Lake Superior Sea Kayaking & Backpacking
This three-week backpacking and sea kayaking course is your opportunity to explore the rugged North Shore of Lake Superior and the pristine Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area of Canada.
Build self-confidence, enhance your decision-making abilities and develop self-reliance on this exciting, challenging and introspective adventure. First, learn the art of paddling and balancing a sea kayak and complete challenging open water crossings amidst fog, waves and adverse weather conditions along the rocky, remote Canadian Superior shoreline. Next, trade kayaks for backpacks and hit the Superior Hiking Trail, which meanders through dense boreal forest, offers awe-inspiring overlooks and plunges into pristine river valleys. Ideal for individuals looking to gain outdoor skills and embark on an impactful personal challenge. This journey through the remote and unspoiled North Woods of Minnesota and Ontario is the expedition of a lifetime.
*You will be required to have a valid passport in order to cross into Canada. If you do not have a passport or need to renew it, please start the process now as it can take weeks to receive your passport.
NOTE: Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.
UPCOMING COURSES
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Course # VMTJ-351
Age 16 - 18
Days 22
Cost $6,985
Dates 6.5.23 - 6.26.23
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APPLY NOW – Almost Full
This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST
Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLY
This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULL
When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSED
As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
I learned that If I push myself and believe in myself I can do many things. I will tell other people how thrilling and fun it was. I will also tell them about all the things I got to see.
Student groups travel to the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior to begin their sea kayak expedition from the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. Students learn the art of paddling a sea kayak in varied weather, landing the craft in a variety of conditions, navigation and rescue techniques. Instructors share the secrets of handling and balancing the boat safely, regardless of the elements. Students develop paddling skills and bond as a group while traveling and camping along the rugged, rocky Superior shoreline.
On the southern edge of the massive Canadian Shield, a granite rock formation that runs from Minnesota to Hudson Bay and the Northwest Territories, sits the largest freshwater lake in the world: Lake Superior. The Superior Hiking Trail follows the northern shore of Lake Superior from Duluth, Minnesota to Canada, covering almost 300 miles along the low-lying Sawtooth Mountain range. Students spend multiple days hiking on the trail. Well-marked trails, designated campsites and challenging terrain make the Superior Hiking Trail a great backpacking experience for all skill levels.
Rock climbing combines control, strength, and problem-solving as students ascend natural rock formations at Carlton Peak and Shovel Point on the Superior Hiking Trail. Each climbing site provides a variety of beginner and intermediate climbs that provide an ideal introduction to rock climbing. Regardless of a student’s rock climbing and rappelling background, everyone is sure to find challenge and success as they have the opportunity to climb at the beginning and end of this expedition, weather permitting.
All Outward Bound rock climbing and rappelling experiences are carefully supervised and employ safety systems aligned with national standards. During climbing days, students learn about rock climbing equipment, safety and etiquette, belaying techniques and climbing rescue techniques. Encouraged and supported by their group, students push their perceived limits and expand their comfort zones in a safe, fun and non-competitive environment.
Looking out over the top of the boreal forest, and located 30 feet in the air, the high ropes course is incredible. Students swing from Tarzan ropes, walk on tightrope wires and climb a cargo net before jumping on the zip line for an exhilarating ride back to solid ground. This opportunity creates space for students to individually challenge themselves while being supported by their team at the end of their expedition experience.
Service is a cornerstone of every Outward Bound experience. From the seemingly small daily acts of service for the environment to the regular tasks of being part of an expeditionary team, students have ample opportunities to experience the value of giving back to the larger community. On the expedition, students are encouraged to practice environmental stewardship in the form of Recreate Responsibly ethics. Students also practice regular acts of service for their team by preparing and serving meals, securing drinking water, setting up camp and giving their crew plenty of support.
The Solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. Many students use this reflection time to make decisions about their future, journal and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings unencumbered by the constant external stimulation of modern life. The duration of Solo depends on the course length and type, as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group. With all the food, skills and supplies they need, students are given a secluded spot to reflect alone, and are monitored by staff throughout the experience to maintain safety. Students find that Solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound course.
Canadian Lake Superior
The largest inland sea in the world, the clear emerald green waters of Lake Superior offer a great variety of paddling conditions for sea kayakers. The Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area is a wilderness archipelago along the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior. A rugged and pristine landscape of sparkling, clear water, cliffs, pebble and sand beaches and numerous islands, it is the largest freshwater, protected marine environment in the world and an ideal destination to hone sea kayaking skills. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Métis nations.
Superior Hiking Trail
The Superior Hiking Trail is a 296-mile footpath that largely follows the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior on Minnesota's North Shore from Duluth to the Canadian border. Well-marked trails, campsites, and challenging terrain make this a perfect way to start the trip while building teamwork, increasing endurance and gaining general outdoor skills to prepare for the canoe expedition.
National Geographic says the Superior Hiking Trail “Is the best long hike in the country between the Continental Divide and the Appalachian Trail.” At its lowest elevation, along the lakeshore, the trail is 602 feet above sea level. At its highest point the trail is 1,750 feet above sea level and more than 1,000 feet above Lake Superior. The Superior Hiking Trail is characterized by ascents to rock outcroppings and cliffs and descents into numerous river and creek valleys that feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Métis and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) nations.
Course Stories
I learned that If I push myself and believe in myself I can do many things. I will tell other people how thrilling and fun it was. I will also tell them about all the things I got to see.
I learned that I can do more than I think I can, it’s all about the mentality. I also learned that staying calm and positive with everything goes a long way. I learned to appreciate the little things and to not take anything for granted. My Instructors were the perfect Instructors in my opinion. Both goofy and always ready to teach or talk when it came to anything. I think they made me grow by pushing me to try my hardest and to work hard and play hard.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY LIKE
Northwest Sea Kayaking & Mountaineering
Courses: 1 date available Ages: 16-18 Length: 22 Days Cost: $7,185 Details & Dates
Boundary Waters Canoeing
Courses: 7 dates available Ages: 14-16 , 16-18 Length: 8 - 22 Days Cost: $3,060 - $6,990 Details & Dates
Boundary Waters Canoeing & Backpacking
Courses: 2 dates available Ages: 14-16 , 16-18 Length: 22 Days Cost: $6,990 Details & Dates
Getting Started
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.