Hi All -
I just wanted to know if there are any last minute tips or advice for our first trip?

We leave next week :) We have reserved a Kevlar canoe for a 4-day, 3-night trip through a local outfitter. We have also reserved a BWCAW travel permit for Entry Point #31-From Farm Lake to entry point 33 (exit). I feel confident the outfitter will give us guidance when we arrive but I figured I would throw out there if anyone has any last minute tips? !

I think we have all the essentials: Jetboil with food packs and equipment, steripen, tent, sleeping bags and self inflating pads and pillows, Premium Permethrin bug spray, sunscreen, fishing gear and license, two sets of shoes.

Anything I need to know about the entry points or anything major to add to my packing list?

Thanks in advance - I'm excited but praying it doesnt rain the whole time...

You mentioned Permethrin (to spray on clothes before the trip starts), but you didn't mention conventional bug repellant for the skin.

Hi - Yes, I have some of that, too :) thanks for checking! :/ worried a little about the bugs - any idea how they will be?

Did you read about the campsite visitor along that route? Be meticulous when it comes to camp cleanliness, and make sure your food is stowed away properly for the night.

No, I have not heard about the visitor... I assume he has 4 paws and a snarly snout? Where can I learn more?

quote tdaubee: "Where can I learn more? "

See the thread here. It is in the Listening Point section.

quote inspector13: "

quote tdaubee: "Where can I learn more? "

See the thread here. It is in the Listening Point section.

"

Thank you!

Bring extra lures, jigs and hooks if you haven't already. Its no fun to run out.

Nail cutter/line cutter on a lanyard makes for easy line trimming and can also be used for slivers barely sticking out of the skin if you are careful.

I like to bring extra string/twine, it can be useful if not everything is well planned or if something comes up and you need to secure/build something. Like a tripod or drying rack near the fire.

Bring more cheap cigars then you think you need, they are great for keeping the bugs away.

Make sure everyone's footwear is appropriate for hiking/hauling on the portages. A second set that is comfortable and possibly easy to remove is great to have around camp. Not flip flops.

Have some way to secure your sunglasses, like a neck strap. Its no fun to lose them while looking over the side of the canoe and/or struggling with a fish.

Try to have nothing heavy hanging loose on your pack, that swinging weight can make it difficult to get it on and makes the load uneven if it gets caught up.

If you don't have a dry bag use garbage bags to keep things dry, this early in the year is no fun to be wet.

Do not go cheap on rain gear, it can be the difference between unpleasant and miserable. Ponchos are not recommended.

Make sure everyone is on the same page with food to make sure you have enough, not too much, not in any bag coming into the tent and that there are no allergies to be aware of.

Bug dope for the skin, Permathrin is for clothing only and you do not bring the bottle with. Make sure you have enough because you do not want to be in the canoe without it

Head net just in case, those things are cheap and bunch up smaller than a golfball.

Don't forget the basics like the map, duct tape, lighter, fire starter, first aid kit, basically all the little things that might get overlooked or left wherever you packed your gear.

Also make sure your whole group knows the route, intended campsite, and how to get back in case they get separated. Even a photo of the map on their phone works. A 30 min or so meeting is ideal to make sure everyone is on the same page and didn't forget anything or bring anything they are not supposed to. No one wants to take the safety thing overboard and make it seem like their parents are there, but you also don't want to risk any stupid things that would end your trip. Remember, the rocks are slippery when wet, often jagged and all over the place so it pays to be careful. You also don't want to hit a Kevlar canoe on the rocks so you want to be clear with the group about that. Communication is key and you can't assume everyone else knows what you do or feels the same way about something.

The last thing is to make sure you have fun. Don't plan ahead to much or too little. You need to enjoy yourself.

Just slow down and enjoy the silence in the Stillness at times especially at dusk right before the sun disappears

Just slow down and enjoy the silence and the Stillness at times especially at dusk right before the sun disappears

start early in the day - wind usually picks up early to mid afternoon, but it can surprise ya.

have fun - I'm envious!

quote BobDobbs: "start early in the day - wind usually picks up early to mid afternoon, but it can surprise ya.


have fun - I'm envious!"

Completely agree with this. I like to get on the water at dawn. That might mean getting up to the EP the evening before to get all the rental gear then using a local campground or bunk house/motel for the night. Just make sure you are well enough rested before going in or you might waste half the day with moving too slowly and/or taking a nap. Being too tired is no fun so avoid that.

Speaking of sleep, do you have a sleeping pad? The ground is rough and cold. You at least need something for insulation against the cold ground.

Do you have a water filter to go with the steripen? If not grab something back-flushable like a Sawyer Squeeze Filter or a Sawyer Mini. Steripen performance is sketchy at best in cloudy water or the brown tinted water you will find in many BWCA lakes. A gravity filter that uses a Sawyer in line works really well. You will be surprised at how much water you go through. Have a fun trip!

Quality rain gear is worth its weight in gold.

If you're gonna wait for pickup in the EP 33 parking area, I'd recommend head nets and some of those cheap cotton work gloves. I don't know why but it gets pretty intense there.

Not essential, but helps with packing are compression bags for clothing. I usually have 2 small compression bags. I pack long underwear, fleece jacket, fleece hat & mittens, wool socks, and 2 pairs of nylon pants and shirts,1 nighty night shirt (cotton, I can't sleep in anything else), undies, nylon shorts, rain pants, bathing suit and micro-fiber camp towel. They squish down into about 2 football sized bundles and are easier to fit into the packs. The compression bags are useful for the flight up when we fly also so we can get more in the suitcases and somewhat more protected from getting wet. I could probably get by on fewer changes, but nylon is so light I have a hard time not having the convenience of going an extra day without doing laundry.

Good suggestions everyone, I would add to wear your PFD whenever you are on the water. Slip bobbers with Leeches works great up there. Get a gravity water filter that is back flushable.

quote maxxbhp: "If you're gonna wait for pickup in the EP 33 parking area, I'd recommend head nets and some of those cheap cotton work gloves. I don't know why but it gets pretty intense there. "

+1000

Wear your Life Jacket!

Use common sense, play safe and have a BLAST

"anything major to add to my packing list?"

Besides the other basics mentioned, DON'T FORGET THE TP!

Personal Rx.

And the maps. Stay found. Keep track of where you are on the map as you go.

And the food ;). Lighters, matches, firesteel.

Two pair of shoes, three pair of socks - wet socks, camp socks, sleep socks. I pack sleep socks, cap, and base layer with my sleeping bag.

Are you taking a tarp? It's really nice if weather is bad.

OK, ready, set, go! Have fun!

ALWAYS wear your PFD when on the water regardless if you are a rockstar swimmer. A tarp can make or break a trip.

Enjoy living without whatever it is you forgot to pack for four days. If your pack feels heavy, you have enough to have a good time, especially on a first trip of discovery.

Whether or not it's on your list, it sounds like you are taking a positive attitude, always a good thing to bring.

If you have time to take a few notes and then post a trip report when you return, it will be greatly appreciated. First time trip reports are wonderful to read.

Have a great time!

quote A1t2o: "Bring extra lures, jigs and hooks if you haven't already. Its no fun to run out.


Nail cutter/line cutter on a lanyard makes for easy line trimming and can also be used for slivers barely sticking out of the skin if you are careful.


I like to bring extra string/twine, it can be useful if not everything is well planned or if something comes up and you need to secure/build something. Like a tripod or drying rack near the fire.


Bring more cheap cigars then you think you need, they are great for keeping the bugs away.


Make sure everyone's footwear is appropriate for hiking/hauling on the portages. A second set that is comfortable and possibly easy to remove is great to have around camp. Not flip flops.


Have some way to secure your sunglasses, like a neck strap. Its no fun to lose them while looking over the side of the canoe and/or struggling with a fish.


Try to have nothing heavy hanging loose on your pack, that swinging weight can make it difficult to get it on and makes the load uneven if it gets caught up.


If you don't have a dry bag use garbage bags to keep things dry, this early in the year is no fun to be wet.


Do not go cheap on rain gear, it can be the difference between unpleasant and miserable. Ponchos are not recommended.


Make sure everyone is on the same page with food to make sure you have enough, not too much, not in any bag coming into the tent and that there are no allergies to be aware of.


Bug dope for the skin, Permathrin is for clothing only and you do not bring the bottle with. Make sure you have enough because you do not want to be in the canoe without it


Head net just in case, those things are cheap and bunch up smaller than a golfball.


Don't forget the basics like the map, duct tape, lighter, fire starter, first aid kit, basically all the little things that might get overlooked or left wherever you packed your gear.


Also make sure your whole group knows the route, intended campsite, and how to get back in case they get separated. Even a photo of the map on their phone works. A 30 min or so meeting is ideal to make sure everyone is on the same page and didn't forget anything or bring anything they are not supposed to. No one wants to take the safety thing overboard and make it seem like their parents are there, but you also don't want to risk any stupid things that would end your trip. Remember, the rocks are slippery when wet, often jagged and all over the place so it pays to be careful. You also don't want to hit a Kevlar canoe on the rocks so you want to be clear with the group about that. Communication is key and you can't assume everyone else knows what you do or feels the same way about something.


The last thing is to make sure you have fun. Don't plan ahead to much or too little. You need to enjoy yourself."

Wow thank you for being so thorough! The cigar thing intrigues me... First I have heard of that? Do you throw them in the fire for smoke to keep bugs at bay or somewhere else? By cheap cigars what do you recommend // I know nothing about cigars.

quote boonie: " "anything major to add to my packing list?"


Besides the other basics mentioned, DON'T FORGET THE TP!


Personal Rx.


And the maps. Stay found. Keep track of where you are on the map as you go.


And the food ;). Lighters, matches, firesteel.


Two pair of shoes, three pair of socks - wet socks, camp socks, sleep socks. I pack sleep socks, cap, and base layer with my sleeping bag.


Are you taking a tarp? It's really nice if weather is bad.


OK, ready, set, go! Have fun!


"

Bonnie - OMG, thanks for the reminder about the TP, it is such a common necessity that I didnt have it on my packing list!! :D

TP goes at the top of the list - spare clothes make expensive TP! :)

Sunscreen. Nothing ruins a trip faster than a bad sunburn and nothing ruins your life quicker than skin cancer. (voice of experience here on both counts.)

And instead of sleeping in cotton I would say silk. We sleep in silk long johns. Much more comfortable. Silk long johns and wool socks.

Also don't forget a headlamp for hands free clean up if you are late getting dishes etc done. Preferably one with a red setting to keep the moths from whacking you in the head. Thanks Spartan2, I haven't tried the silk shirt, it might work.

quote tdaubee: Wow thank you for being so thorough! The cigar thing intrigues me... First I have heard of that? Do you throw them in the fire for smoke to keep bugs at bay or somewhere else? By cheap cigars what do you recommend // I know nothing about cigars. "

I usually get swisher sweets. Bugs just don't like smoke. You will notice that campfires will keep some bugs away as well, but the effectiveness is limited. You can burn the ends as long as it is not plastic, but I tend to just put them in the trash bag and pack them out. They are small and light so there is no real concern. Plus the smell should help deter pests from looking for food scraps.

If it is really buggy then you can go though 2 packs or more a day. Just get used to breathing around the cigar so you can portage and paddle without losing it. If you and a buddy are fishing in a buggy spot then alternate who smokes to stretch them out. Smaller ones, cigarette sized, are great for a quicker cigar if you are not used to it and to just deter the bugs at the portage, especially when double portaging. Just always be sure to pick up after yourself and to not grind them out on an exposed rock, its ugly and someone would sit on it getting soot on their clothes.

Nicer fatter cigars are better with a drink around the fire. Often we will cut those in half and make 2 cigars out of it. Just make sure you never inhale and pay attention to how you feel smoking them. If you aren't used to it then they can make you sick and make you feel like crap the next day. Limiting the time you hold the smoke in your mouth and drinking enough water can help with this.

Note on the TP, plan on everyone having their own. You should only use the one roll, but backups incase you take a spill in the lake, it gets rained on, or some other unforeseen incident occurs are going to be greatly appreciated. I once went hunting and one of the guys just about used hay off a hay bale before someone offered some TP. Its one of those things that seems insignificant until you need it.

TP in ziplocks ,or anything else you dont want to get wet... never can have enough rope with a tarp , not all site have trees close enough , axe/hatchet is always on the list , got to split wood when its been raining for a day or 2.