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      Trip Report - Short and Sweet to Insula
 
  Last Visit: 03/29/2024 08:42AM

Entry Point 29 - North Kawishiwi River

North Kawishiwi River entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 15 miles. Access the North Kawishiwi River through Ojibway Lake and Triangle Lake using two portages.

Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1249 feet
Latitude: 47.9543
Longitude: -91.5641
Author Message Text
Dbldppr1250
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06/18/2009 10:25PM
 
New Trip Report posted by Dbldppr1250

Trip Name: Short and Sweet to Insula.

Entry Point: 30

Click Here to View Trip Report

Walking School Bus
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bumabu
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06/23/2009 06:53PM
 
Great report. Insula was my first solo as well, brought back some fond memories.

Who I am precedes what I do, not the other way around.
gutmon
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06/24/2009 06:54AM
 
Good report. It did remind me why I always bring my GPS when going to an unfamiliar area. I don't use it much, but do mark waypoints such as the EP, portages and other critical navigation points. I then have the waypoints for reference if I get turned around (or should I say when I get turned around).
Beemer01
Moderator
 
06/24/2009 11:54AM
 
Couple of thoughts -

For a solo trip of a week or less in the summer, you should be able to carry everything you need in a single pack - roughly corresponding to a #2 PLUS a separate guide pack. If the total of two packs including food weighs more than 45# - you need to review what you are taking in.

I find that solo tripping is best when you do a loop and keep moving all the time. Base camping when soloing seems boring, at least to me. I do bring challenging reading material to occupy my thoughts when at camp.

Navigation on Insula and the route leading there thru the Numbered Lakes can be confusing. I use a map, compass and a GPS all the time to minimize the times when I get 'turned around'.

"You're not serious about wearing sandals on this portage.... are you?"
TomT
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06/27/2009 02:12PM
 
It was nice to read about this as I had done it as a loop out through Snowbank 3 years ago. I stayed 4 nights on williamson and that could be my favorite campsite in the BW. The fishing off those rocks in front of camp can be quite good in the evening.

I have packed way too heavy when soloing so don't feel too bad. But no GPS for me in the BW. I enjoy the old school challenge of map and compass. Keeps you on your toes.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
Dbldppr1250
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06/27/2009 08:29PM
 
It sure did! I was so glad I had that compass and need to learn to trust my instincts more than I did last week!

Walking School Bus
rr
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11/21/2010 03:43PM
 
Boy, this was a long trip for just a couple days. I can understand your getting alarmed by the weather report. Too bad you didn't get to fish around Willamson, as, judging from the comments, it's good there.


I haven't soloed for quite a while. I felt the same as you, that it's much more fulfilling to go on wilderness trips with some other people. Nevertheless, I'm thinking of doing a couple solo trips next summer (2011), so I'm reading a lot of the solo trip reports with some interest. I agree with Beemer01 that it's probably better to keep moving when on a solo trip.

I've always been able to get by with a map and compass without making too many mistakes. I'm seriously considering a GPS, however. I would like to go on a trip with someone who has one, just to see how they work. Or, I would like to get a good demonstration of one. I'm not sure what they indicate, but it would be worthwhile for me to have one, if they could show my position at all times, as I'm paddling. I'm not sure they do that. When I navigate from a map, I always keep my position in my head as I'm paddling from every point to every shoreline to every island to every narrows and bay.


I looked at your photo journal, and I didn't see any pictures of this trip. Do you have any, and are you going to post them?


Thanks for the report.
BearBrown
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12/06/2010 11:27PM
 
Glad you shared your story with us. I haven't done a solo trip in the bwca yet, but I am looking forward to it for next summer or fall.


Did you enjoy your trip? How long were you initially planning on staying in the bwca on your trip?

Richard "Bear" Brown
BearBrown
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12/06/2010 11:27PM
 
Glad you shared your story with us. I haven't done a solo trip in the bwca yet, but I am looking forward to it for next summer or fall.


Did you enjoy your trip? How long were you initially planning on staying in the bwca on your trip?

Richard "Bear" Brown
wetcanoedog
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12/07/2010 12:53AM
 
wow..you made a long drive for such a short trip,you must really love the BW.if i were you i would try another solo,say down the Moose river and then a shore line paddle of La Croix to Lady Boot Bay.no way to get confused about where you are just keep the shore to your left going in and right going out.the Moose is a busy river and no way to get lost.
your hours really got my attention,up before the sun to break camp and paddle off!.i've been on solo trips since the 80's and each one gets better until you feel like every camp could be your back yard and every lake like the local pond.don't give up on it--

it's just a level trail thru the woods.
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