Wtip Boundary Waters Podcast

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 converse with Wilderness Operations Supervisor Chris Maher about some common, human-caused impacts to wilderness character in the BWCAW including: burning trash and the improper handling of garbage, building "furniture" on campsites, pounding nails in trees, and pruning or peeling tree bark and live branches. Chris also covers what the follow up to these infractions might be, and gives us the lowdown on how most visitors are doing, on our visits to the wilderness. "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 16 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

Life can be hard. It's 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 Mallar