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PatrickE
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04/06/2019 08:36AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm finalizing plans for a late June trip and am stuck trying to decide between two directions. When permits opened, I had no idea where to start, so I secured a Muduro lake entry for 4. I've been on several BW trips, fair bit of camping experience, never Quetico. The more I read, the more I want to venture north.

Of the 4 guys going, 2 are experienced campers, the other two are new to the experience, including a 10 y.o. Adults are all in our 30s and in very good physical condition. Everyone has passports. I personally value the solitude, fishing, but most importantly ensuring that the newbies have an incredible trip (and want to come back). I did a SAK route last year, and one of my frustrations was many of the campsites were taken even 20 miles in. I'm getting the sense that wouldn't be an issue on the Canadian side.

My preferred option would be to secure an outfitter on Moose, take the tow to PP, and do a falls chain loop. Few routes suggested by QueticoMike have me excited. We are looking at a 7 day trip, aiming for 4-5 paddle days. I know about the intricacies of campsite differences between Quetico and BW, securing permits/RABC, etc. I don't know why there's this feeling that Quetico is much more remote and that's not a good idea for brand new paddlers. That's probably not the case at all. Someone mentioned the Muduro lake entry was highly sought after and I should just be happy I secured it and go that route.
 
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marsonite
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04/06/2019 09:25AM  
The Quetico isn't out of the question for a beginner. One of the big differences is the portages. There are a lot of gnarly portages up there. Hopping from rock to rock with a canoe on your back isn't great for a beginner. Or slogging through the proverbial "boot-sucking-mud". Not that every portage in the Q is like that, but you will want to research your route. Also essential gear is a Chrismar map, which is the only one that has accurate portage locations.

I wouldn't recommend the falls chain for beginning paddlers. The water could be high, and you want to have pretty good boat control around those falls. Also from PP you would take the Man chain up to the falls chain. Really scenic stretch with easy portages but it's pretty heavily used. then back you would have the choice of Knife Lake or Glacier-McEwen. The Louisa portage is not for the faint of heart. Personally, instead of the falls chain I would suggest going up to Agnes then coming back on the S chain or hopping the small lakes over to Kahshawapiwi.
PatrickE
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04/06/2019 02:34PM  
Thanks for the input. I've heard good things about the S chain as well. Thankfully already have the Chrismar map as well as the McKenzie maps of the area. Another big choice is outfitting the food or packing our own. I've got all the kitchen gear...from an ease of packing standpoint, outfitting seems ideal, but $40/per person/per day for food outfitting seems steep (I'm sure it's just as much work for the outfitter, so can't blame them).
04/06/2019 04:25PM  
To echo marsonite’s comment, I’ve done the falls chain twice in June to Kawnipi. Probably my favorite 2 trips as far as fishing goes. I take my oldest son on a trip every year, and I’m not taking him there until he is at least 15. The danger on that chain is no joke, and the paddler in the front needs to be at least as qualified as the one in the back. Paddling from hook island to silver falls can be hairy as well.

I’ve done the Mudro entry before, and campsites were scarce between mudro and crooked going north, south of the long portage. However, we did not feel crowded going from mudro to lower basswood falls, or our time on crooked. After horse people really thinned out. I have a trip report on this loop you should check out. I’d consider this trip again in a heartbeat.
billconner
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04/06/2019 09:09PM  
Oh heck, I went through Man Chain, Falls Chain, Kawnipi, and then down Agnes with my 12 year old. He's 27 now.

My favorite trip was similar but Falls just to Wet then McEwen Chain. Fantastic.

With one tough portage, PP to Kashapiwi through Isabella and than Trant to S chain an stay on S Chain or hook into Agnes and visit Louisa Falls.

All great routes - but the McEwen route likely has most solitude.
Michwall2
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04/06/2019 09:23PM  
So a couple of questions about this:

1. Since you plan to start in USA and cross into Canada, do you have enough time to acquire RABC's for all 4 persons? Is at least one of the persons along a parent of the 10 y.o.? I don't think I have read here about RABC's for minors. How does that work? Crossing into a foreign country with a minor can be difficult. That said, would you consider starting and ending in Canada if you can't get the RABC's necessary.

2. I am trying to imagine the paddling arrangements. The lakes in the Q tend to be larger and more susceptible to wind issues. Is one of the adults going to paddle a tandem into the wind with the 10 year old? Are you going to use a triple and solo? (I would have this same question in the BW, but there you could choose a route with smaller lakes where the wind could be less of an issue.)



PatrickE
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04/06/2019 09:45PM  
I've been told to plan for 6-8 weeks for the RABC, so that's why I was thinking its getting to be crunch time to make a decision. The 10 y.o.'s father will be one of the adults. If anyone has any previous experience on this as far as timing of the RABC, happy to hear it.

I have researched the canoe issue extensively and the opinions tend to be pretty split. We all want to fish, and fishing out of one 3 person canoe I've read can be challenging. That said, the tandem would clearly get the 10 y.o. up front and may make for some challenges on open larger water. He is a big kid and can carry his own. I've got a tentative 4th person that is still undecided, which would translate to 2 tandems. My preference if there's only 3 would be to stay on smaller lakes and go with the tandem/solo combo.
GraniteCliffs
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04/06/2019 10:44PM  
RABC is typically closer to 5-6 weeks. Sometimes even four. And if you note the date needed by they have been pretty good about getting them out in a timely manner.
Given the make up of your group you may want to consider a route that gives you options. If you move too slowly, don't want to move, have windy weather or just decide to sit it would be nice to retain an option to cut a route short.Heading to Agnes or Kashapiwi allows you to change your mind and shorten your trip without backtracking.
mjmkjun
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04/07/2019 06:34AM  
I wouldn't cancel that Mudro entry until all RABC are secured. Having a passport is one thing vs having a passport that meets with Canadian authorities approval. Sometimes a kid entering Canada with only one parent present can present issues unless there is a consent letter from the other parent. This is an especially sensitive issue if parents are divorced. (custody issues) Look into it before shelling out for all those expenses.
PatrickE
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04/07/2019 07:06AM  
mjmkjun: "I wouldn't cancel that Mudro entry until all RABC are secured. Having a passport is one thing vs having a passport that meets with Canadian authorities approval. Sometimes a kid entering Canada with only one parent present can present issues unless there is a consent letter from the other parent. This is an especially sensitive issue if parents are divorced. (custody issues) Look into it before shelling out for all those expenses. "


Great point. Thankfully no divorce issues but agree securing that route before cancelling is the way to go.
straighthairedcurly
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04/07/2019 10:20AM  
I have not tried to get RABC for a minor, but whenever my son travels internationally with just one of us, we always send along a signed letter from the other parent giving permission for the trip (even though we are married). Most of the time it is a non-issue, but one time we were very glad to have it when a border agent was questioning our son traveling with only 1 parent.
 
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