Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: First BWCAW Solo Trip
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sedges |
You could stop early and relax that first day after you get off the big lake. |
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Paddle4Hike |
I will check out your trip report today! And I will be sure to post one after my adventure. Thanks for all the input folks!! |
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Paddle4Hike |
I have planned my first (and solo) trip with a Snowbank entry and looping North thru Abinodji then back East and South to finish with the countdown of Four through One. Planning 7 nites for the trip with the expectation that I will have at least 2 layover days either 'cuz of weather, or preferably 'cuz I like the spot. I have read quite a few posts where the winds/ waves on Snowbank have been an issue. My goal is to paddle away from the potential crowds and experience some of the solitude and beauty of the BWCAW. I expect to be on the water just before midday, Aug 30th. I would welcome and appreciate any insight, suggestions and recommendations from the folks here. Thank you in advance! FYI...Since it's my first trip, I have chosen my EP fairly randomly, so I am open to alternatives....availability being the obvious factor... |
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boonie |
Snowbank is notorious for wind problems. The usual way to get around wind problems is to travel early, say sunrise to early afternoon. Your entry day plan is to enter when the likelihood of wind is increasing. In your favor is the fact that it's not quite autumn then and the weather may be more stable; hence less likely to produce higher winds. Your best bet would be to try to be on the water early, if possible. I have not entered at Snowbank, but I believe an alternative route is Parent, Disappointment rather than Snowbank, Boot , if that is your plan. Your route should be quite doable in your time frame even with the layovers. I assume your route is Ima, Thomas, Insula, and through the number lakes to exit at Lake One, where you will have left your car. I am not familiar with any of it beyond having gone through Thomas last fall on a long loop from the other direction, possibly Alice if you go through Alice to Insula. There is actually quite a bit of availability left for your entry date, depending on whether you're locked into an Ely area entry, or other variables. Hope you have a good trip! BTW, here's a link to Gary Hamer's slideshows on YouTube, which includes a June Snowbank trip and their struggle with wind the first day on Snowbank to give you an idea of what you may encounter. |
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Blatz |
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TomT |
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Lailoken |
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Boonie- You are correct on my planned route Ima, Thomas, Alice, Insula, the numbers. I like the suggestion of Parent, Disappointment and will keep it in my hip pocket based on what time I can hit the water and conditions. I am not locked into Ely at all. There are soooo many options, I finally just chose one for what I hope is the first of many trips. I am open to suggestions! I am driving up from Louisville, KY and expect to hit the Ely area around 7 or 8 pm on the 29th. I have some flexibility in where I drive to start the trip. Blatz and Lailoken- thanks for the tips and info. Much appreciated! TomT-Have a great trip and be safe! |
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Paddle4Hike |
quote : "Thanks for the heads up on the wind issues. I did watch Gary's slideshow and it provided some good perspective. Signed...... Paddle4Hike |
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emptynest56 |
Too bad you couldn't change your entry point to Kawishiwi Lake, #37. There is much smaller water to get to some of the places you really like. I also would think traveling on the Kawishiwi River west and north of Malberg Lake would be a blast for a soloist minus the teeth clenched big water. And then you can get to Thomas and Alice from there. Also, maybe you know this, but a radio that picks up the NOAA weather is worth the weight. I have one for trips and I only care about wind speeds. For full disclosure I did a solo on a 3 person trip to Fish Stake Narrows of LLC. |
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Blatz |
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boonie |
If you aren't aware, you can arrange to pick up your permit at a cooperator (outfitter) as early as the day before entry. At the least, most will be open later and earlier than the USFS office. If you are already planning to use an outfitter for shuttle service between your entry and exit, this will definitely be a time saver. I liked the travel through the Alice-Thomas area; you can check my trip report/pictures for a little info and a quick look. If you have time at Alice, consider a side trip to see the Fishdance pictos. Even with double portaging (if single isn't your plan), your route isn't long at all for that number of days. Depending on how well you're traveling, you could possibly extend farther. At the least you'll have plenty of time for layovers and side trips. It's probably not worth trying to plan a whole new trip through a different entry at this late date. Just try to get as early a start as possible. It's a little too far out to bank on it, but the 8/30 forecast looks pretty good for you. Hope you have a good trip! Enjoy yourself and let us know how it goes. |