|
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Gear you must have |
Author
Text
01/20/2017 09:17PM
quote mgraber: "Hmmm, as far as I'm concerned, the toilet paper is equal to the canoe, tent and food. Yeah I know about the hankie method but that's nasty."Totally agree. For me, a Big Agnes Camp Chair, Sea to Summit Mosquito Box Net Shelter and a good book.
"The future ain't what it used to be" Yogi Berra
01/21/2017 08:28AM
quote OldFingers57: "A chair, Tarp and a good cup of coffee in the morning."
Agreed. It's all about sitting in the chair, under the tarp with a good cup of coffee and absorbing the surroundings!
“The more you know, the less you carry” Mors Kochanski
01/21/2017 10:44AM
quote Jhsail: " I would say chair was # 1. I was surprised not seeing map and compass or is that obvious. I guess gps was why."
I would consider a map and compass an "ESSENTIAL" piece of gear not something nice to have.
"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday.” ~A.A. Milne
01/21/2017 02:47PM
quote PortageKeeper: "quote OldFingers57: "A chair, Tarp and a good cup of coffee in the morning."
Agreed. It's all about sitting in the chair, under the tarp with a good cup of coffee and absorbing the surroundings! "
Totally agree... add a cookie and it don't get much better...
Keep your line wet....
01/22/2017 07:32AM
Tiny Monster flashlight for when I hear that bump in the night and start bawking. Then I have a monster for that monster.
PLB to try for those unnamed lakes with no portage trails.
New for this coming June: a big net to land big pike.
PLB to try for those unnamed lakes with no portage trails.
New for this coming June: a big net to land big pike.
I will paddle eternal, Kevlar and carbon.
01/22/2017 12:41PM
Everyone gets a first post - this seems like a good thread to do it. I love gear. It's especially fun to mix classic with new. Actually, I love everything about paddling/camping - but tweaking gear is as fun as most other things we do in our canoes - on the lakes, rivers portages and at our campsites - especially in the off-season when we are dreaming of open water.
I'm scratching my head over the fact that no one seems to have mentioned a gun... I'm guessing that many folks are not wild about the idea of packing one. It's a lot of weight for an item you likely never even use. Unless it's October and you are chasing grouse in season. Others might object to it on principle. It is what it is and we are what we are.
I have carried a Springfield M6 Scout off and on for many years. It's a folding, single-shot .410/.22 with storage for spare ammo in the stock. It looks like a drilled-out skeleton of a frame with no wood or anything. Tough little gun - but don't lose the hinge pin or you end up with a glorified anchor!
Once on Parent Lake in October many years back, while I was in for a grouse hunting/fall fishing trip, I was lazing in camp when this freakin' dude came barging in unannounced. Scared me silly. He was about 220, 5 foot-16 inches tall, carrying what looked like a hand cannon on his hip, stuck out a strangler's hand big as a leg of lamb and said he was "sorry to bug me" but he was scouting good campsites for an upcoming moose hunt. I mean, who DOES that? I wonder what he would have done if he needed me to move out? (Cue banjo...)
Back in around '01 I was in a gun store in Hopkins, MN and there was a cute little old Colt Woodsman in the case. The owner told me it had come from the estate of the late Justine Kerfoot. I don't recall if he had any provenance and I was not too flush in those days anyway, (some things never change!). But I wish I had!
My dad worked as a yard boy for Justine in the mid '30s at the lodge on Gunflint. His older brother was a CCC who did hydrographic surveys in what is now the BWCAW and knew the Kerfoot family. I have his brittle old Fisher map where he tracked the lakes as he surveyed them in a frame now; behind conservation glass.
Dad took up cross country skiing in his late middle age. We skied out of Gunflint once in around '76 when I was a high school sophomore, (I'm 57 now, Dad's age when we took that trip). I don't recall meeting Mrs. Kerfoot. But we did ski to the Canada side and Dad found this beautiful, fabulously ancient First Nation woman with a face like deeply lined old teak, living with no water or power, in the most incredibly tumbledown shack made of logs, boards, tar paper and such. I don't remember her name, but she said she remembered Dad and I KNOW he remembered her as that's why we went. Not sure if she remembered him. We all look the same to them. ;-)
I'll agree with others, a good rope and pulley system turns the food pack hanging into an engineering problem that's way more fun. And looking forward, I think I might try the Joos Orange solar panel to keep the phone charged. Darn Google Pixel takes GREAT pictures. Maybe it'll work, or maybe it'll fall off the list. That's what gear constantly does... I like it that way!
I have not been back in the bush since before my kid was born. 13 years... Way too long. But I finally scratched an itch that had been bugging me since my brother loaned me his Sawyer DY Special in the '90s while he was stationed overseas... I have a brand new We-no-nah Voyager in the Kevlar ultra-light layup stashed at the cabin on the north shore. I actually got to try it recently - on XM Eve day. Open water everyone!
I'm scratching my head over the fact that no one seems to have mentioned a gun... I'm guessing that many folks are not wild about the idea of packing one. It's a lot of weight for an item you likely never even use. Unless it's October and you are chasing grouse in season. Others might object to it on principle. It is what it is and we are what we are.
I have carried a Springfield M6 Scout off and on for many years. It's a folding, single-shot .410/.22 with storage for spare ammo in the stock. It looks like a drilled-out skeleton of a frame with no wood or anything. Tough little gun - but don't lose the hinge pin or you end up with a glorified anchor!
Once on Parent Lake in October many years back, while I was in for a grouse hunting/fall fishing trip, I was lazing in camp when this freakin' dude came barging in unannounced. Scared me silly. He was about 220, 5 foot-16 inches tall, carrying what looked like a hand cannon on his hip, stuck out a strangler's hand big as a leg of lamb and said he was "sorry to bug me" but he was scouting good campsites for an upcoming moose hunt. I mean, who DOES that? I wonder what he would have done if he needed me to move out? (Cue banjo...)
Back in around '01 I was in a gun store in Hopkins, MN and there was a cute little old Colt Woodsman in the case. The owner told me it had come from the estate of the late Justine Kerfoot. I don't recall if he had any provenance and I was not too flush in those days anyway, (some things never change!). But I wish I had!
My dad worked as a yard boy for Justine in the mid '30s at the lodge on Gunflint. His older brother was a CCC who did hydrographic surveys in what is now the BWCAW and knew the Kerfoot family. I have his brittle old Fisher map where he tracked the lakes as he surveyed them in a frame now; behind conservation glass.
Dad took up cross country skiing in his late middle age. We skied out of Gunflint once in around '76 when I was a high school sophomore, (I'm 57 now, Dad's age when we took that trip). I don't recall meeting Mrs. Kerfoot. But we did ski to the Canada side and Dad found this beautiful, fabulously ancient First Nation woman with a face like deeply lined old teak, living with no water or power, in the most incredibly tumbledown shack made of logs, boards, tar paper and such. I don't remember her name, but she said she remembered Dad and I KNOW he remembered her as that's why we went. Not sure if she remembered him. We all look the same to them. ;-)
I'll agree with others, a good rope and pulley system turns the food pack hanging into an engineering problem that's way more fun. And looking forward, I think I might try the Joos Orange solar panel to keep the phone charged. Darn Google Pixel takes GREAT pictures. Maybe it'll work, or maybe it'll fall off the list. That's what gear constantly does... I like it that way!
I have not been back in the bush since before my kid was born. 13 years... Way too long. But I finally scratched an itch that had been bugging me since my brother loaned me his Sawyer DY Special in the '90s while he was stationed overseas... I have a brand new We-no-nah Voyager in the Kevlar ultra-light layup stashed at the cabin on the north shore. I actually got to try it recently - on XM Eve day. Open water everyone!
01/22/2017 02:03PM
Welcome to BWCA.com, Bede!
Bit long winded there, but what the hell. I've never considered carrying firearms tripping in a canoe. Unless I am actually hunting (and I have hunted bear there), just too much extra weight and stuff to carry. No problem with me if that's your preference. I have met grouse, duck, moose, bear, deer, hunters in the BWCA, all thoughtful and courteous. Too much work involved for the jerks. Your anecdote sounds more like you were surprised than scared.
That Voyager will get you far. Have fun with it, and keep us informed and entertained.
butthead
Bit long winded there, but what the hell. I've never considered carrying firearms tripping in a canoe. Unless I am actually hunting (and I have hunted bear there), just too much extra weight and stuff to carry. No problem with me if that's your preference. I have met grouse, duck, moose, bear, deer, hunters in the BWCA, all thoughtful and courteous. Too much work involved for the jerks. Your anecdote sounds more like you were surprised than scared.
That Voyager will get you far. Have fun with it, and keep us informed and entertained.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
01/22/2017 07:10PM
This message has had HTML content edited out of it.
What the Hell indeed... I'm a teacher and I love to write. However, even though I am registered at my share of forums, I don't post often - so fear not. Shoot, I lurked here for years before I joined. I did a bit of poking around this afternoon and I see that Justine Kerfoot's "Woman of the Boundary Waters" makes mention of neighbors across the lake named Plummer. It jogged a memory of my dad saying that name. So it must have been Mary Plummer I met back in the '70s. Peace-out...
quote butthead: "Welcome to BWCA.COM Bede!
"Bit long winded there, but what the hell..."
butthead"
What the Hell indeed... I'm a teacher and I love to write. However, even though I am registered at my share of forums, I don't post often - so fear not. Shoot, I lurked here for years before I joined. I did a bit of poking around this afternoon and I see that Justine Kerfoot's "Woman of the Boundary Waters" makes mention of neighbors across the lake named Plummer. It jogged a memory of my dad saying that name. So it must have been Mary Plummer I met back in the '70s. Peace-out...
01/23/2017 06:00AM
Chairs: yes 2, one for inside of tent for reading and my raised rocker for the coast line under a tree. (the rockers are elevated )
Cot and Thermal-Rest-Rest: I spend at least 25% of my time using that equipment. Bungy cord the T Rest at foot of cot to to avoid slippage.
Cot and Thermal-Rest-Rest: I spend at least 25% of my time using that equipment. Bungy cord the T Rest at foot of cot to to avoid slippage.
the greatest come backs are reserved for those with the greatest deficits.
01/25/2017 11:35PM
Chair
Gravity water system
Good rain gear /tarp
Went on several trips before purchasing a lightweight camp chair. Makes for relaxing around the campfire much easier. Cooking, cleaning up, putting on the boots; all in the comfort of the camp chair. Won't go without.
First trip I hand pumped water. Spent lots of time pumping, and pumping, and pumping. After all that pumping, still didn't seem to have enough water. I like the gravity setup. Dunk the dirty water bag, hang in a tree. Can fill a water bottle in 30 seconds, without having to do anything but open a valve. Clean water for cooking, cleaning, drinking. All without wasting loads of time.
Been trying to get better at hanging a tarp in camp. Always seems to be too low, loose, not sure. I enjoy having a tarp along though, would likely be happier with it if setup better.
01/26/2017 12:20AM
Although it's tough to limit it to three items, here's my "must haves".
1. Nemo Bugout shelter: Bug free dinning & lounging
2. Helinox Chair: A "must have" after a long day of paddling & portaging
3. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker Sleeping Pad: Best night's sleep ever!
Honorable Mention: a good quality camera for capturing the memories.
Hans Solo
Water reflects not only clouds and trees and cliffs, but all the infinite variations of mind and spirit we bring to it. – Sigurd Olson
01/26/2017 09:35AM
quote newguy: "quote HansSolo: "
1. Nemo Bug-out shelter: Bug free dinning & lounging
"
Is that 9x9 or 12x12? Will I find any deals or should I resign myself to paying ~$200? Anybody have DIY options (maybe I should make my own thread..)?"
Greetings New Guy! That's the 9x9 NEMO Bugout Shelter pictured in my post.
I originally ordered the 12x12 from REI during one of their 20% member's Sale. The REI store in the Milwaukee area where I live does not stock the NEMO Bugout Shelters, so I had no way to physically compare the different sizes before I purchased mine.
After receiving the 12x12 NEMO Bugout Shelter though I felt it was way too big and bulky for my needs. That said, before I used the 12x12 I returned it for the 9x9. Fortunately, REI allowed me to apply my 20% discount and my dividend for the 9x9 after I returned the 12x12.
Due to the fact I do many solo trips and/or travel with a group of four or less, the 9x9 was perfect. The 9x9 NEMO Bugout Shelter's weight and pack size is slightly less than that of my preferred solo tent, The North Face Tadpole 23.
I realize many minimalists may consider the trail weight of 4 lbs, 12 oz. and the packed size of 16" x 8" to be excessive, but in my opinion it's worth the extra baggage.
NOTE: As of this morning, I've noticed the REI does not show the 9x9 NEMO Bugout Shelter on their website, only the 12x12. If that's to say the 9x9 NEMO Bugout Shelter is no longer available through REI, other online vendors do stock the NEMO Bugout Shelter and will usually provide a 20% discount to compete with REI during the same time REI has their member's sale.
I can't say enough about having the luxury of using a waterproof tarp with an attached bug net, regardless of manufacturer. I know CCS, (Cooke Custom Sewing) makes a similar product in a 10x10 and 15x15 version. I'm sure the quality of the CCS screened tarps are superb like all of Dan's products. But with a MSRP of $199.95 minus 20%, the 9x9 NEMO Bugout Shelter is much easier on my wallet.
I love my NEMO Bugout Shelter!
Hans Solo
Water reflects not only clouds and trees and cliffs, but all the infinite variations of mind and spirit we bring to it. – Sigurd Olson
01/26/2017 09:35PM
quote Jhsail: "Just for fun
What 3 things you have you cannot live without when camping . Not talking about obvious like tent, food, clothes. More like those extra little things that make it a little nicer."
Great thread Jhsail! Fun and informative. Learning a lot from this one.
JohnMN
01/28/2017 10:05AM
Mask, fins, snorkel.
Lure gets hung up on a rock? Go find it and retrieve the lure. Want to know why you catch fish here and not right over there? Go exploring. Lose an item in the lake, go get it. I take them on nearly every trip and sometimes even take a shorty wetsuit.
Lure gets hung up on a rock? Go find it and retrieve the lure. Want to know why you catch fish here and not right over there? Go exploring. Lose an item in the lake, go get it. I take them on nearly every trip and sometimes even take a shorty wetsuit.
06/01/2019 12:24PM
Royce: "Been trying to get better at hanging a tarp in camp. Always seems to be too low, loose, not sure. I enjoy having a tarp along though, would likely be happier with it if setup better. "
I struggled to find a good technique on hanging a tarp. The past few years I've found having a short loops or strands of bungie cord at the end of your guy lines . It shouldnt be small and thin but a good quality that has solid resistance to it. I found I dont have to adjust my tarp as often and I can pretty much set it and leave it.
(Hope you see this since it's been a while since this thread started)
06/02/2019 07:09PM
I'm guessing obvious includes tp, tarp, sleeping bag, food, pots and pans, saw, matches, and tent. As those are essentials :)
So with that I say coffee, cribbage board with cards, whiskey
So with that I say coffee, cribbage board with cards, whiskey
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Subscribe to Thread
Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. Sign up Here