Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Stu’s T.R.I.P.S. program
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brux |
anthonyp007: "Btw, I dropped my solo boat into the 20” of fresh snow we got and tried to paddle through the backyard. The snow was well over the gunwales!!! Time to get the skis back out. That’s because you forgot to put the chains on it. Our son seriously asked if the BW was ice free yet and when told no, asked if we could go if we put chains on the canoes. LOL I can feel spring in the air finally! |
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JustinLinnell1 |
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carmike |
I've run into a few problems with some of his Quetico campsites. Some of the dots he puts on maps aren't actually campsites. And some of the ratings are almost certainly "wrong" (he once gave 5 stars to one that had obviously not been used in some time). I'm sure he throws those dots and rankings on them pretty quickly, though, so a mistake here or there is bound to happen. All in all, it's a pretty sweet feature, though. I use it every time I head to Quetico. |
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Frenchy19 |
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old_salt |
Frenchy19: "Agree with the "cut Stu some slack" take. If you do not like what he has to say, do not read his mag. I have never had maps marked by him, but sure would not mind it. He knows more about the BW and Quetico than I ever will." So...if we don’t agree with him, we shouldn’t subscribe? I do read his magazine, but refuse to give up my right and ability to think critically. Critical thinking is what makes the world go round. I don’t subscribe to most of his travel preferences and I’ve seen his marked maps. He puts a lot of marks on his maps... Yes, he does more trips than I do, but it doesn’t make his advice ‘gospel’. Nor is my advice ‘gospel’. Consider also that if everyone who disagrees with something Stu writes cancels their subscription, the magazine would probably fold. |
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mastertangler |
And I have just as strong of convictions on some tripping views which are 180 degrees opposite of his. But I don't view him negatively or talk harshly about him because we don't agree..........he is entitled to his opinion and he is entitled to state it forcefully if he desires. What I sense has changed in a segment of the populace is there seems to be an intolerance for diversity of thought and speech. People are getting offended rather easily. It explains censorship on Facebook and other social media platforms and it explains "safe spaces" on college campuses where only what is deemed "non offensive" speech devoid of "micro aggressions" can be used. What I like about Stu is his honesty. You always know exactly where he stands and why. A noble trait in a man (or woman ;-) to be sure IMO. |
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old_salt |
I’m a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess. |
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KarlBAndersen1 |
I know I'm only 64, but I've been involved in some pretty amazing endeavors in my young life. I don't always take what someone else says as "gospel", but one thing that has become incredibly valuable in my life is to at least STFU and listen when someone talks who has "been there, done that". |
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Jackfish |
KarlBAndersen1: "...but one thing that has become incredibly valuable in my life is to at least STFU and listen when someone talks who has "been there, done that" ." Good call, Karl. As my Dad always told me, "You can't learn anything if your jaws are flapping." |
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timatkn |
Savage Voyageur: "timatkn: " Thanks for the correction. T |
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HighnDry |
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mastertangler |
I always thought the whole friends thing was vastly over rated anyway (you have to call them, feed them, etc. etc. ;-) |
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old_salt |
thlipsis29: "Never met Stu, but I used to subscribe to BWJ. My one question after reading all these posts is this: do our reactions say more about Stu or more about us?" I don't know. I have met Stu and I like him as a person. I just differ with some of his ideas. That doesn't make either of us 'bad' or 'wrong'. We just have different preferences. He's pretty strong in his opinions, as I am in mine. To take a difference in methodology as a personal attack is pretty narrow. I have subscribed to BWJ from the beginning, back in '87, so I think that makes me a pretty loyal subscriber. I enjoy the debate I have with him when each issue arrives. I'll let you answer your question... |
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DougD |
Later in the day I had an opportunity to talk with Stu at his booth for about 30 minutes. I was apprehensive about approaching him because 1) I am taking a DIY trip this summer to a remote destination that happens to be one of the locations he writes about on his guided trips, 2) So often on this forum he is portrayed in a negative manner. Wow, what a great guy full of great advice. I admitted at the start of the conversation where I was going. After a little bit of good natured ribbing about using the info in the BWJ to take the trip without him, he opened up for 30 minutes with tons of relevant and useful advice. The guy knows how to fish and knows about remote canoe tripping. Thank you Stu for all of the great advice. So the takeaways for me are.... 1) The consensus on this forum about Canoecopia being awesome was spot on. 2) My perceived conventional wisdom on this forum about Stu was way off target. |
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TomT |
The TRIPS program is really a great feature. I sent maps in one year but was too late as he was gone guiding so they sent them back un marked. I once used Tom and Woods outfitting in 1992 and he said "give me your maps and I'll mark them for you". When he finished he said " That'll be $20". I was pissed and vowed to never use them again. Stu's a real good guy and I hope to let him guide me someday. |
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QueticoMike |
TomT: "I've subscribed since the mid 90s and also went to his house to pick up a pack I purchased from him. This was when he raced sled dogs competitively. I'll never forget seeing his 40 plus dogs all hanging out by their individual houses. Tom and Woods never charged to mark my maps back in the 80s. Maybe because I was renting a canoe? |
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QueticoMike |
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thlipsis29 |
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old_salt |
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mastertangler |
old_salt: "I prefer to keep my friends and my opinions. It’s ok to disagree, but I try to avoid being disagreeable and I hope others will do the same." I hear ya.........ah, in a perfect world. But people want to hear what they want to hear. Franklins life is a very interesting one and well worth reading about. He went from being a bit coarse, abrasive and offensive (often magnified by the effects of alcohol) to being one of the best diplomats the country has ever known. |
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bwcadan |
When I was 61, (Stu's age), I was throwing papers most every night. I could have easily paddled stroke for stroke 30 minutes a side before changing sides. All Day. Portages were easy with out rests. Add 10 years and things are different health wise. Base Camping with day trips is now a style I embrace. I hope Stu can continue for 20 years or so and I hope to be able to watch how he changes to the life changes that occur for all of us. I am guessing a sherpa will be the first noticeable addition to his trips and that will play out ending when spreading his ashes in the Boundary Waters as he has mentioned in articles. |
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Blatz |
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DeanL |
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primitiveguy |
Jon |
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DrBobDg |
I learned a lot starting out reading the BWJ... dr bob |
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primitiveguy |
DrBobDg: "In spite of rubbing folk the wrong way at times with his thoughts he is doing his best to make it a good trip for you..... Everyone should cut Stu a little tiny bit of slack. He spends many more nights in the wilderness than virtually anyone today so his trips are fundamentally different. Jon |
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30Smoke |
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TomT |
QueticoMike: " Tom and Woods never charged to mark my maps back in the 80s. Maybe because I was renting a canoe?" We didn't rent a canoe with them. Got a tow and pretty sure we bunked there and had breakfast. It was also right before they sold the business so maybe didn't care about my repeat business. It was just the way it was handled. If he told me up front how much it was to mark the maps it would have been more professional. Since then I've used William and Hall and also LaTourells and they always mark maps without a charge. |
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mastertangler |
TomT: "QueticoMike: " We didn't rent a canoe with them. Got a tow and pretty sure we bunked there and had breakfast. It was also right before they sold the business so maybe didn't care about my repeat business. It was just the way it was handled. If he told me up front how much it was to mark the maps it would have been more professional. Since then I've used William and Hall and also LaTourells and they always mark maps without a charge. " Ouch! While the outfitter may of seen it as merely a bit of a "tip" (no pun intended) they absolutely must let you know up front. I stayed with Williams and Hall once and was very pleased, service with a smile. Latourells were also good. |
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anthonyp007 |
I’ll shut up now. Btw, I dropped my solo boat into the 20” of fresh snow we got and tried to paddle through the backyard. The snow was well over the gunwales!!! Time to get the skis back out. Tony |
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timatkn |
I have used the TRIPs program a few times. It has been helpful and Stu has been honest and reported he had not been to a few areas as well and could not help either. I don’t subscribe for the TRIPs program but it is a nice perk. T |
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rtallent |
Always suspected you were a Possum Lodge guy, Old Salt... |
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IowaFishinGuy |
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primitiveguy |
IowaFishinGuy: "I'm fairly new here......who's Stu, and what magazine does he have, and where do you subscribe to his maps?"Boundary waters journal. Editor Stu Osthoff. Great magazine and Stu has a unique tripping style you’ll quickly become familiar with if you subscribe Jon |
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Frenchy19 |
Salt-Think as critically as you wish. My issue is with those who feel the need to take shots at what Stu has to say and how he says it. Don't like his stuff, don't read it. Pretty simple. |
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HighnDry |
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old_salt |
Frenchy19: "MT-Well stated. Maybe you don’t understand critical thinking. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze what is being said or read. Critical thinking is not criticizing someone. It’s analyzing the ideas. Since there are many ways to camp and fish and do most things there is no right or wrong way. Let me give an example or three. Stu has advocated the following notions. Wearing blue jeans, dry footing, and carrying a gallon of milk for his cereal. It’s certainly his right to do all of that, but I would bet that you and many others don’t agree with his methods or employ them on your trips. I am not attacking Stu or you or anyone. I do reserve my right to agree or disagree with ideas. The articles I like best are written by contributors as they have something fresh to say. I’ve read Stu for 30+ years and I can predict him pretty well. If you feel the need to defend Stu, go for it. His Trips program is pretty good. We debate everything else on this site. What makes Stu’s ideas untouchable? |
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Frenchy19 |
In the meantime, Stu is okay...! |
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Atb |
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unshavenman |
primitiveguy: "IowaFishinGuy: "I'm fairly new here......who's Stu, and what magazine does he have, and where do you subscribe to his maps?"Boundary waters journal. Editor Stu Osthoff. Great magazine and Stu has a unique tripping style you’ll quickly become familiar with if you subscribe If you are a BWJ subscriber and you have a trip planned, one of the perks is that Stu will mark up a McKenzie map showing where good fishing spots and points of interest are located and what his ranking of various portages and campsites are along your route. He has all of the McKenzie maps for sale at a good price on his website, so to request the service you just let him know where and when you are tripping when you buy the map and he will send it to you marked up. It's pretty neat. |
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timatkn |
IowaFishinGuy: "I'm fairly new here......who's Stu, and what magazine does he have, and where do you subscribe to his maps?" I’d add he only offers his T.R.I.P.S service to 5 year subscribers. Just google his magazine or Stu Osthoff and you will find a bunch of info. I think his website has some sample articles so you can see if you would like it. Stu is controversial because he seems very set in his ways and many of those methods are different than how paddlers on this website travel. I’d add though frequent contributors/writers give differing views. Here is an article about him and his most frequent contributor doing a presentation/argument :) I’d link to the magazine, but he doesn’t advertise on here so I assume it is against the rules. Differing views |
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Frenchy19 |
old_salt: "Frenchy19: "MT-Well stated. Who is saying Stu's idea's are untouchable? I am saying that when people launch mean spirited attacks against him, why bother reading it? You do not agree with him? I really do not care, but to attack him-which I never accused you personally of doing-makes no sense to me. Funny, you can disagree with him-and somehow think I have personally called you to task-but I cannot disagree with you. |
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old_salt |
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Frenchy19 |
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old_salt |
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Northwoodsman |
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Savage Voyageur |
timatkn: " This is from his webpage...BWJ T.R.I.P.S. ELIGIBILITY: All active 3 and 5 year BWJ subscribers are eligible to participate in TRIPS. (Subscribers with 1 or 2 year subscriptions may extend their subscription to the 3 or 5 year level at any time). |
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johnMN |
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carmike |
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MN_Lindsey |
Tripping is a lot like parenting. Lots of ways to do it, thus lots of ways to judge others and how they're doing it. We have really benefited from the T.R.I.P.S. program. John from VNO, and Dan from Canadian Waters will also mark the heck up out of your maps. ;-) |
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nooneuno |
MN_Lindsey: "Personally, I really like Stu. We probably trip quite a bit different from him, but I still respect what he has to say. Lots of talk here about Stu's tripping style being different than their own, I have not quite figured out what that means but I do know my tripping style is different from most folks here as well so I just signed up for a three year subscription and will give his TRIPs option a shot.... |
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unshavenman |
nooneuno: "MN_Lindsey: "Personally, I really like Stu. We probably trip quite a bit different from him, but I still respect what he has to say. I'm a subscriber as well. I think you will enjoy his magazine. Stu favors base camping and is out there guiding fishermen. He only brings fresh food (and lots of it) and cooks on a Coleman two burner stove, and he brings a lot of creature comforts that others who cover a lot of water forgo. If one is looking at cutting weight on a trip, his way of packing isn't it ;) |