Anyone come across one during your BW travels. I just watched a Youtube video with two YouTubers traveling together in Wabakimi and they came across another YouTuber. I have not come across anyone with several cameras and doing a narration. I've watched some really good one and others that are not so good. I kind of have mixed feelings about YouTubers. I know a guy who basically documents ever get together for his channel

I haven't come across a YouTuber, but I have run into podcasters. While hiking across Isle Royale some years back I ran into Joe Friedrichs carrying recording equipment who asked if he could interview me for their podcast on WTIP at the time. Said sure and sat down with him for a while. I didn't really listen to podcasts or realize there was a BW podcast but that got me to be a regular listener to WTIP and Tumblehome once they got started.

I have not. But it wouldn't bother me as long as they're being respectful of the wilderness and other people.

where does youtube filming come into play with the USFS permit needs for filming...

We came across a solo guy this past spring. Forget his name, but did find his channel shortly after we got back. A lot of bushcrafting stuff, which I don't have any interest in, so never did follow up to see what he published regarding the spring trip.

Mocha, yes a permit is needed for any commercial filming in the bwca.

OgemaBlackstone: " Mocha, yes a permit is needed for any commercial filming in the bwca.
"

This is no longer true after the signing of the EXPLORE act. I’m guessing a vast majority of YouTubers and how they film, is allowed without a commercial permit. High level- less than 8 people, filming anywhere a visitor can be, and not restricting access or blocking areas off from other visitors. I’m guessing almost all are within these (maybe a problem for those groups of 9)

THEGrandRapids: "

OgemaBlackstone: " Mocha, yes a permit is needed for any commercial filming in the bwca.
"

This is no longer true after the signing of the EXPLORE act. I’m guessing a vast majority of YouTubers and how they film, is allowed without a commercial permit. High level- less than 8 people, filming anywhere a visitor can be, and not restricting access or blocking areas off from other visitors. I’m guessing almost all are within these (maybe a problem for those groups of 9)"

Rapids I know what you are talking about, however I find it confusing. It used to be simple, no commercial filming. YouTube is a company and pays people for video.
Now their exceptions for groups of less than 6.

This is what google gave me;

Yes, you need a permit for commercial filming in the Boundary Waters, and a recent law has changed the requirements, so you may not need a permit if your project meets certain criteria. Specifically, you can film without a permit if the activity involves fewer than six individuals, occurs in a public area, does not harm resources or other visitors, and does not use a significant amount of staging equipment. Commercial filming is managed by the Forest Service, and proposals in the BWCAW require special screening due to wilderness regulations.

OgemaBlackstone: "

THEGrandRapids: "

OgemaBlackstone: " Mocha, yes a permit is needed for any commercial filming in the bwca.
"

This is no longer true after the signing of the EXPLORE act. I’m guessing a vast majority of YouTubers and how they film, is allowed without a commercial permit. High level- less than 8 people, filming anywhere a visitor can be, and not restricting access or blocking areas off from other visitors. I’m guessing almost all are within these (maybe a problem for those groups of 9)"

Rapids I know what you are talking about, however I find it confusing. It used to be simple, no commercial filming. YouTube is a company and pays people for video.
Now their exceptions for groups of less than 6. "

Looks like it is groups of less than 6, but the monetization of it doesn’t really appear to be a factor anymore, as long as the other elements are met, it’s allowed without permit.

Found the actual chart. The law is set for under 6 but they allow a de minimus exception for 6-8 people. So really the requirement starts at 9 people.

portagerunner: "I haven't come across a YouTuber, but I have run into podcasters. While hiking across Isle Royale some years back I ran into Joe Friedrichs carrying recording equipment who asked if he could interview me for their podcast on WTIP at the time. Said sure and sat down with him for a while. I didn't really listen to podcasts or realize there was a BW podcast but that got me to be a regular listener to WTIP and Tumblehome once they got started."

Joe will get you every time! (not me though, I sound like a moron with a mic)

Ran into My Book Of Memories on Ogish a few falls ago, guy does some crazy long trips into PMA's. He is a pretty recognizable guy and he had his bow he was hunting grouse with on there which caught my eye lol. Check out his stuff if you havent, some big pike, moose sheds, deep into PMA's..

portagerunner: "I haven't come across a YouTuber, but I have run into podcasters. While hiking across Isle Royale some years back I ran into Joe Friedrichs carrying recording equipment who asked if he could interview me for their podcast on WTIP at the time. Said sure and sat down with him for a while. I didn't really listen to podcasts or realize there was a BW podcast but that got me to be a regular listener to WTIP and Tumblehome once they got started."

I ran into Joe on my winter trip last year on Topper/South Lakes. I'm a subscriber to Paddle and Portage and loved his book "Last Entry Point". Cool dude!

I also ran into Keenan from "Paddle the North" while in Woodland Caribou a couple years back. We were both in for a solo trip not long after ice out. He gave me some tips on some upcoming lakes on my route. He was the only fella I saw for a week. He and his wife have some great videos if y'all haven't seen them on youtube.

Not quite YouTubers, but some people on the Gibson-Cattyman portage carrying camera equipment and drones, and apparently were doing a wedding/engagement photoshoot based on the attire of some of the people. Given that it was just me and they were already a little aggressive in behavior, I opted to just keep on portaging and get out of the area without making any mention of the drones.

Only one I ever ran into there was Gary Hamer . . .

Most YouTubers don’t make much money or any at all. So do the commercialization rules even apply? Or only if you make a certain amount of money? I mean technically I am a YouTuber :)

timatkn: "Most YouTubers don’t make much money or any at all. So do the commercialization rules even apply? Or only if you make a certain amount of money? I mean technically I am a YouTuber :) "

Is it who makes the money? Youtube is on track to make $50 billion this year.

timatkn: "Most YouTubers don’t make much money or any at all. So do the commercialization rules even apply? Or only if you make a certain amount of money? I mean technically I am a YouTuber :) "

The new codified law doesn’t factor in revenue/ monetization.

OgemaBlackstone: "

timatkn: "Most YouTubers don’t make much money or any at all. So do the commercialization rules even apply? Or only if you make a certain amount of money? I mean technically I am a YouTuber :) "

Is it who makes the money? Youtube is on track to make $50 billion this year. "

Currently I guess neither matters. Previously I believe yes it mattered who made the money.

T

My group met David and Leah Jackson as we were paddling out south of Savant Lake ON a year and a half ago. He is a very masterful videographer and they were tougher than my group. They got through a route that we gave up on since the ports were too grown in for us.

Except for a select few paddling YouTube's there is only a few dollars to be made. My analytics from you tube tell me I get about $12 a thousand views. Even Kevin Callan can't generate interest in canoe videos. So for most it is just the best way to share your trip but not a business.

OgimaaBines: "

portagerunner: "I haven't come across a YouTuber, but I have run into podcasters. While hiking across Isle Royale some years back I ran into Joe Friedrichs carrying recording equipment who asked if he could interview me for their podcast on WTIP at the time. Said sure and sat down with him for a while. I didn't really listen to podcasts or realize there was a BW podcast but that got me to be a regular listener to WTIP and Tumblehome once they got started."

I ran into Joe on my winter trip last year on Topper/South Lakes. I'm a subscriber to Paddle and Portage and loved his book "Last Entry Point". Cool dude!

I also ran into Keenan from "Paddle the North" while in Woodland Caribou a couple years back. We were both in for a solo trip not long after ice out. He gave me some tips on some upcoming lakes on my route. He was the only fella I saw for a week. He and his wife have some great videos if y'all haven't seen them on youtube. "

Love Keenan's vids! Betty Lou is the star of the show.

I've met Eric and Wendell (the dog) from Farwater on a couple of occasions. At the time, he was working at Piragis. Couldn't have been nicer. Met him again later at Shagwa and same experience. He does some very nice videos on the BWCA and Quetico.

I've seen him (Eric from Farwater) quite a few times in the store. The first time I quietly complemented him on his videos and how I really enjoyed them. He was dismissive so I haven't attempted any other small talk when in the store. I'm guessing he gets that a lot and just wasn't in the mood that particular day.

A few years back I started recording and editing most of my canoe trips and dumping them on a channel so my friends and family, who think I'm crazy spending most of my summer in a canoe, can enjoy the wilderness and vicariously travel with me.

Its kinda funny, occasionally I'll get 1000+ or more views on a video . It gives me some joy knowing other people enjoy travelling along.. I certainly have no desire to ever make a plug nickel from them... it really has just turned into a real fun way to enjoy my trips over and over again and share them with my friends and family.

I also really enjoy other peoples "Video trip reports". Not the fancy produced ones, just the average Joe's like me who like to record their trips as a memento.

To answer the OP's question.....Once on the Monument portage I passed a group going the opposite direction with a fellow with a go pro. When I got back home and put my trip video together and posted it, I got a message from the guy on my channel who said "Hey I saw myself on your video at the portage" Then he told me to look at a time spot on the video he had posted and sure enough there was me filming! So he and I were on each other videos recording, and never spoke a word to each other on the portage. I thought that was a real random occurance.

I’d really like to cross paths with Shug Emery.
His videos are some kind of therapy for me and we both seem to enjoy the solo hikes. If you happen to read this Shug, thanks for all the positive energy and vitality that glows from my phone when I watch your stuff! Woo buddy!

brp: "I’d really like to cross paths with Shug Emery.
His videos are some kind of therapy for me and we both seem to enjoy the solo hikes. If you happen to read this Shug, thanks for all the positive energy and vitality that glows from my phone when I watch your stuff! Woo buddy!"

Same

Blatz, I was fortunate enough to run into Shug - not only great videos, but I had a very enjoyable conversation with him. He even put me in his video at the top of Eagle Mountain - he found "Smoke on the Mountain" - if you search Shug Brule Lake Trail, it was 4 years ago.
But there are lots of video's of the Boundary waters on YouTube. I really like Gopher Adventure, Common Man Camps, and there are many others. I usually research routes on YouTube just by typing in lake names and usually get plenty of material on YouTube, almost as good as trip reports!
As Shug would say, signing out, Sector 7 Secure!

I’ve never met a YouTuber in the wild but I do subscribe to several that I enjoy. I’d say my top 2 would be Lost Lakes and Jim Baird. Ted Baird is also very good he doesn’t post as much as brother Jim.

Jon from Lost Lakes moved very close to Quetico a couple years ago and has put out some nice ones using northern entries. This one inspired my Sept 2025 solo. I did the same loop but omitted Kasakagwog bc I couldn’t locate the portage.

It’s a Beaverhouse entry through Cirrus into SoHo then he comes back through Quetico Lake. I’ll do my trip report in a week or two.


Lost Lakes Quetico Solo

Never been a fan of the wannabe "influencers" on YouTube or other social media sites. "Hey, Look at Me!" "I'm Somebody!" "I'm an expert!"
"I just moved here, but..."

The number of special places exposed to, and ruined by, the teaming masses is likely in the thousands. Same with fragile fisheries, backcountry skiing locations, hot springs, dispersed camping sites...

arctic: "Never been a fan of the wannabe "influencers" on YouTube or other social media sites. "Hey, Look at Me!" "I'm Somebody!" "I'm an expert!"
"I just moved here, but..."


The number of special places exposed to, and ruined by, the teaming masses is likely in the thousands. Same with fragile fisheries, backcountry skiing locations, hot springs, dispersed camping sites...


"

I'm in this camp too. It's nice to see examples of "harmless use" of YouTube as a reminder that it isn't always attention-seekers willing to exaggerate or make stuff up to get attention, but when I paddle I am seeking escape from civilization. One time I ran into a reporter at my takeout and she wanted to interview me about a recent tragedy and I told her "not now" because I was still in my paddling mindset so not instantly ready or in the mood for a public appearance.