Boundary Waters
26-31 July 2024 | Boundary Waters, Northern Minnesota
About
Difficulty Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Look up “Summer Adventure” in the dictionary and you’ll see this Boundary Waters Expedition at the top. This Expedition is for the Eagle who is eager to explore a pristine and remote part of our country; for the Eagle who wants to swim in cool, clear lakes and listen to loons at night; and for the Eagle who wants to experience camaraderie that can only be found through small unit teamwork.
For five nights Eagles will travel by canoe across wild lakes and rivers, portaging all gear and supplies over-land, and setting up camp on the shores of a summer paradise. By day, it’s all about exploring, covering miles on water and land, and having a blast. Working together under the summer sun will earn those invigorating swim breaks. By night, fix your gaze to the starlit skies above and open your ears to the sounds of loons calling across the still waters of tranquil lakes. Breathe deep and unwind with your teammates as you share a warm dinner around the campfire, then prepare to do it again the next day.
WHO
18 Eagles
(potential for 9 more pending interest)
WHERE
Boundary Waters, Northern Minnesota
Superior National Forest
WHEN
Fri, July 26 - Wed, July 31
Overview
We are looking for:
Eagles who want a new experience in a remote part of the country.
Eagles who thrive in a small team environment where communication and planning will forecast success
Eagles who see new experiences as growth opportunities, challenges, and ways to connect with each other
Up to 18 Eagles with potential for 9 more pending interest
Why should you attend:
Experience a not often visited or well-known part of the country
Adventure
A true sense of being in the middle of nowhere (you will be)
To slow down the pace of life and focus only on basic needs and your teammates
To immerse yourself in a living time-capsule of the last ice-age
Challenging activity
Solitude
Expedition will consist of:
4 days and 3 nights of canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)
Primitive camping within a labyrinth of islands, lakes and wetlands
Canoeing, portaging, hiking, swimming, fishing, stargazing
What is portaging?
A portage is a section of land that connects two bodies of water. While out in the Boundary Waters, Eagles will portage dozens of times as they traverse the many lakes and rivers to get to the next campsite.
Portaging is hard work! It includes hauling large, heavy packs across terrain that can be rocky, soft, uneven, etc. It also includes putting the 17’ kevlar canoes on your shoulders and carrying them to the next body of water.
Portages can be as short as 100’, or as long as one whole mile.
Information Session
Please join us for a LIVE information session about the 2024 Eagle Expeditions on 25 January 2024 at 8:00 PM ET.
Application Window
The application window for the Boundary Waters Eagle Expedition is 16 June - 7 July, 2024.
Level of Difficulty
4 out of 5.
What makes this trip difficult?
Consider constant movement for several hours per day. Between breaking down camp in the morning to paddling and portaging up to 15 miles in a given day, with the elements, then arriving at camp to then set everything up again. The days can be very long and exhausting.
Physically the movements are not strenuous like doing 100 burpees, but you are constantly on the move, and if it’s a big lake, you have strong wind fighting you to knock your boat off course.
The sheer vastness and remoteness of the area is not to be underestimated. There is no “I can leave and get picked up”. An early exit would require a helicopter and a life threatening emergency.
Eagles should be comfortable spending several days with only the people in their group, with no outside contact and no resources aside from what is with the group.
Registration
Cost
$250 - Eagles can fundraise the fee or pay out of pocket.
All funds go to support Team RWB in our pursuit to forge the leading health and wellness community for veterans.
Included in Registration
All meals from arrival to the Lodge through departure
Airport shuttle to the Lodge
Lodging
Gear rentals
“I met a great group of Eagles and felt an instant, natural connection with fellow veterans who enjoyed the outdoors, enjoyed the challenging physical activity, and enjoying sharing laughs and struggles together.
For any Eagle out there, new or having been around for a number of years, I encourage you to reach outside your comfort zone and sign up for an expedition that interests you!”
-John
