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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 05:05PM
Topic Of The Day

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
Cc26 01/29/2022 09:35AM
outsidethebox: "In reading these forums it seems to me as though there is a pathologically obsessive component for many-in visiting the BWCA. I am coming to believe that there should be significantly stronger restrictions put in place here-including shutting the whole place down every other year. "


This is definitely an outsidethebox suggestion. I don't agree though.
Cc26 01/29/2022 09:32AM
4keys: "There really aren’t very many bad days up there (a cold, rainy, wind bound day on a small site wit "


True - but I will say that some of my most memorable days up there have been rain days. Sitting under the tarp, drinking coffee, making paths for water to drain, and occasionally fishing from shore in the rain. Maybe it's because we haven't had many days like that, but they seem to stick out to me - not in a bad way.
uqme2 01/28/2022 04:03PM
merlyn:"I could be totally packed, including food, in 30 minuets and on the road to EP50."
In my ten decades (or so) on this earth, I seriously doubt I've done 30 minuets but Happy Friday to all who celebrate! ;)
merlyn 01/28/2022 01:03PM
outsidethebox: "In reading these forums it seems to me as though there is a pathologically obsessive component for many-in visiting the BWCA. I am coming to believe that there should be significantly stronger restrictions put in place here-including shutting the whole place down every other year. "


I read your profile and see you have your 70th birthday in your head lights, the year it's shut down could be the last time you could have gone.
Pathologically obsessive? Thats me! I could be totally packed, including food, in 30 minuets and on the road to EP50. (The wait till May 17 may be a bit boring)
I don't doubt there has been abuse at some EPs and camp sites but in the last 3 years and 5 trips I have seen very little of it. I have had good luck getting my permit dates and I think the FS does a credible job overall.
By significantly stronger restrictions what do you suggest? Higher fees? Reduce permits? I'm curious?
A1t2o 01/28/2022 11:56AM
outsidethebox: "In reading these forums it seems to me as though there is a pathologically obsessive component for many-in visiting the BWCA. I am coming to believe that there should be significantly stronger restrictions put in place here-including shutting the whole place down every other year. "


I'm curious what reasoning you might have for such a drastic suggestion. I see shutting down the boundary waters every other year as a great cost with little to no gain.


Yes, people are passionate about their vacations, especially ones like this that have a bit deeper meaning than a trip to the beach or a resort. That is no reason to be so dismissive. Stronger restrictions to make the experience better overall would probably be a good thing, but the problem is that no one seems to have a good solution. Your solution for example, the math doesn't really work. Will restricting access to every other year mean that the experience will be twice as good? No, likely the experience will be worse because of the demand increasing on the open years. The average length of trip would go up and make it more crowded than ever even with the reduced number of permits. Instead of a weekend trip, 1-2 week long trips would be much more common.


The point is that every solution has consequences. The USFS has to predict if the benefits are going to outweigh the consequences for every decision. They have to do this in full view of the public too so they are not going to make big changes lightly just to test things out. So while it is easy to armchair quarterback and think everything you come up with is so much better that what they are doing, reality isn't that simple. By all means, feel free to share ideas and maybe something will work it's way to the USFS, but starting off by calling most of the people on the forum "pathologically obsessive" isn't a great way to introduce things.
papalambeau 01/28/2022 10:17AM
PeaceFrog: "outsidethebox: "In reading these forums it seems to me as though there is a pathologically obsessive component for many-in visiting the BWCA. I am coming to believe that there should be significantly stronger restrictions put in place here-including shutting the whole place down every other year. "



Wasn't going to respond to this but I'll try my best.
"Pathologically Obsessive" - Really? Let's be cordial - how about "passionate"?
Significantly Stronger Restrictions? Not sure what you would be suggesting but maybe???
Shutting Down The BWCA Every Other Year? No and Hell No! How would that be of benefit to anything or anyone? Ok, campsites, portages and fishing pressure will get a rest, but past that I don't see the logic. I feel like that would create more of a craze when it comes to visitor ship and permitting. It would also push people to other areas and increase the pressure in those places, not to mention the illegal entry to BWCA it would create. My 2 cents.



Respectfully,


Agreed!
PF"
PeaceFrog 01/28/2022 08:56AM
outsidethebox: "In reading these forums it seems to me as though there is a pathologically obsessive component for many-in visiting the BWCA. I am coming to believe that there should be significantly stronger restrictions put in place here-including shutting the whole place down every other year. "


Wasn't going to respond to this but I'll try my best.
"Pathologically Obsessive" - Really? Let's be cordial - how about "passionate"?
Significantly Stronger Restrictions? Not sure what you would be suggesting but maybe???
Shutting Down The BWCA Every Other Year? No and Hell No! How would that be of benefit to anything or anyone? Ok, campsites, portages and fishing pressure will get a rest, but past that I don't see the logic. I feel like that would create more of a craze when it comes to visitor ship and permitting. It would also push people to other areas and increase the pressure in those places, not to mention the illegal entry to BWCA it would create. My 2 cents.


Respectfully,
PF
outsidethebox 01/28/2022 06:42AM
In reading these forums it seems to me as though there is a pathologically obsessive component for many-in visiting the BWCA. I am coming to believe that there should be significantly stronger restrictions put in place here-including shutting the whole place down every other year.
dschult2 01/28/2022 01:17AM
I didn't get my first or second choice of EP's but I did get my third and will still be able to get to where I want to go so no biggie. Lookin forward to it.
Speckled 01/27/2022 08:06PM
If you're flexible no. If your after lake trout at the end of Sept, there are plenty of bad EP's.
straighthairedcurly 01/27/2022 07:31PM
I totally agree. Even if we had ended up missing out on our 1st choice, we would be able to make a great trip out of anything. o many awesome places to explore.
IrishPaddler13 01/27/2022 06:46PM
I was just talking about this with my trip partner.


If anything, this might force us to some EP that we would never see.


And honestly, there are still a lot of permits out there. On our desired date, 2/3 of the permits are still available.
4keys 01/27/2022 05:21PM
There really aren’t very many bad days up there (a cold, rainy, wind bound day on a small site with no level area and clear evidence a bear got someone’s pack is a bad day). Usually we can make any day or entry work. But this year we’re taking newbies up so we needed specific dates and something fairly easy. Thus I was on the computer at 9.
OMGitsKa 01/27/2022 02:20PM
There's plenty of permits out there, it's just some of the more popular EP's went quick.
pilot 01/27/2022 11:51AM
Obviously the past few days have been riddled with talk of Permit Day and the hassle it's become. I fell victim to it last year big time and to a lesser degree the year before. This year, I got what I wanted when I wanted it.

When I step back and take a deep breath, I think to myself, is there a bad day to go or an entry point that I couldn't make work? The answer for me is no. I realize that many folks have very specific dates and other peoples' schedules to consider. I get that. I guess I'm just lucky to be a solo traveler or only have our son's schedule to consider.

I hope everyone got what they wanted or needed to make the season a good one.
See you all out there.