Carl Madsen in the bow paddles out of the BWCA Wilderness with a guest, another canoe in tow, after helping them exit the wilderness Aug. 7. Photo by Mike Seim
Canoe Outfitter Paddles and Portages 28 Miles Following Rescue in BWCA
By Joe Friedrichs
Carl Madsen is a co-owner of Rockwood Lodge and Canoe Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. On August 7, Carl paddled and portaged 28 miles to help a paddler in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The paddler rented a canoe from Rockwood and her paddling partner had been flown out that morning in Beaver float plane from Kiskadinna Lake in the BWCA after suffering a health-related emergency (hernia). Carl shares the epic story of paddling in and out to Kiskadinna to help the other person involved exit the wilderness safely.
The video below is Carl Madsen speaking with Joe Friedrichs at Rockwood Aug. 9.
Subscribe to Paddle and Portage to support news and information from and about the Boundary Waters region.
Other Recent Articles
Walz’s Executive Order to Protect the BWCA Only the Latest Move in the Wilderness Chess Match
BWCA Wilderness sign at Seagull Lake. Photo by Joe Friedrichs A Paddle & Portage subscriber who lives out of state reached out late in the day Aug. 18 after seeing social media light up with news of Minnesota’s governor “saving the Boundary Waters.” In her...
RABC Permits Extended Until the End of November
RABC permit sign. P&P file photo BOUNDARY WATERS – The Remote Area Border Crossing Program has a new end date. The RABC Program as it currently operates is now scheduled to close Nov. 30. The program was set to end in mid-September. No official reason for the...
Cabin Owners, Forest Service Split on Benefits and Timing of Prescribed Fire Near the BWCA
A sign posted by the Forest Service at the Greenwood Lake public landing showing a map of prescribed fire activity in 2026. Photo by Joe Friedrichs The first wildfire of the year near the Boundary Waters started May 15 near Betty’s Pies and Highway 61, not far from...