By Penny Leuthard, Staff Writer

 

Clearwater teen Mitch Miller recently returned from a 28-day expedition into the remote Canadian wilderness, a once in a lifetime experience offered through the non-profit organization Les Voyageurs. 

 

The mission of Les Voyageurs is to expand the horizons of young people as it challenges their physical, psychological, social and learning skills through an intense outdoor experience. The extensive leadership program includes an expedition into remote areas of central and northern Manitoba and Ontario.

 

For the expedition, Miller was put into a group with a guide and seven other 16-year-olds. A lot of preparation was needed before they left, which included planning their route and menu, dehydrating all their food, baking trail bread, learning how to sew the bags needed for their paddles and small supplies, and purchasing and packing supplies such as sleeping bags and water purifiers. 

 

Learning how to paddle and portage their canoes and dealing with whitewater were also important lessons. 

 

Miller and his group left Clearwater on an old school bus on June 17 after a going-away mass, ceremony and potluck at Warner Lake. After a 12-hour ride into Canada, a float plane brought each crew to the individual starting point they had decided upon. 

 

Each crew had planned their own route so they didn’t see each other again until the end of the trip when they met to take the bus back to Minnesota.

 

“The first four days were the hardest because we planned to canoe a river that no one had been on for many years,” said Miller. “When we got there, we found out that the river had dried up so we had to carry all our stuff through thick brush and swamps for four days straight to get to a lake and continue our trek.” 

 

Except for two days the group traveled each day, canoeing and portaging. Each crew member carried 80 or more pounds of equipment each time they portaged.

 

“The first portage was hard because it’s different than when you’re just practicing,” said Miller. “It was kind-of overwhelming.”

 

The only days not spent traveling were the day they stopped to re-supply and “solo day,” where each crew member went off on their own to build a shelter and spend the night alone.

“It’s supposed to be a time where we think back on the trip and life in general and make goals for the future,” said Miller.

 

There were no cell phones or electronics during the entire trip, the only contact they had was a nightly phone call their guide made to base camp via satellite phone to report on how their day had gone.

All total he and his crew traveled around 250 miles by foot and canoe before they returned to Minnesota July 14.

 

“We learned a lot about each other and ourselves during the trip,” said Miller. “Everyone is different, but if you all have the same goal it’s nice because you have each other to rely upon. Teamwork is important and better and more fun than trying to do everything yourself.”

 

“I’m grateful I was able to participate in this trip,” he continued. “I have memories and skills that will last the rest of my life.”

 

Miller’s parents are Scott and Marlene Miller.