The Northern Tier High Adventure Bases are a collection of high adventure programs run by the Boy Scouts of America in the Boundary WatersCanoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) of Minnesota, Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park, and points beyond.
Northern Tier offers wilderness canoe trips. There are no resorts or cabins, and aircraft and motorboats are restricted. A wilderness canoe trip in this area is not just a fishing trip or a laid-back vacation. Just as the voyageurs who travelled through this area in the 1700's, modern day voyageurs are physically challenged as they travel through the woods by paddle and portage. Typical treks may cover 50 to 150 miles and take 6 to 10 days. With each crew is a highly skilled technician/instructor called an "Interpreter". Sometimes called "Charlie Guides", these people can make the difference between a wilderness ordeal and an exciting and wonderfully memorable experience.
Generally, the only way in and out of this area is by paddle and portage.
Programs & Bases
Northern Tier consistes of the following bases:
Charles L Sommers Canoe Base in Ely Minnesota which offers canoe trips to BWCAW and Quetico Provincial Park.
Don Rogert Canoe Base in Atikokan, Ontario, Canada which officer canoe trips in Quetico Provincial Park and areas north.
Northern Expeditions out of Bissett Base in Manitoba, Canada, which offers fly-in canoeing and fishing in Manitoba east of Lake Winnipeg.
They also offer the Okpik winter program, which coveres such activities as cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow shoeing, ice fishing, cold weather camping, and more.
There is also the OA Wilderness Voyage, organized by the Order of the Arrow to do work on the portage trails in the Boundry Waters area.
Wilderness Grace
For food, for raiment
for life and opportunity
for sun and rain
for water and portage trails
for friendship and fellowship
we thank thee, oh Lord
Amen
History
The Northern Tier programs began in 1923 with canoe trips organized by the Hibbing, Minnesota Council, and was called the Region X Canoe Trails. This was later changed to the Region X Wilderness Canoe Trips. In the early days, there were no permanent structures, and Winton was the launch point. In the winter of 1941-1942, a log lodge was built as a base of operations. Soon after, it became the permanent base of operations and was named the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base, taking the name of a great scouter who was the first Chairman of Region X. Mr. Sommers was an avid Base supporter, canoe trip organizer and participant. The name stuck until 1972 when BSA consolidated regions and the base became part of the National High Adventure Program. The name was then changed to the Charles L. Sommers National High Adventure Base, BSA. With expansion of the program, Sommers is now part of the Northern Tier High Adventure progams.
External site
Last updated: 06-06-2005 00:26:57
