In the 18th and 19th centuries, the French Voyageurs explored many regions in what is now Canada and the United States. They traveled by canoe, trapping and trading furs along water routes such as the Wabash River at trading posts like Fort Ouiatenon.
Paddling, portaging, and living out of your canoe in the backcountry is the focus at Northern Tier, which is one of the four official high adventure bases in Scouting America. This week’s moment in troop history comes from Dave Hall, longtime scouter and supporter of our troop and council.
In 1993, the troop conducted one of its largest ever high adventure trips with 22 adults and youth traveling to the Boundary Waters and Quetico Provincial Park wilderness area.
The 10 day trip included 3 days of driving and 7 days of canoeing starting from the Moose Lake base. One crew stayed in the USA portion and two crews crossed the border into Canada. Some reports had the USA crew straying into Canada due to questionable orienteering skills and no border lines on the lakes.
Highlights included some bear encounters, mishaps with small waterfalls and poor plant identification (poison ivy).
All returned safely with a new appreciation for the original early Voyageurs who explored this wilderness without the advantage of Kevlar canoes and freeze-dried food.
Do you have memories that you’re willing to share about your time in Troop 335? Help us celebrate our 100th birthday and contact us.