Solo Trip Across the Border Lakes - Mona's Story
About this episode
Mona Gauthier shares her journey of completing a 200-mile solo trip across the border lakes of the Boundary Waters after decades of wilderness paddling.
Mona Gauthier led her first trip to the BWCA in August 1983. At that time, she was a recent college graduate with limited resources and made do with gear and equipment that was available. Inspired by the peace, beauty, adventure and challenge of the BWCA, she vowed to return. And return she did. In 2025, Mona completed a 200-mile solo trip across the border lakes of the Boundary Waters. It was her first solo adventure after completing nearly 70 trips to the BWCA. In this episode, we share Mona's story of her first solo trip, and how it intersects with decades of introducing others to wilderness paddling. This episode is sponsored by Loons Nest Coffee and Sawtooth Outfitters. Special thanks to Mike Gauthier, Sue Sullivan, Paula & Fred Furlich, Lisa DeLaney, Joanie Ouellette, Ruthie Davis, and Kevin Kenow for supporting Mona's trip and helping to make this episode possible.
People in this episode
Guest: Mona Gauthier
Sponsors
Loons Nest Coffee, Sawtooth Outfitters
Mentioned in this episode
Places: BWCA, Boundary Waters
More episodes of Paddle and Portage Podcast
- The Ties of a Hybrid Fish to the BWCA
- Forest Service to Utah Update & Talking BWCA and Books with a Duluth Writer
- This Miscalculations of Spring in the Boundary Waters
- Kevin Kinney: Behind the Wool and Canvas
- Ryan Rodgers - Where the Green Light Shines
- Tim Bates: An Unsung Hero of the Boundary Waters
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