Ran across this today, four young men paddle from nearby Fergus Falls, MN to Hudson Bay in 1979.

This Water Goes North

1979 was like centuries ago. No internet for the latest info or any info for that matter. You could spend days at the u of mn Wilson map library making copies of Canadian topo maps. If you were lucky they located waterfalls. Once you were in the Bush you were on your own. If there weren’t First Nation villages you could go for weeks and nobody had any idea of how you were doing. Technology has taken the adventure out of the adventure

Thanks LindenTree! I grew up in Fergus Falls. I'm actually heading up there in a couple of days with hopes of canoeing part of the Otter Tail. I'll be in your neck of the woods (one of them) as well, Detroit Lakes, for a while next Tuesday. I just picked up a copy of the book on Amazon.

I think I read that one. Great book. They caught some high water going down the Red, if I recall correctly.

jwartman59: "1979 was like centuries ago. No internet for the latest info or any info for that matter. You could spend days at the u of mn Wilson map library making copies of Canadian topo maps. If you were lucky they located waterfalls. Once you were in the Bush you were on your own. If there weren’t First Nation villages you could go for weeks and nobody had any idea of how you were doing. Technology has taken the adventure out of the adventure "

Absolutely true.

I would love to read this book. I will have to look for it at the library.

I ran across a similar book (Adventure North) at the Julebyen festival in Knife River last December. Two 18 year olds did Chaska to Hudson Bay in 2008, and one of them (I think it was Sean) was at a table selling the book. They referenced Canoeing with the Cree (similar 1930s trip) throughout the book, so they weren’t aware of this book that came out in 2008 just after their trip. I wonder if their trip helped with the motivation to finish the book about the 1979 trip.

I finally got to read Adventure North and finished it this past weekend. I haven’t read the other two (yet), so not sure how it compares. They definitely had an adventure just over a decade ago.

Adventure North

Good book.
I’m reading everything I can get my hands on since I only get up there every other year now.

Northwoodsman: "Thanks LindenTree! I grew up in Fergus Falls. I'm actually heading up there in a couple of days with hopes of canoeing part of the Otter Tail. I'll be in your neck of the woods (one of them) as well, Detroit Lakes, for a while next Tuesday. I just picked up a copy of the book on Amazon."

Joel, I'll be in DL next week.
PM me if you have time to go out for a beer or what ever you drink. I'm retired so anytime works for me.
Have fun, I've canoed much of the Ottertail between Tamarac National WIldlife Refuge and Frazee.

LindenTree: "Ran across this today, four young men paddle from nearby Fergus Falls, MN to Hudson Bay in 1979.

This Water Goes North "

Ordered! Always appreciate a good book referral - thanks!

Sounds like a great read, I just ordered a used copy from Amazon, there are lots available for under $7-8.

aruthenb: "Sounds like a great read, I just ordered a used copy from Amazon, there are lots available for under $7-8."

Yep! Me too. It will be here saturday and just in time for my departure to BWCA

Northwoodsman: "Thanks LindenTree! I grew up in Fergus Falls. I'm actually heading up there in a couple of days with hopes of canoeing part of the Otter Tail. I'll be in your neck of the woods (one of them) as well, Detroit Lakes, for a while next Tuesday. I just picked up a copy of the book on Amazon."

My Great Great Grand parents immigrated to Fergas Falls from Norway. They're buried there.