Solo summer canoe trip in the BWCA Wilderness 2023, Seagull Lake entry.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) is a brooding, eternal land of elemental rock and water that beckons canoeists with the promise of wilderness and solitude. A place where it seems time has stood still for hundreds of years. A place that holds the possibility of sighting a moose on a portage trail, the tug of a lake trout on a fishing line or the sound of wolves howling at night. Come with me as I leave civilization behind and lose myself for 10 days of paddling and portaging through this ancient land of majestic pines, crystal clear water and ancient rocks. Lakes visited on this summer trip over the 4th of July include but not limited to Seagull, Ogishkemuncie, Knife, Spoon, Kekekabic, Ottertrack and Saganaga.

[@rbadolph]

These are very well done videos. Thank you.

[@nemadjihermit]

@@rbadolph Thank you for the comment, I’m glad you liked it. And you’re welcome, I enjoy making them.

[@NothernNate]

BWCA! love it. 💙

[@airmorse]

Im the last of an original group of cousins and uncles who all went to the BW together every year. We first started going to the Boundary Waters in 1993. I, too, recently visited the first campsite I stayed at. And know what you were feeling when you visited yours. Great video.

[@nemadjihermit]

Thanks for the great comment, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. The BWCA can have the ability to bring out strong emotions to those of us who become attached to this very special place.

[@scottnewbanks5111]

I’ve watched hundreds of KZbin videos along with gallons of red wine over the last 8 years while I cook dinner, and I have to say this is one of the,if not the best I’ve ever seen….. and that saying something….. if there was a video that I could choose on my dying day to watch, it would be this….. hoping I would end up like this in the BWCA, with the music playing in the background. please make more

[@nemadjihermit]

Oh wow! That’s far and away my best comment yet. Thank you very much….I’m just getting started, hopefully the best is yet to come.

[@lesteph101]

Merci..me suis reconnu énormément…meme canot,meme sac…meme rame…meme rythme…meme plaisir de canoter salut

[@pablocajar3127]

Hermoso vídeo, siempre los veo todos y me dan paz ❤

[@nemadjihermit]

Gracias

[@SoloSchmitty]

This is a beautiful video! I’m glad I found your channel! I love the Quetico superior area! Thx for sharing!

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you very much . It truly is a magical place.

[@Onetwothreefour.]

Nice. We did seagull over to kekekabic. And, incredible..37 years ago. Time does fly.

[@jeffarthur322]

zre paddles are awesome, have several & we probably have the exact same canoe . Truly wonderful video Even the same tarp ! People that have never been there are missing a couple experiences such as quiet & the night sky

[@nemadjihermit]

Good equipment makes for a much more pleasant experience. Thank you very much, I’m glad you enjoyed it and I couldn’t agree more.

[@daughterdad007]

Your videos are very enjoyable! That's really cool you were able to go back to the campsite you first went to 37 years ago. I also liked the look on your face when you caught the fish that was smaller than the lure! Again, well done...very peaceful sounds and views. Thank you for sharing.

[@nemadjihermit]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoy them. I’m looking forward to another canoe season and making more videos. That first successful solo trip 37 years ago was a very emotional trip for me so the memories are still vivid in my mind. Didn’t do well with the fishing last summer, hopefully this year will be better.

[@daughterdad007]

@@nemadjihermit I didn't do well with the fishing last summer either and am also looking forward to another season of canoe trips! The footage of the baby loon was incredible and similar to the size of fish I catch. :) If you ever do decide to add anything to your videos, I am always curious about your routes and at the same time I understand there are good reasons for not including maps. I've got a couple of trips planned with my daughters and I also hope to get out solo a few times. All the best to you!

[@nemadjihermit]

I will be adding maps and route depictions to my videos going forward. Except for the fall trips, I don’t want to give away my moose calling and antler searching areas. Enjoy your canoe trips and maybe we’ll run into each other sometime out there.

[@daughterdad007]

@@nemadjihermit That makes sense...I don't share my secret elk hunting locations either! If our paths do cross, steak dinners are on me, sir. I would like very much to hear your stories!

[@bretthendrick934]

I can almost feel the breeze from Omaha. Thank you for the pictures.

[@nemadjihermit]

You’re very welcome.

[@o1420]

What an awesome experience! First time watching you and your adventure. Im subscribing 👍

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you very much. I’m glad you were able to find my video and enjoyed it. 🙏

[@philsantillan]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this and share. Solo trip is on my bucket list. Just gotta convince the wife I won’t die or hurt myself 😂

[@nemadjihermit]

The pleasure of making these videos is all mine. Get out there on a solo trip even if it’s just on the edge of the BWCA, you won’t regret it.

[@oolddscchhool5826]

You catch the BWCA vibe perfectly again...

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you

[@mikeodonovan7325]

beautiful journey excellent watch brilliant video work hats off sir time well spent classsssss

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you 🙏

[@Tom_Emody]

I did some of the Minnesota boundary waters after Grateful Dead tour ended in 1995. I was already pretty far north in Chicago, so me and a buddy just headed on up and had the time of a life. We did not know about the mosquitoes yet! Imagine that. The sound of mosquitoes coming for you is a bad sound. I felt the gravity of the moment that you shared when you told us how long it’s been since you were there last. Isn’t it incredible that we can see the same place after so many years? How it’s changed and how we changed? Life is heavy duty.

[@nemadjihermit]

Life feels too short.

[@Tom_Emody]

@@nemadjihermit it is too short. I would like lives to be 1000 years. We need that long to see all the beautiful spots in nature. I at least hope that we can fly around and look at everything once we leave our bodies. I have three broken disks in my spine. I do get out in nature still, but I am very cautious and gentle with my actions. I miss running and jumping, I can still swim! That’s good enough. I want a canoe so badly! It will be perfect for exploring the Coosa River and lakes that I live on here in Alabama. I live near the Henry Nealy dam. Look it up if you have time? It’s a long river and I want to paddle the whole thing.

[@nemadjihermit]

I’ll do that…. Thanks

[@Rwskisr]

Nicely done video. Love solo canoeing in BWCA and Quetico.

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you. Going solo certainly does have its own special rewards.

[@joewehner9837]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you

[@Dinops907]

Yes..I couldn't agree more...time moves so fast now at our age...68...hope to do some BWCA Canoeing with Daughter in 2024

[@nemadjihermit]

Father time catches up with all of us. Enjoy your trip with your daughter.

[@joshmoodyadventuresinlivin9089]

Great video. Really nice footage and editing and fantastic scenery. Must have been a memorable adventure.

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you. There are all memorable, I’m just happy I’m able to film it all so I can share it with you all.

[@notquiteultralight1701]

I absolutely loved this sir! You captured the loon sounds and other bird sounds beautifully! Thank you. NQU

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@darrengladstone3159]

Awesome video. You have solo tripping and packing down to a science. Curious what you use for food storage / animal proofing?

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you very much. I still make an effort to try and improve my skills on every trip I take…I do bring a bear/critter proof container for my food so I don’t have to bother with hanging. I also make an effort to create a clean campsite so as to keep bears and other critters from showing up in the first place.

[@darrengladstone3159]

@@nemadjihermit thanks! I'm assuming you have a smaller "bear vault" or similar 2 gallon ish size container?

[@nemadjihermit]

Yes it the bear vault, BV500. I wish they would make one even bigger, mine only holds about 8 days worth of food but since most of my trips are longer than that some of my food is vulnerable for a few days.

[@darrengladstone3159]

@@nemadjihermit I know there are some olive and pickle plastic mini barrels folks used to use. They are screw on lids and probably heavier than a Bear Vault.

[@nemadjihermit]

Yeah I might look into trying to find something bigger.

[@vestabidwell2285]

Absolutely stunning!!! The loons were a precious bonus! Will you guide my Alabama friends on a trip?

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you. Loons are definitely a beautiful part of the BWCA experience. I’d be happy to help your friends out with their trip.

[@เซียนอั้งนักล่าปลาหมอ]

สุดยอดเป็นวีดีโอดีมากครับ❤👍😁💯

[@nemadjihermit]

Don’t know what that means but thank you.

[@woodland8902]

What a great trip! You tamed the waves and made the birds sing on que. Very peaceful. What kind of stove was that? It looks very handy.

[@nemadjihermit]

Lol, yes the birds where very cooperative and surprisingly quite vocal. It is a handy little stove and I love cooking on it. It’s called the littlbug stove from littlbug enterprises.

[@stevenLichay]

That’s a pretty sleek canoe is it hard to handle in the wind

[@nemadjihermit]

@@stevenLichay oh yeah, she likes to weathervane. If the wind is particularly strong I put some weight, like a rock, in the bow if I have a headwind or the stern if I have a tailwind.

[@SailorAllan]

very calming video ! what was that saw you were using at 24:00 ? never seen that before.

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you...That's just a bow saw I'm holding between my legs. It's easier cutting small pieces of wood that way.

[@Dinops907]

be interested in seeeing your gear list..Myke

[@nemadjihermit]

Maybe someday I’ll make a video going over it. But that’s not really the focus of the channel.

[@taylorandr4]

What is your wood stove set up you were cooking over? Looks like a nice option for things you need a wider spread of heat where a isobutyl stove doesn't really work as well with.

[@nemadjihermit]

It’s called the littlbug stove from littlbug enterprises. I prefer cooking with wood on my extended trips and I think it’s a great option.

[@miksretirementadventures9795]

Will you tell me where you got your round cooking stove please. Or the name of it Thank You Mik

[@nemadjihermit]

No problem, it’s called the littlbug, from littlbug enterprises.

[@miksretirementadventures9795]

I just ordered the stove. Thanks for getting back to me Mik @@nemadjihermit

[@nemadjihermit]

No problem, I just got back from a winter camping trip in the BWCA.

[@miksretirementadventures9795]

Ah man, That's cool! Was the snow a blessing or a problem? I just received my first Hot Tent and Stove via UPS yesterday. Planning on a trip the last week of April.@@nemadjihermit

[@nemadjihermit]

I didn’t bring any snowshoes because, you know no snow. So I thought getting out might be a bit of a challenge but it actually wasn’t too bad. I’ll have a video about it up shortly.

[@yunzhao760]

this looks epic! Great work and thank you for sharing. One question: did you pack enough food for 10 days? It looks like the packs were on the lighter side. Thank you.

[@nemadjihermit]

Truth be told, I was out for 12 days and had 12 days worth of food. I just say 10 cuz it’s a nice round number.

[@ssiegle0515]

it would be nice if you talked more! had no idea of the lakes that you were on.

[@nemadjihermit]

I appreciate the feedback but that's not really the point of my videos.

[@bobwalker9635]

Very nice! What kind of tent are you using there?

[@nemadjihermit]

Thanks. It’s a great tent made by Eureka, unfortunately that particular model has been discontinued.

[@stevenLichay]

How do you like the voyager canoe ?

[@nemadjihermit]

@@stevenLichay I like it, it tracks well, moves fast through the water and has plenty of space for gear. It can be unstable at times but if it’s a little spicy I just drop down and paddle from my knees.

[@stevenLichay]

I’ve been paddling a swift osprey for many years, lots of trips up in Quetico and bwca good all around canoe at 15ft with some rocker for maneuvering, looking for something faster and lighter thinking about that voyager , thanks

[@nemadjihermit]

@@stevenLichay Compared to some of the canoes I’ve paddled in the past it’s a dream.

[@nemadjihermit]

@@stevenLichay I think either the Voyager or the Prism would be excellent choices.

[@lisafaust3801]

I cannot believe how time has flown by either...it does my heart good to see you out there and enjoying the beautiful BWCA...more power to you...

[@stevehisey389]

Nailed it ! Curious what dates you traveled this route?

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you.. not sure on the exact dates but was the end of June beginning of July.

[@mikedor]

What is that green shelter/tarp/fly you used?

[@nemadjihermit]

That is the Kelty Noah’s 9 ft rainfly.

[@mikedor]

@@nemadjihermit lovely! It’s a nice setup. Thank you for the quick reply and fun video.

[@nemadjihermit]

It is a nice setup, quick and easy and I’ve been very happy with it. Thank you.

[@justin.brown777]

Great video of your journey in the Boundary Waters. There is something special about the Boundary Waters that isn't possible to put into words. Just something that everyone should see in their lifetime. I'm honestly not sure where time is going. Great videography and leaving the audience with that tranquility which is the boundary waters.

[@nemadjihermit]

I couldn't agree more, the Boundary Waters is a unique and special place. Thank you for the kind words, I'm glad appreciated it.

[@mileswinslow7553]

I'm heading to Seagull in August '23. It will be a solo trip as well. I'm now 57, and I first went to the BWCA when I was six . Yes, time sure flies. I ❤️ love the sound of the white throated sparrow in the background. "OH sweet Canada, Canada, Canada...🇨🇦!"

[@nemadjihermit]

Very nice...yes the white throated sparrows seem pretty ubiquitous throughout the spring and summer with their melodically sweet song.

[@Bobby_Danger]

well done. beautiful video.

[@nemadjihermit]

Thank you

[@Gypsygirl-wi6vf]

Loved the peaceful tranquility of your video ❤️ and the loons!

[@nemadjihermit]

Ahhh… thank you.

[@buffalo4127]

Beautiful loon family vignette!

[@nemadjihermit]

Loons are an amazing bird and it’s a beautiful thing to have them in the BWCA.