I would recommend a bear-proof food bucket. These are not heavy and they save you the trouble of having to string up your food bag, a chore that can be annoying, and in some place no trees are available.
Kind of along with your tip about water depth - also looking at what type of “ground” you’re stepping out into. Many of the places we came up to for portages had rocky or solid places to step (which can get slippery). But one time we came to a portage and I stepped out and my foot sunk down in mud basically up to my knee. It could have easily caused me to tip the canoe, but thankfully didn’t. If we had paid more attention to the clues (lots of tree limbs laid out across muddy areas and clearly walked on) it might’ve saved me from the scare and having mud all over. 😂
Stumbled onto your video today. Been canoeing over 40 years in the Adirondacks in NY and central and northern Ontario. Your point of being patient on portages is excellent. Remember the more portages, the further you get away from everything. Bill Mason said something like, if you like portaging you are insane. But they are part of a good canoe trip. Going to the Boundary Waters for first time this September.
@@jodimiddendorf Not yet, just starting to look at maps. Coming from western New York, so might look at east side. Open to any suggestions. Probably 5 night trip.
@gregschuler1596 gunflint to pigeon river is fun but the grand portage to get out is a lil over 9 miles so whole day of portaging to get out but very rewarding when you step out of the woods onto the shore of Lake superior and grand portage museum
You need to book a permit to enter the BWCA on a specific date and location of your choice. You however do not book a specific campsite. The campsites are first-come-first-serve. You can move campsites each night if you want to, or stay at the same one for a few nights. Sometimes you need to travel farther than expected to find an open campsite… other times you may be the only one camping on the entire lake you stay on.
I actually do it backwards. Teva sandles for portaging and canoeing, then I keep a goretex Salomon trail shoes for camp and dry feet. Never had swamp foot Edit: Would not recommend sandles on portages. I've been going to the bwcaw for 12 years and guided for 3. If you don't have over a 1,000 miles out there, play it safe, protect your feet.
Thanks!
I would recommend a bear-proof food bucket. These are not heavy and they save you the trouble of having to string up your food bag, a chore that can be annoying, and in some place no trees are available.
Kind of along with your tip about water depth - also looking at what type of “ground” you’re stepping out into. Many of the places we came up to for portages had rocky or solid places to step (which can get slippery). But one time we came to a portage and I stepped out and my foot sunk down in mud basically up to my knee. It could have easily caused me to tip the canoe, but thankfully didn’t. If we had paid more attention to the clues (lots of tree limbs laid out across muddy areas and clearly walked on) it might’ve saved me from the scare and having mud all over. 😂
Yes! Good point. These instances make for good stories (when no one is hurt) but not so much fun in the moment. Thank you!
Hello from my local Minnesota CZcams Channel! Thanks for the tips.
Excellent advice, a real service.
Glad it was helpful!
Beautiful share, fantastic video, amazing camping 👍 .
Thanks for your wonderful talks.
I am happy you are enjoying my videos!
Well done...!!
Thank you!
Stumbled onto your video today. Been canoeing over 40 years in the Adirondacks in NY and central and northern Ontario. Your point of being patient on portages is excellent. Remember the more portages, the further you get away from everything. Bill Mason said something like, if you like portaging you are insane. But they are part of a good canoe trip. Going to the Boundary Waters for first time this September.
Do you know which lake you will be entering the Boundary Waters on?
@@jodimiddendorf Not yet, just starting to look at maps. Coming from western New York, so might look at east side. Open to any suggestions. Probably 5 night trip.
@gregschuler1596 gunflint to pigeon river is fun but the grand portage to get out is a lil over 9 miles so whole day of portaging to get out but very rewarding when you step out of the woods onto the shore of Lake superior and grand portage museum
Good tips
Do you have to preregister your camp sites or is it first come first serve?
You need to book a permit to enter the BWCA on a specific date and location of your choice. You however do not book a specific campsite. The campsites are first-come-first-serve. You can move campsites each night if you want to, or stay at the same one for a few nights. Sometimes you need to travel farther than expected to find an open campsite… other times you may be the only one camping on the entire lake you stay on.
I actually do it backwards. Teva sandles for portaging and canoeing, then I keep a goretex Salomon trail shoes for camp and dry feet. Never had swamp foot
Edit: Would not recommend sandles on portages. I've been going to the bwcaw for 12 years and guided for 3. If you don't have over a 1,000 miles out there, play it safe, protect your feet.