in the BWCA via sound. Embracing a relatively new field of biology known as 'soundscape ecology,' Dickinson shares his experiences recording sound in the Boundary Waters.

Just ahead of the upcoming paddling season, there was news of a court case that could end the longstanding practice of using motorized towboats to help Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness visitors get started on their wilderness trips at least temporarily. A national organization, Wilderness Watch, is seeking an injunction to halt the towboat permit system as soon as the ice melts. The US Forest Service allows the use of towboats are used to assist canoeists starting their BWCA journey, dispersing visitors deeper into the million-acre BWCA. Some outfitters at the end of the Gunflint also use the towboat service to help paddlers reach Quetico Provincial Park via the Cache Bay Ranger Station. The towboats typically drop paddlers at American Point on Saganaga Lake, which is partially inside the BWCA. If the federal judge reviewing the injunction rules in favor of Wilderness Watch, it could disrupt the plans of thousands of Minnesotans who have already booked towboat-assisted trips with BWCA and Quetico outfitters. Here in Cook County, the ruling could impact Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters, Seagull Outfitters, and Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. The ruling would have a much larger impact on the Ely area, where many canoeists receive a tow across Moose Lake each season, among other lakes in the Ely area. The organization Wilderness Watch claims that the Forest Service is not upholding its self-imposed restrictions and limitations of towboat services. The Forest Service's most recent figures showed that in 2019, there were 4,817 tow boat trips, and 3,815 total trips in 2020. These figures amount to nearly “tripling the level that the Forest Service pledged that it would limit the total to,” according to officials from Wilderness Watch. We asked officials from the Forest Service to comment on this story and the towboat situation, including if the towboat services can operate while the judge considers a ruling on the injunction. Forest Service spokesperson Joy Liptak VanDrie said the agency does not comment on current litigation. However, she did say that since a current ruling has not been issued in the case, there is no change in towboat services at this time. In this episode, guest contributor and Grand Marais journalist Rhonda Silence speaks with Matthew Ritter of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. Also featured is an interview with Kevin Proescholdt, the Minnesota-based conservation director for Wilderness Watch.

Mushing is the fastest way to travel across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness during the winter. Sled dogs love to run, and the open flats of a BWCA lake can provide stunning areas for experienced and novice mushers to explore. In this episode, we hear from Kate Tender and Allison Opheim. They spent the winter working as sled dog tour guides at Points Unknown, a Cook County business near the Arrowhead Trail. The duo recently went ice fishing for the first time with podcast host Joe Friedrichs. We hear about their BWCA adventure in a recording inside the wilderness. Also featured in this episode is Cook County musher Erin Altemus. The winner of the 2023 Gunflint Mail Run eight-dog race up the Gunflint Trail, Altemus happens to be an experienced paddler with a deep passion for the canoe-country wilderness. Erin shares some of her favorite summer and winter memories from the Boundary Waters, including some dog-sledding adventures.

The Paddler Profile series continues in this episode. The featured paddler is Wendy Paulsen, a dedicated paddler of the BWCA and other waters across North America. Wendy is the sister of Northstar Canoes General Manager Bear Paulsen. She has a generous spirit for introducing others to the BWCA, including Michelle Kwan, an avid fan of the BWCA who was featured on episode 52 of the podcast. In addition to paddling, Wendy enjoys swimming recreationally across BWCA lakes. And not just a dive-in, jump-out type swim. Literally swimming laps around lakes in the wilderness is something Wendy has embraced, as podcaster Matthew Baxley learns and shares in this episode.

Canoecopia 2023 took place in Madison, Wisc., from March 10-12. The WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast team was back for this year's paddling expo. In addition to posting up at their booth and talking with thousands of curious paddlers, hosts Joe Friedrichs and Matthew Baxley presented during Canoecopia this year. The podcast duo shared a presentation on how to document and share stories from a trip to the canoe-country wilderness. It was a busy scene at Canoecopia this year. In this episode, you'll hear from those who were involved and people who attended from all over the country.

For the first time in several years, there will be a park ranger at the Cache Bay Ranger Station in Quetico Provincial Park for the full season in 2023. Due to the pandemic and additional restrictions regarding Remote Area Border Crossing Permits, there has not been a full-time ranger at the island in Cache Bay since 2019. There was a ranger there for part of the paddling season in 2022. That means the last ranger to serve full-time at Cache Bay was Janice Matichuk, the longest serving ranger in the history of Quetico. Matichuk died from brain cancer in August 2020. Her voice has been featured many times on the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast. The story of her time in Quetico was shared by Boundary Waters Podcast host Joe Friedrichs in the book "Her Island." In this episode, the podcast team shares some of the 'Lost Files of Matichuk.' In the early stages of shaping "Her Island," Friedrichs and Matichuk recorded some 14 hours of audio. The clips shared today are the first in what will be a series of stories Matichuk shared about her time in Quetico. Topics range from the ethics of fishing to stories of being charged by a moose. Also featured in this episode is a preview to Canoecopia 2023! The world's largest paddling expo is from March 10-12 in Madison, Wisc. The WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast team will be back in Madison for this year's expo! Sharing information about the upcoming event is Chloe Machula, one of the event organizers for Canoecopia.