Photo by Brendan Davis
Greetings from the Boundary Waters. I woke up this morning at -9º F after a night of wolves singing to us and the ice booming and cracking. We have 3 new inches of light, fluffy sparkling snow turning our very real world into what looks like a snow globe.
The peace and quiet up here is overwhelming - "silence amplified" I like to call it. This is something we all need more of in our lives.
As I look back on the past year and why this special place needs saving for all generations, I can't help but reflect on my own personal achievement - running through the heart of the Boundary Waters.
In May, with the help of family, Campaign staff, and friends I was the first known person to run the Boundary Waters Traverse in one continuous trek that linked together the Border Route and Kekekabic Trails. It took a little over 38 hours to cover the 110 miles and 18,000 feet of overall elevation gate while continuously running (or let's be real - quite a bit of "fast hiking"). In a place known for peace and quiet (not to mention 1,100 lakes), running through the canoe country seems counter-intuitive. But running is where I find peace and quiet in a busy world and combining the Boundary Waters and trail running as an advocacy project for our Campaign made sense.
The past three years I've run over 400 miles in the Wilderness. Trails like the Sioux Hustler and the Powwow are lesser-known adventures but rewarding nonetheless. Covering these distances by foot imparts a very intimate and personal relationship with the lands and waters I'm crossing. When your bridge is a beaver dam, your lunch spot a rock outcrop 400 feet above Rose Lake with eagles soaring at eye level, traffic stops are moose and black bears crossing the trail and your only source for refreshing your water is directly from the lakes and streams...I emerged from the Wilderness more in love with this place than at the start.
Please help us keep this Wilderness protected for all generations to come. We need your voice and your support to start our year out as strong as possible. I'll be in Washington D.C. early next year advocating with Congress and the Biden Administration to save the Boundary Waters forever. It means the world to us that you have our back. We truly cannot do this without you.
For the Wilderness,
Alex Falconer
Campaign Manager
Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters
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