Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: picking the campsite
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FoxRiverRat |
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overthehill |
quote vinnie: "If it's unoccupied it works for me" Same here. A couple times (if the empty camp was not so hot), one canoe started to unload while scouts were sent around the bend with binoculars to see if option #2 was occupied). Depending on what time of year and how popular the area is; the time of day dictates our urgency. |
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boonie |
quote FoxRiverRat: "for the bear check are you just looking for scat and clawed up tree trunks?" Yeah, basically, or chewed up food packs, packaging, body parts ;). |
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tnthekids |
Good bear hang options No lightening trees (extremely tall, lonely trees sticking above others) Lat in good repair Good tent pad (no overhanging limbs, fairly level surface Place for shelter in case of bad weather A good landing is a bonus |
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nofish |
If its storming and I need to get off the lake or if I'm completely tired out then any site will look like the Hilton. If I have the time and energy to scout a little for the best site then I look for a few things. 1. Good tent pads - a good nights sleep can make or break a trip 2. Tree - places to hang tarp, places to hang food, and no widow makers 3. Wind - I'd like some breeze to keep the bugs off and to keep cool on a hot day but I also want a protected area to land the canoe. Campsites on points are perfect for this. Catch a breeze from multiple directions but you can go to either side of the point to launch or land a canoe. 4. Views - I'd like a good view but really every where you look is a good view in the BWCA, its just a matter of what view you like better. A decent set of binoculars will also save you a fair amount of paddling when scouting sites, well worth the extra weight. My wife was questioning me when she saw me packing them for our first trip together. She didn't see any reason to bring them, she thought I was going bird watching or something. When we were scouting campsites in the wind she saw pretty quickly why I brought them. I could position the canoe out of the wind and quickly scout a bunch of sites on the opposite shoreline to see if they were occupied which saved us a bunch of paddling. For this reason I also leave something brightly colored out hanging near the shoreline so people can see from a distance that the site is occupied. Hoping to save people a little paddling if i can. |
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housty9 |
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bwcadan |
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shoreviewswede |
1. Good tent pads ... dry. 2. Wind (if the skitos are out, I want a breeze; if the breeze is 30mph, I want shelter) 3. Trees 4. Views The only site I haven't enjoyed much was in a depressed area, and since it was raining we were dodging puddles. |
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I-Hawk |
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bwcadan |
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Kots |
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oldgentleman |
Second, good hanging tree. (for our food, as long as nobody annoys us) A couple decent tent pads, preferably sheltered and shaded. |
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tom m |
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jamotrade |
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Kevlar |
Field glasses can sometimes save you a long paddle to an occupied campsite. |
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ZaraSp00k |
quote bhouse46: An east facing site will allow morning sun to dry things of so they can pack for early travel all depends on what you mean by early, and how wet the gear |
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Scout64 |
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boonie |
As others said, the direction it faces depends on the wind and the season as well as personal preference. |
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Corsair |
My first criteria is tent pads. The amount and quality you are looking for depends on the size of your group. (number of tents) I am a summer tripper, I love westward facing sites for the sunsets. (usually a sleep at sunrise). Keeps the skeeters down. Gear can be damp in the morning, but we usually get to our next site in early afternoon to allow for drying of wet gear. |
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mjmkjun |
2. No heavy undergrowth closing-in firegrate area. Everything else I can make do. |
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Corsair |
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smokedwhitefish |
PS- Tent pads have always been my first concern, but I'm hoping to make that a worry of the past this year with my new BB Warbonnet hammock. |
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vinnie |
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knightwxc5000 |
quote carmike: "I like a good exposed point...with a tent pad that's somewhat sheltered. I'll also take an overly exposed site to one that's overly sheltered. Wind is more often than not a good thing for me...I'll take a windy paddle out (of course, being wind-blown sucks) over a safe paddle that's from a "stagnant" campsite. " This. I like a site with a lot of exposed rock. You get a nice breeze in the evening that keeps the bugs away. Having the tent pad back in the trees a bit is good though. |
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schweady |
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walllee |
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bhouse46 |
I am curious if these tips are based in fact or legend and to pick up some tips you folks have found worthy of passing on. |
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WhiteWolf |
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BeaV |
During the hot season, I want some shade from tall nearby trees. |
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PineKnot |
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busse56557 |
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RaisedByBears99 |
quote bhouse46: "I remember getting tips on how to select a campsite when I first went in and picking up a few pointers along the way. All the tips were tied to conditions. An east facing site will allow morning sun to dry things of so they can pack for early travel and give afternoon shade. A north point has best chance of wind if the bugs are bad. Summer: High western exposure site with a rock peninsula to deal with bugs and heat. Spring winter autumn: tight protected site with an eastern exposure to protect from wind. |
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timhutson1 |
quote Kots: "The first things I always look for is enough tent sites and a kick-ass fire pit! You will be spending a lot of time around the fire, so its nice to have a great view..." Agreed, a nice fire pit, and a place to rig a tarp over it. Near/on the water is also key. |
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carmike |
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Savage Voyageur |
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BWfishingfanatic12 |
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