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      Trip Report - BWCA Winter? Camping 2012
 
  Last Visit: 03/28/2024 08:40PM

Entry Point 26 - Wood Lake

Wood Lake 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 13 miles. Access to Wood Lake is a 180-rod portage. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1361 feet
Latitude: 47.9691
Longitude: -91.6001
Author Message Text
McVacek
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01/18/2012 08:41PM
 
New Trip Report posted by McVacek

Trip Name: BWCA Winter? Camping 2012.

Entry Point: 26

Click Here to View Trip Report

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
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hwdhusky
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01/18/2012 10:25PM
 
Great trip report. Sounds like the weather was perfect for you. If you live in the FM area, I bet you are glad you were not out on a day like today:)


Thanks for the report.
McVacek
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01/19/2012 09:34PM
 
When we were out camping last year in January, the high was about equal to today's low here in Fargo. And the low was somewhere south of 30 below (where our thermometer stops). This year was a stark contrast in weather compared to last year. Somewhat refreshing actually!

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
mocha
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01/20/2012 06:54AM
 
sounds and looks like a great trip. were you bummed at the number of people you saw on Basswood?
hwdhusky
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01/20/2012 07:14AM
 
quote McVacek: "When we were out camping last year in January, the high was about equal to today's low here in Fargo. And the low was somewhere south of 30 below (where our thermometer stops). This year was a stark contrast in weather compared to last year. Somewhat refreshing actually!"


Have you always used the type of tent you had in your report? This is a type of trip I would love to try sometime in the future. The problem is finding trip mates for this type of trip. It looked spacious. Maybe next year. Would you recommend the inflatable sled or stick with the toboggans?
TuscaroraBorealis
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01/20/2012 08:04AM
 
Very nice report. Glad the inflatable sled worked out for ya. With my luck it would've caught a stick or rock wrong and deflated.
hwdhusky
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01/20/2012 09:56AM
 
quote TuscaroraBorealis: "Glad the inflatable sled worked out for ya. With my luck it would've caught a stick or rock wrong and deflated."


That is exactly what I was thinking would happen to me:) Just my luck.
arctic
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01/20/2012 02:48PM
 
Too bad it was so warm. I've found warm weather fine for hanging in camp or fishing, but the drawbacks far outweigh the benefits. Dogs and humans overheat on the trail, snow conditions suck, ice gets dangerous in narrows or near inlets/outlets, and gear tends to get wet.


I consider the best temps to be highs around 20 and lows around zero, although our winter trips over the past 30-plus years have ranged from over 50 above to 40s below.

In the heat you guys had I wouldn't have bothered with the tent--just sleep out in the open along some leeward shore with plenty of jackpine firewood.


Thanks for the trip report!

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” -Edward Abbey
McVacek
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01/20/2012 06:31PM
 
quote mocha: "sounds and looks like a great trip. were you bummed at the number of people you saw on Basswood?"


We knew there would be dogsleds as the bait shop had told us that, but we were surprised to find a large group fishing where we wanted to be. But, luckily, things worked out for the better-we caught fish!

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
McVacek
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01/20/2012 06:33PM
 
quote hwdhusky: "quote McVacek: "When we were out camping last year in January, the high was about equal to today's low here in Fargo. And the low was somewhere south of 30 below (where our thermometer stops). This year was a stark contrast in weather compared to last year. Somewhat refreshing actually!"



Have you always used the type of tent you had in your report? This is a type of trip I would love to try sometime in the future. The problem is finding trip mates for this type of trip. It looked spacious. Maybe next year. Would you recommend the inflatable sled or stick with the toboggans?"



We've always rented the Snowtrekker short wall both times we've been out. We are looking at building our own tent using insulated fabric, but just haven't found the time. The tent is large enough for 3 people and a dog. Isn't huge by any means though.


The pack raft is our friend, Joe's, he's an adventure racer and using it for kayaking. It is only 3 lbs, but after dragging it on the ice for 2 days it was showing some wear. The company that makes them designs them for winter travel (guess they've been on trips in the North and South pole). Definitely, the pack raft does not carry enough gear. We're going to stick with our sleds. :)

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
WhereRwe
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02/06/2012 09:21PM
 
NICE REPORT GUYS. SORRY I COULD NOT GO. HOW COME WE COULDN'T CATCH THE SAME AMOUNT AND SIZE OF FISH AT RED LAKE THIS WEEKEND AS YOU GUYS DID ON THIS TRIP I GUESS I AM BAD LUCK
McVacek
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02/14/2012 06:19PM
 
quote WhereRwe: "NICE REPORT GUYS. SORRY I COULD NOT GO. HOW COME WE COULDN'T CATCH THE SAME AMOUNT AND SIZE OF FISH AT RED LAKE THIS WEEKEND AS YOU GUYS DID ON THIS TRIP I GUESS I AM BAD LUCK
"



We agree-lol. But wait, you did catch a fish...just happended to be the smallest perch EVER! :) Guess Joe is our good luck charm.

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
Dan cooke
Guest Paddler
 
02/20/2012 07:00AM
 
Looks like you all had a good time. I would have been a bit more apprehensive with the inflatable. I am glad it worked for you. Warm temperatures are more difficult in the winter than a bit cooler temps.
Dan cooke
Guest Paddler
 
02/20/2012 07:00AM
 
Looks like you all had a good time. I would have been a bit more apprehensive with the inflatable. I am glad it worked for you. Warm temperatures are more difficult in the winter than a bit cooler temps.
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