We've started the paddling and geocaching tradition with Minnesota's First Ever Canoe-in Geocaching Event (GC1FK43) in 2008.  Last year we held the Minnesota's 2nd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event (GC1VKY1).  Looking for something just a little different with even more adventure, today we held Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event (GC23RM5), located on the lower rim of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Using the BWCA as a venue was a risky idea but we had a great turn out and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Better yet, I know those that paddled following the event are proud of the mission that we all accomplished today.

Following the event formalities, our mission was simple;  two legs to one unbelievable journey.  The first leg of the journey was the greatest distance.  Paddle through Sawbill and Kelso Lakes and find the virtual cache Mystical Dolmen Rock (GC587F).  The second leg of our journey was to paddle through Baker, Peterson and Kelly Lakes to find the other BWCA virtual cache, Kelly-Jack (GC2878).  Of course, the second half our our journey completely depended on us completing the first half on time and with enough energy to continue on.

Details of the event are as follows:

There were 7 RSVPs, 9 geocachers have logged the event electronically so far, and 11 cachers actually attended the event and signed the paper log.  There were four boats on the water with 8 paddlers.  Unbelievably, all four boats were owned and no equipment needed to be rented.  At no point did we violate the rules of the wilderness.

The first leg was to Mystical Dolmen Rock (GC587F).  We departed Sawbill Landing at 8:05AM. We arrived at the dolmen rock at 10:00AM.  We spent about 30 minutes at the rock exploring, socializing, snacking and taking photographs.  We departed the rock at 10:30AM and arrived back at Sawbill Landing at 12:40PM.  Total distance paddled on this leg was 5 miles each direction for a total of 10 miles. Total time paddling was 4 hours and 10 minutes.  Our average paddling speed was a little over 2 mph.

The second leg of the journey was to Kelly-Jack (GC2878).  We drove from the Sawbill Landing to the Baker Landing and arrived at 1:55PM.  After getting our gear unloaded and prepared, we started paddling about 2:15PM.  We arrived at the portage between Kelly and Jack lakes at 3:40PM, which is where the hike in to Kelly-Jack begins.  In all, we spent 40 minutes hiking to Kelly-Jack, exploring, taking pictures, and returning to our boats.  We departed the portage at 4:20PM.  We arrived back at Baker Landing at 6:15PM. Total distance paddled on this leg was 3.9 miles each direction for a total of 7.8 miles. Total paddling time was 3 hours and 20 minutes.  Paddling to Kelly-Jack our average speed was 3 mph and paddling back was a slower 2 mph as a headwind had picked up from the south.

The total distance paddled today was 17.8 miles.  When we finished the first leg of our journey, everyone looked tired and I know some even thought we were crazy for continuing on. But NOT ONE of us walked away.  We ALL continued on to complete the second leg even as the weather was evolving.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Our boats parked at Sawbill Landing awaiting departure.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Group photograph of event attendees.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina smiling not realizing the gruelling paddle ahead.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose and Zoejam72 paddling away.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa mastering her kayak.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Viking Navigator, Catzilla and Cooky falling behind.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The flotilla looking to the northwest.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view from Bart's boat.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Entering the actual BWCA Wilderness.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina coming down the first portage.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa at the first portage preparing her boat.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose clowning during picture of Cooky.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Getting ready to set sail after the first portage.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A quick break at the portage from Sawbill Lake to Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Jam considering what he got himself into.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of the lilies on Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another view of Kelso Lake.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The gorgeous view at Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event More Kelso Lake beauty.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Approaching the mystical dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The mystical dolmen rock balancing on all threes.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa pulling into the dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another angle of the dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The party boat arriving last to the dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A group picture at the mystical dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another angle of our group at the mystical dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Our boats parked on shore beside the dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Bflentje and Norvina on the dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Closeup of Bflentje and Norvina on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Jamming on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Wait.. is that Doublemoose or the Thinker?
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Bflentje imitating but not replacing Doublemoose as the Thinker.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Viking Navigator and Catzilla on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose showing off.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Cooky thrilled about having his photograph taken.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa proud of her accomplishment.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Glacial erratic on Kelso Lake.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A closeup view of glacial erratic on Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Evidence of the 1999 straight line winds in the BWCA.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Damage from the 1999 blowdown in the wilderness.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Unbelievable damage from the 1999 storm.. that was 11 years ago.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose has figured out this paddling thing.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event More damage from the July 4th, 1999 storm.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A sheet of ice inside of the Kelly-Jack mining cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view looking out of the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another view looking out of the Kelly-Jack cave.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event And another view looking out of the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A group photograph at the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event We made it to our second destination.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina stretching or holding up the cave?	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Bflentje outside of the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The entrance to the Kelly-Jack cave.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of Jack Lake from the portage.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of the portage from Kelly Lake to Jack Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The final group photograph after having completed the entire journey.