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      Trip Report - Hybrid Solo 3 Guys and a Dog
 
  Last Visit: 05/16/2024 07:08PM

Entry Point 27 - Snowbank Lake

Snowbank Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 24 miles. Access is a boat landing or canoe launch at Snowbank Lake. Many trip options for paddlers. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 8
Elevation: 1191 feet
Latitude: 47.9716
Longitude: -91.4326
Author Message Text
TomT
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01/05/2022 09:48PM
 
New Trip Report posted by TomT

Trip Name: Hybrid Solo 3 Guys and a Dog.

Entry Point: 25

Click Here to View Trip Report

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
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30Smoke
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01/06/2022 12:42AM
 
Loved this report, I was on the Fraser sight on the north shore that you stopped on and really enjoyed that spot, catching a nice northern and walleye in front of the camp at dusk. I especially liked the pictures on day 10 & 11, they turned out very nice. Always like seeing reports from people that have been on the lakes I've been on. I know how much time a report like this takes to put together with pictures and appreciate your effort.

"it is tough to beat a person who doesn't quit" - famous philosopher George Ruth
napinch
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01/06/2022 11:43AM
 
Great trip report. Over the years I have been reading your trip reports with Luna and they never disappoint like this one.


Very nice pictures. Makes me rethink how I have taken my solos with too much paddling every day and not stopping to really enjoy the beauty that is right in front of me. Maybe a few travel days with more days of relaxing and fishing in between.


Thanks for sharing
Luke
TomT
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01/06/2022 12:04PM
 
napinch: "Great trip report. Over the years I have been reading your trip reports with Luna and they never disappoint like this one.



Very nice pictures. Makes me rethink how I have taken my solos with too much paddling every day and not stopping to really enjoy the beauty that is right in front of me. Maybe a few travel days with more days of relaxing and fishing in between.



Thanks for sharing
Luke"



Thanks Luke. A big key for me is having the camera handy. I use a very small thin waterproof Sony digital point and shoot. It’s thinner than a pack of cigarettes. I put it in a small zippered cordura case and it goes in my chest pocket of my pfd. Sometimes I’ll put it in my pocket for the walk back on portages. So by having it on me I’m more apt to use it. It’s 10 years old now so I may look for a better one.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
GoBlue
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01/06/2022 12:59PM
 
Nice report. I particularly like the pictures the morning you caught the sunrise. And any picture with Luna in it!


What is the material of the board on your BearVault? That looks reallly handy....


Thanks for sharing. All those pictures take work to share!
TomT
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01/06/2022 01:05PM
 
GoBlue: "Nice report. I particularly like the pictures the morning you caught the sunrise. And any picture with Luna in it!


What is the material of the board on your BearVault? That looks reallly handy....


Thanks for sharing. All those pictures take work to share!"



Thanks!. It's really not hard if you use Imgur to host your pics. Very fast upload to your personal site there, then it's just a matter of selecting the right share link and pasting in the trip report. Much easier than using the function on this website.


I think it's a 1/4 inch hardwood ply but don't remember exactly. I cut it to slide in the back pad sleeve of my CCS Pioneer Pack. I just rounded the corners and urethaned it with spar varnish many thin coats and fine coarse sanding between the coats. It's pretty awesome. Got the idea from other trippers on this board. Wally13 comes to mind.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
MagicPaddler
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01/06/2022 05:15PM
 
Thanks for the report. Helps me remember many good times.

The question of the day is Freedom or Socialism?? MagicPaddler
sns
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01/06/2022 06:13PM
 
MagicPaddler: "Thanks for the report. Helps me remember many good times."


The report and photos reminded me that my son & I ran into you and your crew on the Kawishiwi river...you in your Rapidfire and two in the same Savage River model (Susquehanna) - referenced in Tom's TR.

"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
PineKnot
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01/07/2022 12:55PM
 
Nice report, TomT. Hoped to head north from Insula into Thomas during your time there, but my solo trip was overtaken by events that ended my trip earlier than anticipated. Excellent photos!! Like Stew, I've also had a telescoping aluminum pole snap during an intense storm....even duct tape didn't help much to fix it....

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -- Teddy Roosevelt
TomT
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01/07/2022 01:54PM
 
PineKnot: "Nice report, TomT. Hoped to head north from Insula into Thomas during your time there, but my solo trip was overtaken by events that ended my trip earlier than anticipated. Excellent photos!! Like Stew, I've also had a telescoping aluminum pole snap during an intense storm....even duct tape didn't help much to fix it...."


Yeah that would have been a tough hookup unless you were going out Snowbank. As for poles - tree branches work exceptionally well and they're FREE! As you know there were 3 really intense storms and all overnight during that time. I'll take it.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
TomT
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01/07/2022 01:57PM
 
30Smoke: "Loved this report, I was on the Fraser sight on the north shore that you stopped on and really enjoyed that spot, catching a nice northern and walleye in front of the camp at dusk. I especially liked the pictures on day 10 & 11, they turned out very nice. Always like seeing reports from people that have been on the lakes I've been on. I know how much time a report like this takes to put together with pictures and appreciate your effort."


Thanks! When I go with Luna the landing is the most important feature for me. I need a place to exercise her in the lake and don't need her slipping on a rock. The low water levels made the site where I had lunch very tricky to get in and out of the boat.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
salukiguy
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01/08/2022 12:36PM
 
I see a bear vault in one of the pictures. Do you exclusively use them for food storage? Do you have any problems fitting all your food in them?
Spartan2
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01/08/2022 01:15PM
 
I enjoyed your report, Tom. We have been on most of those lakes, and it did bring back memories, but your perspective was very fresh, too. Especially loved the pictures of the morning with the mist, and the ones on the next-to-last day with the pretty sky. And of course, Luna.


Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a really good trip, both with friends, and as a solo.
TomT
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01/08/2022 01:28PM
 
Spartan2: "I enjoyed your report, Tom. We have been on most of those lakes, and it did bring back memories, but your perspective was very fresh, too. Especially loved the pictures of the morning with the mist, and the ones on the next-to-last day with the pretty sky. And of course, Luna.



Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a really good trip, both with friends, and as a solo."



Thanks Lynda! I’m going to look into a new camera. It’s 10 years old and so small it’s great for tripping but I want to go to a light dlsr to get better quality around camp.


Salukiguy - for 10 night trips I use the bear vault and also an Ursack. I pack dog food and packaged stuff with little smell in the ursack. I like that because around mid trip I can fold the ursack up for less bulk and fill in the bear vault towards the end with delicate stuff like fishing reels and stove gas.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
portagedog09
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01/09/2022 01:05PM
 
Tom,


Thanks for doing the trip report on our September trip! It was a grand time having you and Luna along. Lots of great pics too - makes me want to be right back there. It was super special for me to get out there with my son for the first time since our inaugural trip to Quetico in '99 right after the blown down went through.


portage dog

portage dog
MossBack
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01/13/2022 09:11PM
 
TomT , Portagedog09 and Ben. Great job on the trip report. Its gents like you guys that help get me through the hard water season. Thanks for all the effort that benefits the rest of us. Hope to see you at Copia this year. MossBack
TomT
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01/14/2022 07:18AM
 
MossBack: " TomT , Portagedog09 and Ben. Great job on the trip report. Its gents like you guys that help get me through the hard water season. Thanks for all the effort that benefits the rest of us. Hope to see you at Copia this year. MossBack"


Thanks MB. It’s literally been years since I’ve seen your face. How time flies. I’ll be at Copia but most likely just Saturday. Fingers crossed that the event actually happens. Stupid frustrating time we live in these days.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
portagedog09
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01/14/2022 03:38PM
 
Tom and Mossback, you guys know me - it's just portage dog. I don't know how to get rid of the '09' - when I signed up for my account it would not take just portage dog and like required a number be involved. What did I do wrong? I see so many folks with handles and no number in it???


just portgage dog

portage dog
TomT
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01/14/2022 06:02PM
 
PD, maybe hit up the admin of the site and you probably can just get it changed. Unless there’s someone who already has the moniker.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
MossBack
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01/14/2022 07:45PM
 
portagedog09: "Tom and Mossback, you guys know me - it's just portage dog. I don't know how to get rid of the '09' - when I signed up for my account it would not take just portage dog and like required a number be involved. What did I do wrong? I see so many folks with handles and no number in it???
just portage dog"

TomT, Portage Dog and anyone else... I will be at Copia all 3 days, retirement = more free time. MB
straighthairedcurly
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01/16/2022 05:03PM
 
Great read. I liked hearing more details about that area. We passed through it this summer but didn't stay around to explore it like you did. Hope to go back soon. I love those morning mist pictures.
WonderMonkey
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01/20/2022 03:26PM
 
I enjoyed your report. On my next solo trip I'll probably just stay at two sites also just to not feel like I'm in a rush.
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