Located immediately south of, and at times bordering, Ontario's Wabakimi Provincial Park, the Kopka River runs 142 miles from its headwaters, a 17-day paddle. We started downstream, taking a float plane in a light rain with low cloud cover to Redsand Lake to begin what was to be a 10-day trip. … [Read more...]
Good Times Winter Camping
Overnight temperature 7 below zeroJanuary 16 - 19, 2020 I'm winter camping in Rainbow Lake Wilderness area, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, with my dad. If you haven't done it yourself and think you could never be convinced to try, I wrote about it for the Isthmus. I will say this much … [Read more...]
Crossing Death March Portage
Tell someone you intend to walk across Death March portage in Quetico. It never fails to pique interest. Tell enough people you’re going to do it, and there’s no turning back. Breaking your own promises harms self-image and over time influences how much people believe what you say. Okay, so … [Read more...]
Preparing for my Quetico Death March
Maybe you’ve prepared for the same portage. Or maybe you’ve only heard stories about Death March Portage located near the middle of Quetico Provincial Park. I hope the name doesn’t portend a likely outcome. Emilie and I will cross it early in our trip next month. In order to reach Death March and … [Read more...]
What wilderness camping can teach – Canoecopia
Having explored Canadian parks together since 2001, Emilie and I thought we might have something worthwhile to say to other dads and daughters about what wilderness camping can teach. So we submitted a proposal to speak at Canoecopia, billed as the largest paddlesports consumer even in the … [Read more...]
WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast
Funny how some of the most vibrant memories of wilderness camping relate to challenges encountered. Our interview with Matthew Baxley on the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast doesn’t dwell on those times, although we do elaborate on one day I'll never forget. We met Matthew at Canoecopia, which … [Read more...]