Meet your guides 

Ramsey Dowgiallo

"The first time I ever heard of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) I was 17 years old.  I had caught pneumonia and was homebound when my mom brought me home some magazines and books. She gave me a paperback edition about the BWCA.  I was instantly enthralled with the idea of canoeing and fishing where few people have been. 
        All of my fondest memories are from times I spent in the outdoors with family and friends.  My first memories of fishing were with my grandfather when I was 5 or 6 years old.  I remember like it was yesterday.  Later, as a troubled teenager growing up in Detroit, it was always the fishing trips with my father that brought us together.  No matter what wrong I had done, all was forgiven on these trips.  I can honestly say that it was these trips with my father that made me the man I am today.  I believe this is the kind of effect trips into the wilderness (BWCA specifically) can have on family and friends.          

        "Wilderness Journey is a business manifested by my passion for the BWCA and driven by my desire to share the experience with others.  Each journey is customized to fit the needs and desires of our client. The experience promises to be unique. I believe it is not only my goal to guide a safe and adventurous journey but to create life long memories for all our clients.”   Ramsey Dowgiallo

• Over 13 years experience in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
• Authorized by the Superior National Forest as a permitted guide 
• Accomplished fisherman with over 40 years experience        
• Master angler awarded in 3 different states
• Certified in wilderness first aid by the Wilderness Medical Training Center 
• Certified in adult/child CPR 
• Avid wildlife photographer
• Knowledgeable guide and gracious outdoor host
• Wilderness Journey is an insured Limited Liability company

Nate Hurliman

Wilderness Journey prides itself using the best equipment, treating our clients with the utmost respect and taking them into the wilderness to learn about nature and all that it has to offer.  We also believe in hiring the best associates! This past year, Mike Stark  guided one of our trips and our client was very impressed!  We are proud to introduce the newest addition to the Wilderness Journey family, Nate Hurliman. Read Nate’s biography and I challenge anyone to say they are not impressed.

Nathan Hurliman, is a Michigan native but his love for outdoor adventure has taken him many different places with all sorts of people. Nathan has been working with Outward Bound for over 5 Years with over 500 days in the field. Outward Bound trips were 7-22 day trips with many different types of clientele from at-risk youth to veterans of war.  He has lead trips from canoeing to sea kayaking to long winter dogsled/cross-country ski expeditions.  Nate’s been fishing since he was 5 years old starting at the Detroit River and Lake Erie and eventually travelling to places like the Lake Superior, BWCA, Apostle Islands and the Japan Sea. Also worth noting is his employment at many restaurants as a youth and through college so he knows his way around the camp kitchen and an open fire stove. Nathan currently resides in Ely, Minnesota- home to many BWCA entry points.  

Nate has a bachelors of Science in Environmental Conservation and Biology from Northern Michigan University, Associates of Science in Wilderness Management from Vermillion Community college in Ely, MN.  He also has his Wilderness First Responder Certification.

“I have always had a need for exploration and adventure in my life. After I graduated from high school, I moved up to my family’s hunting cabin to battle with the northern winter.  Since then I have experienced many different adventures and looking forward to many more.”