St. Louis County, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — A solo canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) ended in tragedy over the weekend when a 62-year-old man from St. Louis Park was found deceased in Iron Lake, north of Ely.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, at approximately 2:17 p.m., U.S. Forest Service employees discovered a capsized canoe on Iron Lake. Upon further investigation, they found the body of Robert Sydney James floating nearby, along with his gear. James was wearing a life jacket at the time of discovery.
Authorities believe James was on a solo canoe trip when the incident occurred. A U.S. Forest Service Beaver aircraft was deployed to assist in recovering his body.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office are conducting an ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the capsizing.
For more information and updates, visit TRF News.
Did you know?
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The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness spans over a million acres and contains more than 1,100 lakes, making it a popular destination for canoeing enthusiasts.
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Despite wearing a life jacket, unexpected challenges such as sudden weather changes or water conditions can pose significant risks to solo paddlers.
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It’s advisable for solo adventurers to inform someone of their itinerary and expected return time before embarking on trips in remote wilderness areas.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.