Who the heck is Ernest Oberholtzer and what is the BWCAW?

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Imagine a place where the world falls away, where it is just you, the sky, the trees, and the water. You can forget about the stress, the drama, the pressure and just fall into a rhythm. A rhythm of just being; of letting your body work and giving your brain the freedom to float and wander. As soon as that paddle hits the water, you become calm and ready for the next adventure or disaster. There is no real planning because essentially, you are at the mercy of nature and must accept whatever the day brings. Whether this means accepting the annoyance of a pack of mosquitoes flying around your face everywhere you go (still working on handling this without screaming in frustration) or accepting the scary situation of a sudden fierce, pelting storm while canoeing across a large lake, you learn to just be.


Alas, this is what time spent in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness feels like for me. For those who do not know, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is located in Northern Minnesota and Southern Ontario. It enjoys the title of the most visited wilderness area in the United States. I have been fortunate enough to frequent the Boundary Waters almost yearly, since I was a wee baby (my parents are crazy). Although I started out with an innate hate for the place (didn't much enjoy being eaten alive by flies or lugging heavy packs across portages as a kid), I slowly, begrudgingly, began to cherish the area and the way it brought me to peace.


I suspect it was this same feeling of peace or what say you, that also brought Ernest Oberholtzer (a native of Davenport, IA) to become attached to the mystical, interconnected lakes and forests of Northern Minnesota. In fact, he was so greatly attached that he spent the majority of his life struggling to make sure that what he enjoyed so greatly, would also be around for people like me, in the future. Thankfully, his efforts at preservation prevailed and now, because of him and others, the Boundary Waters remain here for all to enjoy.


Now, you may be wondering: who the heck is Ernest Oberholtzer? Although I'm sure most people know of Sigurd Olson (who was also quintessential in the creation of the BWCAW), honestly, how many of you have heard of Ernest Oberholtzer? I'm guessing the answer is: not many, if any, which is a shame. Unfortunately, due to the fact that Oberholtzer did not publish any literature, as his friend Sigurd Olson and many other colleagues of his time did, his connection to the Boundary Waters and his role as a conservationist and outdoors man have been relatively forgotten. This is why I feel it is important to write about the efforts of Oberholtzer in his struggle to protect the BWCAW.  He deserves to be recognized for what he accomplished and to be honored for his commitment to conservation, in a time when protecting the wilderness was considered of very little significance. Therefore, in my blog, i will try to make evident the impact Oberholtzer had in protecting and creating the Boundary Waters, while hopefully providing insight into what makes the Boundary Waters such a special place.