Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases
Encyclopedia
The Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases are a collection of high adventure
bases run by the Boy Scouts of America
(BSA) in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
(BWCAW) of Minnesota, Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park
, Manitoba's Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park
and points beyond. It is the oldest of the three National High Adventure Bases operated by the Boy Scouts of America
. Its counterparts are the Philmont Scout Ranch
and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base
.
Northern Tier offers wilderness canoe trips. There are no lodgings along the trail, and aircraft and motorboats are restricted. Typical treks may cover 50 to 150 miles and take 6 to 10 days. With each crew is an instructor called an "Interpreter" who is sometimes called a "Charlie Guide."
The National Cold-Weather Camping Development Center is located at the Northern Tier Base at Ely, Minnesota. The center provides materials for, and specializes in problems associated with, cold-weather camping for councils and other organizations.
There is also the OA Wilderness Voyage, organized by the Order of the Arrow
to do work on the portage trails in the Boundary Waters area.
The program has a long history with the Ely, Minnesota
area. Such famous authors as Sigurd Olson counted themselves as friends of the program.
bases, an incoming crew will be assigned an interpreter to help them get ready for their expedition. Upon arrival at the base camp, the crew will meet their interpreter while their leaders check in. After that, the crew will be issued their food and gear. Personal gear is carried in two or three Granite Gear
three person "gray whale/elephant/hippo/hefalump" packs. Food and cooking equipment are carried in boxes in specially made packs by Kondos Outdoors in Ely, MN. Tents, paddles, pfds, and other safety equipment are also issued, and their use is explained by the interpreter or the outfitting staff. Included in the gear is a radio or satellite phone used for emergency communication with base while on the trek. With the help of their interpreter, the crew plans their course on a large map displayed on the wall. Unlike treks at Philmont Scout Ranch
in New Mexico, there are no pre-assigned routes. Crews are then assigned a cabin in which to spend its first night. The crew enjoys their dinner in the dining hall, participates in the evening program, and can visit the trading post if time permits.
In the month of July, the sun comes up at 5:30am and doesn't go down until about 9:30pm. Long days are not too uncommon, but a typical schedule could look something like this:
Likewise, the campsites are rather different between the two wilderness areas. Boundary Waters' campsites have designated fire grates in the fire ring and a small fiberglass latrine called a "grumper". Quetico's campsites are far less used than BWCAW and many are not marked on Fisher maps. The sites themselves do not have a latrine (participants must dig a cat-hole 6"x6"x6" at least 150 feet away from water and camp; nor do they have a fire grate.
In short, if your crew is looking for an easier trek as far as portaging and paddling and camp set-up are concerned, the BWCAW is the way to go. This is good for younger crews. If your crew seeks a challenging trip, solitude and many beautiful sites are the rewards Quetico offers.
:
High adventure
High adventure is a type of outdoor experience. It typically is meant to include activities like backpacking, hiking, kayaking or canoeing. It may also include mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, orienteering, hang gliding, paragliding and hot air ballooning.-High adventure in...
bases run by the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
(BSA) in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , is a wilderness area within the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota under the administration of the U.S. Forest Service...
(BWCAW) of Minnesota, Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park
Quetico Provincial Park
Quetico Provincial Park is a large wilderness park in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, renowned for its excellent canoeing and fishing. This park shares its southern border with Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is part of the larger Superior National Forest...
, Manitoba's Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park
Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park
Atikaki Provincial Park is located in Manitoba, Canada, and was partially mapped out by Marc Wermager, and is designated as a wilderness park. This means that there are no roads, logging areas, or major developments in the park. It is located east of Lake Winnipeg, along the Ontario border in the...
and points beyond. It is the oldest of the three National High Adventure Bases operated by the Boy Scouts of America
High-adventure bases of the Boy Scouts of America
High-adventure bases of the Boy Scouts of America are outdoor recreation facilities located in several locales in North America operated by the Boy Scouts of America at the organization's national level. Each facility offers wilderness programs and training that could include sailing, wilderness...
. Its counterparts are the Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch is a large, rugged, mountainous ranch located near the town of Cimarron, New Mexico, covering approximately of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico...
and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base
Florida National High Adventure Sea Base
The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base is a high adventure program base run by the Boy Scouts of America in the Florida Keys. Its counterparts are the Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico, the Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases in Ely, Minnesota, and The Summit Bechtel Family...
.
Northern Tier offers wilderness canoe trips. There are no lodgings along the trail, and aircraft and motorboats are restricted. Typical treks may cover 50 to 150 miles and take 6 to 10 days. With each crew is an instructor called an "Interpreter" who is sometimes called a "Charlie Guide."
Programs and Bases
Northern Tier consists of the following bases:- Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base in Ely, MinnesotaEly, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 3,724 people, 1,912 households, and 916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,369.5 people per square mile . There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 703.2 per square mile...
which offers canoe trips to BWCAW and Quetico. Sommers offers the OkpikOkpikOkpik, pronounced as is the cold-weather adventure program offered by the Boy Scouts of America's Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases at the Charles L...
cold weather camping program in the winter months, which covers such activities as cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow shoeing, ice fishing, expedition travel, and shelter building, and more.
- Don Rogert Canoe Base in Atikokan, OntarioAtikokan, OntarioAtikokan is a township in the District of Rainy River in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. In 2006, the population was 3,293. The town is one of the main entry points into Quetico Provincial Park and promotes itself as the "Canoeing Capital of Canada"...
, Canada which offers canoe trips in Quetico and areas north.
- Northern Expeditions Base in Bissett, ManitobaBissett, ManitobaBissett is a community in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Located on Manitoba Provincial Road 304, Bissett is an entry point to Nopiming Provincial Park.-History:...
, which offers fly-in canoeing in Manitoba east of Lake Winnipeg.
The National Cold-Weather Camping Development Center is located at the Northern Tier Base at Ely, Minnesota. The center provides materials for, and specializes in problems associated with, cold-weather camping for councils and other organizations.
There is also the OA Wilderness Voyage, organized by the Order of the Arrow
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
to do work on the portage trails in the Boundary Waters area.
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 programs.The program has a long history with the Ely, Minnesota
Ely, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,724 people, 1,912 households, and 916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,369.5 people per square mile . There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 703.2 per square mile...
area. Such famous authors as Sigurd Olson counted themselves as friends of the program.
Check In
Similar to other BSA high adventureHigh adventure
High adventure is a type of outdoor experience. It typically is meant to include activities like backpacking, hiking, kayaking or canoeing. It may also include mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, orienteering, hang gliding, paragliding and hot air ballooning.-High adventure in...
bases, an incoming crew will be assigned an interpreter to help them get ready for their expedition. Upon arrival at the base camp, the crew will meet their interpreter while their leaders check in. After that, the crew will be issued their food and gear. Personal gear is carried in two or three Granite Gear
Granite Gear
Granite Gear Backpacks is a producer of backpacks and is located in Two Harbors, Minnesota known for its construction techniques and backpack durability. The most notable piece of technology used in many of their backpacks is a molded, 3-dimensional frameplate...
three person "gray whale/elephant/hippo/hefalump" packs. Food and cooking equipment are carried in boxes in specially made packs by Kondos Outdoors in Ely, MN. Tents, paddles, pfds, and other safety equipment are also issued, and their use is explained by the interpreter or the outfitting staff. Included in the gear is a radio or satellite phone used for emergency communication with base while on the trek. With the help of their interpreter, the crew plans their course on a large map displayed on the wall. Unlike treks at Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch is a large, rugged, mountainous ranch located near the town of Cimarron, New Mexico, covering approximately of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico...
in New Mexico, there are no pre-assigned routes. Crews are then assigned a cabin in which to spend its first night. The crew enjoys their dinner in the dining hall, participates in the evening program, and can visit the trading post if time permits.
On the Trail
For a crew that is leaving the Sommers base and entering the Quetico Provencial Park, the first three hours of paddling are the most crucial. The Canadian customs office closes for an hour at lunch (noon-1:00pm). It is advisable to paddle fast as to not get there during the lunch break.In the month of July, the sun comes up at 5:30am and doesn't go down until about 9:30pm. Long days are not too uncommon, but a typical schedule could look something like this:
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00am | Wake Up |
| 6:15-7:00 | Eat hearty breakfast, break down camp |
| 7:20 | Depart camp |
| 7:20-11:30 | Paddle and Portage |
| 11:30-12:30 | Eat Lunch, Rest |
| 12:30-3:00 | Paddle and Portage |
| 3:00-3:45 | Set up camp |
| 3:45-5:30 | Goof off; relax |
| 5:30-7:30 | Prepare, eat, and clean up dinner |
| 7:30-8:00 | Relax, have a "Thorns, Roses, and Buds" Reflection |
| 8:00-10:00 | Warm up; stay at campfire and tell stories |
| 10:00-6:00 | Lights out |
BWCAW vs. Quetico
While both areas are designated wilderness areas, Quetico Provincial Park is typically considered, by trail staff at least, to be more wild and considerably more challenging than the Boundary Waters. There are far more people in the Boundary Waters than in Quetico by fivefold. It is not unusual for crews not to see another person for several days in Quetico. Whereas the Boundary Waters' portage trails are maintained rather meticulously, Quetico's trails are generally unmaintained. This means that in Quetico there are no boardwalks as there are in the BWCAW in and around swampy portages, fewer park wardens clearing the trails of fallen timber, etc.Likewise, the campsites are rather different between the two wilderness areas. Boundary Waters' campsites have designated fire grates in the fire ring and a small fiberglass latrine called a "grumper". Quetico's campsites are far less used than BWCAW and many are not marked on Fisher maps. The sites themselves do not have a latrine (participants must dig a cat-hole 6"x6"x6" at least 150 feet away from water and camp; nor do they have a fire grate.
In short, if your crew is looking for an easier trek as far as portaging and paddling and camp set-up are concerned, the BWCAW is the way to go. This is good for younger crews. If your crew seeks a challenging trip, solitude and many beautiful sites are the rewards Quetico offers.
The Return
When crews return, they can shower for the first time in several days, and eat a dinner that they don't have to prepare themselves. They clean their equipment, and spend their last evening in a cabin.Wilderness Grace
Participants recite an adapted version of the Wilderness GraceWilderness Grace
The Wilderness Grace, also known as the "Worth Ranch Grace" and the "Philmont Grace", is the common name of a simple prayer recited before meals at many Boy Scout camps around the United States. The original version, the "Worth Ranch Grace", was written in 1929 by A. J...
:
For food, for raiment,
For life and opportunity,
For sun and rain,
For water and portage trails,
For friendship and fellowship,
We thank thee, O Lord.
Amen.