Big Red Canoe - Friends of the Boundary Waters podcast

Solo camping in the Boundary Waters is its own thing. No partner, no safety net — just the lakes, the sky, and your own company. In this episode, we sit down with Miguel Garcia-Gosalvez, a solo canoeist who was born in Spain, fell in love with wild places as a boy in Europe, and found his deepest connection to wilderness in the Boundary Waters. 

Miguel has spent years paddling alone, and he's recently begun writing about it at mycanoelife.com — putting language to the feelings solo campers know but rarely talk about. Together, host Dave Meier and Miguel explore what solitude in wild places actually does for us: the stillness, the clarity, and the parts of ourselves we only meet when no one else is around. We also reflect on a hopeful moment for the wilderness, as entry points reopen following this summer's wildfires. Whether you've done a dozen solo trips or never left the group campsite, this conversation might change how you think about being alone on the water.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

The Superior Hiking Trail turns 40 this year. Three hundred miles of North Shore ridgeline, from the Wisconsin border to the edge of the Boundary Waters region, the SHT has shaped the lives of everyone who’s walked it. Crystal Gail Welcome is one of those people — and on this podcast, she shares the story of her final through-hike: a solo back-to-back of the Kekekabic and Border Route Trails, deep in the Boundary Waters wilderness. After years of pushing through a rare brain disease to walk some of the longest trails in North America, she’s closing this chapter and moving forward into whatever comes next.

She didn’t grow up in Minnesota, and she didn’t grow up hiking. But a rare brain disease and a stubborn refusal to be sidelined sent her down a path that wound through the Pacific Crest Trail, the Superior Hiking Trail, the Florida Trail and the Great Western Loop — and ultimately north to the Boundary Waters.

Now she lives in Grand Marais, volunteers with Trail Mix Alliance, an organization that empowers women and underserved communities through outdoor education, leadership, and stewardship.

In this episode of Big Red Canoe, we talk about what those final miles were really like, what the SHT gave her and why she stayed on the North Shore, how the outdoors became therapy long before she earned a master’s degree in adventure therapy, and why wild places like the Boundary Waters matter for all of us, especially those who need them most.

If you’ve ever thought about hiking the SHT, exploring the Border Route, or paddling into the Boundary Waters, or if you just need a reminder of why any of it matters, you’ll want to hear this conversation. There’s a reason people come back to these places. The Boundary Waters and North Shore have a way of quieting the noise, resetting the body, and returning us to something essential. Call it mindfulness. Call it medicine. Crystal calls it home.

LINKS:
Explore Boundary Waters Hikes:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/bwca-canoe-routes/

A Guide to Backpacking in the Boundary Waters:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/blog/backpacking-the-boundary-waters/

Connect with Crystal Gail Welcome on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/footprintsforchange/

On the Friends of the Boundary Waters podcast, we bring together people who share a love of the incredible BWCA wilderness in Northeastern Minnesota. The podcast will features scientists, political figures and experts in outdoor recreation and wilderness skills to help you learn new facets of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, the most visited wilderness in the United States.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

H.J. Res. 140 was signed into law this week, stripping federal protections from 225,000 acres surrounding the Boundary Waters. What happens now? 

Experts from Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Friends of the Boundary Waters break down the state-level legal tools that can still protect this wilderness — and the path forward from here. 

Guests:
Kathryn Hoffman, Executive Officer, MCEA
Joy Anderson, Supervising Attorney, MCEA
Aaron Klemz, Strategy Officer, MCEA
Chris Knopf, Executive Director, Friends of the BWCA

Support our work at Friends of the Boundary Waters and MCEA!

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

Winter in the Boundary Waters is unforgiving—and that's exactly why Minnesota author Jeff Krogstad set his thriller Disappointment Mountain there. 

Jeff joins us to talk about writing wilderness fiction, the creative parallels between surviving in the backcountry and navigating life's challenges, and what the frozen north reveals about human resilience. 

Plus: real bear encounters, the art of making fiction believable, and why the Boundary Waters transforms everyone who enters it. 

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

How do you navigate a challenging wilderness when you can't even see it?

In this fascinating and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Kelly Carver, who has been paddling the Boundary Waters for over 40 years—including the past three decades since he became legally blind.

After being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease following his first BWCA trip in 1982, Kelly refused to let vision loss stop him from experiencing the place where he says "part of his soul" resides.

Kelly takes us inside what it's really like to navigate the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness without sight, from paddling across lakes to mentally mapping each campsite, then ultimately rising to the challenge of completing the epic 220-mile Border Route, which included traversing the legendary nine-mile Grand Portage by himself. He shares harrowing moments—a mysterious canoe flip, 40-mph winds on Knife Lake—and magical ones, like the fox standing three feet away that he never saw coming.

Through it all, Kelly reveals what it has meant to finally embrace the word "blind" after years of fighting it, and reminds us that the wilderness belongs to everyone willing to step outside their comfort zone.

Whether you're facing your own challenges or simply want to experience the Boundary Waters through another viewpoint, Kelly's story of determination and adaptation is almost certain to change how you think about what it truly means to experience the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

Join us for an inspiring conversation with JD Fratzke, a celebrated chef and author who served as a judge and mentor on Bravo's Top Chef and brings a unique perspective to Boundary waters cooking. JD finds profound inspiration in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where he combines his fine dining expertise with camp cooking over open fires. 

From Professional Kitchens to Campfire Cuisine 

Wilderness cooking plays a big role as JD's meditative reset from high-pressure restaurant kitchens. He shares practical camp cooking tips including essential spice combinations (curry powder and Montreal steak seasoning), fresh ingredients that travel well, and his approach to boundary waters recipes that embrace simplicity while delivering extraordinary flavor.

Hear about his famous lentil stew recipe, Campfire Pintos ‘Charros’, creative Lake Trout and Crayfish Tacos made with fresh-caught fish, and why he believes cooking over fire connects us to our most primal human experiences. JD reveals the difference between solo and group boundary waters camping meals, plus rookie mistakes to avoid when cooking in the wilderness.

Poetry and Wilderness Advocacy

Beyond cooking, JD is a published poet whose works River Language and Dharma Butcher explore the intersection of wilderness, food, and human experience. He reads us his moving poem "Aurora," inspired by the Northern Lights over the boundary waters. His passion for protecting this sacred wilderness as a place of healing and transformation shines throughout our conversation.

For Outdoor enthusiasts, cooking lovers, and anyone interested in boundary waters recipes, camp cooking techniques, and the deeper connections between food, nature, and creative expression.

Read more Recipes and Articles from JD Fratzke on Friends-BWCA.org

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

Proper food storage and bear-aware camping practices aren't just recommendations—they're life-saving skills that every Boundary Waters visitor needs to master. Alex Messenger learned this lesson the hard way when a 600-pound grizzly bear nearly killed him during a remote Canadian wilderness expedition, an experience that transformed him into one of the region's most passionate advocates for bear safety and wilderness preparedness.

On this episode of the Big Red Canoe Podcast, Alex channels his hard-won wisdom into practical advice for Boundary Waters visitors, covering everything from the U.S. Forest Service's  mandatory food storage regulations to proven bear hang techniques that actually work. As a volunteer with the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, he's seen firsthand how proper preparation prevents emergencies, and he and host Dave Meier deliver essential knowledge for safely sharing Minnesota's BWCA wilderness with its black bear population. 

At 17 years old, Alex was living every wilderness enthusiast's dream—42 days paddling through the remote Canadian tundra, hundreds of miles from civilization. But on day 29 of what should have been the adventure of a lifetime, that dream became a nightmare when he found himself face-to-face with an apex predator, armed with nothing but a camera case and his wits. The harrowing attack, which he details in his memoir "The 29th Day," offers more than just a gripping survival story—it provides crucial insights into bear and human behavior, wilderness medicine, and the split-second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death in bear country.

Whether you're a seasoned wilderness traveler or planning your first backcountry adventure, this episode provides the tools and mindset needed to explore bear country confidently and responsibly.

1:00 Introduction - Alex's background growing up going to the Boundary Waters

15:00 Alex describes the bear attack detailed in his book "The Twinty-Ninth Day"

46:00 Bears in the Boundary Waters, solo camping, Food safety, Bear safety tips

For more on Alex, visit his website: https://www.alexmessenger.com/

You can order The Twenty-Ninth Day from Blackstone Publishing, or your favorite purveyor of fine books.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

The Boundary Waters faces one of its greatest threats in decades. Hidden in the latest reconciliation bill is a dangerous provision that would hand hundreds of thousands of acres near the BWCA to toxic copper-sulfide mining companies—while blocking any legal challenges. This reckless giveaway threatens to bring industrial mining right to the doorstep of America’s most pristine wilderness, risking irreversible damage to our clean water and wild places. 

Senator Tina Smith is fighting back with legislation to stop this attack on our public lands. She joins us for a critical conversation about what’s at stake and how we can defend the Boundary Waters together.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

Author Frank Bures joins us on the podcast to discuss his compelling new book, Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories.

Frank shares riveting tales from a century of canoe racing, including the forgotten history of the Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby—a grueling 450-mile race on the Upper Mississippi that changed modern canoeing forever. 

The conversation takes a personal turn as Frank recounts his own harrowing rescue on the Mississippi and other contemporary stories of adventure and survival, including the terrifying escape of two kayakers from the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire in the Boundary Waters.

Learn More about the Book and Author at FrankBures.com

Dave and Frank explore our essential connection to natural spaces and the urgent need to protect these environments in today's political landscape, whether it be the Boundary Waters or the mighty Mississippi River.

Drawing from his background as a former trips director and camp naturalist at YMCA Camp Olson, as well as his experience supporting Guinness World Record paddling teams on the Mississippi, Frank offers unique insights into the transformative power of river journeys.

Support the Friends of the Boundary Waters' Open Water Spring Fundraiser and have your gift doubled with generous match!

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/ 

Discover the mesmerizing world of dark sky photography with renowned astrophotographer Marc Rassel as he shares expert tips, memorable stories, and essential techniques for capturing the night sky. 

From the pristine dark skies of Minnesota's Boundary Waters to international stargazing destinations, Marc reveals how to create stunning images of the Milky Way, aurora, and other celestial wonders. 

Marc also describes the growing challenge of light pollution and how photographers can help preserve our vanishing dark skies. Whether you're a complete beginner with just a smartphone or an experienced photographer looking to refine your nighttime techniques, this episode offers practical guidance and inspiration for anyone interested in photographing the stars. 

Follow Marc Rassel on Instagram at @marcrasselphoto and connect with him at marcrasselphoto.com.

This podcast is part of Boreal Stargazing week, February 10-17, 2025.

Embrace the winter darkness and discover the magic of Minnesota’s starbright skies! Join us for a week of free activities for students, families, and friends that will immerse you in learning and stargazing. 

These free events are friendly for all ages and feature captivating night sky tours, snowshoe hikes, live conversations with astronomers, and more!

Find more information at Friends-BWCA.org/stargazing

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode. 

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW 

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/ 

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/