BWCA Question about group size relating to the permit Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Basser8239
distinguished member (200)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/02/2018 10:53AM  
Yesterday, I purchased a permit for overnight stay in the BWCA. It'll be my second trip into the BW. It's just going to be me and my two kiddos. So, when I filled out the permit and it asked for # of adults and kids, I put 1 adult and 2 kids. After completing the form, I submitted it and said I needed to have a minimum of 2 adults. I corrected the form to show 2 adults and submitted it. It was approved.

My question is, it'll only be me and my 2 kids. i.e. only 1 adult. Is that going to be a problem when I get there and the see it's only me and not 2 adults?
 
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05/02/2018 11:08AM  
Shouldn't be. Too reserve a permit online you need to pay for a minimum of two people/adults. That is why it prompted you.
05/02/2018 11:29AM  
No problem. When it's just me and my daughter I pull the permit as two adults, and then when I show up at the ranger station to get the permit I tell them it's one adult and one child, and they refund me the difference.
05/02/2018 02:10PM  
I don’t know why they require two adults. I run into the same thing when I solo, they require you to check two adults. I wish someone could explain this to me. They refund you the difference when you pick up your permit.
05/02/2018 02:29PM  
When I go on solo trips the system demands that I list and pay for 2 adults. At the ranger station, they will issue a credit for one adult. They've known about this for years. I think they just think if they charge a bit more for the reservation, people won't game the system by pulling more than they need.

Just tell the rangers when you get the permit, and have fun with your kids.
treehorn
distinguished member(717)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/02/2018 04:04PM  
What if you've transferred your permit to an outfitter and plan to skip the ranger station?

Which is what I did for my solo....paid for two which I thought was bizarre, but it was the only way I could get the permit.
schweady
distinguished member(8120)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/02/2018 04:12PM  
Every permit issuing station plays by the same rules, whether forest service or cooperating outfitter: the number actually going on the day of entry is the number for which you pay, whether that means adding or subtracting numbers, kids vs adults, or folks with senior passes. Best advice is to always reserve for 2 adults at online reservation time and settle the difference when you get there. No Idea why they need two...

(I sometimes will screw with them and reserve for 2 adults and 4 watercraft.)
nooneuno
distinguished member(638)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/02/2018 06:09PM  
I am sure it is just a glitch in the software and to fix it at government rates would require 3 trillion dollars so they just leave it as is and deal with the confusion otherwise a daily permit fee would go up to $4000 to cover the costs....
ClarkPeters
distinguished member (179)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/02/2018 06:43PM  
The two adult requirement is for our benefit. If two adults are listed on the permit (most groups have at least two adults) either one can pick up the permit. This allows groups to change some of its members without needing a new permit.
schweady
distinguished member(8120)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/02/2018 08:03PM  
ClarkPeters: "The two adult requirement is for our benefit. If two adults are listed on the permit (most groups have at least two adults) either one can pick up the permit. This allows groups to change some of its members without needing a new permit."

Actually, you can list yourself and 3 alternates, but still initially pay for only 2. Then, any of the 4 listed can pick up the permit when numbers are settled. For a real solution, the reservation form could just be changed to charge $42 (or any other arbitrary deposit amount) and not bother to ask about numbers of participants until pickup time.
mjmkjun
distinguished member(2880)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/03/2018 02:18AM  
To add to the odd...
If you are a senior entering solo w/America the Beautiful Pass you claim yourself for the discount, plus the obligatory 2 adults. Excess refunded at issuance of a permit, of course.
Fun and games.
05/03/2018 08:05AM  
Schweady
(I sometimes will screw with them and reserve for 2 adults and 4 watercraft.)
"


Lol, permit reservation humor! Love it. I can picture the bizarre look on the face of the person issuing your permit as they pass over that detail.
 
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