WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

Andy McDonnell of Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters shares his observations about current ice conditions in the Round Lake area, 47 miles up the Gunflint Trail. He also talks about ice safety and preparing for early-winter travel in the BWCAW.

Rox and Reese Richards set out to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a 50 day trip in the Boundary Waters. This is the story of their trip, and what Rox calls "the misadventure before the adventure." Within the first nine days they encountered high water, a canoe wreck leading to an unplanned night on the river bank, and an abrupt departure from the wilderness. In spite of what many people would consider to be a major setback, the couple decided to start again, ultimately reaching their goal of 50 contiguous days in the BWCAW. It's an inspiring story of love and adventure in the Wilderness!

In this segment of "Keep it Wild" Kit and Sig Shirley from Sawbill Canoe Outfitters share "Leave No Trace" tips and strategies for Wilderness travelers of all ages. They also share a few animal stories from Summer 2025 canoe trips in the BWCAW. To learn more about "Leave No Trace" principles and other rules related to BWCAW travel, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/wilderness/boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness-rules-and-regulations

Life-long wilderness traveler Peter Komendowski completed three solo canoe trips in the Boundary Waters over the last 13 months. In Part Two of this two-part conversation Peter has reached day ten of his 14+ day journey, where he finds himself in a state of wandering and on a "rest day," processes past trauma and joyful memories from his life, at the age of 70. He tells the tale of meeting a fellow solo traveler in a surprising way, and shares his insight about the many ways that "nature puts its footstep on you," long after you return home from the Wilderness.

We first met Peter Komendowski at Canoecopia. A life-long wilderness traveler originally from Chicago, and now living in Iowa, Peter completed three solo canoe trips over the last 13 months. In Part One of this two-part conversation we hear about his most recent trip, a 14 day paddle of the Lady Chain, Alton Lake, Kelso and Sawbill. Early in the trip, he gets drenched, sustains a mild injury and reframes the way he approaches portaging. An advocate of "detoxing" from technology, Peter describes how his solo Wilderness trips lead to a deep exploration of aging and what he refers to as the transition between "an objective world to a subjective world."

In this segment of Keep it Wild, we talk to Sarah Bransford from Friends of the Boundary Waters, an organization that is collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners on a series of live streams for youth and educators across the United States. The discussion centers around Live Stream #3: Water as Home, which focuses on "Leave No Trace" techniques and camping skills related to water and resource preservation, as well as living with wildlife in a wilderness setting. We also learn more about "No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters," and other youth initiatives created by the Friends of the Boundary Waters. (Photo by Sydney Robinson)

Jim Wiinanen is an avid canoeist and history buff who has been documenting the modern, human history of Seagull Lake prior to the establishment of Wilderness Canoe Base in 1957. A BWCAW lake with three zones, Seagull is a popular entry point for many Wilderness travelers. Before the 1978 Wilderness Act, it was the site of early resort development on the Gunflint Trail. As Jim recounts, a full history of Seagull Lake includes the resort families who first arrived on the Gunflint Trail in the late 1920s. Beginning around 1922, the lake was the focus of two different schools of thought--those advocating for unlimited access and business development vs. those who wanted to preserve the area for canoe travel. These competing interests shaped how travelers experience the lake today.

Steve Stumpf talks about his wilderness mentor Robert Thomas, a life-long friend who served in the Vietnam War. Steve also tells some humorous tales about introducing his own 10 kids to wilderness travel (7 are adopted), and how he now enjoys paddling trips with his grandchildren and partner Roberta.

Fern and Shelby are two of the interns embedded with US Forest Service Wilderness crews this summer as part of the ongoing partnership between the Superior National Forest and the Student Conservation Association (SCA). In this fun conversation, they are both returning from work trips into the Boundary Waters Wilderness, and share what they typically do to help maintain campsites and portages in the BWCAW. Founded in 1957, the SCA's mission focuses on equitable access to nature, providing green job opportunities for young people and teaching crew members how to become environmental stewards. To learn more visit thesca.org. Keep it Wild is a regular feature of the 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)