So.... Just returned from a 13 day 134 mile trip into Quetico and the BWCA. What is the best solution for hail bouncing off the head?

If on the water when hail starts, get to shore ASAP, sit under an upside-down canoe. If already on shore, do the same.

Yea so we got caught in this nasty storm and hit with hail three times. We were loaded with gear and found a sheltered little cove out of the worst of the wind but no easy place to get onto shore so we just stayed in the canoes. Paddle blades over the heads. LOL. It must have rained about 2" in an hour as we kept bailing and bailing. Looking at weather news that day there was a tornado warning...

When hiking in the mountains we had hail above the tree line. we used our packs to cover our heads. If in the canoe I would get to shore and use my pdf to cover my head.

I was with vnzill on this trip, and was wondering the same thing - what is standard protocol for hail storms as a camper? That was a new experience for me.
Additionally, Not long after the storm abated, we heard a plane fly in, and then leave. We were in a small Bay North of Mackenzie in Kawnipi, and It was northwest of us. We wondered if it was a rescue, given the force of the storm that had come thru. Is there a website that lists rescue flights?

I usually get off the water when the storm is imminent. The winds and clouds precede the hail. The times I've been caught in hail outside of camp, we've merely turned the canoe over and sat underneath it. In a nasty storm on Disappointment several years ago, we found an island, propped the canoe low in the trees (wedging it in), and laid on the ground as the storm passed. Rain was so heavy that water from the ground eventually found its way down our backs. Was a take out day, and by the time we reached Smitty's on Snowbank (for lunch), it was bright sunny sky again.

As for "protocol," I loosely categorize the weather as rain vs. storms. Rain falls, often for days, maybe some wind, but no thunder or lightning or hail. Storms have rain, but high winds, sometimes hail, lots of booming and lights. They tend to pass relatively quickly, but can lead to lots of rain. If I'm paddling, I get off the water when a storm comes. If I'm paddling and rain falls, I decide how much of a hassle and inconvenience the rain is. I admit this is a simplistic approach and is not a replacement for knowing BWCA weather.

Mike

Weather radio. Not aware of coverage in Canada, but very good for the BWCA. Like M-mike, rain is rain, but if a storm is coming through I will be in camp and not on the water. That paid off on 7/6 when hail hit with predicted storms later in the afternoon. I was sitting under the tarp and rather enjoyed the sound of hail bouncing off things and the view across the lake. Hail stones can make some really big crowns when they hit the water.
I think protocol is get off the water when a storm is in the area.

When shopping for a new cook kit always test fit the largest pot to see how well it doubles as a helmet. If its a set of nesting pots hopefully your trip mates have progressively smaller heads as well.

quote nofish: "When shopping for a new cook kit always test fit the largest pot to see how well it doubles as a helmet. If its a set of nesting pots hopefully your trip mates have progressively smaller heads as well. "

Ha! Good one!

Got caught in a hail storm once up in Quetico, we ended up hiding behind trees as the storm blew through. Probably not a good idea. I have flipped the canoe and sat under it during a heavy rain storm before, probably should have done that then. It was 80 degrees out and within 30 minutes it dropped down to 50 degrees.

quote nofish: "When shopping for a new cook kit always test fit the largest pot to see how well it doubles as a helmet. If its a set of nesting pots hopefully your trip mates have progressively smaller heads as well. "

Love it!

quote vnzill: "

quote nofish: "When shopping for a new cook kit always test fit the largest pot to see how well it doubles as a helmet. If its a set of nesting pots hopefully your trip mates have progressively smaller heads as well. "

Love it!"

Aw dang, yet another criterion for vetting trip partners (head measurements)!

quote bhouse46: "Weather radio. Not aware of coverage in Canada, but very good for the BWCA. Like M-mike, rain is rain, but if a storm is coming through I will be in camp and not on the water. That paid off on 7/6 when hail hit with predicted storms later in the afternoon. I was sitting under the tarp and rather enjoyed the sound of hail bouncing off things and the view across the lake. Hail stones can make some really big crowns when they hit the water.
I think protocol is get off the water when a storm is in the area. "

Awe, proactive... I have done that. I've heard people say, oh.. you don't get the coverage like Grand Maria is Grand Maria specific. But I've heard exact lakes around me deep in the bw. Saved me a few times.