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      Trip Report - Cold Clear Silence
 
  Last Visit: 03/29/2024 01:36AM

Entry Point 33 - From Big Lake

Big Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 28 miles. Access La Pond Lake with a 160-rod portage from outside the BWCAW on Big Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1161 feet
Latitude: 48.0651
Longitude: -92.0188
Author Message Text
pdesigninc
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02/28/2013 04:00PM
 
New Trip Report posted by pdesigninc

Trip Name: Cold Clear Silence.

Entry Point: 33

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TuscaroraBorealis
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02/28/2013 04:16PM
 
Nice report!


A great thing about winter camping is that is actually of benefit to eat rich, high caloric foods that are normally frowned upon back home.


Not sure of the circumstances of your attempts at having a fire...but, (one possible solution) splitting the larger pieces helps immensely in getting & keeping a good fire going. Also, we normally use large unsplit chunks as a base for building the fire on.

I agree with your assessment, that somethings you just need to experience to find out what will work best for you.

Still, it sounds like you had an enjoyable trip. Thanks for taking the time to share your story and the neat photo collage.
inspector13
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02/28/2013 04:30PM
 

Maybe the relative humidity was high when you were there. I get pretty good fires going during winter. That’s how I get rid of much of the year’s brush and storm damage without needing a burning permit. I’m not sure if it would be kosher in the BWCAW, but I’ve laid down a piece of cardboard or non treated plywood when melting snow or ice made things difficult. Also I make sure snow and ice isn’t clinging to any of the small stuff when I start it, and feed it with freshly split wood. A tepee style fuel arrangement works best for me in the winter.


pdesigninc
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03/01/2013 10:38AM
 
Good idea for the base. Thanks. Seems like the bottom of the fire became a mess of soaked debris. We were thinking of bringing a metal saucer like the ones kids use for sledding, could serve double purpose.
arctic
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03/02/2013 09:41PM
 
Glad you had a fun trip! Fire should be no problem at all in winter. As for avoiding frozen boots, pull out the liners and put them in your sleeping bag with you. Damp liners will be dry by morning.

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” -Edward Abbey
IBFLY
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03/03/2013 09:37AM
 
Great Report!
Thank you for sharing.


You say that like it's a bad thing.
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