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Ahighly
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08/30/2016 11:35AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Im going on a trip in September and all the planning has me excited like a young boy again. Although ive been on several the new ideas and excitement never stop! One thing i have been thinking of is setting up a really creative campsite. Any ideas for that? Send me your pictures of your most awesome campsites and give me some inspiration/ideas. This should be cool! thanks :)
 
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Grandma L
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08/30/2016 11:55AM  
First - welcome to the board!! As to your question. On base camp trips we do not travel light - far from it. those are termed "fits-ships" trips!

We have built "Cano-legs" to hold up a canoe to make a table at a better height.






Paddle Holder





I also have made a "Hanging kitchen cupboard" on the left and a variety of insulated pot cozies.


At some point - weight and pack space become and issue.
08/30/2016 01:01PM  
"Creative Campsites" is an easily ill taken term. As long as the creativity is limited to what you bring in and carry out, more power to you. Physical campsite modifications are often heatedly debated/interpreted, and potentially illegal.
Be creative with your gear and it's use. As Grandma L demonstrated. Leave the campsite itself as you find it (or cleaner if left messy by others).
My creativity consists of tarp hanging, cook grate/fireplace organization (cleanup and possible stocking with wood).

butthead
schweady
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08/30/2016 01:40PM  
quote butthead: ""Creative Campsites" is an easily ill taken term. As long as the creativity is limited to what you bring in and carry out, more power to you. Physical campsite modifications are often heatedly debated/interpreted, and potentially illegal."

Agreed. Tarps, hammocks, chairs, tents, rocks fit tightly around the fire grate with plenty of level spots, TP in a zip bag by the latrine. I can't think of too many other creative comforts.

One of the guys who wishes he could have made our men's trip roster this year spoke wistfully of the days when he would "...take scout groups up there and we'd take logs and driftwood and in a few hours we'd whip us up some darned impressive tables and all sorts of comforts..." I reminded him that in the 40 years which have passed since he last did that, a different philosophy has pretty much taken hold. I'm FAIRLY certain he got it. But he did end with, "I'm gonna make that trip up there with you guys one of these years and we'll see how it goes..." Not. So. Fast.
Grandma L
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08/30/2016 03:12PM  
Yup, as Butthead and Schweady said - what you bring and how you use your equipment is where the creative energy comes in - Leave No Trace philosophy is the focus. I have faith that you know how to be creative in the most positive ways.
yogi59weedr
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08/30/2016 06:22PM  
Grandma. I like those canoe supports...
I've gotta get some but I think I have to make them longer so the canoe sits higjer.. I'm 6'4". That way I don't have to bend over so far.

Did ya make em or buy em... gonna be a busy winter...
Gotta make canoe supports and table on a tree..

Buddies will like Xmas this year
yogi59weedr
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08/30/2016 06:22PM  
Grandma. I like those canoe supports...
I've gotta get some but I think I have to make them longer so the canoe sits higjer.. I'm 6'4". That way I don't have to bend over so far.

Did ya make em or buy em... gonna be a busy winter...
Gotta make canoe supports and table on a tree..

Buddies will like Xmas this year
yogi59weedr
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08/30/2016 06:38PM  
Grandma. Nice camp.
By my count 4 bear barrels.
One 2 burner stove.
Three single burners...



Holly bat,
S***man


Nice
Grandma L
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08/30/2016 07:28PM  
They are made out of old Timberline poles, top white whistles and bottom of tent rings with the "tongue". I am sure you could figure out dowel legs, fatter dowel top with the correct drilled angle and maybe eylet screws on the bottom to put a cord through to tighten and keep it from spreading.
Grandma L
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08/30/2016 07:33PM  
quote yogi59weedr: "Grandma. Nice camp.
By my count 4 bear barrels.
One 2 burner stove.
Three single burners...
Holly bat,
S***man
Nice"

Yes - - that trip we were meeting up with a couple of my kids who were in for the month of May and had EVERYTHING with them. When that pic was taken there were 9 of us in camp. We left and they kept going so there was a lot of equipment in camp for a while.
schweady
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08/30/2016 09:19PM  
Ahighly: As I re-read your original post and see Grandma L's amazing (and abundant) stuff, I thank you for your question. I encourage others: please, post pics of your "creativity."
And... Welcome to bwca.com!

quote Grandma L: "At some point - weight and pack space become and issue."
No kidding... :-)
08/30/2016 10:36PM  
You remind me of (and even look like) my best friend Pam!!! I want to come with on one of your Basecamp trips! Looks amazing.
aholmgren
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08/31/2016 07:59AM  
I like seeing and hanging flags @ camps (and from crafts for that matter). They are light and pack well, easy to see from afar, conversation starter... Flags are significant historically across cultures. Prayer flags (to the fishing gods) resemble clothes drying on a line (at least from afar) so your all probably into this already;) They are functional as we will start waiving the flag/shirt when: fishing gets good and its time leave camp and join use at the honey hole or the other campsite in the distance is open/better/come on down.

Big shots on funded expeditions always have to get their pinnacle shot with their sponsors flag. Fishing with one in the past, we have to be sure to picture our fish with (not a sponsors flag on the summit, but) specific products in the picture, clothing, sunglasses, motor, tackle, depth finder ect.
08/31/2016 09:01AM  
We don't get too creative but we do take the time to set up a good "water station" that gives us access to lots of fresh filtered water at all times. This one is set up for 16 liters of water - having this available encourages us to drink plenty of water.



aholmgren
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08/31/2016 03:38PM  
What not to do. Found dispersed camping in SNF, not in the BWCA.


mr.barley
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09/01/2016 01:03PM  
quote aholmgren: " What not to do. Found dispersed camping in SNF, not in the BWCA.



"
I'd be burning that. Looks like good firewood
 
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