What a great weekend to journey into the fringes of the Boundary Waters for our (beginners) winter wilderness camping trip. The weather was to be beautiful and the lake trout were to be willing biters......but let's back up first......

What was once a pipedream of going to the BWCA every year beginning in 1994 had now become a multi-trip annual experience. This clearly indicates the love we have for the BWCA, but we have desired something more, a change if you will.

Capt'n Tony had set in his mind to exchange the summer backdrop for a winter one and take a stab at winter camping. Over the course of the early winter we were able to secure outfitter(s) to get all of our gear in order. It also gave us time to round up another outdoor enthusiast, Matt to tag along on one of our crazy adventures.

We compiled out packing lists a few weeks before the excursion, bought all the items we thought we needed and headed north to the first of outfitters on our grand adventure. Our first stop was Sawtooth Outfitters to pick up our Alta Hok's that we had heard so much about. After a quick crash course on how they are used we headed up to Stone Harbor to pick up the rest of our gear which consisted of the tent, stove, -30 degree bags, pulks and cots. A short drive north up the Gunflint Trail and we were are EP60 ready to depart to Duncan Lake, which leads us into our adventure.