In the February 2025 episode of "Keep it Wild," we learn more about hiking trails in the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Our guest is Lucas Raudabaugh of the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC), a non-profit group of volunteers that helps to maintain over 70 miles of trails in the BWCAW. They are official partners of the Superior National Forest, and cooperate with that agency within the USFS, as well as with other trail partners on tread rehabilitation, campsite maintenance and data collection. (Photo courtesy of Lucas Raudabaugh.)

To learn more visit: https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/

Episode 115--Kyle Johnson is relatively new to the Boundary Waters, but so far has experienced the wilderness in all seasons, including solo trips in early spring and late fall. Kyle sets the scene for a recent outing in late October, where he encountered extreme quiet conditions, the mid-stages of wildfire ecology after the Ham Lake fire of 2007, a night perfect for astro photography, plus a wide range of temperatures.

Kyle also shares the exciting story of catching his first walleye--one of the rare, blue walleyes who live in certain lakes in northern Minnesota and Canada.

(Photo courtesy of Kyle Johnson)

In this edition of KEEP IT WILD, the Boundary Waters Podcast speaks with U.S. Forest Service Information Officer Joy Vandrie about the January 29th "Go Live" start of the 2025 permit reservation season. Joy emphasizes the importance of setting up an account on recreation.gov before the launch and highlights the 72 entry points with daily permit limits, including two new entry points created this year, for thru-hikers in the wilderness. Vandrie notes that over 11,000 permits were canceled last year, with 58% reserved in January or early February. She urges travelers to only reserve what you need and to cancel early so other travelers have an opportunity to plan a visit. Vandrie also stresses the importance of using a valid email for rec.gov accounts for emergency notifications.

Keep it Wild is a regular feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

(Photo by Dante Gilbert)

Episode 114 of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast features wilderness stories recorded at Canoecopia 2024. We hear from winter adventurers Brad Friend (Miyagi Travel) and Cyndi Guffey (pictured). We also hear fond memories about wilderness travelers who have passed along a legacy of appreciation and knowledge about the wilderness, and are still inspiring others to visit the Boundary Waters. With thanks to Brad, Cyndi, Jeff Wadley and Dan Morgan for sharing your stories with all of us!

And mark your calendars--the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast will be at Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin, March 7 through 9, 2025. Please find our booth in the exhibit hall lobby and say hello. We would love to hear your Boundary Waters stories and record them for future episodes.

In this special, extended episode of "Keep it Wild," Ann Schwaller, a designated areas specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, shares the history of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as a certified, Dark Sky Sanctuary--a designation awarded by Dark Sky International in September, 2020. She explains her personal connection to the preservation of natural dark skies, and why the Dark Sky Sanctuary designation is considered "a fragile situation," due to the encroachment of light pollution at the edge of the wilderness, as well as light domes from the urban areas of Thunder Bay, Grand Marais, Ely and even as far away as Duluth.

"Keep it Wild" is a regular feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

To learn more, visit darksky.org

Signe and Ruben Hushagen have made a tradition of camping in the BWCAW every year, to celebrate their May birthdays. This year they decided to move their annual trip to September, to mark their child Ronan's first birthday. In this episode, Signe shares how to go about planning for a wilderness trip with a toddler--from choosing a simple route to researching the best gear options for young children. She also talks about what it means for her as a parent, to see the wilderness through brand, new eyes. The trip went so well the family is already planning for next year. (Photos courtesy of Signe and Ruben Hushagen, 2024)

It's self-permit season in the wilderness! Tim Engrav from the Lac La Croix District of the Superior National Forest, shares more about self-issue permits and the reasons why it's important to fill one out, even if you are visiting for the day. Plus, a quick ice report and a reminder about ice safety.

A story of family unity and lots of water--In Episode 112 of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast, wilderness traveler Peter Halverson shares the tale of his family's June 2024 Boundary Waters trip to Lac la Croix, which coincided with an unusually strong storm that dropped three to eight inches of rain over NE Minnesota. On June 18th, the storm washed out roads from International Falls to the North Shore of Lake Superior, and many locations experienced flash flooding and high water conditions--including in the BWCAW. Even after the rain stopped, the water continued to rise.

With thanks to Peter for sharing this epic tale of adventure with WTIP.

Photo courtesy of Peter Halverson.

In the October 2024 edition of "Keep it Wild," Fire Staff Officer Nick Petrack reports on the prevailing, dry conditions in the BWCAW and shares insights about human-caused wildfires in the Superior National Forest, which account for about half of wild fire incidents in the Forest each year.

Photo courtesy of Dewey Pihlman, 2019

Sam Nichols works in the Alaskan wilderness on an expedition ship in the summer. This year on a break from work, he took a memorable canoe trip in the Boundary Waters, along with his friend Jimmy. They explored the Border Route Trail and got to know Rose Lake, up close and personal.

Plus, a fresh segment of "Keep It Wild," with a summer bear report.

The Boundary Waters Podcast is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

(Photo of Rose Falls, courtesy of Sam Nichols)