Curious if you have any changes in the routines you generally follow for your upcoming trips.

For me, I am going back to dehydrating my meals for my solo trips. For the past couple years I have purchased food as it is easier/less labor intensive, but this year I am going back to dehydrating/preparing my meals for my solo trips.

I am also going to bring a kayak paddle as my backup; who knows-could turn out to be my primary paddle.

Going back to Ely after an eleven year hiatus of tripping off the Gunflint and Sawbill Trails. I always stayed at CCO and when I booked some bunks they said it was 2007 since I was there. I made a brief stop at W&H in 2014 with the 4 Hoaresmen. Man, time really flies....

Self-outfitting for the first time. With our recent CCS purchases, we don't need to rent anything but a canoe.

Also I'm about 50% done trying to make my first paddle. I don't have high hopes for the first one, I think it will end up in the fire pit, but I'm hoping to make enough mistakes so my next attempt is at least usable.

Going to the East side of the Gunflint Trail,(Clearlake), I have never been in that area before.

I'm going to explore the Superior National forest via Bikepacking this May. South of Sawbill has vast amounts of gravel and logging roads.

I'm working out more and with additional exercises.
Seems the body doesn't like to do what the mind wants.

More fishing oriented vs travel. Always took some gear, caught some fish. Never done a fishing centric trip though.

butthead

Switching from one mn3 20 foot canoe for our family of 5 to the MN 3 and a spirit 2. The girls are getting big and while we can still squish in one canoe it's time for 2. Also will be switching to our ccs lean 3 I got for Christmas. The kids were given a choice of their own tent or staying with us and they picked us. So the lean 3 it is. Also hubby and upgraded sleeping bags to dry down.

Always went through Ely (21 trips). This year going to the Gunflint side. No firm decision on entry point yet.

Doing a point-to-point trip for only the second time - typically we do loops or lollipops.

Yes, I'm probably not going to make four or five trips this year. :/

But having my first child is worth that sacrifice. :)

Thinking about getting a hammock for sleeping instead of tent.

butthead: "More fishing oriented vs travel. Always took some gear, caught some fish. Never done a fishing centric trip though.


butthead"

When and where u going BH?

I picked up a fish finder two years ago and have never used it. I think this year's loop from Sea Gull to Alpine, Red Rock, Sag, and out Sea Gull will be a good opportunity to play with it.

A solo trip without my companion.....she was with me on the last several trips over the past 8 years....she was 13 .
She will be missed

Going in June trying to improve the fishing. We have focused on going when school was in session to avoid the large groups of kids. Also going to Crooked for the first time and very hopeful for good fishing.

This will be my first ever base camping trip. I've always been on the move everyday so this will definitely be a change for me. This is also only the second time I've ever taken a fishing pole on a trip with me. And this is a dedicated fishing trip for us this time. Hoping to be able to post some nice pics when we get back.

Changed our whole pack situation. we had too many small packs. went from 5 small packs to 3. We could probably trim it down to 2, but we take some comforts (and too much wine) along.

Joined a Kettle bell-based workout group at a gym twice a week.

Hopefully those will both make portaging easier.

i'm 72 and age is sneaking up on me so I don't think i'll be doing anymore trips with
two big packs and traveling to a new camp every day.last year I had problems lifting the canoe and stumbled on the Elm portage that I have been over many,many times.
this might be the year I start base camping and hanging around Brule lake to fish and relax.i'm going to Lake Jeanette in late May where I can car camp and test the water.

i'm 72 and age is sneaking up on me so I don't think i'll be doing anymore trips with
two big packs and traveling to a new camp every day.last year I had problems lifting the canoe and stumbled on the Elm portage that I have been over many,many times.
this might be the year I start base camping and hanging around Brule lake to fish and relax.i'm going to Lake Jeanette in late May where I can car camp and test the water.

Different:
1. I have been working with a trainer 2x/week since October.
2. Heading to WCPP, after 2 BWCA and 1 Quetico trip.
3. Flying in. (DeHavilland Beaver! Bucket list check mark!)
4. I'm going to try to cook over fire for most of my meals this trip.

Same:
1. I'm super excited, and can't wait to get on the road June 15th!

mooseplums: "A solo trip without my companion.....she was with me on the last several trips over the past 8 years....she was 13 .
She will be missed "

That is a tough loss.

We’re taking an easier June trip this year. Less travel more fishing. Cautiously optimistic since were trying a new route, new lakes and new entry point.

mooseplums: "A solo trip without my companion.....she was with me on the last several trips over the past 8 years....she was 13 .
She will be missed "

awww....so sorry. She was gorgeous!

Oops....forgot the subject matter comment.....this is the year I start cutting back on the length of portages and seek out those near-entry lakes camping sites. It's a hallmark of a sort.

Nope!

Buying a 'real' hammock setup. Dutchware Chameleon, top quilt, under quilt, and maybe a tarp. I have a ccs tarp, but may get one just for the hammock.

Starting lifting weights about a month ago. I live an active life, but that's not enough anymore, so I started lifting hoping to regain some stability and feel better overall.

Heading up with the Turtle River Provincial park to do a loop. Did a base camp trip a couple of years ago, but want to see the Castle again and loop through some lakes I have not seem in many years.

I'm hoping and praying I get a couple surgeries and can get back at it by fall.
If so maybe basecamp... Whatever that is...

wetcanoedog: " i'm 72 and age is sneaking up on me so I don't think i'll be doing anymore trips with
two big packs and traveling to a new camp every day.last year I had problems lifting the canoe and stumbled on the Elm portage that I have been over many,many times.
this might be the year I start base camping and hanging around Brule lake to fish and relax.i'm going to Lake Jeanette in late May where I can car camp and test the water."

i'll be coming out of mudro about then, maybe i'll drive up and say hi!

More weekend paddling trips this year. Not sure we'll make it to the BW but hope to check out some other canoe camping areas.

I just cancelled my 6/18 Beaverhouse permit. Going back to the BW, and it has been a few years since I have been there. Going in @ Clearwater and will decide when I get there if I am going north along the border lakes or through the Pikes.

This year's trip with just my wife and me will be our first on the east side - In at Clearwater, doing the Johnson Falls area and some BRT. Last year, we did a day trip out of Hungry Jack to Duncan and the Rose Cliffs, but this will be our first BWCA east side overnighter with canoe.

I'm going to triple portage instead of double. I'll be solo with my dog and because of my relatively heavy solo canoe of 50 lbs I'll trade my small pack for another full size pack. This way I can have two medium sized loads to lift and carry vs a one very heavy pack that was difficult just to hoist on my back. I'll take the canoe by itself which will be a joy. So an extra trip on portages but my dog loves to portage so we should be happy.

Like last year, earlier this month I started carrying a 70# royalex canoe around the local nature center. I did this last year for 3 months before a 3 week long July trip and it definitely was a good idea for me. I worked myself up to about 1/3 mile non-stop. It is about the most activity specific workout I could come up with.

I don't know what the heck is going on.......All winter I had planned on WCPP for 4 weeks but now I am having second thoughts. Much like last year when I had planned the same WCPP trip and Isle Royale had kept popping into my head. Its such a long drive.......and I am still not in the type of conditioning that I need to be (worky- worky night and day).

Now I'm thinking it might be time to go back to the Quetico and go to Burt, Conmee and Robinson and of course Basswood on the way in and out. Shorter drive, easier trip complete with nice campsites ;-)

But on the other hand.........arrrrggh!

mooseplums: "A solo trip without my companion.....she was with me on the last several trips over the past 8 years....she was 13 .
She will be missed "

I'm very sorry. That's a beautiful dog. I hope you have many pleasant memories.

Mike

We have decided to switch it up after many years and explore some of the PMA camping options in the BW. As a result, we are switching over to hammocks from the tent. The big "pro" being that it will be easier to find spots for them in the PMA's, a notable "con" being that they will not allow me to leech off my husband's life-giving warmth in the tent at night. That man can kick out some serious BTU's!

Im opening the year with a trip to stuart river ep. This is all new for me and I just booked my permit. The plan is to go up to stuart to check the dahlgren river portage and to camp for night 1. Then I will check out the beartrap river and end up at iron lake to fish away the rest of my time.

After 47 Quetico trips I went back to the BWCA last year due to the cost of Quetico trips has become unaffordable for the 20 year olds I’ve been taking up to canoe country. I’m sold on exploring the USA side. After a July trip from 37 and a Oct trip from 47 I’ve decided to visit every BWCA lake as my bucket list goal. And all the PMAs too. So I’m going in at 14 planning to see all the lakes south of LLC and tour the weeny lake PMA starting on May 10. I retired on Jan 1 at age 57 so I think this is doable. I plan 3-4 solo trips and 1 or 2 group trips per year. Decided to start on the west side as I haven’t been out of Ely for a really long time.
Jon

TomT: "I'm going to triple portage instead of double. I'll be solo with my dog and because of my relatively heavy solo canoe of 50 lbs I'll trade my small pack for another full size pack. This way I can have two medium sized loads to lift and carry vs a one very heavy pack that was difficult just to hoist on my back. I'll take the canoe by itself which will be a joy. So an extra trip on portages but my dog loves to portage so we should be happy. "

Swing by my place and borrow my Shearwater! Great way to see if you want to make that investment, and there is plenty of room for the pooch. Bet you could double portage if you took me up on this offer...

mooseplums: "A solo trip without my companion.....she was with me on the last several trips over the past 8 years....she was 13 .
She will be missed "

I once met a man and we immediately bonded over a mutual love of dogs.

He had an old English Springer Spaniel and he said, "The dark days are coming."

I've never forgotten that.

A couple years later, he retired and even though he lived about 1,500 miles away, his work colleagues asked me to write something for his retirement party, which I did, although I'd only spent about ten minutes with him. A shared love of dogs will do that, accelerate and intensify.

He later designed a fly and named it after me. That fly sits on a bookshelf.

Finally convinced my brother to go last year. Went with two small tents, spring/summer sleeping bags in May, and it got cold,

Now I always have my dog and an extra wool blanket in the tent with me, so I was fine, but my brother froze his butt off. So this year, if I bring my brother or another newbie, I will properly outfit them!

For sure! We're WINGING it this year!

Likely going in October. That's our favorite time to camp anyways.

Other than that... hmmm... Not pack as much food. We always have SO MUCH left over. I think we can curl it back a bit.

Maybe get another Ursak so we don't have to hang any food! That sounds amazing!

nctry: "I'm hoping and praying I get a couple surgeries and can get back at it by fall.
If so maybe basecamp... Whatever that is..."

Let me know if you are and Lisa and I will come along and help, be fun hanging out.

EP 16 if the Ice is out, otherwise might be a hiking trip.

Planning my first solo and longest trip (10-14days). BWCA for only the 2nd time. Hope to visit 1 or 2 PMAs.

need to plan an alternative adventure. seems arthritis is setting in all my joints at one time, not as much strength in my hands and wrists. for sure can't flip a canoe or hoist the usual 40lb pack. :(
perhaps i can convince my paddle partner to take a photography trip somewhere.

I'm taking my second point to point trip. After seven loop or out and back trips, we tried getting a shuttle and tow from Ely to Crane Lake to LLC, then paddled through the southwestern part of Quetico last year (Argo,Ted, Robinson). This time, we're doing the same thing except staying slightly further north to hit new lakes (McAree, Darky, Brent, and down through McIntyre/Sarah).

Going back to cutting/dehydrating my onions and bell peppers for fish tacos again. We just took whole ones last year and they went bad after just 2.5 days in the food barrel. This way we can use them whenever we'd like to.

A 10x10 silnylon tarp.

carmike: "Yes, I'm probably not going to make four or five trips this year. :/


But having my first child is worth that sacrifice. :) "

Hey Mike, congratulations! I just had my first at the end of February. Very worth making some sacrifices. I’m going to limit myself to one or two 3-4 day trips... We’ll see how the little lady and the littler lady fare after the first trip. I suspect I’ll be the one who’s thinking of them more.

Something new for me this year will be taking my soon to be fiancée on her first trip. Looking forward to it.
Strong possibility of hitting Isle Royale as well.

Another thing I’m going to try hard to do this year is keep a daily journal. I’m trying to write a trip report from last October and I’m really struggling to remember details already.