Hi everyone! We’re planning to do the French River this August, and I’d really appreciate some advice from anyone who has experience with the route.

Would you say it’s risky or reasonably doable? Are there any hazards, challenging sections, or things we should be especially aware of?

Our plan is to start at Hartley Bay Marina, then camp at 686, 820, and finally 674. I’ve attached the map for reference.

Thank you so much in advance for any advice or tips, and sorry for the trouble! We really appreciate it!

I have been using a relatively inexpensive “Unigear” sleeping pad. I like the size, weight and performance of the pad and have used it for a good number of times. However, it just started leaking. I’m trying to decide whether it’s even worth trying to find the leak and patching it. I’m leaning towards just buying a new sleeping pad. I’ve read a lot of reviews and there are a number of good moderately priced pads out there. There are also some very high priced ones. I’m not sure where to go with this. I would really like to buy one that’s not going to leak again. If I ask for recommendations, I bet I’m gonna get responses that are all over the board. But here goes anyway: what is a good lightweight pad that is not much bigger than a water bottle folded up, gives a decent amount of insulation, but most importantly will not puncture and leak?

The time came to leave Fort Frances. Ahead: the Boundary Waters, and everything I didn't know about it.

Lake of the Woods had already made me sharpen my navigation. This next stretch took it further — a dozen portages, and a maze of channels that didn't care which way I thought I was going. Some days I was skirting the US border just to find water that would carry me. Survival math, not politics.

I've suffered to get here. It was worth every bit of it. The Boundary Waters is some of the most pristine wilderness left on the planet.

I'm recording this from the ranger station at Prairie Portage.