Trip Planning

William Diedrich, Stacy MacAnulty, Jon MacAnulty

North of the 60th when north of 65

Bear - upstairs Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

What happens when six old, but very experienced Canoeists attempt to tackle a 500 mile Tundra River trip, descending the Clarke and Thelon Rivers of Canada's Northwest Territories and Nunavut? Much more difficult for us than it was back in the day, but still very rewarding and enjoyable. See close up photos of Musk Ox, Caribou, and Wolves. Bill and fellow trip mates will describe the route and obstacles in detail. We will also review the planning, logistics, and equipment needed for a ... Read More

Miguel Garcia-Gosalvez

Canoeing Solo: The Inner Journey

BWCA - main floor Sat 4:30pm-5:15pm

Bear - upstairs Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

In this presentation, I'll explore how canoeing solo in the wilderness is not an act of bravado or self-proving-it isn't about toughness or conquest. It's something quieter, more intimate. Solitude in the wild becomes a thread that connects you to the people who shaped your life, even those no longer here.

Canoeing alone also means embracing solitude as both challenge and teacher. In the quiet rhythm of paddling, away from the noise of companionship, solitude inspires personal ... Read More

Tracy & Nick Georgiade

Campfire to Canoe: Hands-On Mastery of Gear, Systems, and Skills for Traditional Canoe Tripping

BWCA - main floor Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

Superior - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

Step into the past - and the present - with a hands-on exploration of the gear and techniques that continue to define northern canoe travel. In this interactive workshop, Tracy and Nick demonstrate the art of traditional canoe tripping, from balancing a tumpline and packing a wannigan to understanding the craftsmanship behind a wood-canvas canoe.

Participants are invited to handle authentic equipment still used on modern Temagami expeditions, learning how traditional tools ... Read More

Kris Simonson

How to Go Solo at Any Age

Superior - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Algonquin - main floor Sat 9:30am-10:15am

BWCA - main floor Sun 10:30am-11:15am

Traveling solo can be intimidating, especially as we age. When I started my attempts at solo BWCA trips, I struggled with gear weight, safe travel systems, and managing my own expectations. Came learn about the changes I made to lighten my gear and the physical and mental preparation that have allowed me to safely expand beyond entry point lakes. Learn about strategies to pare your gear to a weight that can be single portaged.

Jared Wold

Understanding USGS and NOAA Stream Flow Data

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sat 10:30am-11:15am

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

This presentation will help attendees decode and understand USGS and NOAA stream flow and other data. They will learn how to read the raw data in graph and other forms on both websites as well as choose different date ranges. More importantly, they will learn context for applying that data to real world, usable knowledge for planning safe and fun paddling outings. They'll learn about action stage, flood stage, and other safety related information. Is there too much water for safe paddling? Is ... Read More