WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

We first met Peter Komendowski at Canoecopia. A life-long wilderness traveler originally from Chicago, and now living in Iowa, Peter completed three solo canoe trips over the last 13 months. In Part One of this two-part conversation we hear about his most recent trip, a 14 day paddle of the Lady Chain, Alton Lake, Kelso and Sawbill. Early in the trip, he gets drenched, sustains a mild injury and reframes the way he approaches portaging. An advocate of "detoxing" from technology, Peter describes how his solo Wilderness trips lead to a deep exploration of aging and what he refers to as the transition between "an objective world to a subjective world."

In this segment of Keep it Wild, we talk to Sarah Bransford from Friends of the Boundary Waters, an organization that is collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners on a series of live streams for youth and educators across the United States.

The discussion centers around Live Stream #3: Water as Home, which focuses on "Leave No Trace" techniques and camping skills related to water and resource preservation, as well as living with wildlife in a wilderness setting. We also learn more about "No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters," and other youth initiatives created by the Friends of the Boundary Waters.

(Photo by Sydney Robinson)

Jim Wiinanen is an avid canoeist and history buff who has been documenting the modern, human history of Seagull Lake prior to the establishment of Wilderness Canoe Base in 1957. A BWCAW lake with three zones, Seagull is a popular entry point for many Wilderness travelers. Before the 1978 Wilderness Act, it was the site of early resort development on the Gunflint Trail. As Jim recounts, a full history of Seagull Lake includes the resort families who first arrived on the Gunflint Trail in the late 1920s. Beginning around 1922, the lake was the focus of two different schools of thought--those advocating for unlimited access and business development vs. those who wanted to preserve the area for canoe travel. These competing interests shaped how travelers experience the lake today.

Steve Stumpf talks about his wilderness mentor Robert Thomas, a life-long friend who served in the Vietnam War. Steve also tells some humorous tales about introducing his own 10 kids to wilderness travel (7 are adopted), and how he now enjoys paddling trips with his grandchildren and partner Roberta.

Fern and Shelby are two of the interns embedded with US Forest Service Wilderness crews this summer as part of the ongoing partnership between the Superior National Forest and the Student Conservation Association (SCA).

In this fun conversation, they are both returning from work trips into the Boundary Waters Wilderness, and share what they typically do to help maintain campsites and portages in the BWCAW.

Founded in 1957, the SCA's mission focuses on equitable access to nature, providing green job opportunities for young people and teaching crew members how to become environmental stewards. To learn more visit thesca.org.

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

LynnAnne Vesper has been a canoe guide for over 20 years. She also speaks French and Swedish, is a Fur Trade history buff, and on her days off enjoys what she calls "Extreme Day Trips" in the Boundary Waters. LynnAnne has been steering canoes since she was 10 and last year she completed a "dream" canoe trip of the Border Route, along with a group of women representing six generations from their 20s to their 70s, including her mother Bonnie, who was 79 when they made the trip.

In this June, 2025 edition of "Keep it Wild," we talk with Jo Swanson, director of the Friends of the Superior National Forest. Formerly known as the Minnesota Volunteer Connection, the Friends of SNF partners with the U.S. Forest Service on maintenance projects throughout the Superior National Forest, including the BWCAW, and area campgrounds and trails. The group is currently looking for volunteers to help with a number of projects this summer, including pulling invasive plants at the Pincushion Mountains trail system outside of Grand Marais, and trail maintenance work on the Moss and South Lake trails on the Gunflint Trail. (Photo courtesy of Friends of SNF)

In this episode of the Boundary Waters Podcast we talk to Chris Evavold about the value of public lands and traveling as a family over many years, and in all seasons. In the second half we talk with Cory Dack, a wilderness guide, youth instructor and world adventurer. Cory digs deep into the topic of access to public land and wild spaces, and the barriers often encountered by people of color, who, like others, are in search of a more meaningful connection to wild places and natural areas like the BWCAW.

In this edition of "Keep it Wild" we talk with Dave Seaton at Hungry Jack Outfitters. An official Boundary Waters Collaborator and permit issue station, Hungry Jack Outfitters just saw "ice out," and are ready for the paddling season. Dave explains the new permit pickup options and takes us through how to change the pickup location through your reservation at rec.gov.

An advocate for wilderness travel for 35 years, Dave also provides some tips for a successful trip that promotes Leave No Trace principles.

Photo of Hungry Jack Lake by Dennis Chick.

In this episode we talk with Mike Danielsen, who philosophizes about losing things while gaining others; including what can happen when a bear steals your pack. We also meet David Meier, longtime paddler and wilderness advocate for Friends of the Boundary Waters. David shares a story about the July 4th, 1999 Blowdown, which also happened to be he and his wife's honeymoon in the Boundary Waters.