A June Morning in the BWCAW

Caramel Rolls and mircoorganisms

Dr. David Worley

It’s just after 5:45 on this fine early June morning. I am awake and already smiling. I have seen the sun come up through the tent door, listened to the faint whispering of the wind in the white pines mixed with the murmur of a chickadee and even heard the distant splash of a rising trout. Greta, Jack and I arrived late the previous afternoon to find Ram Lake (BWCAW) surprisingly unoccupied. I am enjoying the solitude this morning as well as the opportunity to share this solitude with my children today. Gently, I extricate myself from the tornadic wreckage of Jack and Greta’s overnight slumber, including twisted sleeping bags, stuffed animals, Jack’s discarded pajama top, and a mosh pit of their legs and arms. I make a mental note to lengthen their teeth cleaning regimen tonight before bed.

By the time the children awaken and sleepily exit the tent, I’ve just finished my second cup of French press coffee, polishing off the last of the water we brought from home. We will need more water to make the special surprise breakfast I promised the kids last night and for the remainder of our meals and drinks. Thankfully, a supply of water is always readily available in the Boundary Waters. Though the lakes in this pristine wilderness are beautiful and unspoiled, they are not safe to drink from without proper treatment. These waters can harbor protozoans including giardia, bacteria and enteric viruses which can all lead to significant diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever in an infected host. Grabbing my filter, we walk down to the water and begin filling our dromedary and water bottles. Jack and Greta take turns pumping while we discuss the concept of germs, their presence in water and their ability to make us sick. Insightfully, Greta asks if our drinking water at home in Duluth is safe. Hilariously, Jack asks why moose and wolves can’t just use the camp latrine instead of the lake as their toilet.

Campers in the Boundary Waters most often utilize one of four options for treating lake water. Boiling water is the most time-consuming option, but very effective. Experts recommend that water be brought to a rolling boil for 1 to 5 minutes to kill microorganisms. Using iodine or chlorine tablets to chemically kill water-borne microorganisms is quick and cheap but often leaves your water with an acrid flavor and may not be effective against all microorganisms. UV light devices kill almost all microorganisms, but they require the water to be free of sediment — and they use batteries. Filtering water is probably the most commonly-used option among campers today. Filter devices are readily available, lightweight, and are effective at removing protozoans, most bacteria and some viruses.

Having replenished our water supply, I quickly put together my favorite camp breakfast recipe of made-from-scratch warm caramel rolls. Sitting in the bright sunshine, looking out over the lake, enjoying our breakfast and the solitude, none of us is talking but all of us are smiling.

Til next time.

Dr. David Worley is a family practice physician with the University of Minnesota Duluth health system.