Northern Tier
by Patrick Lingane, T14 Scribe

Many of you will hear about this nine-day canoe trip in Canada, near Minnesota. The trip consisted of mostly paddling through both large and small lakes, with a few portages and some camping mixed in. A portage happened whenever we reached the end of the lake that we were on, and we had to get to the next one. We put all our gear on our backs and in our hands (one canoe or pack per person) and hiked across usually about 1/4 mile, sometimes less, sometimes more of trail, bringing us to the next lake. The gear weighed approximately sixty pounds each, and was heavier at the beginning than the end of the trip (because we did eat very good food along the way).

The canoeing itself consisted of mostly paddling along larger lakes, most of the time with wind on them (or at least those are the ones that I remember). One day, we had to climb over multiple beaver dams and saw a beaver lodge and a moose along the way. In the canoes, two people out of three paddled, one person resting and fishing from the center of the boat.
The crew that we brought consisted of eight people, and our interpreter, Christy, was the ninth. Christy helped us plan the route and catch fish (everyone in her boat caught fish -- strange, isn't it?), and find things like portages and campsites.

We camped along the water, usually on islands when on larger lakes. It rained usually, sometime during the day, and no predicting when. We had to be used to getting wet because of this, even at camp. At camp, we set up everything and then had fun if it was nice weather. At about 6-8 o'clock we ate dinner. It was either rice or pasta with vegetables and meat mixed in. We also baked dessert every night, which was very good. Right before going to bed at 9:00, we sat around the campfire and said what we did and did not like about the day, and what our hopes for the future are. This was called Thorns and Roses.

Bugs did not bother us too much. We were completely away from them on the lake and at camp we usually only got a couple bites that quickly went away. The mosquitoes there are also rather stupid -- they do not fly away when you try to kill them, which makes being in the tents much nicer.

To finish off my story, I think the best thing about it was the whole experience, much more than any one part.

Thoughts from Our Northern Tier Trip
by Paul Lingane, Assistant Scoutmaster

Ever since my older brother had taken a 10-day canoe trip in central Maine when growing up, I had wanted to do something similar. So when the opportunity presented itself for Northern Tier the decision to go had already been made, as far as I was concerned.
Beyond that basic desire to take the trip, I am not sure that I had much in the way of expectations. I sort of vaguely imagined slipping down quiet waterways listening to the lonesome call of the loons. What I didn’t expect was how big the water could be, with strong winds, one foot or more swells, whitecaps sometimes, and the attendant difficulty steering if you didn’t have the proper balance in the canoe for that tack. The first big lake we crossed brought home the meaning of that route-planning conversation we had back at the base a day earlier where our guide, Christy, gave us a choice of small lakes and more portages or big lakes, fewer portages, but big winds. The boys heard the words “fewer portages” and went for the big lakes.

One of the things that I take away from such a trip is how it is possible to have such a great time without all the modern trappings of home. True, we had lightweight canoes and tents, and quick dry clothing that made life a lot more pleasant. But there was one evening where we were practicing our skits amidst the raindrops; we had been fed, had put down a dessert of freshly fried donut-holes and popcorn, and were basically having a grand old time in the wet woods. It struck me at that moment that if one’s basic needs are met, and good conversation and camaraderie is about, that all can be well with the world. Am I ready to sell it all and move to the woods? Not likely, but going to the woods can be a renewal of sorts and is something that keeps me coming back for more.