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 The
Boundary Waters Canoe Area, carved long ago by
glaciers, is filled with beautiful basalt and anthracite
bluffs and vistas surrounding pristine
lakes.
Safety
first! Keep in mind that the Boundary
Waters is a true wilderness experience.
You will be far from any roads, far from any
telephone, and far from any hospital. Cell
phones do not work in most of the BWCA.
The Forest Service does not automatically
initiate searches if a party does not exit as
planned. Risky behavior can and has caused
deaths in the BWCA.
With that said, it is not recommended to
climb in the BWCA. It is not banned,
however. If you choose to rock climb in
the BWCA, please use caution and plan
ahead.
- Let people know where you are going and
what your itinerary is.
- Bring a first aid kit and be knowledgeable
in first aid.
- Consider renting a satellite telephone
(available from Buck's Radio Shack in Grand
Marais).
- Do not climb alone. Do climb with
other experienced climbers.
- Beware of loose rock and poorly rooted
vegetation.
- Do not climb without previous experience.
- Do not climb in wet conditions.
"Leave No Trace" ethics apply to
the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Motorized
drills
and fixed bolts are not allowed. We ask
that you consider the BWCA a bolt and chalk-free
zone.
Outside of the BWCA, Minnesota's State Parks
allow rock climbing by permit only.
Permits are free and are available from the park
office. Probably the most popular climbing
area in northeastern Minnesota is Tettegouche
State Park, which includes Palisade Head and
Shovel Point. Another popular spot is
Temperance River State Park/Carlton Peak.
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