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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum Choosing an outfitter |
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08/24/2018 09:46AM
In my past trips to the BWCA I entered at lakes that had outfitters located on them. It was pretty simple to choose an outfitter. The only time I have entered on the Ely side we went through the Scout base. Next year I am considering entering at Mudro. There are many outfitters to choose from and all of them seem to have good reviews. We only need to rent a canoe and a couple packs. Everything else we will bring. We will need a place to sleep the night before we enter and would be open to a bunk house or hotel.
So with all the good options in or near Ely, how have others decided on the outfitter to use?
So with all the good options in or near Ely, how have others decided on the outfitter to use?
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08/24/2018 10:57AM
If you'd like to narrow your options a bit and you'd like to support a sponsor of BWCA.com, click on this link for a list of sponsors and contact information. You can't go wrong.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
08/24/2018 11:37AM
I have gone with Jordans Outfitters the last two years. Mark and Sunny are really nice and helpful. We were able to stay overnight in a nice bunkhouse and have breakfast with them before heading out. We were also able to get an after return shower as part of the deal.
"Did you bring the coffee?" "No. I thought you were."
08/24/2018 12:59PM
I went out from Mudro in 2017 and used Voyageur North Outfitters in Ely for permit issuance and live bait, but had my own equipment. Used their showers on way out too. I think they open earliest in the a.m., and that won my attention. We drive through the night, get permits first thing in morning, and like to hit our EP as early as possible.
Nice, helpful people at VNO, as I am sure you'd find at other outfitters too.
Nice, helpful people at VNO, as I am sure you'd find at other outfitters too.
08/24/2018 05:28PM
It all depends on what EP I’m using. But I compare all of the nearest ones in terms of their costs for the items I need. Which is usually a couple canoes, bunkhouses the night before and after, and showers. And if and how much they charge to let me have my dog in their bunkhouse. VNO won for me last year. They were outstanding. I then bought a canoe from them later in the year. I drove up in January to pick it up and spent the weekend enjoying Ely’s Winter Festival. We stayed at VNO then, too. They were incredible. I can’t say enough good about them.
08/24/2018 09:10PM
I will second the suggestion of Canoe Country Outfitters. The Olson brothers are third generation outfitters and this summer I had the pleasure of meeting a fourth generation of the family. This was my 18th trip with them and my paddling partner was celebrating his 45th year using them.
They have very reasonable rates for the bunk house and good hot showers.
They have very reasonable rates for the bunk house and good hot showers.
08/24/2018 11:32PM
I'm a huge fan of Voyageur North Outfitters and have been using them for probably 15 years or so. Their bunkhouse is excellent, their service is outstanding, and they have tons of used gear to pick up to add to your collection at very good prices. Over the years I've accumulated pots, pans, packs, paddles, tents, sleeping bags, and even a nice Kevlar canoe.... I've got an awful lot of stuff that is stamped VNO!
08/25/2018 08:45AM
I never really needed to use an outfitter for much of anything. But always try to stop at Piragis and Voyager North. A few times I've stayed at vno in their bunk house. And Piragis has a great store that is like a mini rei...
That said, there is a small operation on Fenski Lake. Fenski Lake cabins... Very nice young couple... And right on the road to Mudro..
That said, there is a small operation on Fenski Lake. Fenski Lake cabins... Very nice young couple... And right on the road to Mudro..
Nctry
08/25/2018 11:42AM
coloradomike: "I will second the suggestion of Canoe Country Outfitters. The Olson brothers are third generation outfitters and this summer I had the pleasure of meeting a fourth generation of the family. This was my 18th trip with them and my paddling partner was celebrating his 45th year using them.
They have very reasonable rates for the bunk house and good hot showers."
+1 only use cco. Prices and lodging are hard to beat!
08/25/2018 04:20PM
From Ely and West side I have used Voyager North, Canadian Waters, Cliff Wold's, Canadian Border....... and Andersons for extreme west in Crane Lake/LLC. All great and am sure all outfitters up there are solid as mentioned above.
08/25/2018 05:38PM
I have only used 1 outfitter that was River Point and they were great. Since then I have outfitted myself. That being said I have never heard a bad story of any of the professional outfitters around the bw. Next month I am going to use the Gunflint North bunkhouse and I'm assuming they run a good outfit too.
08/25/2018 07:18PM
Another strong vote for Voyageur North! We have been delighted with their advice and outfitting for over 20 years. Their equipment is first-rate, and all the staff that we have encountered have been helpful and knowledgeable.
08/25/2018 10:08PM
We've always used VNO when we're on the west side as well. Their service has always been great for the 15+ years we've been tripping out of Ely.
"Leave it as it is.....The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it." Theodore Roosevelt
08/26/2018 07:45AM
It's true I don't usually need gear (really) but i do need lodging and an occasional shuttle, and maybe a tow if weather is bad, so have maintained relationship with CCO. I suppose if I was closer than Chicago it might be different.
08/26/2018 06:39PM
Voyaguer North for sure!
They treated us very good last week and even re-opened the doors when we came back to turn in the canoe at 10pm!
The room was great too. All we rented was a canoe and a room from them and they treated us like we were renting the entire works!
They treated us very good last week and even re-opened the doors when we came back to turn in the canoe at 10pm!
The room was great too. All we rented was a canoe and a room from them and they treated us like we were renting the entire works!
08/27/2018 06:38PM
I've used Spirit of the Wilderness for partial outfitting for the past 10 years, and always been happy with the Nelson family. They've earned my business. That said, we used VNO's bunkhouse this year and I met Lynn for the first time. Was really impressed with the service they provided. I can understand why they've received so many votes in this thread. The bunkhouse was clean and I really appreciated the fact that the room we stayed in had a freezer to keep some stuff frozen for us overnight.
"While Jesus can make you wonderfully happy, he has no intention of making you normal." Erwin McManus
08/29/2018 01:35PM
Enter Mudro last fall and I did the same thing you did, I checked reviews and that didn't help much because most are highly rated. So then I priced shopped which narrowed it down a bit and then I communicated back and forth with a few of the outfitters and got a feel for how they were to work with. We ended up using Voyager and couldn't have been happier. There bunk house was super comfortable and they were great to work with.
08/30/2018 12:34PM
Another vote for Voyager North Outfitter. Our decision to use VNO was after meeting them at the Boat sport and travel show here in Indy for 2 or 3 years before deciding to make the trip north. Each year John and Lynn would take the time to talk about routes answer any questions we had. Super helpful and everyone there has been great. We only have two trips so far, a third one coming up in 2 weeks but we have rented the canoe from VNO each time, picked up bait and stayed in the bunk house. I don't have any experience with the other outfitters but i have no reason to try anyone else! Canoe rental includes the shower at the end, always nice before hitting the road.
08/30/2018 02:34PM
Williams and Hall on Moose Lake. They always have a bunk for me when I roll in at 10:30 or later at night. And Dave up there always sets me up with a tow first thing in the morning, 6:30 am or so.
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
09/06/2018 11:58AM
Couldn't let this go by. I've never heard a bad thing about any of the Ely based outfitters, but for 20 years I have been using the Olson's over at Canoe Country. Besides being wonderful people, they have a great spot on Moose with tow service and bunks both in town and on Moose.
09/06/2018 07:37PM
budfox_mn: "Couldn't let this go by. I've never heard a bad thing about any of the Ely based outfitters, but for 20 years I have been using the Olson's over at Canoe Country. Besides being wonderful people, they have a great spot on Moose with tow service and bunks both in town and on Moose. "
Yup!
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