Trips/Places - Local/Upper Midwest

Timothy Bauer

The Pleasures and Perils of Cold Weather Paddling

Superior - main floor Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Winter paddling started for Timothy one year when there was no snow to ski on. The following year, he realized that he'd paddled at least once a month for the previous 12 months, which in turn led him to wonder how long he could keep it up. Fourteen years later (or 168 months in a row), the quest has superseded the question.

But isn't it dangerous? Isn't it cold? Isn't the water frozen? Sometimes. But it's also a bewitching time of year. The stern serenity of the season defies ... Read More

Timothy Bauer

What Makes a River Wild?

Superior - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Superior - main floor Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

In 1965, the Pike, Pine, and Popple rivers in northeastern Wisconsin were designated as "wild" by state lawmakers to preserve them in "a free flowing condition and protect them from development." The landmark legislation inspired the federal government three years later to list "wild and scenic" rivers throughout the country - including the Namekagon, St. Croix, and Wolf rivers here in Wisconsin. But does legislation alone make a river wild? Are rivers inherently wild? What if a river is ... Read More

John Chase

Sea Kayaking Michigan’s Grand Traverse Area

Algonquin - main floor Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

Discover the best sea kayaking destinations in Michigan's Grand Traverse region, where stunning landscapes meet the open waters of Lake Michigan. This presentation will highlight iconic routes, including the towering dunes of Sleeping Bear Bay and the pristine shoreline of Power Island. Join us to uncover why this region is a must-visit for coastal exploration.

Rudi Hargesheimer

Superior Trails: A Photo Tour Including Packrafting Adventures

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Did you know there are twenty backpacking trails on the Lake Superior perimeter? Are you aware of packrafting as a fun twist on the backpacking theme? Rudi Hargesheimer's presentation will showcase many of the 320 photos from his newly printed (November 2025) "Superior Trails: A Photo Tour of Lake Superior's Best Hiking Trails." These images rival anything you will find in far-off locales around the world. And they are of places close to home for us in the Upper Midwest! A special emphasis will ... Read More

Rob Kesselring

The Thrill of a Self-Guided Far North Canoe Trip, You Can Do It!

Superior - main floor Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Dave Mangin

Paddling the Potowatomi Islands

BWCA - main floor Sat 1:30pm-2:15pm

After building a rowboat for a trip downt the Mississippi River, Dave Mangin endeavored to built a kayak for a different trip through the Great Lakes and out to the Eastern Seaboard. After making it to the tip of Door County, this past summer he paddled from Rock Island, WI to Garden, MI.

Dave's presentation describes that beautiful trip into some remote parts of the Wisconsin/Michagan interface, the Potowatomi Islands. Limestone outcroppings of the Niagara Escarpment, abandoned ... Read More

Ginny Nelson

Planning & Traveling the BWCA in Comfort & with Responsibility

Algonquin - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

Bear - upstairs Sat 4:30pm-5:15pm

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is one of the top wilderness areas in north America. With every visit you will create lifetime memories. Ginny Nelson manager for an Ely area outfitter will guide you through what to include in your planning process, what to clothing to wear and gear to include that will make your experience more comfortable, how be safe in the wilderness, highlight routes for your skill level, and USFS permit regulations required to protect the wilderness ... Read More

Neal Schroeter

Apostle Islands – One of the Best Places to Paddle in the World!

Superior - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

Quetico - main floor Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

Quetico - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Quetico - main floor Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

The Apostle Islands are one of the best places in the world to sea kayak! Some of the history and wonderful wilderness landscape will be reviewed. Photos & videos, & some secrets, will be shared from extensive personal trips, as well as arranging countless guided trips for others. Focus will center on what it's like & what it takes to be safe & prepared to paddle in this special National Lakeshore Park.

Evan Sirianni

The Search for Sculpin: Exploring the Kickapoo River Watershed

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sat 9:30am-10:15am

The Wisconsin Driftless Area is a well-known destination for trout anglers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Its scenic coulees and cold, spring-fed streams provide endless aquatic recreational opportunities. Yet many of the region's coldwater fish species have not received the same management attention that trout, and as a result many of their populations have declined or disappeared from the area. Today, fisheries managers recognize the importance of managing entire fish communities. ... Read More

Riley Smith

The Ephemeral Joys of November Canoe Trips in the BWCAW

Bear - upstairs Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

Bear - upstairs Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Hundreds of thousands come to visit the Boundary Waters every summer, and for good reason. As the seasons begin to turn and the nights grow colder, only a select few continue paddling into October, November, or even....December? Join us as we discuss the tentative nature of the tail of shoulder season, when the exchange of a paddle for skis is only weeks apart. We'll discuss the challenges of ice-up, route planning, fading daylight, temperature management, assessing risk, and making the most of ... Read More

Seth Taft

Friendship Matters: The Trail Ahead for Wisconsin State Parks

Sylvania - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

For 125 years, Wisconsin's State Park System has been a cornerstone of our state's identity - connecting people to nature, supporting local economies, and preserving the landscapes that define us. Today, as our parks face record visitation alongside chronic underfunding, we stand at a pivotal moment for stewardship and sustainability.

This session will explore the current state of Wisconsin's State Park System, highlighting the successes, challenges, and opportunities that define ... Read More

Beverly Vaillancourt

The Story of the Baraboo River

Caribou - upstairs Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

Sylvania - main floor Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

The Baraboo River carries a deep and layered history. Long before Euro-American settlement, Indigenous Peoples lived and thrived along its banks. In the mid-1700s, a trading fort where the Baraboo and Wisconsin Rivers meet, marking the beginning of a new era. As settlers arrived, the river powered mills and fueled small towns, grinding wheat and corn to support a growing agricultural economy. Dams spread across the river, reshaping its flow for small industries that powered the economy of the ... Read More

Karla With A K

Day Paddling Trips & Paddle-in campsites in & around Wisconsin State Parks

BWCA - main floor Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Superior - main floor Sun 11:30am-12:15pm

Did you know some of our Wisconsin State Parks have water trails for you to paddle? And paddle-in sites to camp at? If not, then this is the session for you! Take a journey with me around the state to learn about which state parks have great day water trips and also paddle-in campsites. Karla will talk about location, entry points, notable facts, and learned hacks.

Jared Wold

A Beginner's Guide to Exploring Moving Water

BWCA - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

This presentation will expose attendees to the myriad of light whitewater found in Wisconsin. They will learn about paddling options on rivers such as the Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Flambeau, Namekagon, and St. Croix. There will even be a few creeks thrown in, such as Turtle Creek and Black Earth Creek. Every stream section discussed in this presentation is suitable for novices without any specialized equipment, such as helmets and spray skirts. Attendees will also learn about sensible safety ... Read More

Jared Wold

A Tour of Wisconsin's Wonderful Rivers

Quetico - main floor Sun 10:30am-11:15am

This presentation will be a whirlwind tour of an important part of Wisconsin's geography - its many river systems. From deeper dives into commonly paddled rivers such as the Wisconsin, Kickapoo, Black, Chippewa, Wolf, and Fox to fun facts such as how many rivers have the word "little" in their names, attendees will gain a new appreciation for the sheer diversity Wisconsin offers moving water paddlers. Attendees will hopefully discover new river paddling options whether they are interested in ... Read More

Jared Wold

Understanding USGS and NOAA Stream Flow Data

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sat 10:30am-11:15am

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

This presentation will help attendees decode and understand USGS and NOAA stream flow and other data. They will learn how to read the raw data in graph and other forms on both websites as well as choose different date ranges. More importantly, they will learn context for applying that data to real world, usable knowledge for planning safe and fun paddling outings. They'll learn about action stage, flood stage, and other safety related information. Is there too much water for safe paddling? Is ... Read More