My good buddy and primary trip partner are kind of on the outs, haven't spoken to him in 9 months. Usually have a May trip planned by now. Hopefully we can figure that out but time's a wasting and I want to get to the BWCA this year. I have thought for a long time that I would enjoy tripping with many of you kindred souls so i am inquiring as to any interest in a 2-4 person trip at some point between late May and early September. I have been around up there, probably 40 or so trips. 62 years old and out of shape so i am not looking for any extremely difficult trips, although firm plans would inspire me to improve that situation. But I can pull my weight. I have done some pretty tough portages in the last few years with no issues. I would be open for a trip ranging from 4 days to 8 or 9 days.

I love to fish but photography is also a big part of the trip for me. That doesn't necessarily need to infringe on your plans or enjoyment of the trip at all if you don't do either one. Also, morning coffee is a ritual that I would not give up. Doesn't need to take a lot of time but you won't get me in a canoe in the morning without a cup of coffee:). I am usually up with the sun or before for photographic opportunities and will usually have the coffee ready. As far as trip styles, I lean towards modified basecamp trips meaning I am not keen on moving every day, am open to going in a day or two and sitting for a few days, or a combination of moving and basecamping. Or we could go in a long day and set up and do daytrips everyday. My schedule is very flexible so timing isn't a huge deal. Not a minimalist but don't bring a lot extra, and if I do I carry it. I have all equipment in duplicate and triplicate except for a canoe. Open to a group trip or possibly even a group solo. Have considered a solo and still might do that at some point. But I have been thinking for a long time how much fun it would be to trip with some of you long term, legendary BWCA.com members. But at the same time, newbies would be fun too. I get along with everyone so i don't have much concern about that aspect of the trip. As long as we have a common interest but are allowed to have some of our own interest, you couldn't do much to piss me off:)

Maybe this post belongs in the "looking for a partner" thread but thought I would get more traffic here. Only one week is out for me, 8/18-8/25. I have met some of you at wing nights and feel like I know many more of you. If you have any interest please respond or email me. Thx

My wife and i are still waiting to hear back from some friends and relatives for our early June trip. We're half your age but have invited a wide range of folks. Seems like no one wants to commit until it's a lot closer to the trip....frustrating. We'll keep this in mind

Hmmm...... Well, I am a fisherman who liked to take pictures that evolved into a photographer who sometimes fishes. This trip I will be with my good friend and son who's graduating HS. I'm 58 with a few medical issues so my trips are less strenuous than many here.

They want to primarily fish smallies so I am going to show them some of my old hot spots in the Duncan/Rose area. I would like to get into Partridge Lake and maybe base camp there? Hopefully hit some Lakers? If no cooperative lakers there, I'd like to hit Daniels for a few one day.

Anyway, we are going to the BWCA Expo at East Bearskin June 9th and staying at Hungry Jack in the bunkhouse the 8th and 9th. The 10th, we head across Hungry Jack Lake, the tail of Bearskin, then our EP #60 Duncan. We'll be out 5 days, 4 nights then out on Thursday to hit the showers and start the 18hr drive home.

I prefer solo paddling, myself, and you would prefer not to paddle with me in the stern. I had some damage to my right leg and it goes numb if I don't move frequently. All my movement freaks most people out (LOL).

If you are interested in joining up with three Christian guys shoot me an e-mail.

I have a some trips in the works this year:

May 25th - 28th: I was planning to go solo, but a group solo would be great. Was going to go earlier, but ice out will be late.
June 13th - 17th: This is a fishing trip going in as far a Frazer.
Aug 10th - 19th: Turtle River Provincial Park north of Atikokan Ontario. Group solo with one other board member so far. Likely a 45 mile casual loop to include the White Otter Castle
September: 4 or 5 day trip somewhere sometime in Sept.

Let me know if you have any interest.

Hey Jeff, I have a May 9th entry that looks in jeopardy. LIS entry Nina moose exit? If hard water loosens up I'd love to have company. Have some friends I was going to push off with but they are staying on upper pauness. I will be in a solo boat. If ice isn't off then I cant go until September due to hernia surgery. But would still be interested into joining up. We would have to agree on how much "shop" talk would be allowed. ;) I will watch this thread. Pete

ozark, hay river drifter and cyclones, thanks all for the consideration. I will continue to watch this thread to see what evolves. I might be open to any of these possibilities but I have to say that I have found mid to late June to be the worst time for bugs and I have avoided that time frame for many years. Sadly, it is also an excellent fishing time. Not that that would keep me away...
Pete, thanks for the response. As the only one of the responders i have met, I know by your occupation that you are a good guy:) May 9th is a bit early for me but if you reschedule for a later date prior to your surgery, let me know. Love to go. Ice is probably not going to be out anyways. September might work.

Definitely considering all your possibilities, keep me posted. And Thank you for responding.

When I couldn't arrange a 2nd BW trip with someone else, my solution was to go solo. It's works well for me since I'd have missed a lot of great trips waiting for someone else. Not for everybody though and IIRC, it's not an idea you're keen on . . . ?

I'm not averse to having someone with me and often someone is planning to, but time, schedules and stuff often interfere.

I have a trip planned, but the amount of time, the timing, and other factors don't seem to meet your criteria, but you're welcome to tag along or join a part of it as a "group solo" if you want.

A very brief summary is it's an 18-day, non-fishing, travel trip the last half of Sept. The trip is dependent on several variables though, some of which won't be determined until shortly before entry. There are several options, the longest is about 90 miles. There will be quite a lot of portaging, some of it tough, but no really long travel days - roughly half days or a little more of travel, with 5 layover/weather days.

If you want more information, let me know and I'll email you some that I put together for some interested people.

lindylair: "I have found mid to late June to be the worst time for bugs and I have avoided that time frame for many years. Sadly, it is also an excellent fishing time. Not that that would keep me away...
"

Heheh, my wife refuses to go in late may-June because of bugs. The nights are often still cold as is the water often. It would never be my "Pick" if not for the fishing (LOL)!

Boonie, I have been thinking about a solo trip and that may just be what happens that I fall into that as the easiest or only option, as many soloists have done. On the one side I would enjoy the challenge and don't think it would be too overwhelming. But, on the other side the social side of tripping and sharing some of the really cool things that are seen, heard and experienced up there is something I really enjoy. Over the last few years I have been doing more solo car camping as sort of a prelude to an eventual solo. While it is different, there are also similarities. And I tend to have a very good time.

After being hit by a mama bear and 2 cubs 3 times in the Q back in 1976, I admit to some heebie jeebies for several years. But that has pretty much gone away as logic and confidence in the odds have taken over. If I did do one I would probably start slow with a 3-4 day trip to gauge how things are going. But even if i did one and had a great time, I can't see it overtaking my desire to continue to trip with others.

BWCA trips are still, after 45 years, trips of discovery; discovery of new and interesting things in the BWCA or rediscovery of cool things I have seen before, discovery of my conscience and soul in the setting I am most comfortable in, but also discovery of the people I am tripping with and what they are all about. That is why i have some interest in tripping with folks I have not met before but have confidence in because of this website and our shared interests. Going with someone i have not tripped with before, or even known prior to the trip is likely to lead to lots of discovery.

Lindy- That's the way I started soloing in the BW. I really wanted to go back after my first trip and spent 3 years trying to arrange trips with my brother, sister, and a friend, but they always fell through and I ended up doing trips closer to home. The next year, I did a solo to the BW.

My brother has made a couple of trips with me, and I've always got 1,2 ,or 3 people here interested, but that never works out. I have done a couple of trips with Steve (inspector13 from the forum), which has been good. We did meet at lunch one year. Last fall we spent a night on Vista with Pete. They can tell you I really am as "weird" as your profile picture ;). We're not too far apart in age.

I like talking to other people, but when I'm alone I talk a lot to my notebook - a little different, different things. You can do a lot of reflection and deep thinking on a long solo.

If nothing works out for you and you want to solo along with me the first couple of days, then return alone for a few days, that would give you a short one. For reference I'll be entering at Cross Bay on 9/13. I'll be in Grand Marais the night before.

Lindy, I'd be interested in a September trip provided my finances hold out that long. Taking Little Deuce (my fifteen YO daughter) to North Carolina for Week of Rivers in July, then heading the other direction to the Salida/BV area two weeks later with Little Deuce plus my GF and her two. Lord have mercy.

If I were to make it your way I'd either be solo or with my GF who is 110% good to go. She's a walking talking ray of sunshine and is always ready to roll and share whatever load there might be. You and I haven't met of course but Terry can vouch.

Anywho, I guess what I'm saying is I too will keep this on the radar and possibly invite myself if the right trip develops and the stars align.

DeuceCoop: "Lindy, I'd be interested in a September trip provided my finances hold out that long. Taking Little Deuce (my fifteen YO daughter) to North Carolina for Week of Rivers in July, then heading the other direction to the Salida/BV area two weeks later with Little Deuce plus my GF and her two. Lord have mercy.

If I were to make it your way I'd either be solo or with my GF who is 110% good to go. She's a walking talking ray of sunshine and is always ready to roll and share whatever load there might be. You and I haven't met of course but Terry can vouch.

Anywho, I guess what I'm saying is I too will keep this on the radar and possibly invite myself if the right trip develops and the stars align. "

Now you aint going to make him paddle that RAFT up there are you (LOL)? Keep me in the loop on the Colorado trip, we haven't been there since we lived there. Would LOVE to get back out west, especially with "Good company!"

ozarkpaddler: "

DeuceCoop: "Lindy, I'd be interested in a September trip provided my finances hold out that long. Taking Little Deuce (my fifteen YO daughter) to North Carolina for Week of Rivers in July, then heading the other direction to the Salida/BV area two weeks later with Little Deuce plus my GF and her two. Lord have mercy.


If I were to make it your way I'd either be solo or with my GF who is 110% good to go. She's a walking talking ray of sunshine and is always ready to roll and share whatever load there might be. You and I haven't met of course but Terry can vouch.


Anywho, I guess what I'm saying is I too will keep this on the radar and possibly invite myself if the right trip develops and the stars align. "

Now you aint going to make him paddle that RAFT up there are you (LOL)? Keep me in the loop on the Colorado trip, we haven't been there since we lived there. Would LOVE to get back out west, especially with "Good company!" "

Ha! No telling what kind of trouble we'll get in out there. The original plan was to join an Ozark Society group, but their trip fell through because they couldn't find sufficient group camping. I had my suspicions they'd run into that problem. We'll probably just head out Saturday or Sunday morning, Airbnb in Aguilar, then hit the BV area the next morning and find a really cool 4wd dispersed camping spot and set up for the week. The agenda will be very loose and will likely include a little hiking, fishing, bumming around BV or Salida and paddle rafting the Ark. Gracie and I will probably OC1 Salida to Rincon at least once. I don't want to push Amber's kids too hard as they're not accustomed to the outdoor lifestyle, but they are excited about going. Right now we're looking at the end of July. I'm glad you reminded me to keep you posted. Now, Week of Rivers? That's an entirely different critter.............