Authorities Release Identity of Man Who Died Hiking in Boundary Waters

Authorities Release Name of Duluth Hiker Who Died in B.W.C.A

Authorities have released the name of a 27-year -old Duluth man who died while hiking in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

On April 20th at approximately 6:11 p.m., the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received a medical emergency call involving Luke Leonard Larson who was in distress.

The man was backpacking/hiking the Devils Cascade area/Sioux Hustler Hiking trail within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area along with two other friends at the time.

This area of the B.W.C.A., located near lower Pawness Lake, is remote wilderness.

A deputy sheriff along with members of the St. Louis County Rescue Squad and 1st Responders answered the call, however Larson died prior to their arrival on the scene.

The victim and the other two friends had been hiking the Sioux Hustler trail since Friday, April 17th.

Larson fell ill during the hike and by Monday April 20th was unable to continue on, at which time another man in the group hiked out and called for assistance.

The cause of death is pending results of an autopsy, however it doesn’t appear to be suspicious at this time.

The incident remains under investigation at this time by the st. Louis county sheriff’s office.