August 12-18, 2007
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Trip Price: $825
“I come into the
presence of still water. And I feel above me the
day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time, I
rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”
Wendell Berry
 If
you are looking to truly get away from work
life/city life, there is
perhaps no more sought after location than Boundary
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. With over one million
acres of protected wilderness, the Boundary Waters
includes hundreds of lakes and rivers and has 1200 miles
of canoe routes. Only 20 lakes in the entire park allow
motors, leaving large wilderness areas free of human
sounds other than laughter and conversation.
Though it’s a rare treat to see them, the Boundary
Waters is home to timber wolf and moose, white tailed
deer and lynx, black bear and otter. More often we see
their signs—tracks or scat or feeding areas. Our
regular companions are the loon, with her echoing call,
and the slapping tail of the beaver.
 You
do not need any prior canoe experience to become a part
of this incredible place.
The Boundary Waters provides a gentle teaching ground
for those new to canoe camping, as well as endless
fascination, fun, and beauty for the “old hands.” Though
you do not need to be in any particular shape to enjoy
this trip, there are portages (carrying gear across land
to the next body of water) and some longer days of
paddling.
Our
route begins at the Gunflint Trail, northwest of Grand
Marais, Minnesota. You’ll be paddling along the
US/Canadian border, following a fur trade route used by
Indians and Voyageurs in the past. Flint chips from old
Indian camps and gunflints from muskets have been found
at campsites adjacent to portages.
This is one of the prettiest routes in all of the BWCA,
with 2 waterfalls and many rapids along the way, some of
which might be runnable depending on water and interest
level.
We
travel at a leisurely pace, allowing plenty of time for
portaging, paddling, relaxing, and taking in the sounds
of this beautiful wild place. We’ll linger to admire
loons or other natural inhabitants, play native flute,
or simply float together reading a poem.
The details…
What to bring:
When you
register, you’ll receive a detailed packing list, so
you’ll be sure to have what you need. You bring only
your personal gear, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You
are welcome to bring your own tent either as a solo or
to share. Otherwise, tents are provided at double or
triple occupancy.
How much experience, how in shape
do I need to be:
You do not need any
prior canoeing or camping experience for this trip.
Though many women use their trip as motivation to get in
better shape before they go, no particular level of
fitness is necessary for this trip. Plan on longer and
shorter days of canoeing, and intervals of portaging,
where we carry our canoes and gear across land to the
next body of water.
Can I sign up on my own:
All women are
welcome, and many sign up on their own. Others register
with friends, partners, sisters. In addition, this trip
extends a special invitation to mothers and adult
daughters, with a mother/daughter guide team of Chris
and Marcia Heeter.
Weather:
August is a spectacular
time to be in the Boundary Waters. Most of the bugs
have left, days are in the 80’s (and sometimes 90’s),
nights can get down to the high 50’s.
Meals:
Food matters! We bring
hearty and delicious primarily vegetarian fare. Many
women are surprised by the amount of fresh vegetables
and mouth-watering menus prepared outdoors.
What does my trip fee cover:
Your trip fee
of $825 includes all canoe and camping equipment,
permits, all meals from Sunday dinner through Saturday
breakfast, and a mother/daughter guide team with decades
of experience.
Schedule:
Arrive at the put-in at
9:00AM on Sunday, August 12 (directions to follow when
you register). We’ll transfer gear into large water
resistant Duluth packs, go over some basic canoe
strokes, and enter into the beauty of the Boundary
Waters. The rest of the week, we’re on wild time,
choosing our pace, letting the wind and weather guide
our days. On Saturday, August 18, we’ll aim to be back
to our cars by late morning.
Group size:
Minimum 4, maximum 7; the Boundary Waters runs on a
system of limited permits, which helps to regulate the
number of people entering at any one point. Groups are
limited to 4 boats and 9 people in order to protect the
delicate balance of land and wild life.
Transportation:
Closer to the trip,
we’ll send out directions to the put-in,
as well as the names of other women
registered for the trip so you can carpool and/or share
car rentals if you like. It is about a 6 hour drive
from Minneapolis/St Paul, about 3 hours from Duluth,
MN. If you are flying, the closest major airport is
Duluth, MN. Plan your return flight for Sunday, August
19.
Payment information:
Your deposit is not refundable. If you must cancel,
please do so in writing. If you cancel 50 days prior to
the trip or more, the balance of your trip fee is
refundable; 30 to 49 days, the balance of your trip fee
is transferable to any other Wild Institute trip through
the end of the following year; 0-29 days, the trip fee
is not refundable or transferable.
We strongly
recommend that you purchase travel insurance so that you
can recover your losses should you need to cancel your
trip.
Some companies that Wild Institute participants have
used are: CSA Travel Protection (800-348-9505)
www.csatravelprotection.com/comfort; Travel Insured,
800-243-3174; or working with Karen Mason at The Travel
Concern, 612-331-4100. The Wild Institute reserves the
right to alter trip plans due to severe weather,
water/snow conditions, or other unforeseen
circumstances.
How do I sign up:
A deposit of $250
holds your spot, and payment in full is due by June 24,
2007. Mail
deposit and registration form to:
The WILD Institute
P.O. Box 353
Loretto, MN 55357
*Our canoe trips follow the
American Canoe Association standards for instruction and
safety*
Click Here to view and print registration form
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