Three young males rescued from Lake One and Two. Doing the rapids didn't work out for these fellows. Ely Echo link

The stupidity and carelessness is rampant up there. We saw it first hand this spring with a family, traveling in a group of 15 people, trying to avoid a 20-rod portage by running a shallow set of rapids in rented Kevlar canoes.

The wilderness is no joke and if people keep doing stupid things, there will be consequences. Instances like this will be far too common and have much worse outcomes.

There are a lot more people out in the outdoors now days. National parks are recording record numbers the past few years. Not all of these new people have educated themselves, have had teachers/mentors, or are graced with common sense or a natural fear of nature. This new amount of lack of experience coupled with a large media presence is going to show a jump in follies and messed up campsites or defaced places. Education is a big thing in preventing this.

I was lucky to have a couple of great mentors take me on my first few BWCA trips. They taught me all about Leave No Trace and when to portage. Some people aren't as lucky. They hear or read about these places and want to take part, but have no idea how to do it. They leave trash all around because there's no trash can and they're either too lazy or don't realize that they are supposed to carry it out. Others don't realize they're supposed to carry their canoe around the rapids, not float them through. Other people are just ignorant. It might not solve everything but education can help.

That's my opinion.

I had read an article where paddling deaths are up due to the increase in more and more people getting into paddling cheap kayaks and SUP boards. I am constantly seeing people with no PFDs on in kayaks or on SUP boards. Instead they are either sitting on them or have them tied to the tops of what they are paddling. Everyones attitude is that they think that if they flip out of their kayak they can reach for the PFD and put it on or hang onto it. We just had a drowning this past weekend in IA where a kayaker flipped and he came out of the kayak and never once resurfaced. His PFD was found in his kayak.

quote OldFingers57: "I had read an article where paddling deaths are up due to the increase in more and more people getting into paddling cheap kayaks and SUP boards. I am constantly seeing people with no PFDs on in kayaks or on SUP boards. Instead they are either sitting on them or have them tied to the tops of what they are paddling. Everyones attitude is that they think that if they flip out of their kayak they can reach for the PFD and put it on or hang onto it. We just had a drowning this past weekend in IA where a kayaker flipped and he came out of the kayak and never once resurfaced. His PFD was found in his kayak. "

That's one thing I'm glad was instilled in me early: Having been on the water since I was young my father always had me IN my PFD. He didn't let me use as a pillow or seat. It had to be on at all times if we were on the boat or near/in the water. I still wear it whenever I'm canoeing. The bowman has to wear his/hers too otherwise this canoe isn't going anywhere.

More rescues and more trashed campsites than I can recall in a certain year. There are some issues that need to be corrected, just not sure how to cure stupid at this point.

quote QueticoMike: "More rescues and more trashed campsites than I can recall in a certain year. There are some issues that need to be corrected, just not sure how to cure stupid at this point.
"

My dad says that sometimes: you can't seem to cure stupid.

quote OldFingers57: "Everyones attitude is that they think that if they flip out of their kayak they can reach for the PFD and put it on or hang onto it. We just had a drowning this past weekend in IA where a kayaker flipped and he came out of the kayak and never once resurfaced. His PFD was found in his kayak. "

So recently I was at a water park and went down a tall body slide. The pool that you end up in at the bottom was 4' deep, and of course I should know this. Yet when I came out of the slide I was discombobulated and somehow I was caught in the current from the water exiting the slide and I kept thinking I'd bop right up out of the water but I didn't. I was trying to swim UP, but must have been swimming against that current somehow. Very disorienting! I am not sure how long I was under water, but probably 10-15 seconds. That is a long time when you are expecting 2 seconds instead. Or 0 seconds! Anyway, my point is that disorientation can happen very quickly. Just wear the damn PFD already.

And yes, the lifeguard jumped in for me. It was at the same time as I resurfaced and so she didn't even touch me, but it was weird enough that she had to jump in. The kids I was with were a little freaked out. I was too, to be honest. And yes I feel totally stupid about it now...I could have just STOOD UP. But confusion messes with you.

The only difference between present and past is that in the past there wasn't an ugly cell phone tower that allowed dummies to call for help after making bad decisions. These guys would have had to hope on the kindness of their fellow travelers for a ride out. I was fishing below a rapids in the BW when some guy and his kid tried to run it. They pinned the aluminum canoe against a huge boulder and it folded like a taco when the edge dipped below the water line and caught the full force of the current. That was probably 20 years ago. We collected as much of their gear as we could and helped them back to camp where their friends had to take them back to Ely.

quote ellahallely: "Three young males rescued from Lake One and Two. Doing the rapids didn't work out for these fellows. Ely Echo link "

Isn't this marked as "DANGEROUS WATERS" on the maps?

Maybe have rangers or volunteers rotate hidden game cameras throughout the park. Wouldn't catch many but if you finned the hell out of those you caught and banned them from NP's for say 5 or 10 years it might deter some of this activity.

quote Hub: "The only difference between present and past is that in the past there wasn't an ugly cell phone tower that allowed dummies to call for help after making bad decisions. These guys would have had to hope on the kindness of their fellow travelers for a ride out. I was fishing below a rapids in the BW when some guy and his kid tried to run it. They pinned the aluminum canoe against a huge boulder and it folded like a taco when the edge dipped below the water line and caught the full force of the current. That was probably 20 years ago. We collected as much of their gear as we could and helped them back to camp where their friends had to take them back to Ely."

+1
There is no difference in morons/idiots compared to past years everything being equal (pop growth etc).--- just the how fast/ or if we find out about it. But that probably has a feed back effect on itself,, sadly -- Some people can't find out how dumb they are fast enough...

quote Soledad: " "

No pun intended that is a deep quote. I need to read more of Sigurd Olson's work.

I fluctuate between both sides of the "average person". I've lined canoes down rapids I probably shouldn't have, paddled across bays when I should have gone to shore before a storm, occasional too much whiskey around the fire. I've been lucky enough to not have had an accident that made the newspaper. Id imagine some share these mistakes made. I've learned from all of them and I hope these young men do too. Glad no one was injured or worse.

So, maybe along with the video groups are supposed to watch before getting their permit, we need an IQ test since common sense is so very uncommon!

quote OldFingers57: "I had read an article where paddling deaths are up due to the increase in more and more people getting into paddling cheap kayaks and SUP boards. I am constantly seeing people with no PFDs on in kayaks or on SUP boards. Instead they are either sitting on them or have them tied to the tops of what they are paddling. Everyones attitude is that they think that if they flip out of their kayak they can reach for the PFD and put it on or hang onto it. We just had a drowning this past weekend in IA where a kayaker flipped and he came out of the kayak and never once resurfaced. His PFD was found in his kayak. "

Wisconsin is trying to pass/alter the law to allow SUP's to not have to wear PFD's. Another bad choice in rule making.

The stuff describe is nothing new. Like somebody mentioned we just here about it more often. I have a picture of 2 canoes folded in half around a rock from 20 years ago. It was actually that Lake 1-2 rapid come to think of it.In the last 30 years I've come across live trees cut down, garbage(usually around motor use lakes), a guy walking a portage barefoot, ect ect ect. I do agree and rangers around the country concert. Cell phones make people more brave going into the wilderness who normally might not attempt it. One ranger reported that someone phoned in asking to have water brought to them because they ran out. I don't think the limited cell phone availability in the BW is the reason we're herring more about abuses. Social media just makes it easier to report and receive the information that used be only reviewed by a few.

Being in the number lakes the week before Memorial Day this spring I saw a lot of partiers. That did nothing more then make a lot of unnecessary noise and causing a lot of trouble for those that where there for the wilderness. It was very sad. These type of people are wrecking it for those that want to get away for everything. I saw campsites in terrible shape with trash everywhere. It just was very sad.

quote RainGearRight: "

I fluctuate between both sides of the "average person". I've lined canoes down rapids I probably shouldn't have, paddled across bays when I should have gone to shore before a storm, occasional too much whiskey around the fire. I've been lucky enough to not have had an accident that made the newspaper. Id imagine some share these mistakes made. I've learned from all of them and I hope these young men do too. Glad no one was injured or worse."

+1 Since I'm an "experienced and responsible" tripper I allow myself the occasional shortcut 'cause "I know what I'm doing". 1 misstep or moment of lapse in the past and it's no longer 'there but for the grace of God go I.' Might be time to revive the confessional thread.

quote Grandma L: "So, maybe along with the video groups are supposed to watch before getting their permit, we need an IQ test since common sense is so very uncommon!"

Nice idea, but intelligence and common sense often do not work in harmony together, nor appear at the same time.

Maybe a statement on the permit, along the lines of "you may be financially responsible for any rescue costs" or something along that line, requiring a separate signature? It probably will have only a negligible effect because those that require rescue never think it will happen to them......... or they wouldn't do it (whatever silly thing they do.)

Mike

My son just went skydiving for the first time last week. There is a class you have to take which gives you the basic expectations and rules and directions prior to your jumping out of that perfectly good airplane. Maybe something similar should be required in order to get a backcountry permit in canoe country. If they kept a database of all users, it could be a one shot deal. It could be online and inexpensive.

Why do people go into the wilderness? I would bet that 99% don't go to listen to some yahoos yelling or blasting music or trashing a campsite or otherwise acting foolishly. Folks, WE are the 99% and each trip we take has a huge amount of personal value to us. Would adding a layer of preparation be that painful if in that knowledge, at least we know that everyone in there has a basic understanding of the intrinsic value of a week or a day or a month in pristine wilderness for everyone who is there?

quote gsfisher13: "

quote OldFingers57: "I had read an article where paddling deaths are up due to the increase in more and more people getting into paddling cheap kayaks and SUP boards. I am constantly seeing people with no PFDs on in kayaks or on SUP boards. Instead they are either sitting on them or have them tied to the tops of what they are paddling. Everyones attitude is that they think that if they flip out of their kayak they can reach for the PFD and put it on or hang onto it. We just had a drowning this past weekend in IA where a kayaker flipped and he came out of the kayak and never once resurfaced. His PFD was found in his kayak. "

Wisconsin is trying to pass/alter the law to allow SUP's to not have to wear PFD's. Another bad choice in rule making.
"

Well considering 99% of the SUP boarders I see have no PFD even on the board with them. They might as well just let them not have one. No one seems to think they may drown out there.

walking a canoe up/down rapids can be far more dangerous then actually running them. you run the risk of getting your foot pinned between rocks and at that point you are at the mercy of the current. a life jacket is useless in this situation. i believe a situation like this happened several years ago on the basswood river. if you are new to running whitewater take a class and learn from people with experience.

also something that is never mentioned around here is canoes float. if you do swamp stay with the canoe. if you have properly tied in your gear the canoe you may still be able to paddle the canoe. however if you are running rapids you do not want to be downriver of the swamped canoe, get away from it as fast as possible. also if swamped don't try to stand, swim as long as you can with your feet pointed downriver.

be safe and know your limitations.

At least once a trip, we will practice swamping our canoes. We practice it with and without PFDs on.

Once you know how, it is very, very easy to empty, upright and get in to your canoe. For this reason, we do not tie much stuff in.

If I am in the middle of a lake, I would much prefer to have my canoe upright with me inside ASAP, than have my things attached to my canoe and have to untie everything first before we can upright it properly. Now that you are in your canoe, you can easily collect all of your gear that should be floating because it is hopefully watertight.

Only once have we had to execute what we practice. One of our guys got lightheaded and kind of passed out during a grueling first day on LIS South, luckily we were in a narrow stretch of stream when it happened. We were back on the road within minutes of the canoe spilling, with nothing more than a fun story and some wet clothes as a result.

Seriously, practice this next time you are about to hop in for a swim. Tip that canoe! It can quite literally save your life to know how to do this.

As for rapids, I have no idea what I would do if we went voer in rapids, except for stay out of the canoes way to avoid getting pinned. We are definitely guilty of shooting rapids in our kevlar boats, and it's a blast and I consider it part of the adventure. If I wanted a perfectly safe paddling experience, I would dink around on a city lake and go home and sleep in my comfy bed.

At the risk of sounding callous.

Did they really need RESCUE? Seems like people give up too easy sometimes.

Of course they're ages aren't revealed so that could play a factor.

quote WinstonRumfoord: "At least once a trip, we will practice swamping our canoes. We practice it with and without PFDs on.


Once you know how, it is very, very easy to empty, upright and get in to your canoe. For this reason, we do not tie much stuff in.


If I am in the middle of a lake, I would much prefer to have my canoe upright with me inside ASAP, than have my things attached to my canoe and have to untie everything first before we can upright it properly. Now that you are in your canoe, you can easily collect all of your gear that should be floating because it is hopefully watertight.


Only once have we had to execute what we practice. One of our guys got lightheaded and kind of passed out during a grueling first day on LIS South, luckily we were in a narrow stretch of stream when it happened. We were back on the road within minutes of the canoe spilling, with nothing more than a fun story and some wet clothes as a result.


Seriously, practice this next time you are about to hop in for a swim. Tip that canoe! It can quite literally save your life to know how to do this.


As for rapids, I have no idea what I would do if we went voer in rapids, except for stay out of the canoes way to avoid getting pinned. We are definitely guilty of shooting rapids in our kevlar boats, and it's a blast and I consider it part of the adventure. If I wanted a perfectly safe paddling experience, I would dink around on a city lake and go home and sleep in my comfy bed.


"

I would love to practice this. But I live in Minneapolis. If one was to do this on a Minneapolis city lake, the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff and about a dozen other agencies would be on us like nobody's business.... with airboats and scuba and submarines...

OK, so a little exaggeration. But there would be a lot of 911 calls making it not feasible.

Mike

I never ever tie my packs in for the very good reason stated above.

Do the practice with 2 or 3 canoes. For one thing, the canoe over canoe rescue is very effective. Then bystanders won't think you are alone and in distress.

PFDs and SUPs are an interesting issue. People surf SUPs and you certainly can't wear a PFD then (you need to be able to dive under a wave). Also, a SUP is basically a big floating thing that you are tethered to. Unlike a canoe or a kayak, it is trivial to get back on. I have to admit that I have paddled my SUP without a PFD a couple of times. However, our club insists on PFDs for the club owned ones (which are only for flatwater and not surfing). I'm still willing to SUP without a PFD under conditions where I am willing to simply swim without one. But a canoe is a different beast when capsized and so I definitely always wear my PFD there.

I'm sorry but weren't we all newbies at one point...we learn from our mistakes,,