Monthly Archives: December 2015

Seeking Boundary Waters Solitude

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121615foggyrocksI wrote this piece a few years ago for the Boundary Waters Journal. With summer BWCA permit application season just a month away, I thought it might make a timely blog post. One of the reasons many of us venture to the Boundary Waters is to seek solitude. But what is solitude?

The conventional wisdom of finding deep solitude in the BWCAW was to put a big portage behind you or go after Labor Day. Both of these strategies are less effective today. Ultralight canoes have made deeper penetration less intimidating and word has gotten out that September is a special time in the Boundary Waters. Now the advice you hear is, “Get TWO big portages behind you or go in October.” The trouble with getting two big … Continue reading →

Rio Grande in February 2016

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RedCanoeI am writing this blog post from Fremantle, Western Australia. Working on my new book, “The Merlyn Project”. Sometimes it is hard to focus on writing because outside my window? Blue skies, warm sun, and sandy beaches. You know what it reminds me of? The Rio Grande in February. I am leading four expeditions down the Lower Canyons this winter February 8-15,  Feb 18-25,  Feb 28-March 6, March 11-18.  These trips are fully insured and licensed by the National Park Service. Each trip is 8 days and 7 nights traveling every day and passing through spectacular canyons…warm days, starry nights, gentle rapids, hot springs, unusual birds, desert wilderness, safe, easy camping, archaeology, slot canyon side hikes and more. My trip in 2013 was written up in the … Continue reading →