Big Red Canoe - Friends of the Boundary Waters podcast

How could you make your Boundary Waters trip even better? Check out these 25 tips, that cover all aspects of a BWCA canoe trip.

Drawing from his experience of paddling hundreds of days through the Northwoods,  Pete Marshall, Communications Director at Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, shares an informative list for intermediate paddlers to move faster, be more comfortable or just have a richer experience in the BWCA. 

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

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/ 

If you love the Boundary Waters and literature, you're not going to want to miss this very special podcast. We're joined by New York times bestselling author, William Kent Krueger, who writes a series of mysteries set in the north woods of Minnesota. The protagonist of many of Krueger's novels, Cork O'Connor is the former sheriff of Tamarack county and is part Irish and part Ojibwe. In his books, Krueger explores the tensions within these cultures and examines important social topics that reflect real life.

His most recent Cork O'Connor mystery is Fox Creek, which came out last year. And Krueger has also written a series of standalone books, including this tender land.

Friends of the Boundary Waters' Executive Director, Chris Knopf, recently spoke to Kent Krueger to talk about his books, his writing process, and to share questions from readers about Northern Minnesota as a backdrop to his work.

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

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

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 trails of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area offer endless possibilities, and you're sure to find a sense of awe and wonder around every corner. And some Boundary Waters trails connect to an even larger network of trails called the North Country Scenic Trail; a footpath stretching over 4,600 miles from the west side of the Missouri river and North Dakota, all the way to the Appalachian trail in Vermont.

On this episode, we're joined by Matthew Davis NCTA regional trail coordinator, who gives us an overview of how these unique BWCA trails fit into the larger national trail system. Plus - he describes hiking in the BWCA, and how it differs from canoeing.

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

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

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 ice is now out on the Lakes in the Boundary Waters, and we’re embracing the promise of the spring season. But for those who live and work near the Boundary Waters, they’ve been straddling seasons for months, spending time in the winter season to prepare for summer.

In this Big Red Canoe podcast episode, we meet Joe Friedmeyer, a U.S. Forest Service sled dog musher, who has been using the ice and snow of the harsh winter to help get things ready for summer travelers to America’s most visited wilderness.

We talk to Joe about working with a sled dog team to backhaul lumber from the Rose/Duncan Lake stairway project, completed in 2022, as well as hauling fire grates, latrines, and winter patrols across the ice. Joe also highlights best "Leave No Trace" practices for winter. It's a great introduction to unseen work that happens in the winter, in the BWCA.

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

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

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/ 

Are there monsters, ghosts, or even more creepy things lurking in the BWCA? In this episode, we'll hear your stories from a contest when St. Paul-based Lake Monster Brewing teamed up with Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness to create a new Minnesota legend.

We asked you to submit your tall tales, to bring a BWCA monster out from the shadows and become immortalized on cans of Lake Monster beer. The response was outstanding, with a tremendous lineup of chilling, humorous and supernatural creatures!

You voted on your top picks, and judges from MN Historical Society Press, WTIP North Shore Radio, Lake Monster Brewing and Friends of the Boundary Waters gathered to select a winner.

Now, our top 3 winners read their monster tales for you, in an episode that might give you the chills and wonder what's around the next corner on that portage. And we crown a new BWCA Monster, the Jackerwocky, which you'll be able to find at a store near you!

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

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

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/ 

When many of us think of the Boundary Waters, we think about paddling and portaging. But there area number of ways to experience the Wilderness, including recreational hiking. In this episode, we meet Michelle Kwan, who went on her first Boundary Waters trip in an even more unique way - as a volunteer doing trail clearing work. 

For Michelle, this turned out to be life-changing experience.

In this episode Michelle shares her story about connecting to the Boundary Waters through trail-clearing, and the logistics of a trail clearing trip. Then she goes much deeper, sharing her observations on being a person color in the wilderness, discussing issues of access and why more BIPOC people aren’t visiting the Boundary Waters, and how she's working to change that.

After participating on several trips and recruiting several people to join her, Michelle is now leader her own trail clearing trips. She wants to continue to develop her skills, - including creating unique, flavorful Asian-inspired camping meals,  and continuing her work to guide more people and inspire them to venture out to wild places.  

Inspired? Sign up for a trail clearing trip!
https://www.friends-bwca.org/bwca-trail-clearing

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

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

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/ 

Those who have traveled in the Boundary Waters are often drawn to the wilderness, and they may have wondered what it might be like to live immersed in the wilderness. Ashley Bredemus, owner and co director of Birchwood Wilderness Camp, has spent much of her life living near the Boundary Waters past the end of the Gunflint Trail. Ashley gives us a glimpse of what it's like to be in the wilderness full time, and how it's different from enjoying it recreationally. She describes some of the joys, the challenges, even simple things like water and heat that many of us take for granted, and how someone who lives in the north woods of Minnesota connects with wilderness on a daily basis.

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

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/ 

We're joined by special guest, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. While you may know him through his public service roles, you may not know that Attorney General Ellison has a deep love of the Boundary Waters and has led wilderness canoe trips for teenagers.

In this episode, we talk to Keith Ellison about his experiences in the Boundary Waters, the importance of wilderness, clean water and environmental protection, and the upcoming election. And we take questions from other concerned citizens who joined us for this presentation. 

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/ 

When exploring the Boundary Waters, you’re bound to make a mistake or two. 

Our guest Tiger Beaudoin knows this first hand. He’s guided first-timers, grandparents, parents with children, and paddled solo across our favorite wilderness for years. He’s also made more than a few mistakes.

In this fast-paced presentation, he’ll describe 10 lessons learned “the hard way” while paddling hundreds of miles and portaging thousands of rods in the BWCA and Quetico.

Using these packing, equipment, camping, and fishing tricks, you’ll enjoy a safer, more worry-free experience in the BWCA.

BONUS: Check out Tiger's ultimate BWCA checklist, and a copy of his presentation with shocking videos and product links.

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/ 

In this informative World Water Day discussion, we celebrate and discuss the threats, and ways that we can fight for clean water.

We’ll also discuss a water report we just published that assesses six major water threats to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and provides policy recommendations that, if adopted, would help to ensure that all Minnesotans have access to clean water for decades to come.

Also, talk to the authors of legislation (SF 3633/HF 3888) that would create a State Water Plan to ensure that Minnesota has an abundant supply of clean water for the next 50 years.

Guests:
Minnesota State Senator Jen McEwen
Minnesota State Representative Kelly Morrison
Amanda Koehler, Land Stewardship Project

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information, resources and a video of this presentation.

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/