Boundary Waters Trip

[HiImSeth]

Hi.

I'm going on a trip to BWCA w/ some friends. Some have been before, others have not. I have never been and have really never spent much time camping/hiking/canoeing, but I'm freakin excited about this. Have any of you been? What kind of tips can you give me? Do I need special 'hiking/backpacking' clothing? I think the other guys have all the food prep gear that we'll need and I've got a tent lined out, but I gotta find clothes and other misc gear that I'll need. I'd prefer that it's lightweight, obviously, since we'll be portaging and whatnot.

Thanks,
Total camping/hiking/backpacking/canoeing/outdoorsing noob.

 

[Old Fart]

Get a good pair of boots that will take being soaked.

Enjoy the mosquitos.

 

[HiImSeth]

Thanks!

 

[RidgeHunter]

I've never been to the BWCA, but I have spent a bit of time canoeing, camping and hiking. There is a lot of stuff you don't "need", but it sure is swell to have.

I'd try to avoid going heavy on the cotton, save for maybe t-shirts. Definitely no cotton socks or underoos. It gets soaked, is slow to dry and will make you heavy, wet and cold. I'm a fan of SmartWool socks and Patagonia underoos. My favorite pair of pants for that kinda stuff is also a pair of Patagonia Continental Pants that are a polyester/nylon blend. Super light, pack small, water beads right off of them, and they are almost as cool as wearing shorts yet they keep the bugs/itchy plants off your legs. Any similar hiking/outdoorsy pant that's not cotton would be on the money. Polartec long johns under them if it's a might chilly.

For a light hiking boot I've been a big fan of the Vasque Breeze for the last couple of years. They are very light and comfortable. I've got a couple of other people wearing them and they like them as well.

Oh, and get a dry bag for your camera and take mad pictures, son. Sounds like a blast.

 

[jkkeith]

Multiple dry bags are a must. Weather can get nasty when you are in the canoe. The last thing you want is a wet sleeping bag. Keep it all dry. Just remember though what you bring you have to pack.

 

[streak]

+1 on no cotton. Nylon socks, the underarmor style shirts and those nylon dickies pants.

Have camp set up and be in your tent before the sun starts to set, the mosquitoes aren't playing around.

pack as light as possible.

And lastly, there is no use for a nylon stringer up there, make sure to use a metal stringer......trust me on this one

 

[streak]

oh and one more thing, before getting out of your canoe check the water depth with your paddle every time. That water is so clear that the depth will play tricks on you.

 

[Hump66]

I went 4 years in a row. You're getting a late start so the mosquitos should be hell, take lots of bug spray with DEET. Dry bags are a must, you will get stuff wet. The lures we had the best luck with were red and white daredevil spoons, and torpedoes. Make sure you have steel leaders as the Northern Pikes teeth will cut your line. A pair of fish grippers are handy for the pike too. Bathing sucks as the water is very cold. Make sure you filter your water with a good katadyn or other type of filter. Crystal lite/tea packets are great to help cover any taste in the water. Try and keep your pack around or under 50lbs. And don't forget to take TP.

 

[RidgeHunter]

Oh, and be sure and watch this. Watch it again the night before you leave.





You're welcome, bro.

 

[Hump66]

Nice Ridge.