The Barefoot Paddler in Ely on July 3. Photo by Joe Friedrichs
Barefoot Paddler Midseason BWCA Update
By Joe Friedrichs
Mark Zimmer is the Barefoot Paddler of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. He spoke with Joe from the Paddle & Portage Podcast July 3 in the heart of Ely, the canoe capital of the world.
Zimmer, more commonly referred to as the ‘Barefoot Paddler,’ completed a goal to visit and digitally mark with GPS coordinates every campsite across the BWCA Wilderness. Paddlers can now download the information on their phones.
Do that, here: https://www.thebarefootpaddler.com/
Zimmer is in the middle of his 14th year exploring the BWCA Wilderness. Mark typically spends late April or early May through October in the Boundary Waters. He catches walleye, lake trout, and pike. He forages wild edibles, including mushrooms, roots, and various fruits and vegetables that grow in the woods here. Zimmer paddles a solo canoe and sleeps in a hammock. And he prefers to spend his time in the Boundary Waters without shoes.
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