"The same thing that makes you live can kill you in the end." - Neil Young
In this episode, we sit down with Northwoods reporter and author Joe Friedrichs to discuss his new book, "Last Entry Point." Friedrichs shares real-life accounts of those who have faced life-threatening situations and tragically lost their lives in the serene yet unforgiving Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Through his years of writing, exploring, and researching this iconic region, Friedrichs reminds us that even the most well-prepared adventurers can encounter unexpected challenges when venturing into the great outdoors. Join us as we delve into the risks of wilderness travel and the stories that inspired Friedrichs to write this compelling new book.

Order the book from Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais.
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Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

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On this episode of the Big Red Canoe podcast, we're joined by Devin Brown and Cory Maria Dack to discuss their remarkable paddling journeys down the Mississippi River.

Devin Brown is preparing to become the first Black woman on record to solo kayak the entire length of the Mississippi River, from its source in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Her trip planned for 2024 is driven by a dream over a decade in the making - to find healing and connection for self, and to connect with African American history along the Missisippi.

Cory Maria Dack might be Devin's biggest cheerleader. She has already accomplished the incredible feat of paddling the Mississippi River in a canoe in 2022. And she brings her experience of a relationship with the land, water, and people along the way while increasing representation of diverse identities on the river.

As Devin and Cory share their powerful stories, we learn about their experiences as paddlers and the survival trips of navigating the river and its communal network of River Angels that will help make Devin's upcoming solo journey a success.

Their conversation touches on themes of healing, nature connection, ancestral history, and being a role model for future generations.

You'll leave this podcast knowing more about what it takes to travel on such a monumental paddle, the logistics and community support required, and the physical and emotional journeys represented by descending this iconic American river.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode, and https://www.gofundme.com/f/get-er-down-the-river to support Devin's upcoming trip.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

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https://www.friends-bwca.org

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On July 4, 1999, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a bizarre confluence of meteorological events resulted in the most damaging blowdown in the region’s history. Originating over the Dakotas, the midsummer windstorm developed amid unusually high heat and water-saturated forests and moved steadily east, bearing down on Fargo, North Dakota, and damaging land as it crossed the Minnesota border.

Author Cary Griffith joins us to talk about his book Gunflint Falling, the story of this devastating storm from the perspectives of those on the ground before, during, and after the catastrophic event—from first-time visitors to the north woods to returning paddlers to Forest Service Rangers. And host Dave Meier discusses the climate impacts that contributed to the blowdown and changing landscape of the Boundary Waters, while telling his own blowdown story.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode, and https://www.carygriffith.com for more information on his other books, and how to buy a copy of Gunflint Falling.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA

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https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Donate:
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We revisit the fascinating story of the legislative and political battles leading up to the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act of 1978 by talking to three of the individuals who shaped it and fought for its passage: Chuck Dayton, Jan Green, and Kevin Proescholdt.

In this look at a key chapter in Boundary Waters history, they share their insights and personal experiences that led to this important step for the BWCA Wilderness, and founding of the Friends of the Boundary Waters. They also reflect on how the lessons learned from that time period can be applied to the current efforts of the Friends, to protect the wilderness.

You can further their important work by DONATING to Friends of the Boundary Waters during Give to the Max - where your gift will be matched by other generous supporters. DOUBLE your impact with a gift during Give to the Max! And thank you for being a Friend!

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/

Deciding what gear to use for Boundary Waters trips can be overwhelming. Cutting-edge, ultra-lightweight, indestructible, weatherproof gear can make a big difference, but the newest and coolest gear might not always be the best gear for you - or your budget.

We've turned to Darren Bush from Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison, Wisconsin, to help sort through the options and give us some answers to what makes for the best BWCA canoes, what features to look for in canoes, paddles and PFD's -- and how to choose. Darren also shares his favorite pieces of gear, and ideas for which items might make the biggest difference on your next paddle journey.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/

How could you make your Boundary Waters trip even better? Check out these 25 tips, that cover all aspects of a BWCA canoe trip.

Drawing from his experience of paddling hundreds of days through the Northwoods, Pete Marshall, Communications Director at Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, shares an informative list for intermediate paddlers to move faster, be more comfortable or just have a richer experience in the BWCA.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/

If you love the Boundary Waters and literature, you're not going to want to miss this very special podcast. We're joined by New York times bestselling author, William Kent Krueger, who writes a series of mysteries set in the north woods of Minnesota. The protagonist of many of Krueger's novels, Cork O'Connor is the former sheriff of Tamarack county and is part Irish and part Ojibwe. In his books, Krueger explores the tensions within these cultures and examines important social topics that reflect real life.

His most recent Cork O'Connor mystery is Fox Creek, which came out last year. And Krueger has also written a series of standalone books, including this tender land.

Friends of the Boundary Waters' Executive Director, Chris Knopf, recently spoke to Kent Krueger to talk about his books, his writing process, and to share questions from readers about Northern Minnesota as a backdrop to his work.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/

The trails of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area offer endless possibilities, and you're sure to find a sense of awe and wonder around every corner. And some Boundary Waters trails connect to an even larger network of trails called the North Country Scenic Trail; a footpath stretching over 4,600 miles from the west side of the Missouri river and North Dakota, all the way to the Appalachian trail in Vermont.

On this episode, we're joined by Matthew Davis NCTA regional trail coordinator, who gives us an overview of how these unique BWCA trails fit into the larger national trail system. Plus - he describes hiking in the BWCA, and how it differs from canoeing.

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more information and resources from this episode.

Website:
https://www.friends-bwca.org

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAW

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendsBWCAW

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FriendsOfTheBWCA

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/

Donate:
https://www.friends-bwca.org/donate/