BWCA Little things to remember, otherwise it could lead to big problems. Boundary Waters Listening Point

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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Listening Point - General Discussion

Little things to remember, otherwise it could lead to big problems.

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Pinetree

05/18/2019 03:07PM

I thought many people could add a trick or two or helpful hint to improve your trip.

I many times have forgot to reverse my flashlight batteries or disconnect my locator from coming on accidentlly. Thus flashlight batteries or locator batteries dead. That is a bummer.

Your tidbit?

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Pinetree

05/18/2019 03:13PM

Little bottle of aspirins or Alleve-could make or break a trip if you have like a eye-headache.

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airmorse

05/18/2019 03:28PM

Booze. Don't ever want to forget the booze.

"In wilderness is the salvation of mankind." Thoreau.

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Pinetree

05/18/2019 03:56PM

airmorse: "Booze. Don't ever want to forget the booze."

Aspirin and Alleve already helping out. Can't leave home with one but not the other?

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straighthairedcurly

05/18/2019 04:47PM

Multiple ways to light a stove or fire, packed in at least 2 different places.

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unshavenman

05/18/2019 04:54PM

Trim your fingernails and toenails before you go. That makes them much more difficult to catch on something and tear off.

Endeavor to persevere.

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Mocha

05/18/2019 05:16PM

bring some moleskin. you might need it at the end of the first day.

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walllee

05/18/2019 05:35PM

Secure the canoe EVERY NIGHT!!!, no matter what the forecast is..

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mgraber

05/18/2019 06:14PM

walllee: "Secure the canoe EVERY NIGHT!!!, no matter what the forecast is.."

Took the words out of my mouth! So I will add, prepare for the coldest possible weather.

So many fish,so little time

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Pinetree

05/18/2019 06:20PM

mgraber: "
walllee: "Secure the canoe EVERY NIGHT!!!, no matter what the forecast is.."

Took the words out of my mouth! So I will add, prepare for the coldest possible weather. "

That is a good one,too many people get lazy and barely have it on shore for the night. Now especially with kevlar they blow around real easy.

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greywolf33

05/18/2019 06:34PM

T.P. Bring more than you need. One year we had a newbie leave two full rolls out of the protective environment of the ziplock bag. Rain and T.P.... bad. Secretly I always pack an extra roll in my pack. Don’t leave home without it.

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Pinetree

05/18/2019 07:12PM

greywolf33: "T.P. Bring more than you need. One year we had a newbie leave two full rolls out of the protective environment of the ziplock bag. Rain and T.P.... bad. Secretly I always pack an extra roll in my pack. Don’t leave home without it."

Yes and don't leave it where the Red squirrel will find it.

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Savage Voyageur

05/18/2019 07:42PM

Always secure your bait bucket when in camp. One trip we lost 3 pounds of Leeches to waves bouncing on the baitking and opening it. Now we use a bent cotter pin in the bucket to lock it.

"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD

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Jaywalker

05/18/2019 08:18PM

I like to take notes as I go,and once found I only had one pen with me and its ink was dry. Really bugged me.

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4keys

05/18/2019 09:10PM

Make sure you have your car keys and put them somewhere safe where they won't fall out and end up at this he bottom of the lake.

If you take a tackle box keep it closed while in the canoe.

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DeanL

05/18/2019 11:48PM

A lip balm of some kind. On a trip where you have lots of sun and wind you can get dried out in a hurry and it can be very uncomfortable.

"Leave it as it is.....The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it." Theodore Roosevelt

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minnmike

05/19/2019 12:20AM

All good advice so far. I would add polarized sun glasses and a spare paddle.

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boonie

05/19/2019 05:41AM

(1) Use a very (I mean VERY) detailed packing checklist.

(2) Make sure the first aid kit is up to date.

(3) Make sure everything is in good working order - water filter, stove, fuel canisters, sleep pads, tents, lights, emergency communication devices . . .

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bwcasolo

05/19/2019 06:03AM

walllee: "Secure the canoe EVERY NIGHT!!!, no matter what the forecast is.."

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bwcasolo

05/19/2019 06:04AM

4keys: "Make sure you have your car keys and put them somewhere safe where they won't fall out and end up at this he bottom of the lake.

If you take a tackle box keep it closed while in the canoe.

"

i hide my keys under the car in the parking lot, safest place.

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Spartan2

05/19/2019 06:12AM

Sunscreen.

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mr.barley

05/19/2019 06:54AM

Bring chapstick

serenity now

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TomT

05/19/2019 07:08AM

Jaywalker: "I like to take notes as I go,and once found I only had one pen with me and its ink was dry. Really bugged me. "

There's a saying in the Special Forces - "2 is 1, and 1 is none". I bought an extra headlamp this year so my older one could be a spare. I've got extra prescription glasses and sun glasses. Also, use those cord thingies that attach to your glasses and wrap around your neck.

Last, I would have two hats. One for sunny days and the other just a baseball style. When the sun is out you really have to cover your ears somehow. I had sunburnt ears as a teenager on a river trip and that is not fun at all.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw

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Pinetree

05/19/2019 07:20AM

Extra pair of prescription glasses. Knowm more than one person lost there ony pair overboard. Blind as a bat the rest of trip.

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PikeEatPike

05/19/2019 07:46AM

mr.barley: "Bring chapstick"

Make sure you wined your watch too mr. barley!!!

Be Somebody Who Makes Everybody Feel Like a Somebody

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Jaywalker

05/19/2019 07:51AM

bwcasolo: "
4keys: "Make sure you have your car keys and put them somewhere safe where they won't fall out and end up at this he bottom of the lake.

"

i hide my keys under the car in the parking lot, safest place."

Oh man, I finished a 10 day solo at Round Lake on a hot June day last year and could not find my car key. It was not in its regular place, or in either of the two other likely places I might put it. 10 days earlier starting at Cross Bay I battled hordes of mosquitos and rain to get going, and tucked it away in a "secure but not-regular" place as I hurried to get going. Took me about 2 hours to find it.

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walllee

05/19/2019 08:10AM

Pinetree: "Extra pair of prescription glasses. Knowm more than one person lost there ony pair overboard. Blind as a bat the rest of trip."

Yes, yes, yes!!

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Mnpat

05/19/2019 08:11AM

4keys: "Make sure you have your car keys and put them somewhere safe where they won't fall out and end up at this he bottom of the lake.

If you take a tackle box keep it closed while in the canoe.

"

I always leave my keys on or nearby my car. I won’t need them until I get back to the car so why chance it. Let your travel partners know where the keys are in case of emergency. I got to wait for my slow traveling partner at the car in the winter after skiing for hours. Not a fun experience.

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Pinetree

05/19/2019 08:12AM

Jaywalker: "
bwcasolo: "
4keys: "Make sure you have your car keys and put them somewhere safe where they won't fall out and end up at this he bottom of the lake.

"

i hide my keys under the car in the parking lot, safest place."

Oh man, I finished a 10 day solo at Round Lake on a hot June day last year and could not find my car key. It was not in its regular place, or in either of the two other likely places I might put it. 10 days earlier starting at Cross Bay I battled hordes of mosquitos and rain to get going, and tucked it away in a "secure but not-regular" place as I hurried to get going. Took me about 2 hours to find it. "

Always have a set of keys hidden and attached to my pickup. More than once locked my keys in the vechile and yes lost keys.

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missmolly

05/19/2019 08:17AM

Navigational redundancy in the wilderness: Maps, compass, and GPS, as well as studying the lakes before leaving to have that image in my head.

When portaging without trails, I also break sticks and tie trail marking tape to trees. I also do the same thing I once did when caving, stopping often to look backwards to acquire a memory of how the way should look upon my return.

I'm also redundant with emergency gear, carrying a PLB, flares, and a signal mirror.

And did someone mention a ditch kit?

I will paddle eternal, Kevlar and carbon.

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DougD

05/19/2019 09:05AM

allergy medication

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TomT

05/19/2019 09:25AM

I bring a small tube of poison ivy medication (salve). It stops the itching. I've never had to use it on a trip but have had 2 cases of a bad rash with blisters and that can really be a terrible thing. I also will make a point to wear long pants on travel days with portaging. Knowing what the plants look like is a real good idea too.

Poison Ivy site

You don't want to end up like the people in the hall of fame at this website. :) I had blisters on my legs and arms once and spent the worst night of my life trying to sleep.

If you think you may have touched the plant, don't touch your face!
Nightmare face

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw

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gravelroad

05/19/2019 09:29AM

Paracord. More than you expect to use. When you have to fix something, secure something or SPLINT SOMETHING, you’ll understand why.

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gravelroad

05/19/2019 09:32AM

Duct tape. Even if you’re not planning on flying out:

Duct tape use 4,526

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Pinetree

05/19/2019 09:33AM

TomT: "I bring a small tube of poison ivy medication (salve). It stops the itching. I've never had to use it on a trip but have had 2 cases of a bad rash with blisters and that can really be a terrible thing. I also will make a point to wear long pants on travel days with portaging. Knowing what the plants look like is a real good idea too.

Poison Ivy site

You don't want to end up like the guy in the hall of fame at this website. :)

"

Poison ivy is a exotic as far as the BWCA or Quetico go. Go back like in the 1960's I don't think it was found in either. I know it now is in the BWCA in a few areas. Quetico probably has it now too?

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Pinetree

05/19/2019 09:35AM

I just kept waiting. Nobody mentioned duc tape, at least a Top 10 item in the must have list.

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TomT

05/19/2019 09:43AM

Pinetree: "
TomT: "I bring a small tube of poison ivy medication (salve). It stops the itching. I've never had to use it on a trip but have had 2 cases of a bad rash with blisters and that can really be a terrible thing. I also will make a point to wear long pants on travel days with portaging. Knowing what the plants look like is a real good idea too.

Poison Ivy site

You don't want to end up like the guy in the hall of fame at this website. :)
"

Poison ivy is a exotic as far as the BWCA or Quetico go. Go back like in the 1960's I don't think it was found in either. I know it now is in the BWCA in a few areas. Quetico probably has it now too?"

I've found it in Quetico twice. It was on a vine growing up a tree both times. The leaves have a notch on one side and grow in threes from the stem.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw

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timatkn

05/19/2019 09:45AM

Pinetree: "
TomT: "I bring a small tube of poison ivy medication (salve). It stops the itching. I've never had to use it on a trip but have had 2 cases of a bad rash with blisters and that can really be a terrible thing. I also will make a point to wear long pants on travel days with portaging. Knowing what the plants look like is a real good idea too.

Poison Ivy site

You don't want to end up like the guy in the hall of fame at this website. :) "

Poison ivy is a exotic as far as the BWCA or Quetico go. Go back like in the 1960's I don't think it was found in either. I know it now is in the BWCA in a few areas. Quetico probably has it now too?"

I think you are thinking of Eastern Poison Ivy? Poison Ivy in general has been in the area for our entire lifetime and ranges quite far north.

Poison Ivy distribution

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Bushpilot

05/19/2019 09:54AM

Not a must have list, but a 70 year old list from one of the many resorts - outfitters that had places on Basswood.

Raised by wolves!

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TomT

05/19/2019 09:56AM

Bushpilot: " "

Wow! I can only imagine what portaging was like for them. In 2015 me and 3 others did some snorkeling in North Bay of Quetico right in front of a campsite. We found many glass jars that probably went back to the 60's and earlier. No cans to be found just glass stuff. Some with ornate markings on them. We brought a few home for keepsakes.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw

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Banksiana

05/19/2019 10:11AM

Poison Ivy is native to Quetico. Most common location is sunny protected spots on stream portages (thick on the Tuck River portages out of the North end of Sarah. Also thick on the first portage out of North Bay (around the little riffles) ) of Basswood heading to Isabella.

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.

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missmolly

05/19/2019 10:21AM

Bushpilot: " Not a must have list, but a 70 year old list from one of the many resorts - outfitters that had places on Basswood."

Two pounds of brown sugar and three pounds of white sugar? Why? That's a quarter pound of sugar per person per day.

I will paddle eternal, Kevlar and carbon.

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Pinetree

05/19/2019 10:36AM

Banksiana: "Poison Ivy is native to Quetico. Most common location is sunny protected spots on stream portages (thick on the Tuck River portages out of the North end of Sarah. Also thick on the first portage out of North Bay (around the little riffles) ) of Basswood heading to Isabella.

Pinetree- Edit your message in which you quote gravel road- close your quotes and free us from this italics nightmare."

Thanks,probably right,maybe it seems more common now because I know poison ivy in many areas like disturbed areas and pioneers a area.

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Pinetree

05/19/2019 11:34AM

Always throw a empty 20oz. plastic pop bottle in pack for spare drinking water bottle. Had holes in main bottle,lose it while filling it etc.. Nothing worse than no drinking bottle.

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nctry

05/19/2019 12:26PM

bwcasolo: "
4keys: "Make sure you have your car keys and put them somewhere safe where they won't fall out and end up at this he bottom of the lake.

If you take a tackle box keep it closed while in the canoe. "

I hide my keys under the car in the parking lot, safest place."

Needing a shuttle back to EP? Always someone leaves keys under car. :) But at least leave a note where it is. Haha. Kidding!

My two cents... most of us have all winter to plan. Good time to try out foods you’ll be using. Finding out it’s a flop out on Boulder Lake kinda sucks.

Nctry

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ForestDuff

05/19/2019 12:33PM

I have little stashes of three things in my truck, man cave, canoe/PDF/boat..........Chapstick, dental floss, and Zantac.
When I need them, I need 'em.

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TomT

05/19/2019 01:27PM

The last few years I started bungee dealy bobbing a carabiner to my seat at the gunnel. I attach an old lexan coffee cup to it and drink right out of the lake when traveling. I seemed to get dehydrated easily and this solves the problem.

Also, taking water off the top is relatively safe according to Rob Kesselring. The sun's UV kills any giardia near the surface. That said, I'm still careful where I dip. If I see a beaver lodge I won't do it. But it sure is nice on a big lake to just scoop and drink on a hot day.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw

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preacherdave

05/19/2019 03:16PM

Pinetree: "Extra pair of prescription glasses. Knowm more than one person lost there ony pair overboard. Blind as a bat the rest of trip."

Been there, done that!

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airmorse

05/19/2019 03:42PM

Bushpilot: " Not a must have list, but a 70 year old list from one of the many resorts - outfitters that had places on Basswood."

And only one roll of TP. I hope that was a BIG roll.

"In wilderness is the salvation of mankind." Thoreau.

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justpaddlin

05/19/2019 06:27PM

A very small tube of Vaseline can be used on chapped lips as well as dry/cracked hands or feet and also as a fire starter aid.

A pair of lightweight gloves with fingers can be a big comfort on hot sticky days where you may tear up your hands with blisters from a sticky paddle shaft, or if you've already done some damage to your hands.

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AdamXChicago

05/19/2019 06:36PM

A handful of spare ziplock bags

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RetiredDave

05/19/2019 06:45PM

In my first aid kit I carry some highly magnified reader glasses (suggested by someone on BWCA.com). They are really handy when you get that tiny sliver, or whatever.

This has been a fun thread to read!

Dave

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timatkn

05/19/2019 11:03PM

airmorse: "
Bushpilot: " Not a must have list, but a 70 year old list from one of the many resorts - outfitters that had places on Basswood."

And only one roll of TP. I hope that was a BIG roll."

OMG my wife and I were reading the list and when we got to the one roll of TP after the 5# bacon, 2# butter, 1# of Crisco, we fell down laughing.

T

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treehorn

05/20/2019 09:45AM

Duff: "I have little stashes of three things in my truck, man cave, canoe/PDF/boat..........Chapstick, dental floss, and Zantac.
When I need them, I need 'em."

This is very spot on. You are my spirit animal.

3 situations that absolutely suck, but can be fixed so easily and quickly.

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Canoearoo

05/20/2019 10:16AM

This Epoxy Repair Patch Kit . If you get a small hole in your kevlar canoe this thing rocks. It saved my entire BWCA trip last year.

Life jackets float, you don't!

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GSP

05/20/2019 10:50AM

Canoearoo: "

This Epoxy Repair Patch Kit . If you get a small hole in your kevlar canoe this thing rocks. It saved my entire BWCA trip last year."

It works to use a plastic bag and melt in small hole or crack on canoe. Been there done that.

German Shorthair Pointers Rule Serenity is found in your mind, not somewhere you seek.

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CityFisher74

05/20/2019 12:21PM

Savage Voyageur: "Always secure your bait bucket when in camp. One trip we lost 3 pounds of Leeches to waves bouncing on the baitking and opening it. Now we use a bent cotter pin in the bucket to lock it. "

"The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders."

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x2jmorris

05/20/2019 12:33PM

1. Have a zip pocket and put car keys in there and never unzip

2. Use This (link not working... solar inflatable light) instead of headlamps/flashlights

3. I prefer electrical tape over duct tape

4. Matches in multiple different dry areas

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Pinetree

05/20/2019 01:24PM

Canoearoo: "

This Epoxy Repair Patch Kit . If you get a small hole in your kevlar canoe this thing rocks. It saved my entire BWCA trip last year."
Sounds like a good one and the price is right.

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scotttimm

05/20/2019 05:39PM

Pinetree: "
Canoearoo: "
This Epoxy Repair Patch Kit . If you get a small hole in your kevlar canoe this thing rocks. It saved my entire BWCA trip last year."

Sounds like a good one and the price is right."

I've been wondering - what would be a good temporary patch for a hole in an aluminum canoe?

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Canoearoo

05/20/2019 08:22PM

scotttimm: "
Pinetree: "
Canoearoo: "
This Epoxy Repair Patch Kit . If you get a small hole in your kevlar canoe this thing rocks. It saved my entire BWCA trip last year."

Sounds like a good one and the price is right. I've been wondering - what would be a good temporary patch for a hole in an aluminum canoe?"

Maybe J-B Weld Steel-Stik? I don't know for sure. I did a quick google search and this is what came up.

Life jackets float, you don't!

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sylvesterii

05/21/2019 10:03AM

scotttimm: "
Pinetree: "
Canoearoo: "
This Epoxy Repair Patch Kit . If you get a small hole in your kevlar canoe this thing rocks. It saved my entire BWCA trip last year."

Sounds like a good one and the price is right."

I've been wondering - what would be a good temporary patch for a hole in an aluminum canoe?"

Hippo Patch

of course, it isn't permanent, but it will get you out of the woods

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Pinetree

05/21/2019 01:35PM

sylvesterii: "
scotttimm: "
Pinetree: "
Canoearoo: "
This Epoxy Repair Patch Kit . If you get a small hole in your kevlar canoe this thing rocks. It saved my entire BWCA trip last year."

Sounds like a good one and the price is right."

I've been wondering - what would be a good temporary patch for a hole in an aluminum canoe?"

Hippo Patch

of course, it isn't permanent, but it will get you out of the woods

"

Maybe not the best,but duc or gorilla tape will work on small nail or pin size holes

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Soledad

05/21/2019 02:33PM

On my last trip earlier this month- I forgot the syringe that I use to back flush my Sawyer filter. This lead to a slow flow which is never fun.

Also forgot an epoxy kit which was already mentioned, but I could have used it to patch my MSR dromedary bag which must have been punctured on my last canoe trip. It could have also been used to fix a leaky rain fly which was annoying.

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heavylunch

05/21/2019 03:19PM

Most common ones for our crews over the years. Yes, they seem quite obvious but it is what we forget, even with our detailed lists that have all the items on it. 50+ trips

Fuel for stove
Rain pants and rain jacket
Multiple fire starter choices in multiple places (Life Vest, fishing pack, etc...)
hiking boots
Sunglasses

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Thedude

05/21/2019 03:58PM

When things get rough,a little scary, and undesired. Its always nice to have an extra set of good attitudes.

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SweetBerryWine

05/23/2019 12:01PM

I would highly recommend a small bottle of Super Glue. Useful for closing wounds & repairing gear. I keep mine in the medical kit.

Get outdoors, ya dingus!

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Spartan2

05/23/2019 12:09PM

Thedude: "When things get rough,a little scary, and undesired. Its always nice to have an extra set of good attitudes."

I love this. :-) :-)

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ScottL

05/23/2019 01:30PM

airmorse: "
Bushpilot: " Not a must have list, but a 70 year old list from one of the many resorts - outfitters that had places on Basswood."

And only one roll of TP. I hope that was a BIG roll."

Back then they just wadded up some spare poison ivy leaves... ;)

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Hoaf

05/23/2019 03:02PM

missmolly: "... And did someone mention a ditch kit? "

Good one, particularly for early and late season. Keep with you at all times when paddling and portaging. I use a fanny pack, and it's almost always around my waist unless washing up or in the hammock sleeping. Essential for a solo paddler. Contains my InReach, snacks, compass, reliable fire starter, multi-tool, first aid items.

Is it proper that the wilderness and its creatures should suffer because we came? RP

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Pinetree

05/23/2019 08:50PM

I think one of my best little discoveries was the plastic 55 gallon drum bags at fleet. They are thick and strong and make the best liner to my pack. I think you get like 10 in a box and price real reasonable. It is a life saver in many ways keeping things dry. I also use a light weight garbage bag at the same time for my sleeping bag and that setup is put into the 55 gallon setup. A extra layer never hurts.
Your sleeping bag is a must to keep dry and in cold weather and wet weather it may be a life saver and keep you warm in the tent after being wet and cold all day.

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Pinetree