The 1995 Sommers Canoe Base contingent had four crews. Three crews were from Troop 22 and one was from Troop 122. We also had a scout from Troop 222 and one from Troop 326. This is the report for the Louisa - Kawnipi - S Chain crew. Members were James Hunter, Kyle Lange, Allister Neal (Troop 222), Davis Thompson and Leland Webb; adult leaders were Bill Erickson, Tony Lange and Bob Walker.

Sister Crew 1 members were Shane Binder, Patrick Hunter, Mike Springer (Troop 326), Brant Wilson, Rick Wilson and Steve Zygmunt; Doug Wilson and Stan Zygumnt were the adult leaders.

Sister Crew 2 members were Zev Binder, Colin Christensen, Aaron Crump, Brian Henricksen, David Hughes and Mathew Schneider; Dana Christensen and Dave Schneider were the adult leaders.

Sister Crew 3 (Troop 122) members were Adam Light, James Michel (Troop 22), John Michel, Reid Priedhorsky, Garth Ramsey and Greg Scudder; Butch Michel and Herman Ramsey were adult leaders.

A few comments about this digital scrapbook. The trip log is reproduced in the table below. Photos were copied and the comments entered as drop-down comments. The map data was entered into the Base Camp program with each day's route in a different color. The topo maps available required that the U.S. portion be included as an insert.

Trip Report

Scouts, Scouters and parents come to Northern Tier for canoeing, fishing, wilderness camping, seeing wild life, beautiful scenery and more. For all participants, the trips are also about learning about yourself and growing. This was a trips where learning about yourself and personal growth took front and center stage.

Upon arrival at Charles L Sommers Canoe Base, we met our Interpreter, Jared Smith. The Scouts (and adults) took an immediate liking to Jared. Items on the check list were completed one by one and soon it was time to select the route. It was determined we would canoe through Agnes, Louisa, McEwen to the Falls Chain. From there we would go through Kawnipi to Kahshahpiwi Creek, down through Kahashapiwi Lake, Yum Yum Portage and Basswood and Wind lakes to return to the canoe base.

Day 1. The final check out was completed and we were soon on the water. It was a relaxed paddle to Prairie Portage. Scouts were getting the knack of paddling a loaded canoe with a third person riding in the center. The duffers were taking it all in, even dangling their disposable water-proof camera in the water as we moved down the lake.

Once across Prairie Portage and checked in with the Canadian authorities, it was lunch on Inlet Bay, the portages into Burke and Sunday and our campsite on Sunday. All went well. Once in camp I (Bill) noticed my toes were sore. When I checked it out, I had eight black toenails. I was wearing the same canvas-topped boots that I used on the 1992 trip, but they had shrunk and were too tight at the start. Fortunately, they stretched once wet, but not soon enough. It was minor, but did require paying attention to.

Day 2 took us to Agnes Lake and Louisa Falls. We enjoyed the falls and ate lunch there. From there we canoed through Louisa Lake and a series of small lakes with their accompanying portages. Developed campsites were take on Fauquier Lake, but we did find a small island where we were able to setup a nice campsite. No problems today.

Day 3 started with a short paddle to the portage to Dumas Lake. The approach to the putin at the end of the portage was over large, sharp rocks. Tony fell crossing the rocks injuring his knee and cutting his shin. The cut was cleaned and closed with stari-stips. Unfortunately, we had eight more portages to cross before we arrived at our McEwen Lake campsite. That evening the wound was redressed and we discussed how we could minimize the stress on Tony's injured knee.

Day 4. We canoed from McEwan through the Falls Chaine to Kawnipi where we camped. Beautiful country. On the last portage, Bob stepped in a hole covered with grass and twisted his back. Kyle twisted his ankle at the end of the same portage. Bob moved to the duffer position on the last stretch of Kawnpi, but he experienced some spasms and we had to stop. Once back on the water they continued and when we arrived at camp, he was unable to walk from the water's edge to the campsite. Camp was set up, dinner cooked and all took in the beautiful area after a good day of canoeing...excluding the additional injuries. It was decided that we would stay at this campsite the next day to give the injuries a chance to heal.

Day 5 was a layover day. The day's rest proved very beneficial. Kyle and Bill had essentially recovered. Bob was able to walk and do things without his back acting up. Tony was about the same. We did not want him to carry anything on the portage or get his leg wet. He stated that was unacceptable and would continue to do "his share of the work". A deal was struck: he would be Chief Cook and Bottle Washer and the rest of the crew would carry packs and canoes on the portages. We also looked at the maps to see if there was a less demanding route back to the base. The route was changed and we returned through Murdock and Agnes to the S-Chain, Burke, Inlet Bay, Sucker...to Sommers Canoe Base. A crew meeting was held to discuss the changes; everyone was in agreement.

Day 6. We broke camp and canoed to Murdock and through the Agnes River West Channel to Agnes Lake. We had three portages and some low water where we had to walk the canoes. Everyone did what was needed so that Tony did not have to carry packs or canoes and could keep his leg dry. Leland was seen doing his best voyageur interpretation by doing straight sections of portages at a trot (carrying three packs was not permitted). Everything went as smoothly as if no one was hurt. There were no reminders or asking someone to do something. The Scouts stepped up on their own to do what needed to be done. We camped that night on an island near the entrance to the Agnes River East Channel. This was a day Scout Leaders live for.

Day 7. Agnes Lake is a long, narrow, north-south lake about 15 miles long. We awoke to a strong south wind with BIG rollers in the narrows between the island and east shore. A couple canoes passed going north and it seemed they were paddling up one side of the waves and down the other side. We waited for awhile and the wind subsided some so we put in and canoed down the lake using islands to minimize the head wind.

We reached the point where we had to cross Agnes. It was over a half mile wide at this point and there were white caps. It was not too bad just west of the island and the decision was made to cross. It soon became obvious how big the waves were but the only option at that point was to continue to ferry (the process of crossing from one side to another without losing much distance downstream/downwind) across the lake. If we tried to turn around, the canoes at some point would have been parallel to the waves and we would almost certainly have tipped over. There were times when you could see light under the canoes when going over the waves. We made it, but there was not question someone above was looking out for us.

Once across it was a short distance to Silence Lake. We found a campsite where we ate lunch. The wind continued to blow and we decide to camp there instead of battling the head wind the rest of the afternoon.

Day 8. By morning the wind had subsided and today we had eleven portages facing us. Most were short and the Scouts continued to step up to the task at hand. It was an 'easy' day. We camped on Burke Lake.

Day 9. On the portage from Burke, a couple of the Scouts stepped it up another notch and learned to flip the canoes (previously, others helped lift the canoes onto their shoulders). A fitting way to start the last day of our trip. We then traced our first day's route back to Sommers Canoe Base.

With this we completed a memorable canoe trip. Once again, the Quetico showed us the beauty and challenges of wilderness canoe tripping. This trip also demonstrated how the Boy Scout's Northern Tier High Adventure program gives Scouts (and Scouters) the opportunity to leard, gain confidence in their abilities and grow.

Looking back. We took this trip in 1995. The scrapbook was put together that year and only occasionally referenced until it was used to create this webpage in 2018. It is one of the more memorable canoe trips I have been on. Memorable because of the character and responsibility of the participants. They put aside their personal preferences and put the needs of the crew first. Memorable because of the adversities over come. Memorable because of lessons learned. All great memories.