Excerpt from Journal 2/4/23 

“The coffee kicks in and we buzz about movement and productivity.  

I set up to re-wax Skis in his kitchen so they will be ready for next week. We put a tarp down to catch the shaving and Ben sets up to laminate and organize map sets for the big trip this summer. We put on some music and work. Sharing conversation, Smile. It's all part of the process, all a part of the trip, and these times preparing don’t feel chore some  

I think about technology we must have to do this composite, skis. laminated maps, paraffin waxes....  

On a role. An intermission to pick up supplies for dinner and a sled, which I will turn into my pulk for carrying supplies on our trip. Identical to Ben's pulk I add loops to lash down gear. As he starts on dinner. The house becomes a mess of maps, skis, rope and equipment for our trips. I apologies but ben reveals, this is what it's about, he has missed his room looking like this.  

We complete the night at 11:30pm with waxed skis, a pulk ready to pull. And 264 laminated maps for our big trip to Churchill Bay this summer. Satisfied. Excited we reconfirm plans for the week” 

Excerpts from an Audio interview with Ben on 2/3 discussing the locality of the trip and an influential personal trip he has done in the area.  

Isaac: “What trip did you do before?”

Ben: “So when I as a field instructor at NVW (New Vision Wilderness therapy) I had my P.T.O (paid, time, off) I saved It because I wanted to do a cool trip...and drive 8 hours from Eau-Cleare up the Gunflint Trail, because I hadn't been this way, to the end of it at Saganaga, an infamous lake in the Boundary Waters, very far form Ely, I had heard a lot about it in the summer and made my way through (on another trip).I heard it was beautiful but hadn't been there in the winter. So I skied up this way, camped here the first night, then here in this bay in American point the second night.” 

Isaac: “Oh, I remember us taking about this trip” 

Ben: “It was there that I had this realization that I need to change the course career instead of switching jobs to go back to outward bound I have to say at New Vision. What I was trying to do there(points back to the map) was to make it to Ottertrack(lake) “ 

Isaac: “From the other end?”  

Ben: “Yeah, the other end! You and I have been to Ottertrack(lake) and I wanted to check out the cliffs in the winter. There is a short list of people who have done that. And changed my mind, I need to leave and go apply for a job a New Vision, but getting there would be involved” 

(Audio Interview 1, I Dana and B, Berthiaume February 3 2023 )

Bens past trip to American point on Saganaga lake stands as an example of how personal trips for the outdoor professional can not only help to build skills and experiences but be an opportunity for self reflection and introspection. We decided that weather emitting a return trip to this lake would be both symbolic completion of a trip and be a new area for me to explore. 

My role as part of this practical expedition is multifold; documentor, trip leader, student, responsible recreating citizen, interviewer and friend.  

These mixing and overlapping roles examplify the fluidity of roles within a personal expeditions, providing room for experimentation and adaptation often not found when formal or official roles as set as a professional.

My complex role creates a paradoxical question: as research for my dissertation, can explorations done with academia really be considered a “personal” adventure? 

After having completed this path, the in-the-moment experience of the personal, I believe was intact despite, at the time, doing things differently.  However subjective, the intention of recreating a personal trip with an observational quality for exploratory research was the goal and was achieved.  

Ben Berthiaumes role, like mine, as co trip leader, responsible recreationalist, interviewee, and friend. We share the foundation of wanting to do this personal trip, explore, and find challenges. As you will see, Ben and I have a long history of informally exploring personal adventures together.    

I got Ben’s collaborative permission early when thinking of doing another trip to the BWCA when wanting to include it as part of my schoolwork. We quickly formed a continual consenting model of participation as we work together form preexisting trust having shared and a substantial ground together. Room for honest negotiation and feedback is present. 

One possible area of conflict within this collaboration resides in Ben’s investment in my work and success.  

The BWCAW restriction of no glass bottles, cans along with weight and ease of cooking in harsh conditions these factor into our choices. Working under these limitations may be different from home, professional work, or other personal trips (USDA, n.d.) 

We lay the food out on the kitchen floor and group them into bags, to separate into our pulks.  

For this trip we eat; 

Pesto Pasta with  Walnuts and Parmesan

Mash potatoes stuffing, sausage and cheese  

Oatmeal, Nuts, peanut butter, powdered milk 

coffee 

(not a complete list)

USDA (n.d.). Boundary Waters Canoe area Wilderness. [online] USDA–Forest Service Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth, MN 55808. Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3799760.pdf [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023]. 

The use of a Pulk Sled, to carry gear over snowy terrain is a common practice among some outdoor adventurers. On previous trips both personal and professional Ben has used a pulk; while I have only used my expedition backpack. Although the a backpacking system worked within a narrow-wooded forest travel or on packed winding trails in winter; The pulk is a much more effective way to haul equipment over open stretches of flat lakes common in the boundary Waters.  

This personal trip allows me to test out new equipment and travel techniques. Not only will this be directly transferable if I work in the area in the winter, but expands the tools I have to facilitate future personal adventures.

I work on making the Pulk sled tie down points at Ben's flat, pack and repack the essential gear before the drive.  

The Term Pulk derives from the Finnish and Sami word Pulka, meaning sled pulled by humans, reindeer or dogs. (WordSense Dictionary, pulkka 2023) 

Wordsense pulkka (2023). pulkka - WordSense Dictionary. [online] Wordsense.eu. Available at: https://www.wordsense.eu/pulkka/#Finnish [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023]. 

“Back, all the way back, thinking about how transitions quickly change the dynamic. I wonder now looking back if we were not in the backcountry long enough to really feel the transitioning, ceremonially yes but actually? We barely got into our rhythm of living out there. Another reflection on the transition is that I know ben. We have transitioned many times. We know how to behave around each other. The long car ride back Is key. Long symbolic passages sometimes ease the transition. Where otherwise work trips and school trips I have been on transition happen more rapidly. That’s what is brought by driving hours to the big wilderness.  

2/18  

“Did the trip even happen? I'm Still waiting to be out there, that’s what gives it meaning I suppose. Pouring over pictures and talking to Brittany about it. I feel different now. The trip was hard but in an easy way. I am looking forward to the canoe trip even more now despite cautioning to Ben not to let it consume him too much.  

This reflection offers a glance at the emotion and thoughtful mix of a phasic process of Adventure. Within a couple offerings of my personal methodology in reentry can be seen. Storytelling and leaving wanting more; start planning the next trip or rather in the case of a 2000 km canoe trip continue planning with adding excitement. Both tactics I relearn over and over in as many ways as there are to explore.

Medford Saturday night.   

“shop for food/ pack/ check weather Sunday.  

Enter on 13th at the Saganaga entry point, probably driving from the Grand Marais side (rather the Ely) on Gunflint Road.    

If the roads are really icey we will drive to Ely and enter at moose lake near the Boy Scout Base. \ 

we are working on getting the remote border permit, ( I need to find my covid card) so if we are in Saganaga we can Sleep on the Canadian side  

Exit on the 17th, back to Medford that night   

I have the InReach.  haven't decided which car yet” 

Hope everyone's reading and research week is going well 

The sleds are packed,

Food is bought, 

We are ready to hit the road in the morning for the long drive up north. 

Exploration into the ways of the personal trip for the outdoor professional is about to begin. 

We are testing out a MapShare feature so you can follow along. 

Find us here at. 

https://share.garmin.com/Isaacadk   

As with other experiences, re-entry within a personal trip setting, exposes the professional to opportunities to practice coping skills and grow in personal understanding.  

Lawrence-Wood, E. and Raymond, I. (2011) “Exploring post-program psychological adjustment for adult staff facilitating a wilderness adventure program,” Journal of Experiential Education, 33(4), pp. 323–337. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5193/jee33.4.323.

Around the same time of year as our current expedition in 2020 while on a similar personal trip the conditions on Snowbank Lake within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness became perfect for impromptu snow sailing. 

Here Ben. B Catches some wind with his sleeping tarp as a sail. we looked forward to the possibility of the same conditions and improvisational fun together.

 Sigurd Olson was deeply influential in the creation of the Boundary Waters Protection.  Olson Describes Saganaga before the road as his "perfect wilderness lake” (Olson,1956. p.99)  Later being surprised and shocked to hear of the road to Saganaga and deeply disappointed, (Olson,1956, p.101)  

Ending the chapter on an introspective note, which rings true even louder for modern wilder relationships.  

“Was solitude a matter of remoteness and primitive country or soothing within myself?” (Olson,1956, p.105) 

Olson, S.F. (1956). The Singing Wilderness. Alfred A. Knopf Incorporated. 

Journal entry from 

2/8/22, Madison, Wisconsin.  

“Expectation and excitement. But also needing to “put hay in the barn” stacking up what is necessary before heading out. In some ways this expedition feels the same as other personal trips. Get schoolwork done, manage time, be extra kind to the partner that I will be missing Valentine's Day. In other ways the pre-entry is the first sign of this paradoxical mindset I have put myself in. The work I need to do before the trip is writing about the trip for school. School is not field work like I was doing before. Last year this would have been a one day turn around a shower and off we go. Staying in the groove or rather hoping the track is still moving into a new groove. Changing lanes on the highway. The start of this expedition feels more like stepping back up and on the track. Like driving the car after 6 months without when in England. If anywhere that’s where the anxiety creeps up. Out of practice.”   

“I know the best way to combat this emotional cocktail I have found is with action. The pre-trip phase often doesn't get as much drama as the post trip phase. Majorly I think it is because there are things to do. Once you come back, shove a load of Laundry, a shower and back at it. But Pre trip. Pack food, lay out gear in the living room, lay out gear again. Pour over maps, put the hay in the barn. I find comfort in These Pre-trip procrastinations, and now that this big trip looms over this summer. Getting closer is a common procrastination distraction. Ben confessed he is in the same boat, it's all he can think about”.  

“Before heading onto shift, last year. I would lay out gear in the spare bedroom of my apartment. Count socks, pack extra snacks in the kitchen. And take a picture. A common and comforting sight. I Look back at last year's trip to guess what to take. Don’t forget the car bag. Got through the chest pack.’’

(Dana, I. Journal 2/8/22)

https://aprs.fi/weather/?call=GW2943&date_start=2023-02-12+19:26:08&date_end=2023-02-18+19:26:08

Aprs.fi. (2023). APRS/CWOP weather report from GW2943 – aprs.fi – live APRS map. [online] Available at: https://aprs.fi/weather/?call=GW2943&date_start=2023-02-

 

The Post Pins color represents the phasic nature of experience, although the document is also meant to be explored in a nonlinear way.  
 
Green: Wider research context  
Red: on the Expedition proper (2/12-2/15) 

Yellow: Pre Expedition   
Blue: Post Expedition 
Purple: Past Expeditions 

References can be found either in the description section under the picture, or under the body of the post

Dana, I. (2023). Anatomy of a Personal Trip. [online] Padlet. Available at: https://padlet.com/isaacdana/anatomy-of-a-personal-trip-ut0qen913z9ou76h [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].
 

Within my past position as field guide, I was in charge of the day-to-day health, movement and programming of a group of students within the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. This outdoor field work was on a 8 days on 6 days off rotation. Over my two years in this positions and on many personal trips I explored much of this unit of public land in central Wisconsin. Both Ben and I appreciate the new terrain of the BWCA Wilderness in contrast to this field area. My experience of being a relational guide to students with traumatic backgrounds was a profound learning experience. Safety, structure and cooperation with co-staff became key themes within the work. Offering challenging situations as a opportunity for growth and self discovery underlines many of Ben and I personal adventures.

New Vision Wilderness. (2023). Heal Relationships and Foster Growth in Life. [online] Available at: https://newvisionwilderness.com/ [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

With each previous trip, we learn more adaptive techniques in managing body heat and equipment. Having used a chest pack for work to carry medication and communications, this was the first personal trip in winter I used it to keep cameras warm and extra mittens at hand, techniques I would continue to use and adapt over time as a mindful outdoor professional and recreationalist.

Ice travel judgment takes experiences to build and this personal trip is another opportunity to practice this technical skill. Ben and I have traveled on ice within this area before around this time and understand its character. We also have training and a plan on what to do in case one of us breaks through. Which, unfortunately, has happened before both in a work and personal setting. 

Attached is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources safety guidelines for ice thickness.

Internally I weighted tethering together over ice conditions possibly adding risk that if one person falls through thin ice they can drag the other person in with them or tangles in ropes can make a rescue more difficult. However in this situation knowing from our previous crossing ice conditions were very consistent the risk of becoming disoriented and losing each other was higher.

We use a fire pan technique for a Leave-No-Trace fire instead of digging out the existing fire grate from the snow(Leave No Trace, 2021). This allowed us to move the fire to a more wind blocked area (Leave No Trace, 2021). We follow the minimal impact principles tuned for the area over professional standards and personal experience to make this choice in the most respectful way to the landscape as possible(Leave No Trace, 2021).

USDA (n.d.). Boundary Waters Canoe area Wilderness. [online] USDA–Forest Service Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth, MN 55808. Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3799760.pdf [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

Leave No Trace. (2021). Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts - Leave No Trace Center. [online] Available at: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/minimize-campfire-impacts/ [Accessed 9 Mar. 2023].

I Acknowledge that the land in which I partake in this adventure is the ancestral homelands of many people who have come before.  

Including the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ and  Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Cree People  

 

This trip and personal trips methodologies offer a chance to grapple with conflicts of native cultures and Federal Wilderness areas and recreation.  Importantly this methodology includes a relationship to the land and reciprocal impact unlike that of theorizing from a far.  

 

From a professional perspective outdoor adventure organizations working within the area use land acknowledgments on their website. (Outwardbound, 2015) Of course, no such action is required by a personal recreationalist, outdoor professional or otherwise.  

As an example on this trip I propose that the personal trip for the outdoor professional can be a place for individual reconciliation of these relationships and formation of ethics which can impact for self and translate to others within work.

Outward Bound.(2015). Native Land Acknowledgements. [online] Available at: https://www.outwardbound.org/native-lands-acknowledgement/ [Accessed 27 Feb. 2023].

The result, firstly, is that I don’t have a clear understanding of where we went or at least in a way that is accurately sharable. Secondly, and more subjectively, I thought about the way our tracks would be gone maybe in a week or a few hours depending on the shifting snow. How in this wilderness area we are just pass through, no record expects what we know. I wanted to feel actively part of keeping the mystery of wilderness and keeping that memory alive. 

We moved west, following our interest and taking turns breaking trail until the rain started to fall hard. I remember an odd feeling; water above, ice below my feet, then more water below that. What an odd sandwich of states.  

We followed our tracks back as it started to rain, realizing maybe a little too late that we would be getting wet. No matter what, we just can't ski back fast enough

For work I have spent Christmas, Thanksgiving and Birthdays in the remote woods  

This adventure fell right on Valentine's Day. We celebrate “Valen-bros-day" after I surprised Ben with the extra candy I brought along.  

 

A similar personal holiday adventure ethos can be found within the book  

 Microadventures : local discoveries for great escapes within the capture walking home for Christmas And Use your weekend. Although not directed at the outdoor professional this manifesto of micro adventuring inspires me to keep the personal methodology expanded to creative local opportunities. 

Humphreys, A. (2014). Microadventures : local discoveries for great escapes. London: William Collins.

 Challenge within adventure and its association to risk can be hard concept to quantify especially on a Personal trip when the expectation is so internally held.   

 Within the book Teaching Adventure education theory. The role of risk is discussed within the capture Flow theory by Ed Raiola and Marty O’keefe.  (Stremba and Bisson, 2009)

“Adventure education practitioners must understand that we are all risk takers...  Practitioners must also understand the potential that risk has for positive and negative impacts on participants, the different types of risk, the role of risk in personal growth and development, and why some risks are more appealing than others.” (Stremba and Bisson, 2009)

Within this situation that judgment of the difference of acceptable and appealing risk for personal growth was decided on. Practically tangling with these factors in a collaborative environment under real consequences will add to the intuitive and practical knowledge of both Ben and I. Not because we will find ourselves in this exact situation again or again with students; But because we will be interacting with the same question of risk's role, appropriateness and impact. 

Stremba, B. and Bisson, C.A. (2009). Teaching adventure education theory : best practices. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.

I have used similar tools within a professional setting but for a long time delayed having one for personal trips because of the expense.  

Our choice to use one on this trip was twofold. One, risk management wise, the device could be a benefit in many emergency situations as a Personal Locator Beckon. Secondly to test the capability of the map sharing for our bigger and more remote personal trip this summer.  

The use of Satellite communicators is a relatively new area of study within the professional field. (Martin and Blackwell, 2016)  Research into its effects on the choices of adventurers personal or otherwise needs more study but one example discussed that Personal locator Beacons might influence pre-trip behavior more than on trip decision making. (Martin and Blackwell, 2016)

“Carrying a PLB(Personal Locator Beacon) does appear to influence some decisions, whether or not the person carrying it thinks of it in those terms. According to our interviewees’ self-reports, having a PLB did not influence their real-time, on-the-ground, risk-taking behaviors during the trip. (It would be interesting, although perhaps challenging, to collect actual behavioral data on this question.) Carrying a PLB does, however, appear to influence pre-trip decisions such as whether to travel solo, travel cross-country in trailless areas, or tackle more difficult terrain or more remote locations, at least for some visitors.” (Martin and Blackwell, 2016) 
Both me and Ben have done similar personal trips before having such a devise and are risk aware. One area for continued behavioral research would be if professional who have used Satellite communicators( PLBs) and are trained in risk assessment on the job are in personal time more conservative in their use then the general public?

 

Martin, S. and Blackwell, J.L. (2016). Personal Locator Beacons Influences on Wilderness Visitor Behavior. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322553925_Personal_Locator_Beacons_Influences_on_Wilderness_Visitor_Behavior [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023]. 

‌ 

Garmin. (2021). Garmin inReach® Satellite Communication | Garmin | Canada. [online] Available at: https://discover.garmin.com/en-CA/inreach/personal/ [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023]. 

share.garmin.com/Isaacadk 

I have chosen not to partake in this application process for several reasons.  

The studies I will be conducting occurred within the parameters of a personal trip recreation.  

All data I would be collecting inside the park would be limited to self-observation and descriptive narrative, not an outward observation of biology, wildlife in any sense other than recreational observation.  

When conducting myself inside the BWCA I would be following all winter recreation requirements, obtaining a point of entry permit and would not be installing any equipment such as trail cameras, or using motors.  

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/passes-permits/other/?cid=stelprdb5110822  

 

Usda.gov. (2022). Superior National Forest - Other Permits. [online] Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/passes-permits/other/?cid=stelprdb5110822 [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023]. 

Despite the 6-hour drive, the area offers great flexibility, remoteness, challenge and relationship to history which makes the area unique.  

Federally designated Wilderness but existing within a rich cultural history and complexities which has played out in many stories we have read about the area such as that of Sigurd Olson.

Although neither of us are actively working in the BWCA, commercial trips do often run there and being familiar with the area would help instructively on a resume. Personal trips also offer the opportunity for the outdoor professional to explore new terrain and see unfamiliar areas after the work location can become mundane or applying similar skills to a new area. Does what I learned elsewhere work here?  

The back and forth of personal creative choice within the trip is one thing I appreciate about working with Ben. With his greater amount of experience working within the area I defer to him at the beginning of planning later offering creative suggestions onto his contextual foundations of place.

(Audio Interview 1, I Dana and B, Berthiaume February 3 2023 )

Dana, I. (2023a). Anatomy of a Personal Trip. [online] Padlet. Available at: https://padlet.com/isaacdana/anatomy-of-a-personal-trip-ut0qen913z9ou76h [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

Dana, I. (2023b). FireMap2. Available at: https://caltopo.com/p/111PU [Accessed 9 Mar. 2023].

Dana, I. Journal 2/8/22

Dana, I. (2023c). TopoMap1. Available at: https://caltopo.com/p/D5DNK [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

Dana, I. and Rain (2023). Rain on Sleeping Tarp. [Audio Recording] Recorded 5:32pm At (48.215201671352965, -90.96369024334274).

Garmin. (2021). Garmin inReach® Satellite Communication | Garmin | Canada. [online] Available at: https://discover.garmin.com/en-CA/inreach/personal/ [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

Humphreys, A. (2014). Microadventures : local discoveries for great escapes. London: William Collins.

Kipfmueller, K.F., Larson, E.R., Johnson, L.B. and Schneider, E.A. (2021). Human augmentation of historical red pine fire regimes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Ecosphere, [online] 12(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3673.

Lawrence-Wood, E. and Raymond, I. (2011). Exploring Post-program Psychological Adjustment for Adult Staff Facilitating a Wilderness Adventure Program. Journal of Experiential Education, 33(4), pp.323–337. doi:https://doi.org/10.5193/jee33.4.323.

Leave No Trace. (2021). Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts - Leave No Trace Center. [online] Available at: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/minimize-campfire-impacts/ [Accessed 9 Mar. 2023].

Listening Point Foundation. (2019). Sigurd F. Olson - Listening Point Foundation. [online] Available at: https://listeningpointfoundation.org/sigurd-olson/ [Accessed 28 Feb. 2023].

Martin, S. and Blackwell, J.L. (2016). Personal Locator Beacons Influences on Wilderness Visitor Behavior. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322553925_Personal_Locator_Beacons_Influences_on_Wilderness_Visitor_Behavior [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (2022). Minnesota DNR - MN Department of Natural Resources. [online] Available at: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2018/nov-dec/boundary-waters-winter-camping.html [Accessed 25 Feb. 2023].

Native Land Digital. (2021). Territory Acknowledgement - Native-Land.ca. [online] Available at: https://native-land.ca/resources/territory-acknowledgement/ [Accessed 28 Feb. 2023].

New Vision Wilderness. (2023). Heal Relationships and Foster Growth in Life. [online] Available at: https://newvisionwilderness.com/ [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

Olson, S.F. (1956). The Singing Wilderness. Alfred a Knopf Incorporated.

Outward Bound.(2015). Native Land Acknowledgements. [online] Available at: https://www.outwardbound.org/native-lands-acknowledgement/ [Accessed 27 Feb. 2023].

Stremba, B. and Bisson, C.A. (2009). Teaching adventure education theory : best practices. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.

USDA (n.d.). Boundary Waters Canoe area Wilderness. [online] USDA–Forest Service Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth, MN 55808. Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3799760.pdf [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

USDA. (2022). Superior National Forest - Other Permits. [online] Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/passes-permits/other/?cid=stelprdb5110822 [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].

USDA. (2023). Superior National Forest - Special Places. [online] Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5127455 [Accessed 1 Mar. 2023].

WordSense Dictionary. (2023). pulkka - WordSense Dictionary. [online] Wordsense.eu. Available at: https://www.wordsense.eu/pulkka/#Finnish [Accessed 2 Mar. 2023].