A couple from Forest Lake, MN set out from the Sawbill Lake entry point of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on October 3, planning to spend a week in the wilderness. Unfortunately, Thomas Pineault, 55, and Cynthia Pineault, 51, perished in the cold water of Alton Lake, just one easy portage away from Sawbill Lake. A church youth group on a day trip to the Boundary Waters discovered their bodies on Sunday, October 7.
The Cook County Sheriff ’s Office received a call at approximately 12:40 p.m. on October 7 from Cindy Hansen, who operates Sawbill Canoe Outfitters with her husband, Bill Hansen. She said a church group, led by Karen Ness of Winnetka, IL, had encountered a capsized canoe and two bodies in the water.
A recovery effort was launched immediately with Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, Cook County Search and Rescue, Minnesota State Patrol and the United States Forest Service responding. The Forest Service asked Sawbill Outfitters to assist with a canoe, which Hansen said her staff speedily provided. They also handled questions from curious bystanders at the landing. “My crew was very professional and did a great job in the face of this tragedy,” said Hansen.
She added that all of the agencies worked together professionally and with compassion. “It’s nice to know that we have talented and caring responders. It is unfortunate that we had to use them,” said Hansen.
Hansen said that it appears that the couple were experienced canoeists. They entered the Boundary Waters at the Sawbill checkpoint, but they were not outfitting customers, so they had all their own gear.
Their son, Nathan Pineault, told the Pioneer Press that was the case. He said, “They were very experienced canoeists. They would go up for multiple weeks at a time, multiple times a year. … As long as I can remember, that was one of my parents’ passions, was being in the outdoors.”
The Pineaults had a sturdy canoe, a Wenonah Prospector, and they were wearing life jackets when their bodies were found. Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk said it is believed they were in the water for 24 hours or longer. Winds were extremely high on Thursday and Friday, with gusts from the west reaching 35 mph on Friday, which would mean difficult conditions for canoeing even for experienced paddlers.
The bodies were sent to UMD for autopsies. Foul play is not suspected.
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