Troop 109 takes on its first Northern Tier adventure

Troop 109, one of Menlo Park’s oldest Scouting America troops, recently completed its inaugural trek to Northern Tier in Atikokan, Canada. Over nine days, Scouts aged 14 to 17 and their fathers paddled more than 105 miles through the rugged Canadian wilderness.

As one of Scouting America’s premier high-adventure bases, Northern Tier challenges Scouts and leaders to put their outdoor and survival skills to the test in remote, untouched settings.

The expedition kicked off with a thrill: a floatplane flight deep into the backcountry. From their remote drop-off point, the group navigated back toward the Northern Tier base through an endless expanse of lakes, dense forests, and pristine waterways.

The journey required non-stop canoeing and portaging — carrying canoes and heavy gear overland between lakes. Deep mud, slippery rocky landings, and grueling carries tested the group’s endurance. Along the way, the Scouts also immersed themselves in the region’s rich history, stopping to explore the site of a former World War II prisoner-of-war camp.

Wilderness challenges were constant. The crew braved relentless mosquitoes, ticks, leeches, and navigating tricky water crossings. At one point, they even weathered harrowing weather conditions under an active tornado warning.

There were plenty of rewarding moments along the way. The group fished for bass and pike, reeled in impressive walleye, took in breathtaking northern vistas, and bonded over shared stories around the campfire.

After nine days and over 105 miles of wilderness travel, Troop 109 successfully returned to the Northern Tier base.

Photo courtesy Troop 109