I just returned from a two week solo trip and other than the weather it was a great trip. However, I realized how seemingly small actions have potentially big consequences. I spent 4 night on Oyster Lake to do some trout fishing. I stopped at one site to find 2lbs of raw bacon and a large pile of fish batter near the fire pit left by a husband and wife(I assume they were married). At another site that had been occupied by a group of 4 guys for at least 4 days had left the fire pit smoldering. They didn't even bother to put the fire out. Both groups seemed like experienced trippers. A little disappointing.

Did you contact the ranger station?

It does seem to be getting worse, and I do not know what the answer is. Sad, that's for sure.

Some people leave a pile of wood, some leave the fire. Haha!

I think it goes in spurts. Education is the big thing. There seems to be a turn over in outfitters. At first outfitters think about bottom line... therefore worry about filling quota to survive. Eventually they realize they need to also educate those they outfit to preserve the place that provides their bread and butter. My theory...

Back in the old days... when your old you talk like that... people realized that your actions can mess it up for the next guy. And actually cared. Now to many people just don't care.

I think this site and the members here have had a good positive impact educating those that are starting out and seeking advice. There are just so many people that go there and have no clue how their actions effect the bwca and the next guy that gets to stay there where they have been. They just don't care!

nctry I think you are right.

Back in the old days... when your old you talk like that... people realized that your actions can mess it up for the next guy. And actually cared. Now to many people just don't care.

The people I traveled with always wanted our groups to look like we cared. And we cared a lot and still do. I will download a letter from a 1971 snowmobile trip in the bwca. Look at #6 underlined(no littering along the route if you bring it in bring it out). It is also brought up in #9 NO LITTERING! I would like to think if snowmobilers feel this way then paddlers would also. I hope you can zoom in good enough to read the letter.

This is a map of the trip for those of you that care to see it.

I bet over the years I have hauled out more than 200lbs of tourists garbage.

It's not just "tourist's garbage". My favorite swimming hole is a few miles down a logging road- usual mode of transport is my bike. A few days ago campers occupied the spot- locals (I recognize the vehicles). When I returned to swim yesterday there was a nearly full case of empty cans scattered around the site, a smoldering fire with a couple of aerosol cans in it and cigarette butts everywhere. My thought was to bag it all and dump it on their cars in town.

quote Banksiana: "It's not just "tourist's garbage". My favorite swimming hole is a few miles down a logging road- usual mode of transport is my bike. A few days ago campers occupied the spot- locals (I recognize the vehicles). When I returned to swim yesterday there was a nearly full case of empty cans scattered around the site, a smoldering fire with a couple of aerosol cans in it and cigarette butts everywhere. My thought was to bag it all and dump it on their cars in town."

Thank you for noting that it is not always or just the "tourists" causing the problems. I think we need to see more education, more rangers and more actual enforcement. The spring discoveries of trashed sites indicate we could need more winter patrolling and enforcement too.

Wow that's sad. And this is just a small part of the BW. This would more than disappoint me. A few years ago I came across a bunch of sweetcorn tossed in the woods right by the tent pads. Very rude & disrespectful in my opinion.

The most disappointing aspect of this was that they appeared to all be experienced trippers. I guess it doesn't matter. If you're a jerk, you're a jerk.