The 1992 Troop 22 Sommers Canoe Base trip continent had three crews. This is the report for the crew that did the Darky - Minn - Argo trip. Crew members were Scott Fitzgibbon, Patrick Hunter, Robert Kwan, Michael Newnam and Joel Younger; the adult leaders were Bill Erickson, Joe Fitzgibbon and Tom Kwan. Sister crew members were Zack Browning, Lee Powell, David Rease, Steve Scott, Marcus Scro and Jim Younger; David Powell and Bill Rease were the adult leaders. The second sister crew members were Dane Christensen, Roggie Rogers, Michael Schneider, Tim Smith, Brant Wilson and Steve Zygmunt; Dana Christensen and Doug Wilson were the adult leaders.

A few comments about this digital scrapbook. The trip log is reproduced in the table below. All photos were copied but there was no information about them. The drop-down comments are based on the order in the original scrapbook and memory. Thus several captions start with the word 'probably'.

The map data was entered into the Base Camp program with each day's route in a different color. My Base Camp topo maps do not cross the border. Thus the Canadian topo map was used for the primary route and the U.S. portion included as an insert.

Trip Report

We had an opportunity to experience many of the diversities offered by Quetico Provincial Park on this trip and Mother Nature treated us kindly. We experienced some big-water canoeing, primarily on Basswood Lake, but much of the trip was on smaller bodies of water. Map reading was important, particularly on the smaller, narrow lakes...there were ample opportunities to miss or take a wrong turn. Of the one hundred four miles covered, more than four were on portage trails. The crew quickly learned how to efficiently unload/load the canoes.

Our Interpreter was ideal for this trip. Mike had a diverse outdoor background and planned to through-hike the Appalachian Trail the next year. He was not originally assigned to our crew, but after exchanging information with an Interpreter on one of our sister crews, they suggested trading crews. It was a great change for both crews.

The scenery and water continuously changed as we made our way to Minn Lake. Sarah was beautiful, McIntyre became narrower as we traveled north. That prepared us for the narrow Brent Lake which had its many bays and places wanting to draw us off course. Here one of the Scouts discovered he had left his pack at the lunch spot. He and I went back to pick it up while the rest of crew did some fishing.

Darky Lake and river are aptly named. The clear water was dark brown in color caused by tannin in the water. It is produced by decaying vegetation. The next day we canoed from Minn to Argo and here the water was very clear and blue. The winds were also in our favor and we sailed parts of Argo.

We took advantage of the wind to thoroughly dry our tents...they stood out like windsocks when hung up. Interpreter Mike showed the scouts how to make a camp sauna using canoe paddles and a tarp with sleeping bags for insulation. The six crawled into the heated enclosure and after being 'thoroughly cooked', they busted out, donned their life jackets and headed to the lake for a refreshing swim. A fun time was had by all.

From Argo we had three days to canoe over 30 miles to Sommer Canoe Base. The most of the first day was relatively remote. However once we reached Crooked Lake and the US-Canadian border, there were many more people. Fortunately, our permit was for the Canadian side where the campsites were less crowded. The Picture Rock pictographs and the Basswood River falls were definitely 'must see' places.

Once again, the Quetico provided the opportunity for Scouts and Scouters to experience wilderness canoeing and camping. And in doing so, had the opportunity to learn about themselves and what they are capable of doing. Beautiful lakes both calm and not so calm. Portages some no more than a nuisance and some challenging. Scenery, beautiful sunsets, loons and so much more. Is it any wonder that one of the remarks often heard from parents when we arrive back home is "What did you do to my son? He came back a different person." And they were positive comments.