I didn't want to hijack Mike58's thread about maps so to start a new thread.

Many in that thread advised to buy only the maps needed for the trip. However, after reading the accounts of several in the path of the Pagami Creek Fire who did not have enough maps to cover the path to an emergency exit in a direction well off their intended path, I now carry enough maps to be able to find my way out to a couple entries in other directions from my original entry.

Anyone else carrying these extra maps?

I have not, but this is a good idea and I intend to start.

I started doing this after the 1999 blow down. Besides the paper maps, I take a photo of each map on the digital camera carried on the trip. I started doing that after meeting someone who had lost their map ask me if they could take a photo of mine to use for the remainder of their trip.

I carry a gps now that serves as my Emergency map resource. I also pull it out if I lose my bearings or get a little lost ...which never happens. Hee hee.

Tony

Back of a Voyageur map covers the whole thing. I posted about just taking what you need in the other thread but to me that does include some options around the planner route. One never knows what may change a plan.

Also have the gps with full BWCA coverage in it.

Not a bad idea to have. It is just paper so it doesn't really weigh anything extra.

Always

The Nat Geo maps will work in a pinch

In Quetico, you can buy a Christmar adventure map that is about 2’ x 3’. People actually use it for navigation but I wouldn’t do that. The map has updated portages and is very detailed. This map in itself would be a good emergency evacuation route map. There are several BWCA maps, Fisher being one that I think are equivalent and could be easily carried with on the trip.

Some years ago I would have told you it was a dumb idea but in 2012 I did a very long and arduous Quetico trip that used 6 maps. For reasons I cannot explain, I forgot the last map of my trip and did not have the map to get out of the Q. Beside being a panic situation, if I had a park-wide map, I would have been OK.

I ended up finding a group of campers and hand-drew a map using their maps to get out. It was still a very unpleasant experience.

Tom

I have started carrying the nat geo overview map to serve as my emergency exit option.

straighthairedcurly: "I have started carrying the nat geo overview map to serve as my emergency exit option."

+1
They are good maps and compact when folded; waterproof; 1:70,000 scale (1 inch = 1.1 mile); portages, campsites and entry points marked.

We have a nat geo for the BW or Chrismar for the Q. Also the back of voyageur has it. So we have options if needed

Yes I’ve always carried an extra map or two of adjacent areas. You never know if there will be a fire or a massive blow down storm and need to exit another way. I also carry a Garmin GPS, and a Garmin InReach, both with Topo maps.

I always carry the adjoining map set for this very purpose.

Mike

Honestly, I have never considered it. It is getting to the point now though that I know the area I am traveling in well enough that I would not need a map just to get out. There would have to some very specific or very wide spread fires to drive me away from the area covered by my maps, or that I am familiar with.

I'm sure that I will be looking into it more now that I'm aware of the possibility.

Have not considered it but I do have my GPS loaded with the birdseye topo + transparent BWCA campsites & portages maps which basically turns the GPS into a handheld McKenzie map. I typically have lithium batteries in the GPS & carry a spare set when I'm in the wildereness.

A set of adjacent maps with alternative exits is not a bad idea to have.

Blatz: "The Nat Geo maps will work in a pinch"

+1

Nat Geo maps cover the entire boundary waters in 2 maps, east and west, showing all lakes, campsites, and portages. I purchased both and bring them every time. Plus it is fun to lay out the map with your buddies during your bwca trip and come up with next year's route.

Never thought about bringing extra maps. We have only brought the maps we need, and no electronics with maps, like gps. But after reading this post I will be rethinking that, especially as we will be traveling through an area of a past fire.

Good thing maps don't weigh much. My husband already thinks I bring too much 'what if' stuff ( mostly 1st aid stuff).

Since I stopped planning routes, just EPs and a general direction. So I just take a lot of maps. Inadvertently prepared for an emergency exit I guess.

billconner: "Since I stopped planning routes, just EPs and a general direction. So I just take a lot of maps. Inadvertently prepared for an emergency exit I guess."

Same. I’m never sure where I’m going so I bring excess maps. I have maps and duplicates of the entire bwca and quetico. In wabakimi we always have a copy of the queens maps at 1:250000

I travel with just the Chrismar and try to keep it in my pack the entire trip if possible. Only ran into exit trouble once when circumstances pushed me out through Wind Bay and Wind Lake. I didn't have coverage past the entrance to Wind Bay and had only been through the route once before at the end of a very long day on skis. Managed by blunder and vague memory.