Just wondering if I am misunderstanding the "Max group size" part of the campsite ratings page. I often see people rate sites and say 3 for max group size and then in their comments will say "4 good tent pads." I think they are saying they had 3 people in their group but isn't that supposed to be the max they think the site will hold? I usually figure 2 people per tent pad.

I wonder that same thing. I don't think that the maximum group size is relevant; the # of tent pads is the best indicator. I guess if you are using hammocks the # of tents pads isn't relevant. I that case there should be a rating system for "hanging".

Let's just say that reviews - star ratings, "good" tent pads, # of tent pads, max group size, landing, etc. - are at least somewhat "subjective" with people valuing different things and at different times of the year, weather conditions, etc. Read them, take them with a grain of salt; no, make that 2 grains of salt. Some appear to be reviews of an entirely different site and some are older too and things change.

I agree with Boonie - you have to know we each have our own opinion and it shows in the ratings. The narrative is the most informative.

Grandma L: "I agree with Boonie - you have to know we each have our own opinion and it shows in the ratings. The narrative is the most informative. "

What she said.

Since we take a tent for each person--usually 2 to 4 people, the number of pad areas are of interest to me.

Speaking of evalualations, I would generally say the BWJ ratings tend to be on the high side by a factor of one. The exception is if a camp is rated a 1/1.5 or rated a 5. Based on a relative sampling which is small and reading what is said against what I would rate the same statements.

Take it all as information and a general guide line.

Same goes with portage ratings. For example I don't think the portage between Mudro and Sand Pit is that bad, and some others have described it as a "death march" On any ratings I look for trends with a lot of reviews.

Grandma L: "The narrative is the most informative. "

THIS

We all have different ideas what constitutes a higher 'rated' site. For example, I actually prefer sites that are 'worn down' a bit. Less grass, weeds, shrubs = less bugs. But, there are others who prefer somewhat overgrown sites because it gives them more of an out in the wilderness/less visited feel. Neither view is wrong, but it does illustrate one way how different ratings, # of tent pads etc. for the same site can occur.

I agree this type of thing also happens on portage comments as well.

When used in a generalistic nature, I find most ratings give a pretty good idea of what to expect at a campsite or portage.

Blatz: "Same goes with portage ratings. For example I don't think the portage between Mudro and Sand Pit is that bad, and some others have described it as a "death march" On any ratings I look for trends with a lot of reviews."

Wow! People call the Mudro-Sanpit a death march? I had no idea. I’m with you, not really that tough if my memory serves me right. Is that the one that has a decent climb, followed by a pretty steep decline to get to Sandpit? My son and dad (with an artificial knee) and I did that one no problem last fall.
I can see how one persons idea of a tough portage or a nice campsite could be vastly different.

I usually don’t pay much attention to this rating. It is a subjective rating based on what one person thinks. I read what the site is like, landing, kitchen area, tent pads, and then decide it I should even check it out. Max group size and tent pad areas are two different things. On some of our trips we have 8 guys. Some guys are new to the group and don’t want to sleep in a group tent. We have had some trips with 6 tents. Then there are some with hammocks so tent pads are not needed. I have read reviews that say 4 tent pads, we get there and only find 2 usable pads, and 2 others in the woods at an angle or full of roots and rocks.

anthonyp007: "

Blatz: "Same goes with portage ratings. For example I don't think the portage between Mudro and Sand Pit is that bad, and some others have described it as a "death march" On any ratings I look for trends with a lot of reviews."

Wow! People call the Mudro-Sanpit a death march? I had no idea. I’m with you, not really that tough if my memory serves me right. Is that the one that has a decent climb, followed by a pretty steep decline to get to Sandpit? My son and dad (with an artificial knee) and I did that one no problem last fall.
I can see how one persons idea of a tough portage or a nice campsite could be vastly different. "

These folks should probably stay out of Quetico!

Savage Voyageur: "I usually don’t pay much attention to this rating. It is a subjective rating based on what one person thinks. I read what the site is like, landing, kitchen area, tent pads, and then decide it I should even check it out. Max group size and tent pad areas are two different things. On some of our trips we have 8 guys. Some guys are new to the group and don’t want to sleep in a group tent. We have had some trips with 6 tents. Then there are some with hammocks so tent pads are not needed. I have read reviews that say 4 tent pads, we get there and only find 2 usable pads, and 2 others in the woods at an angle or full of roots and rocks. "

"Roots and rocks"

Best reason I can think of to justify my use of a cot.

Narratives are more informative than ratings but a picture is worth a thousand words. Too often it is one of the view from the site or the fire grate. I appreciate the pictures looking at the campsite from the fire grate most. If I see a pair of nice hanging trees the site moves up on my rating.

I read the campsite reviews, then I Zoom as far as I can in the satellite imagry settings and study the campsite. This gives me a pretty good idea if I would like that site.
Note, sometimes the campsite Icons are not in the correct place but if I Zoom around I can find the correct location of the campsite.

anthonyp007: "

Blatz: "Same goes with portage ratings. For example I don't think the portage between Mudro and Sand Pit is that bad, and some others have described it as a "death march" On any ratings I look for trends with a lot of reviews."

Wow! People call the Mudro-Sanpit a death march? I had no idea. I’m with you, not really that tough if my memory serves me right. Is that the one that has a decent climb, followed by a pretty steep decline to get to Sandpit? My son and dad (with an artificial knee) and I did that one no problem last fall.
I can see how one persons idea of a tough portage or a nice campsite could be vastly different. "

yeah if that's a death march they better never do Canoe to Pine portage

anthonyp007: "

Blatz: "Same goes with portage ratings. For example I don't think the portage between Mudro and Sand Pit is that bad, and some others have described it as a "death march" On any ratings I look for trends with a lot of reviews."

Wow! People call the Mudro-Sanpit a death march? I had no idea. I’m with you, not really that tough if my memory serves me right. Is that the one that has a decent climb, followed by a pretty steep decline to get to Sandpit? My son and dad (with an artificial knee) and I did that one no problem last fall.
I can see how one persons idea of a tough portage or a nice campsite could be vastly different. "

agree

We have found that the Campsite ratings for Quetico have been very subjective too. We have stayed at some great sites that were rated 1 or 2s and were more like a 4 or 5 in our opinion and stayed at some others that were supposed to be 4 or 5 star sites and were more like a 1 or 2. Plus we have found a lot of the ones on maps or other paddling websites to not even exist.

Blatz: "Same goes with portage ratings. For example I don't think the portage between Mudro and Sand Pit is that bad, and some others have described it as a "death march" On any ratings I look for trends with a lot of reviews."

It comes up early on some peoples trips and for many inexperienced, newbie or first-time paddlers it may seem like a death march. The thin path with a precipitous ledge freaks some people out. I've seen kids who were too scared to cross and had to drop their packs and do it gingerly with the encouragement of an adult. The portage isn't anything special to me.

Mike