Hudson Bay Girls start their journey

From Grand Portage to Hudson Bay

This week, our crew embarked on an expedition of a lifetime. Our group consists of four young friends and full-time students: Olivia Bledsoe, Abby Cichocki, Emma Brackett, and Helena Karlstrom. We call ourselves the Hudson Bay Girls. In the summer of 2025, we will be paddling from Lake Superior, MN, to York Factory in the Hudson Bay.

This expedition will take 85 days through 1,200 miles of wilderness. Our route starts with an 8-mile portage at Grand Portage, followed by the border route of the Boundary Waters. We will paddle through notable places such as Voyageurs National Park, Lake Winnipeg, and the Hayes River to finish at Hudson Bay. This path is meaningful to generations of travellers who have immersed themselves in the beautiful region.

The Boundary Waters is a region of special significance to the crew. It is where we all came into our own as leaders and women. We have grown familiar with the early morning wake-up call of the loon, lost sleep staring at the moon reflecting on the water, and cringed at the suction-pop of pulling leeches off our legs. We learned to balance canoes over our heads on long portages as well as find balance as trip leaders navigating tough, stressful situations in the wilderness. There is no better feeling than taking that leap into the crisp, clear water after a long hot day. These memories are burned into our minds. We can never forget the experiences that we have made here and shaped who we are today.

Commencing on this trip, answers an ache within the four of us. An ache that had been developing all of our lives. Soft and subtle, but drawing us to the water. Although we come from different experiences and different parts of the country, we all share our connection to the Boundary Waters. Every blister, restless night, sore muscle, and mosquito bite has created a beautiful roadmap that has led us to this trip. The Boundary Waters, and everything that comes with it, are woven into the tapestry of our lives.

Our dedication to the Boundary Waters is closely tied to the intention behind this trip. Each of us has a deep personal ‘why’, but there is also a greater force driving us. This call to action is implementing permanent protections for the Boundary Waters and advocating for a more inclusive outdoor space. We are guided by the indigenous tribes that came before us, who protected the Boundary Waters. Now, our time has arrived to continue the legacy for generations to come.

Presently, the Boundary Waters are facing looming threats of copper-nickel mining. Our route is directly impacted as a guide for the path of heavy metal waste pollution left by mining. If mining were to make its way into the countless connections within the Boundary Waters, everything would be impacted. This threatens the unique wildlife that we have grown to love, the pristine waters we swim and drink from, and the livelihoods of people who rely on the Boundary Waters as a resource. We have a responsibility as canoers to be stewards of the land and waters that provide so much for us. Paddling is inherently tied to our activism as a form of resistance. This land is not ours to own or conquer, but free for us to travel, and we want to honor that.

We want people to feel empowered to get outside and know that the Boundary Waters is a place they belong and deserves their respect. We will use our growing online following to educate and advocate for people and the land. We are honored to partner with Save The Boundary Waters to share our message.

Peace and Gratitude,

Written by Helena Karlstrom