A four-person paddling crew will tackle 1,200 miles of historic routes between Minnesota and Canada. Their journey will take them from Grand Portage on Lake Superior to York Factory on Hudson Bay this summer and is expected to take 85 days. With their broad collective experience, none are strangers to remote wilderness travel. Through their journey, they aim to inspire young women and girls while advocating for gender equality in paddle sports.
The group who calls themselves the “Hudson Bay Girls” will follow a route that others have long explored. It was first navigated by the Anishinaabe people, who have deep cultural and historical ties to both northern Minnesota and Ontario. Later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, French fur traders traversed these lakes and rivers in search of fur while moving trade goods between remote outposts.
The trip will start from Grand Portage, Minnesota, early in the summer. From there, they will take the 8.3-mile Grand Portage trail and enter the BWCAW. Following the historic Voyageurs Route along the Minnesota-Canadian border, they will continue north to Lake Winnipeg and, eventually, reach Hudson Bay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Seasoned wilderness paddlers
Each person in the group brings extensive paddling and wilderness experience, having led adventures for Scouting and other outdoor groups.
“With a combined total of over 4,000 miles paddled and 8 years of professional canoe guiding experience with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the Boundary Waters and Quetico, we’re determined to break barriers and highlight the rich history of this iconic route,” they said.
Olivia Bledsoe, a former Girl Scout, has worked as a wilderness canoe guide. She has worked for Northern Lakes Canoe Base and Northern Tier in northern Minnesota for a couple of seasons. Currently studying Wildlife Conservation, Olivia is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Emma Brackett has guided wilderness canoe trips for two seasons with Northern Tier High Adventure Canoe Base in Ely, MN. Additionally, they worked as a trail maintenance foreman in Quetico Provincial Park. They are studying Studio Art at Clark University in Maine.
Abby Cichocki, another former Girl Scout, also has wilderness canoe guiding experience with Northern Tier. Last summer, she worked as a wilderness EMT. She plans to finish her degree in neurobiology and athletic healthcare before applying to medical school.
The fourth member of the group is Helena Karlstrom. She has led backpacking, climbing, and canoe trips in the BWCAW through Ohio University. She is majoring in Environmental Studies and is also a Wilderness First Responder.
The team was inspired by Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho’s 2011 expedition from Minnesota to Hudson Bay. Dreaming about the possibility of a similar expedition, Bledsoe said, “You’re going to make it happen, just cause you don’t know anyone who’s done it. I read the Hudson Bay bound book and thought – I could do that.” Warren and Raiho followed the historic 2,000-mile route from Eric Sevarid’s 1935 book Canoeing with the Cree. Reaching York Factory, the duo completed their journey in 85 days.
From top to bottom, left to right: Olivia Bledsoe, Emma Brackett, Abby Cichocki, and Helena Karlstrom. (Photos courtesy Hudon Bay Girls)
Bringing attention to key issues
According to an American Canoe Association Special Report on paddlesports, from 2013 to 2018, canoeing participation dropped by 14%, and the percentage of female canoeists decreased by 6%. Additionally, for adolescents ages 13-17, participation declined from 2.6 million to 2.3 million. Lack of interest in that age group generally means that they’re less likely to participate in the sport later in life.
And while the Hudson Bay Girls are not the first to embark on such an adventure, they will use the opportunity to encourage more young women to get into paddling sports.
Reflecting on her youth, Karlstrom said that she was often outside as a kid. But she noted, “I never really dreamed big as to what I could do or be. I would tell myself that you can spread your wings and fly and go against the grain. Because of that, I feel most like myself when I do something that nobody else is doing.” Everyone remarked on how following and seeing other women’s adventures shaped their childhood.
Their experience in the BWCAW has deepened their connection to the region. They’re partnering with Save the Boundary Waters and will highlight the importance of wilderness protection as they paddle through the wilderness.
Embracing the unknown
Preparation also includes a contract between them, providing guidelines to help them manage safety, group dynamics, and risks. Before their trip, they’ll have numerous tasks to complete, from booking transportation, sorting and packing gear, securing permits, and purchasing and shipping food. Amongst the goods will be a cake mix to celebrate a couple of birthdays, along with favorite snacks and candies.
“We’ve never had to plan our food from scratch and have been busy calculating amounts and calories,” said Cichocki. The group has connected with fellow paddlers who have done similar expeditions for guidance on preparation and planning. Their numerous spreadsheets and weekly check-ins together are keeping them on track.
Support has poured in from businesses and private citizens, with donations ranging from food to paddling gear and financial assistance.
The fourth team member, Emma Brackett, summed it up well. In their mid-twenties, they have many aspirations. As they contemplate this new adventure, they remind themselves, “Take a breath; you’re not going to run out of time. You can do hard things; you just need to relax.”
Those who would like to follow their adventure can find them on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
More info:
- Helena Karlstrom paddles toward the Boundary Waters this summer – The Post
- Natalie Warren Talks Paddling, Writing, and the Hudson Bay Girls – Paddle & Portage
Wilderness guide and outdoorswoman Pam Wright has been exploring wild places since her youth. Remaining curious, she has navigated remote lakes in Canada by canoe, backpacked some of the highest mountains in the Sierra Nevada, and completed a thru-hike of the Superior Hiking Trail. Her professional roles include working as a wilderness guide in northern Minnesota and providing online education for outdoor enthusiasts.