Location
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Way
Madison, Wisconsin
Show Hours
Friday: 3 PM to 8 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM
Tickets
1-Day: $17.00
3-Day: $35.00
Ages 17 and under are FREE
Cash or check only for tickets purchased at the event
Parking Fees
1-Day: $10.00
Credit only, fees collected by Alliant Energy Center
Advanced passes may be purchased
HERE.
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What happens when six old, but very experienced Canoeists attempt to tackle a 500 mile Tundra River trip, descending the Clarke and Thelon Rivers of Canada's Northwest Territories and Nunavut? Much more difficult for us than it was back in the day, but still very rewarding and enjoyable. See close up photos of Musk Ox, Caribou, and Wolves. Bill and fellow trip mates will describe the route and obstacles in detail. We will also review the planning, logistics, and equipment needed for a ... Read More successful northern canoe adventure. Bill will also address the Environmental, Flora, and Fauna changes the trip members have observed over the past 45 years.
In this presentation, I'll explore how canoeing solo in the wilderness is not an act of bravado or self-proving-it isn't about toughness or conquest. It's something quieter, more intimate. Solitude in the wild becomes a thread that connects you to the people who shaped your life, even those no longer here.
Canoeing alone also means embracing solitude as both challenge and teacher. In the quiet rhythm of paddling, away from the noise of companionship, solitude inspires personal ... Read More rituals-small acts of mindfulness, reflection, and connection to nature that can only emerge in the absence of others. Each fire lit, each decision made, and each mile traveled becomes part of a private dialogue between self and landscape-experiences impossible to recreate in the shared cadence of group travel.
Being solo in the wilderness becomes more than a journey through nature-it becomes a journey inward. Without the comfort or distraction of others, solitude sharpens awareness; every ripple, birdcall, and breath of wind feels amplified, almost intimate.
It teaches humility and presence. There's no audience, no validation-only the rhythm of effort and reward. Each decision carries its own weight; each success or mistake is your own. And somewhere between the paddle strokes and the stillness, you find that solitude is not loneliness, but communion-with yourself, with the elements, and with the timeless pulse of the wilderness.
Step into the past - and the present - with a hands-on exploration of the gear and techniques that continue to define northern canoe travel. In this interactive workshop, Tracy and Nick demonstrate the art of traditional canoe tripping, from balancing a tumpline and packing a wannigan to understanding the craftsmanship behind a wood-canvas canoe.
Participants are invited to handle authentic equipment still used on modern Temagami expeditions, learning how traditional tools ... Read More promote self-reliance, teamwork, and respect for the land. This engaging demo connects history and practice, showing how time-tested methods continue to shape meaningful wilderness experiences today.
Whether you're a seasoned paddler or new to expedition travel, this session invites you to slow down, connect with craft, and rediscover the simplicity and beauty of traveling light through wild places.
Traveling solo can be intimidating, especially as we age. When I started my attempts at solo BWCA trips, I struggled with gear weight, safe travel systems, and managing my own expectations. Came learn about the changes I made to lighten my gear and the physical and mental preparation that have allowed me to safely expand beyond entry point lakes. Learn about strategies to pare your gear to a weight that can be single portaged.