Hitch #5 was fast and furious, covering more ground in less time than before. The Team returned to Seagull Lake and revisited sites to monitor change. On Day 3 we came off Seagull and headed out from Round Lake to Gillis crossing 8 gnarly portages that we renamed the “Final Exam” (It had a better ring to it than the “Death March.”) It made for a grueling day, but ended with a great spot to stop and take in the BWCAW while we looked back on the season.
Day 5 & 6 were day trips to inventory weed points for tansy and goutweed. The team split into two groups and one encountered the largest plot to date of hawkweed that spread out like carpet. No luck treating that living room! The other hiked to the highest point in Minnesota–in a morning. Not too tough because the high point in MN is 2,301 feet, named Eagle Mountain.
The Team rallied for two days to clean up an entire season of gear, washing trucks, tents, Duluth packs, PFDs and cookware–and even helped write parts of the Final Report. Folks did a smashing job! The season ended with a celebratory dinner at the Boathouse Restaurant. Jack Greenlee joined us and heard many of the highlights from the season.
Thanks, Team for all the heart and hard work you put in to make an positive impact on the BWCAW. The weeds will be back next year–hope you will too!
Check out more about our season in the Final Report.
In the spirit of the Unicorn,
Toby
