Cliff Jacobson is one of North America’s most respected outdoors writers and wilderness canoe guides. He is an outdoor skills instructor and a professional outfitter and guide, a canoeing and camping consultant, and the author of more than a dozen top-selling books on canoeing and camping.

In 1962 he gained a degree in Forestry form Purdue Unviersity. From 1963 to 1965 Cliff was an artillery office in the US army. Later he worked as an outfitter and canoe guide for the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Canoeing, camping and sharing his experience has been a lifelong passion for Cliff. He seems to have paddled every river in North America, certainly in Canada. His wilderness experience is massive.

Up until retirement Cliff taught middle school environmental science but since retiring has continued to spend much time canoeing and camping. At the time of recording this podcast Cliff is in his late seventies and still he actively canoes and camps on wilderness trips. He also continues to share his love for canoeing by writing and teaching about it. And his continued passion comes through in the conversation you are about to hear.

In 2003 the American Canoe Association presented Cliff with the Legends of Paddling Award and inducted him into the ACA Hall of Fame. In 2009 Cliff was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award by the Boy Scouts of America.

I first became aware of Cliff through his books, in particular Expedition Canoeing. Later I contributed photos to another of his books, a revised edition of Camping’s Top Secrets. So, it’s my absolute pleasure to have Cliff on the podcast and bring this conversation to you the listener.