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 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum Rain forecast Reply
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| Previous Messages: | |
| Author | Message Text |
| forgop |
07/07/2017 09:47PMquote Gillcommander: "Just got back from one week trip on Disappointment Lake. Out of 6 days we were stuck in camp two days because of rain and wind including our entry day when it started to blow just as we got to camp. Kind of a bummer when you wait so long for a trip every 2 years and your group is crazy excited. After I got out there, I realized that I had deleted ALL of my games off my phone. That said, I did get a handful of times on Shell Lake where I camped that my mobile data worked and I got a few text messages, but there was no way to download anything from the Google Play store. |
| oldzip |
07/06/2017 05:30PM although I'm late with this topic...I would go: respect the water, storm fronts, get set up for a storm...and enjoy the best possible: I just returned from a two week trip in the Woodland Caribou, my 45th in there and when I came home: I broke my tibia doing a shoreline rehab project...now, with the foot up, screws and plates in, I wish I could be at some site, understanding the landscape around me...yes, you could be miserable but you could have the good fortunate to be outside...and yes, I have made mistakes to be wet for awhile yet the part of the canoe trip that challenges you is the neat part...if possible read some Sam Cook/Duluth Trib about weather...good speed in your decision, watch your top knot...the water is visible, the wind unseen and we ride the waves/as from a story teller on pbs radio...ironically, as I write thunder booms.. |
| Gillcommander |
07/06/2017 02:10PM Just got back from one week trip on Disappointment Lake. Out of 6 days we were stuck in camp two days because of rain and wind including our entry day when it started to blow just as we got to camp. Kind of a bummer when you wait so long for a trip every 2 years and your group is crazy excited. Like many have said...booze and cards helps to ease the pain. |
| paddlinjoe |
07/06/2017 09:34AM Have never cancelled a trip due to weather forcast. Bought better boots because it had been raining a lot the week before we were going in. Have also had to change entry points due to fire in one case. In 2015 my daughter and I couldn't get to the entry point on Snowbank because they were still clearing blowdown from the road after a wind/thunder storm the previous night. The folks at the ranger station in Ely were very helpful in finding a new entry point for us the next day. If the forecast is just for thunderstorms they tend to be shorter events. Lightening and wind is the only thing that would keep us off the water. |
| mr.barley |
07/04/2017 04:00PM I would never cancel a trip over the weather forecast. I always look , but it doesn't matter. Heck I wouldn't even cancel for a fire ban. My last trip had a forecast for rain just about every day and it did in fact rain a bit most days. Not a lot, but it was forecast. You can expect rain to come out nowhere most any time during the spring and early summer. |
| dew042 |
07/04/2017 10:51AMquote forgop: "Let's just say I wish I had stayed home. I've dealt with rain fishing before, but this wasn't even enjoyable when you are wet the entire time. " Precisely why we chickened out this year for a three day Memorial Day Trip this year. Only non-rain day of the three was the entry day. Being wet sucks. Was nice and sunny at home. Daniel |
| skillmo |
07/02/2017 05:12PMquote forgop: "Let's just say I wish I had stayed home. I've dealt with rain fishing before, but this wasn't even enjoyable when you are wet the entire time. " This week was brutal. I've never seen that much consistent rain up there before. Luckily none of it was severe. I learned a lot though. Next trip is already planned. |
| forgop |
07/02/2017 01:10PM Let's just say I wish I had stayed home. I've dealt with rain fishing before, but this wasn't even enjoyable when you are wet the entire time. |
| NickKnifeLake |
06/22/2017 10:23AM We went last year and the night before we put in I checked the weather and saw that there were potential thunderstorms and tornado warning for every single day we were out there. We talked about not going as far out, and even not going at all (just spending the week in Ely). However, the day we put in it ended up being very nice, and we paddled ~8 hours in despite our concerns. This ended up being a mistake as it did rain the whole rest of the 5 days we were out there, with thunderstorms coming and going. The wind was so bad that we couldn't efficiently paddle, and to get back we had to wait until late at night when the wind died down to do a night-paddle to our pickup spot. Despite all of this though, it was an amazing trip, and fighting the weather made for an even better adventure. Would I want another trip like that? No, I wouldn't wish for it. But it is possible to have a great time and experience in any weather. |
| deepdish71 |
06/20/2017 01:28PMquote jamotrade: "Even though it sucks to spend 5 or 6 days in the rain and cold, it makes for the best war stories for years to come. Very few sunny 72 degree days make for long term campfire war stories. As others have said, take the forecasts with a huge grain of salt. If it rains for 75% of the days on your trip you won't have quite as much fun but the bonding is awesome and the weather gets worse every time the group gets back together to reminisce. " This is exactly what I was going to say. I also agree that you should bring extra booze and a deck of cards or similar travel game. We bring cards, dice and a cheap crossword puzzle book to work on. Probly would double bag the tp though! |
| GoSpursGo |
06/20/2017 09:39AM "There is no such thing as bad weather...only inadequate clothing and methods of transportation" |
| QueticoMike |
06/20/2017 09:35AM Never cancelled a trip due to weather. You plan these trips 6 months out, drive a 1000 miles to get there, reserve hotels, permits, bought licenses, bought supplies, bought food, and everything else. No chance I am not going to go due to weather. |
| Schmoe |
06/20/2017 08:56AMquote DrBobDg: "A good tent and a very good tarp....simple meals using a stove. If I am warm and full in a dry sleeping bag ...then I can deal with the day...the crabby whiny people ?? ... those are much harder to deal with..A conversation between me and my 23 yr old son, at night-in the tent-during a pouring rain storm, My son," What are we gonna do if it's raining like this in the morning? Me, "Well, you guys can sit here and stare at each other all day but, I'm goin fishin'!" Once you commit to it, being in the ran ( with decent rain gear ) is not that bad! |
| Schmoe |
06/20/2017 08:56AMquote DrBobDg: "A good tent and a very good tarp....simple meals using a stove. If I am warm and full in a dry sleeping bag ...then I can deal with the day...the crabby whiny people ?? ... those are much harder to deal with..A conversation between me and my 23 yr old son, at night-in the tent-during a pouring rain storm, My son," What are we gonna do if it's raining like this in the morning? Me, "Well, you guys can sit here and stare at each other all day but, I'm goin fishin'!" Once you commit to it, being in the ran ( with decent rain gear ) is not that bad! |
| MikeinMpls |
06/20/2017 08:52AM We'll go in. If it's raining, we'll try to wait it out a bit, but eventually we have to do it. We have a permit for that day and entry, so what else to do? If thunder and lightning is forecast for all day (which usually isn't the case), I guess we'd think about going in the next day....drive back to town and look for permit options. We took out one day early a couple of years ago due to the epic rain in the Arrowhead. That was the year Duluth flooded and Highway 61 had to be closed. The rain was so heavy that End-of-the-Road radio was actually broadcasting flood messages to paddlers inside the BWCA. We took out early because we saw no end in sight. Did the best we could. Also took out one day early during a realllllly hot spell. Not sure if records were broken, but it was May and it was HOT!!! Did the trip, were looking for a campsite for the last night near the Baker Lake entry point, and found only the one on Peterson Lake that was low, hot, and had no air movement. Instead, we got the last room at the Lutsen Lodge. I pay attention to the weather via my shortwave radio, though that's just commercial weather forecasts. I find them broad and lacking specificity.... but those forecasts, combined with paying attention to the sky, has done OK with me. I'm very attuned to thunderstorms. Bring a nice tarp. Angle the tarp so you're sheltered from the prevailing wind. Lower the tarps profile (lower to the ground) if the wind is really strong or swirling. Mike |
| DrBobDg |
06/20/2017 08:23AM A good tent and a very good tarp....simple meals using a stove. If I am warm and full in a dry sleeping bag ...then I can deal with the day...the crabby whiny people ?? ... those are much harder to deal with.. my expression.... "Are we having fun yet?" :-) dr bob |
| jamotrade |
06/19/2017 02:01PM Even though it sucks to spend 5 or 6 days in the rain and cold, it makes for the best war stories for years to come. Very few sunny 72 degree days make for long term campfire war stories. As others have said, take the forecasts with a huge grain of salt. If it rains for 75% of the days on your trip you won't have quite as much fun but the bonding is awesome and the weather gets worse every time the group gets back together to reminisce. |
| mastertangler |
06/19/2017 01:54PM The only time I would even bother to look at a forecast would be early May or October. Or maybe the remnants of a tropical depression might get my attention. Having said that make certain you are well outfitted. A quality tarp, lines and knowledge to use it effectively is the difference maker. Of course good rain gear (including gloves and proper rain hat) and watertight tent is also not optional. Last but certainly not least make sure your TP is well protected via a zip lock bag ;-) |
| WhiteWolf |
06/19/2017 01:41PM Never-- just prepare and deal with it. Worst cases (forecasted) never seem to come to being. Best cases seem to always have inclement weather. Enjoy the weather--- it's the only weather you got.. |
| WinstonRumfoord |
06/19/2017 01:17PM Heck no we would never cancel! Some of my most fond memories are in the pouring rain. A few years ago we drove up from the Twin Cities in monsoon like rain that kept up and followed us all day and into the night. We loaded and unloaded the cars in horizontal rain. It was raining so hard we couldn't help but laugh and enjoy it. We paddled so hard and fast we kept warm. That said, even when it does rain, it is RARELY all day. Weather seems to move fast up there, and one minute it can be dumping and trying to lift your tent, and 5 minutes later the storm is gone and its blue skies and birds chirping. Don't worry about it, just enjoy it and like others have said, bring extra whiskey and a deck of cards :) |
| 24kGold |
06/19/2017 01:10PM Our group comes all the way from Arkansas so it doesn't matter what the forecast says. We come prepared for anything and no matter what happens we always have an incredible trip. Terry |
| anthonylane |
06/19/2017 11:40AM When is your trip and how far out are you looking at forecasts? I take any forecast with a grain of salt until the day before we enter. I also pay closest attention to the NOAA severe weather reports. Wunderground has the option of using personal weather stations which is super handy given the two major cities the BWCA is sandwiched between are Ely and Grand Marais. I have not cancelled a trip due to inclement weather in the forecast. Above all, go with your gut. If it feels off, don't go or go, and rent a cabin if you can. |
| Fizics |
06/19/2017 10:45AM We're heading out on Sunday, pretty happy to see this so far. Hope your trip's weather turns out good! I try to find the good in whatever i get, never cancelled a trip. Sun is nice, but rain keeps the bugs away, glassy water is beautiful but a nice chop makes the fishing better, quiet nights listening to the whiporwhils cant be beat, but neither can telling the story of outlasting a nightmarish middle of the night storm either. It's an adventure baby :) |
| Schmoe |
06/19/2017 09:35AMquote RainGearRight: " We've had some pretty poor forecasts leading up to a y trip or two. Never had to cancel just pack another change of clothes, more booze. I'm more concerned with some of the recent summers storms that seem to cone out of nowhere. "Two thumbs up on "more booze"! |
| RainGearRight |
06/19/2017 08:29AM We've had some pretty poor forecasts leading up to a y trip or two. Never had to cancel just pack another change of clothes, more booze. I'm more concerned with some of the recent summers storms that seem to cone out of nowhere. |
| forgop |
06/19/2017 06:59AM I'm expecting some rain, but I could just imagine if a major front was coming through with pretty fierce ran that would expect you to be grounded for several days for extended periods that may alter your plans. Three years ago, I was supposed to take my wife for our 15th anniversary to Cancun. Checked the weather forecast for several days prior to the trip and they had some sort of strange thing going on where they had experienced a lot of rain and were expected to have prolonged rain showers for all for foreseeable days of our trip due to some weather system that came in. I changed our plans less than 24 hours prior to departure and went to Jamaica instead. It may not have been torrential rain all day long there, but it sounded like it rained for several hours every day. Wouldn't want to be how I spent my vacation. |
| luft |
06/19/2017 06:53AM We had forecasts of storms and rain for Saturday and Sunday of this past weekend but really didn't have any real rain except for overnight Saturday. So I am glad we didn't cancel due to the forecast. |
| Schmoe |
06/19/2017 06:08AM I too obssess over the weather reports. But, in numerous trips and despite poor predictions, it rarely rains all day. It has happened to me, but only a couple of times. In the end, weather is part of the experience. |
| forgop |
06/19/2017 01:53AM Have you ever cancelled a trip due to rain forecasts for the duration of your trip? I checked the extended weather and they're basically calling for thunderstorms 4 of the first 5 days I'm supposed to be there. I have no expectation of zero rain at all, but just wondered if any experienced paddlers have every looked at a forecast and decided it wasn't worth it going in. I've fished in 40 degree sideways rain in Canada, but I had the option of going back to a cabin with a fireplace. I have no issue paddling in rain, but thunderstorms are another story altogether, so I just wondered what others have done if faced with a bad forecast for their entire trip. |
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