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      Trip Report - The Unintentional Base-camping Trip
 
  Last Visit: 05/17/2024 11:38AM

Entry Point 51 - Missing Link Lake

Missing Link Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 45 miles. Access is a canoe landing at Round Lake with a 142-rod portage to Missing Link Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1498 feet
Latitude: 48.0731
Longitude: -90.8301
Author Message Text
Spartan2
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07/08/2010 06:50PM
 
New Trip Report posted by Spartan2

Trip Name: The Unintentional Base-camping Trip.

Entry Point: 50

Click Here to View Trip Report
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Cedarboy
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07/08/2010 07:01PM
 
Love the photos.
Great report.
CB
Kiporby
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07/08/2010 07:37PM
 
Wonderful Pictures!!!

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey
Arkansas Man
Moderator
 
07/08/2010 07:41PM
 
Lynda, Hang in there! You and Neil have many more trips yet!
Fantastic pictures and a great report! You definitely have an eye for photography!



Bruce

Good Paddling, Great Fishing, and God Bless All...
h20man
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07/08/2010 08:04PM
 
Nice report and photos.
GSP
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07/08/2010 08:20PM
 
You two are a inspiration of all that is right in the world. Thank you for sharing the trip and life's adventure with us. thank you


German Shorthair Pointers Rule Serenity is found in your mind, not somewhere you seek.
Ho Ho
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07/08/2010 09:03PM
 
Thanks, Lynda! I know it wasn't what you planned, but I'd call that a pretty darn good trip. (I'm on Anna's optimism team.) And what great pictures! I have a hunch there are quite a few unexpected and fun adventures before you and Neil. I really enjoyed the report.
quark2222
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07/08/2010 09:14PM
 
Pretty cool. I made the exact mistake on Ham that you did, even though I went through that portage a few years ago. I really felt stupid and had to ask a Ham camper where the friggin portage was. I think the maps are not correct, as well as the GPS maps.


Great report. Thanks.


TomW


Spartan2
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07/08/2010 09:23PM
 
You know, it's weird. I have this sort of peripheral memory of paddling up to that spot and getting out to check it back in 2002, then saying "Nope, this isn't it!" and we went back and found the correct portage. But yet, I keep a pretty detailed journal, and when we got back home there is absolutely no mention of having any trouble finding the portage or of wondering about the spot by the inlet.


It was pretty infuriating at the time, and then the instant deluge of rain was the last straw!


fishguts
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07/08/2010 09:24PM
 
Great photos! Thanks for the report and all the beauty too!

fishguts
Boppa
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07/08/2010 11:04PM
 
Spartan2,
A wonderfully detailed trip report. I do however think you are being a bit rough on yourselves for not "getting further". You had some obstacles, you adjusted, that is how it flows at times.


I always look forward to your photography and as usual I am envious of your fine eye and beautiful results. Exceptional work once again.


I guess the rain you encountered was due after the great weather you had last year - that should mean next year will be a keeper.


Thanks for sharing.
Boppa

"Yesterday is the past, Tomorrow is the future, Today is a GIFT, that is why it is called the present".
Itchy Menace
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07/08/2010 11:27PM
 
Great report and amazing pics as always. May your trips continue.
willys53
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07/08/2010 11:36PM
 
I agree with Boppa, You are to hard on yourselves! You improvised, adapted, and made the trip work!! If I knew how to use the computer better I'd draw a figure standing, applauding you guys. But you will have to settle for a " way to go!!". Also, what great pictures. Sure enjoyed reading your report. Look forward to next years!!
homerun23
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
07/09/2010 02:07AM
 
Fantastic photos!! I wish mine turned out half as well as yours!

If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. ~Doug Larson
wawasee
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07/09/2010 08:20AM
 
Love the pictures! I am hoping and praying that both of you have a healthy and happy year!
TuscaroraBorealis
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07/09/2010 10:12AM
 
Great report!!!


They say a picture is worth 1000 words..........well, yours are worth at least 5000! With pictures like that you don't need too much text.


Maybe the trip wasn't all that you thought it would be going in???? But in reality whose trip really ever is? On EVERY trip there are sooooo many variables that are out of our control. (weather, occupied campsites, very shy wildlife etc. etc. etc.) Being able to adjust on the fly is a prerequisite for enjoyment of any trip. It seems like you both did a great job doing just that.
Wallidave
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07/09/2010 11:03AM
 
Perfect!
alpine525
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07/09/2010 12:51PM
 
I thoroughly enjoyed your trip report - and all the beautiful photos.
My husband and I have paddled this route several times and we had lunch at your campsite a couple of times - it's a great one.
My husband also has a bad back - he's had four surgeries. He's now 65 and doing well ... we just take it slow and go as far as we can. When he's had enough - we set up camp. We try to position ourselves in an area where we can base camp and take nice day trips to different areas. It works for us - we're just happy to be there!
Best wishes for many more trips!

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. Dalai Lama
gbuskk
Guest Paddler
 
07/09/2010 01:15PM
 
Great photos. I admire your devotion to canoe camping.
nojobro
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07/09/2010 02:24PM
 
I agree, marvelous photos. I long to take pictures like that! Great job!
rmpeterson2
membermember
 
07/09/2010 02:54PM
 
Fantastic photography! Thanks for posting!
Bang
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07/09/2010 04:49PM
 
Thanks for supplying us all with such wonderful photography. As it is said: "a picture is worth a thousand words."
SunCatcher
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07/10/2010 05:24AM
 
Spartan Team... Thanks for the nice glimpse into your trip. Really appreciate the great photo's and dialague. I get a kick out of your report because it is a glimpse into your lives as husband and wife and the discussion's we all have when together. Enjoyed the heck out of your report and hope for many more paddles for you two.
SunCatcher

"WWJD"
onajourney
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07/10/2010 08:46PM
 
The Spartans are always an inspiration to me and this year is no different! You showed up and did a trip despite having pain and health concerns, and even though it was different than what you had planned, you still were able to portage, paddle, and be in the BWCA. We are 56 now, and have pushed ourselves to do some rugged portages - figure we should do them now as the clock is ticking and we are healthy. But a lesson learned, is to not set too many expectations for the trip because there are a lot of variables that can change everything. Thanks for sharing your experiences and wonderful photos.
Mongo65
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07/13/2010 09:14PM
 
THank you for sharing. The report and pictures were great!

Sit back, relax, have a home brew.
KevinL
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07/14/2010 08:08AM
 
Great pictures - Thanks

KevinL
Winemaker
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07/15/2010 08:58AM
 

I rarely respond to trip reports, I enjoy reading them but feel a comment is unneeded in most cases.


First, the pictures are well a step above what I see and expect in trip reports. The composition, light, and subjects are top-knotch. Its a good camera, but it takes a good eye behind it to get great photos.


Second, I have had a few trips that did not work as I had planned myself. I am a 'planner' and like to follow 'the plan' and get cranky when things do not work out as planned. I agree you two made the best of your circumstamces. It irritates me that two folks just entering the so-called 'Golden Years' are saddled with the ailments you have. It reminds me I lost both my parents before they were 75 and yet I have many friends who's folks are still in their 80's and 90's! Its not fair, its just life, and thus we have our faith to fall back on.


Lastly, Keep doing what you can do. Either get a cabin up there and day-trip or find some healthy people to take along to be pack-mules so you can still enjoy the BWCA. I suspect there are several who would welcome you two on their trips and be glad to carry a heavy pack to allow you two the joy we all find in the BW. I tried to get my Dad to come once with me, he would have loved it, but his infirmities made him hestitate and now my opportunity is gone. Keep doing what your doing...


hummm?

"Opening a bottle of wine in a canoe is a desirable, but irrational act."
danhawk
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07/15/2010 03:42PM
 
Thanks for sharing your report. I also enjoyed your photos.

Lets Roll!
drnatus
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07/15/2010 09:48PM
 
Great pictures, thanks for posting.

Never criticize someone until you walk a mile in their shoes....by then you'll be a mile away and they will be shoeless!
Malamom
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07/17/2010 08:30PM
 
Thanks so much! You have no idea how much your reports mean to me as I too am somewhat "limited". This spring a friend and I knew we couldn't canoe at this point, so we did a car (van) camping trip with 3 dogs up and down the Gunflint and had a wonderful time! Thanks for your report and the awesome photos!
lars54
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07/18/2010 07:53AM
 
what a nice detailed report and great pictures
tremolo
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08/14/2010 12:09PM
 
Spartan2: Congrats on winning the Best TR for July! Your photos are beautiful!
ozarkpaddler
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09/27/2012 06:50PM
 
Another excellent report! And, even though I'm 6'1", those friggin' steps are HIGH on that portage. And you aren't the only one to have problems finding that portage out of Ham. When we were coming "Out," we met two young ladies who paddled into the portage after we arrived. They said we "Saved" their trip because they looked around at the "False" portage, decided it was impossible, and that maybe this trip was too difficult to find their way. They were headed to Frost. Hope they had better luck after Ham!

"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain
Rob Johnson
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10/04/2012 12:22AM
 
Thank you for sharing. The photos show an "eye" for photography that most of us simply don't have. I always bristle when my wife wants to take "Another D___ Flower Picture" but then we look at the photos a year later and they are always some of the best shots.

I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I am somebody. Lily Tomlin
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