Greetings,

I am wondering if anyone has ever asked to join a groups trip on this forum?

I'm a 30 year old guy based out of MPLS, and have been to the BWCA 15+ times.
I have all of my own gear, a reliable car, and a two person Kevlar Wenonah Sundowner (18'-6").

The reason I ask stems from my want to get up to the BWCA more this summer, but on short notice.
This obviously makes planning a trip with my own B'dub buddies difficult.

Taking vacation with my current employer works best when we are between projects, as it's easier on my coworkers. There isn't a way to plan our slow periods, hence my subject title "Can I join your trip?"

I don't have any dates in mind right now, but would appreciate your suggestions and ideas.
I understand I could join a guided tour, but I would rather surround myself with similar folks that have their own gear and are self sufficient.

I typically enjoy launching out of the Grand Marais area, and am an experienced fisherman, canoeist, and outdoorsman.

An ideal trip for me right now would be to leave MPLS on a Wednesday afternoon and return to MPLS Sunday afternoon.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions!

SBW

Have you considered a solo trip?

While I assume there are some people willing to trip with a stranger it might be hard to attach yourself to an existing group on short notice unless a group has a group member drop out at the last second. Most groups do a lot of preplanning and have food and group members and numbers of canoes figured planned out.
Adding another person on the fly would be complicated for a lot of groups. If you can paddle solo then you'd increase your chances since you aren't limited to groups with an odd number of people.

You may want to consider planning a trip with as much lead time as possible, for you maybe thats only a few days. But when you do get it planned post your plan on here and that you'd love some company. There are some locals in the area that could possibly join you on short notice. If you don't find any takers then maybe its a good time for a solo trip.

+1 on nofish's post. It would be much simpler for you to solo.

There is also a "trip partner finder" forum here that might be worth checking out and posting in - just scroll to the bottom of the main messageboard page.

The beauty of the group solo trips is everyone brings thier own food and everything. A person drops out it's no big deal. Everyone has skin in the game... But your not stuck with food that is all packed by you and have to readjust right before a trip. All bale, you go solo... That part is mind set. You need to be ready to do just that. Taking a trip and staying out there for the time you planned isn't always easy. I usually got myself so pumped up it didn't bother matter what happened, I was out there for the duration. My opinion, people are talked into quitting early more often when traveling with others. So building the excitement well before the trip is big. And if it comes down to just you, you have the drive to make it happen.

I may be wrong but I think he’s worried about getting a permit at such short notice that’s why he wants to join others. But again it’s just how I took it

Whatsit,

Yes. Purchasing a permit three days in advance isn't ideal. I have thought about a solo trip, but have grown fond of the adventure with others. I have also been subject to some nasty weather the past couple of trips, which has made a solo trip less appealing. Maybe ill sell some gear and buy a solo canoe for trips.

nctry,

Your trip method seems ideal, but most of my friends own two person canoes. Though, each individual having their own gear makes a lot of sense. I feel that you could really cut down on double portaging as the requirement would be to carry only your own gear.

I totally understand that BW trips are highly anticipated events. People start planning their trips months in advance to make sure they get the correct permit, gear, and food for all members involved. I just wanted to gauge whether or not others had a similar work schedule and would be interested.

If you can't find someone to join it might be worth it to try a solo to see if you like it or not. Even if you end up not liking a solo trip it's better than not going and then you know for the future.

My 1st solo trip was more or less to test myself to see if I could do it and I was anticipating that it would probably be a 1 time thing because I didn't really think I was going to like it. Not only was I able to do it, but I absolutely loved it and in May I just did my 5th annual solo.

As far as getting last minute permits.... that can be fun, especially if you are not too picky about EP during the busy times. For 3 days from now.. Sat. June 23 there are over 30 entry points available and around 15 of them I would consider really good ones for a first time solo w/ smaller water involved. Later in July and August it will be a smaller selection, but it can still be done. Most of my trips over the last few years I've gotten my permit very late in the game. On my Sat. May 19 entry I actually picked my EP when I got to the ranger station and for my daddy/daughter trip for next week I just reserved my permit a couple of days ago.

You might be able to do it, but it's probably a long shot. You can increase the odds several ways.

You could post in theTrip partner finder forum. And check for other posts from time to time.

Most people likely will want to at least meet you before committing, so try to take advantage of any opportunities to meet people from here. They'll want to know how well your trip objectives/priorities/style matches theirs.

Most of my trips have been solo for the simple reason that it's hard to coordinate schedules. That's why I did my first solo. I've done a lot of them since. Even without work schedules, people have other responsibilities and commitments.

Yes, getting a permit three days in advance isn't ideal, but probably less problematic than trying to find a trip to join.

As noted, most people have made their arrangements and aren't going to want to change them last minute. Since you have all your gear, if you can paddle alone, they don't have to make any adjustments, which would at least improve your odds. Beyond that, you have the problem of finding someone who is entering and exiting the same days as your schedule allows and doing that on short notice.

If you paddle solo with all your own gear, you could at least exit a different day provided you had your own permit. I think you can paddle out on a stub from another permit, but only if you can do it that day. You would be wise to double-check that with someone who really knows though.

For example, I have a solo trip planned in Sept. If the entry date matched your schedule, you could join me, but my trip is much longer than your available time, so you'd need to be completely self-contained - canoe, gear, food, and permit. A permit for that EP may or may not be available when you know your schedule. If it was, you could go with me for the first couple of days, but would then have to turn back and exit on your own.


I don't know what kind of trip you like; mine may not interest you - I don't fish, I travel, I double portage, I don't travel real far in a day or real fast. I have a pretty simple camp routine, but since we're each doing our own, that's no problem. Plus, there's the age difference, if that's a problem for you.