Trip Stories: The Pagami Creek is Always a Good Idea

By Alex Kvanli
January 11, 2023 (comments)

There are several infamous “shortcuts” in the Boundary Waters. Morris Creek from Saganaga Lake to Granite River eliminates several miles of paddling along the U.S./Canadian Border. The rugged Beartrap River offers an alternative route to Iron Lake. The Angleworm entry point could be considered a shortcut to the fishing-hotspot Crooked Lake. All of these routes have three things in common: (1) They may be less in miles but not in time or effort, (2) that is no secret, and (3) it doesn’t stop people from trying. The Pagami Creek shortcut from Lake One to Clearwater Lake is no exception. Below...

Trip Stories: First Timers on the "Bussin'" Little Triangle

By John Erdmann
November 03, 2022 (comments)

Our hearts filled with joy, we paddled off from the Mess Hall dock. Alex Kvanli led the trip consisting of James (going for his Big Man), Harrison, bicyclist Deven, wild man Luke, and Eian “Genius” rounded out our crew. We paddled hard up the meandering Kawishiwi River. Our first night was quiet, and the wind soothed us as we played Spyfall. Deven won almost every game. The next day we were hit by a thunderstorm, and I regretted leaving my rain jacket back at Voyageur base-camp. The storm brought in extreme heat and I was thankful that our second campsite...

Hiking vs. Canoeing in the Boundary Waters

By Alex Kvanli
May 06, 2022 (comments)

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is rightly famous for its backcountry paddling adventures, but it’s also home to a variety of rugged hiking trails like the Border Route Trail, Kekekabic Trail, PowWow Trail, Sioux-Hustler Trail, and more. The 300+ mile Superior Hiking Trail to the east usually receives all of Minnesota’s hiking glory. However, it’s not located in a designated wilderness so therefore it’s considered frontcountry. If solitude is what you seek, you’ll find more of it in the BW. Perhaps you couldn’t snag a BW paddling permit this summer, you’re looking for a change of pace from canoeing,...

9 Newbie BWCAW Camping Questions Answered—Simply and Honestly

By John Burgman
May 21, 2021 (comments)

Look, we were all beginner-campers at one time, and most of us have probably spent a fair amount of time combing FAQs on the Internet to get specific questions answered…about gear, about routes…about trail cooking. There’s no shame in having rudimentary questions, and even longtime paddlers occasionally forget or accidentally overlook basic aspects of camping. At Camp Voyageur, the trip director and the counselors handle a lot of these questions; they will pack the right food, plan the routes, do most of the navigating, and handle any necessary paperwork. Still, it can be useful for any camper—and the parents of...

9 Food Hacks You Can Do in the BWCAW

By Alex Kvanli
December 16, 2020 (comments)

Having spent over 150 days guiding teens and adults in the Boundary Waters in the summer months, I’ve learned a lot about packing and preparing food. But I’ve also come to realize that one of the most important trail skills is doing things as easily and as resourcefully as possible. If you want to be quick across the portages…and cover miles on the water…and feel good at the end of each trail day…you will want to take a minimalist approach while exploring the BWCAW. Economy is key. To that point, as a trip leader, inefficiently handling food is frustrating and...

8 Golden Rules of Efficient Portaging

By Alex Kvanli
November 17, 2020 (comments)

Experienced Voyageurs pride themselves on being some of the fastest portagers in all of canoe country. It takes more than just grit to get over rocky pathways with breakneck speed. Follow these 8 rules and you too will be cruising over portages in no time!

10 Things to Love About the Quetico

By John Erdmann
March 03, 2020 (comments)

The huge Canadian wilderness park known as the Quetico is just a 15 mile paddle from Camp Voyageur. A few old Voyageurs who ventured into the Quetico several years ago recount the 10 things they loved most about this remote paddling destination.

3 Musts in the BWCA

By Hal Holmes
January 21, 2020 (comments)

Oftentimes the best advice is the shortest. Keep these 3 useful sayings in mind during your next canoe-camping adventure and you will be surprised how much better they will make your life!

Leave No Trace Principles

By Alex Kvanli
January 14, 2020 (comments)

Never Leave Trace. Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors. We practice minimum impact camping and follow the Leave No Trace policies: Plan Ahead and Prepare Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

7 Cool Treasures Found on the Trail

By Alex Kvanli
December 17, 2019 (comments)

The Superior-Quetico Region of North America has been inhabited by people for around 10,000 years. From Paleo-Indians to French Voyageurs, many cultures have left their mark on the U.S.-Canada Border region. History buffs and common folk alike can appreciate the rich history of the area. The region also contains unique animals not seen in other parts of North America. Below we feature some interesting historical artifacts and other cool treasures we’ve encountered on recent wilderness adventures. Note: It is unethical and sometimes unlawful to remove or damage these treasures. We leave them right where we found them.