July 2011 High Adventure to Northern Tier story:

The Northern Tier Donald Rogert canoe base near Atikokan Ontario is about 100 miles north of International Falls Minnesota in the heart of the Canadian Wilderness. Kyle P., Michael M., Jesse S., and Mike B. joined adults Walt P., John L., A.J. B. and Anthony B. for a 7 day fishing adventure that began on July 2. Connecting flights through Toronto into Thunder Bay Ontario brought the crew to overnight inThunder Bay before the 140 mile drive to base camp on Sunday. Sunday afternoon was check-in and welcome dinner. After the one night at base camp, the crew was issued canoes, tents, trail food and a guide. The crew was then transported about 30 miles further north past the town of Atikokan where they launched four canoes into the Canadian wilderness. Paddling across the first lake they spotted their first bald eagle, one of many to come. The plan was to paddle about 4 miles across 2 different lakes then set up camp at Icy Lake before fishing. That didn’t work out as the rods were soon in the water with Kyle quickly landing the first fish of the trip with Jesse quickly following. After finally setting up camp and flying the 112 Jolly Roger, the crew continued to fish Icy Lake with great success on Monday and Tuesday, slamming huge bass and pike. Wednesday AM the crew broke camp and paddled further north across large Marmion Laketo a short 60 yard portage into Husband Lake. Paddling into this unfamiliar water the crew planned to camp on a bank or an island. Seeing only rocky shorelines everywhere, the crew spotted a sandy beach across the lake where they made camp for Wednesday and Thursday nights. After catching many fish on Wednesday (including an interesting evening bite), the crew left camp for a day trip and paddled about a mile over to a smaller lake known as Wife Lake. This lake was also loaded with northern pike and smallmouth bass. By late morning, a large thunderstorm forced the crew to hunker down on shore inside a thick stand of hemlock that was carpeted with about six inches of cushy green mosses and lichens. The boys comfortably noshed on a lunch of Hudson Bay Bread with a smear of Nutella and waited out the storm to pass.

Every night the trail dinners were supplemented with fresh fish fried on the shoreline, usually made by frymeister AJ. Food was plentiful and we brought a lot back to base. Campfires on Husband Lake were particularly enjoyable. Michael M. was the campfire steward and did a great job. John L. provided nightly meditation/reflection that really helped us appreciate just how lucky we were to be there. Jesse acted as patrol leader and Mike B and Kyle all pitched in with the chores and kept us laughing. Our Interpreter/Guide “Rob” was a great guy who was very helpful and laughed as much as we did.

Friday morning camp was struck at Husband, Jolly Roger dropped and the area was policed and left as it was found. No trace. It would be about 6 or 7 miles total paddling back to the drop off. Two portages later we stopped for a snack and a cup of coffee (and more fishing) back on Icy Lake before the final paddle back to our rendezvous point. As we pulled the canoes up to our final take out, Walt expressed what everyone else felt at that moment “I can’t believe it’s over already”.

After the ride back to base and hot showers the crew visited the Trading Post then re-packed and loaded the vans for the long trek home. Airport security and customs agents were particularly helpful along the entire trip and mentioned our “Class A’s” more than once. We had several compliments and questions from various people in the airports that recognized our uniforms. One group from Asia even asked to pose with us for a photo!

High Adventure scouting is an important component of BSA. Every scout and scouter owes to themselves to attend at least one, or all three (soon to be four).