WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

Paul Schurke is a business owner and winter adventurer from Ely, Minnesota. In this episode Paul shares stories about the deep human history of the Kawishiwi Triangle and the White Iron Chain of lakes, including the site of a Laurel-era settlement on Birch Lake. He also updates us on two recent maps that feature Ojibwe names for lakes in that part of the Border Country, in collaboration with Gakij...

Dave and Amy Freeman are wilderness travelers and world adventurers who are based in the Kawishiwi Triangle, an area that dips in and out of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. In this conversation, they take us on an imaginary trip along the Kawishiwi River and share stories about how their lives and adventures intersect with this area, including on their wedding day. As advocates of wilderness prote...

Loons are an icon of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and are the State Bird of Minnesota. But did you know that the time between Memorial Day and the 4th of July is the most dangerous time for loons, and that about 25% of loon deaths are attributed to lead poisoning? In this conversation with Kelly Amoth, administrator of the "Get the Lead Out" program at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, we...

Episode 129 was recorded live at Canoecopia 2026. We spoke with Tom, a canoe vender at the show, two organizations that share a connection to wilderness and water, and talked to Taylar Foster about an epic trip involving 11 beaver dams, a secluded island campsite and traveling with elders. Enjoy!

In this April 2026 edition of "Keep it Wild," Tom Yankowiak from the U.S. Forest Service Lac LaCroix district, talks about traveling safely in the early "ice-free" season. He shares some recommendations specific to spring weather and water conditions, offers safety tips and gives paddlers a heads-up about a new map that will be released this spring featuring alternative landing options for histori...

BW Podcast_Ep128_CharlieP by WTIP North Shore Community Radio

As paddlers gear up for the spring season, we reached out to Chris Wiese at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, to learn about how food storage containers are certified as "bear resistant," as part of a wide effort to prevent human and bear conflict, and keep wild bears, including Black Bears, wild. To learn more about their mission, including grizzly and wolf cams, visit: h...

Bryan Hansel is a Grand Marais, Minnesota landscape photographer and advocate for wilderness and outdoor activities. In this far-reaching conversation, Bryan shares the historic role that art and photography have played in the preservation of public lands, from the establishment of the first National Parks through today. We also learn about some of his solo trips into the wilderness that were insp...

n this episode of Keep it Wild, Cathy Quinn, assistant wilderness program manager for the USDA Forest Service speaks with Kalli Hawkins about a recent trail closure at Eagle Mountain, as part of a planned trail rehabilitation project. The work involved a team of sled dogs that were used to haul building materials into the remote portion of the trail, which is part of the BWCAW. Use of sled dog tea...

Chris Pascone is an experienced skier and winter camper who is inspired by the challenge of winter travel in the wilderness. In this episode, get Chris's tips and tricks for pared down adventures in the Boundary Waters and other winter landscapes. He shares gear recommendations, making winter trip plans for families with kids, and tells the story of a three-day trip on Seagull Lake where he and hi...

Tim Burton from Piragis Outfitters in Ely, Minnesota goes over the "Go Live" basics in preparation for the launch of the 2026 Boundary Waters Permit season on January 28th. For more information about reserving BWCAW permits, visit the Superior National Forest Boundary Waters Permit page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/passes/boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness-permits

Episode 125 is a conversation with Emma Brackett and Olivia Bledsoe - half of the team of paddlers known as the Hudson Bay Girls. In 2025 this group of four women successfully paddled and portaged their canoes over 1,300 miles, from Grand Portage on Lake Superior all the way to York Factory on Hudson Bay. The journey took them 80 days and followed the historic fur trade route along the Border Coun...

Andy McDonnell of Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters shares his observations about current ice conditions in the Round Lake area, 47 miles up the Gunflint Trail. He also talks about ice safety and preparing for early-winter travel in the BWCAW.

BW Podcast_Ep124_Rox and Reese Richards by WTIP North Shore Community Radio

In this segment of "Keep it Wild" Kit and Sig Shirley from Sawbill Canoe Outfitters share "Leave No Trace" tips and strategies for Wilderness travelers of all ages. They also share a few animal stories from Summer 2025 canoe trips in the BWCAW. To learn more about "Leave No Trace" principles and other rules related to BWCAW travel, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/wilderness/boundary-wa...

Life-long wilderness traveler Peter Komendowski completed three solo canoe trips in the Boundary Waters over the last 13 months. In Part Two of this two-part conversation Peter has reached day ten of his 14+ day journey, where he finds himself in a state of wandering and on a "rest day," he processes past trauma and joyful memories from his life, at the age of 70. He tells the tale of meeting a fe...

BWPodcast_Ep123_PART 1_Komendowski by WTIP North Shore Community Radio

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 wat...

BW Podcast_Ep122_Seagull Lake History by WTIP North Shore Community Radio

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.

Keep it Wild_26MIN_July2025 by WTIP North Shore Community Radio

BWPodcast_Ep120_LynnAnneVesper by WTIP North Shore Community Radio

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 volunte...

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,...

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 tr...