Boundary Waters

I'm headed to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness! I've wanted to go for a long time, but of course I end up doing adventures on foot almost exclusively. But I've always had the notion that being stuck in a boat together would be the best way for people of different skill levels to have an adventure together. I'll paddle, you can just sit there; I don't care. I have never really tested this theory, but I jumped at the chance when MFS said he was putting together a guys trip as part of his sabbatical. Well, "jumped" in quotes perhaps. If I'd planned a trip myself, I'd start with 20 miles a day as the floor. I expected normies would do half that, but the proposed itinerary was about a quarter. So, after a little bit of talking, pointing out the default speed on paddleplanner.com, and confirming that nightly planned camping locations are not fixed by permit (only entry and exit point), I said yes. I packed booze and a 900 page novel (Lonesome Dove), and here we are.

Flew to Minneapolis, then Duluth. Got sandwiches, extra food, and a last minute pair of gum boots, because it's 45 or 50 degrees and rainy so my normal "just get your shoes wet who cares" doesn't seem like the wisest strategy. The air is so moist the cold cuts right through you. I wish I'd brought my soft shell pants, and I think this extra insulation layer and soft shell jacket I brought for the flight home are going with me on the trip instead.

Drove to Ely, met the outfitter, and got our supplies. I don't love the gear. Lots of shit I wouldn't be caught dead carrying on my own, but hopefully it won't be terrible split four ways. Spent the night at AP's  uncle's house. They made us a delicious dinner and my sit in their sauna was the only time I felt warm all day.

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