|
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Listening Point - General Discussion What % of trippers are basecampers or movers? |
Author
Text
06/03/2020 07:18PM
It probably depends on time of year (fishing opener more basecampers etc) but I'am thinking something along the lines of 60-65% movers and 35-40% basecampers. Thoughts?
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
06/03/2020 08:53PM
WhiteWolf: "It probably depends on time of year (fishing opener more basecampers etc) but I'am thinking something along the lines of 60-65% movers and 35-40% basecampers. Thoughts?"
Maybe it might make a good research project for a couple of USFS interns. It would have to be carefully designed and with a large random sample to get meaningful results.
06/03/2020 09:20PM
It depends on whom I'm with and what time of the year. I like to move every other night. I can stay in one spot for 3 nights, but I can also move every night if I don't have to get stressed over finding a good site (shoulder seasons). So I guess that makes me a "mover"?
06/03/2020 10:10PM
Mostly basecamper because our group loves to fish, but I've done trips where we've moved almost every day, too. I enjoy them both. Hard to move after finding a dandy 4 or 5 star campsite.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
06/03/2020 10:15PM
It's always been dependent on the make up of the group. In the last several years as experience and abilities of the group (participants vary) has increased we've exclusively become movers, usually doing a loop and always chasing down some waterfalls.
No good camping story starts with it was 70 and sunny.
06/04/2020 06:47AM
I go Memorial Day. During that trip, we basecamp and fish.
We also go in the summer. During those trips, we move every other day.
I've never tried moving every day but I think I will give that a try on our next summer trip.
We also go in the summer. During those trips, we move every other day.
I've never tried moving every day but I think I will give that a try on our next summer trip.
Fish where the fish are...
06/04/2020 07:24AM
Move everyday. Might take one layover day if out for 7+ days. I get extremely restless base camping. I don't fish. I like moving and covering new ground. Typically do a loop.
The only time I have base camped was the time I had broken my ankle just a couple weeks before the trip. Portaging was slow for me so we just did 2 portages then stayed put before portaging the same 2 portages back out.
The only time I have base camped was the time I had broken my ankle just a couple weeks before the trip. Portaging was slow for me so we just did 2 portages then stayed put before portaging the same 2 portages back out.
06/04/2020 07:25AM
We are base campers here. Mostly to a middle sized lake a few (3 or so) portages away from EP or border and close to other lakes for day fishing, etc. However, the last trip to Quetico was a few nights in Sheridan and 3 nights in That Man Lake. Then a few bushwhacking portages back to Carp for a few more nights before leaving. So, I guess that makes us a hybrid on this trip.
Going in EP 14 next weekend and hope to get to be a little bit away from the rush of people by going into Lynx or Heritage,,,,,,be my fist time back fully in the BWCAW since 1972.
Going in EP 14 next weekend and hope to get to be a little bit away from the rush of people by going into Lynx or Heritage,,,,,,be my fist time back fully in the BWCAW since 1972.
Lake voyage in a canoe is always better when shared with others, either during or after the trip
06/04/2020 07:30AM
Sort of transitioning from a mover to a base camper. From the 1960s to 2016 I was a mover. A 10-14 day trip might have a lay over or two for bad weather. In 2016 I injured my foot on the first day. It was a bad bruise and I could still travel, but was concerned about it developing into a chronic issue. I moved to Cherokee Lake, a new lake for me and spent 3 nights. I explored the lake over the days I was there and then move back towards my put-in spending two nights on Long Island Lake.
My foot healed up just fine at home, but I found an appreciation for base camping. As I age my trips have more multi-day camps. I have found that travel more than three days in a row leaves me exhausted. I can envision 10 days on Brule Lake base camping and making day trips to all parts of the lake and to the Temperance Lakes. Not there yet, but I would like to continue visiting the canoe country into my 80s if I make it that far.
My foot healed up just fine at home, but I found an appreciation for base camping. As I age my trips have more multi-day camps. I have found that travel more than three days in a row leaves me exhausted. I can envision 10 days on Brule Lake base camping and making day trips to all parts of the lake and to the Temperance Lakes. Not there yet, but I would like to continue visiting the canoe country into my 80s if I make it that far.
06/04/2020 07:48AM
We were always movers. About 20 years into our canoe-tripping "career" we started taking an occasional layover day, and that is how I liked it best. We did one base-camping trip, but it wasn't intentional; my husband became ill and we just stayed in one place. It was OK, but not a favorite. We liked to keep moving and see other sights/sites. We didn't fish, so I am sure that was a factor.
The Unintentional Base-camping Trip
The Unintentional Base-camping Trip
06/04/2020 09:15AM
Mover, don't fish anymore, but love to paddle. It doesn't seem to matter if I've been to the areas several times, it always seems fresh and new. I try to rotate the entry points to keep the trips exciting. We don't paddle 8 hour days anymore, probably more like 6. Getting old I guess.
06/04/2020 09:15AM
Basecamper for now. Since my partner is learning (along with his grampa) I don't want to overdo it yet. We were going to go to LIS this August, a move every day trip, but that is on hold for now. Basecamping at the moment gives him time to explore and develop an appreciation for the wilderness, not to mention developing his skills in the outdoors.
Respect Mother Nature, because She has no respect for you
06/04/2020 09:21AM
In the younger days I was a backpacker who moved almost every day simply because I was usually short of time and wanted to see as much of the area possible, but I also longed to see the place in deeper detail because I knew I was missing a lot of what the place offered.
Now retired, I am a hybrid, with trip length still loosely determining the format. 2-4 nights will be base camping. 5-6+ will be "3 night stays with a move in between, or something like that."
I like to stay in a site a minimum of 3 nights because it allows travel to camp the first day; hang around camp the next day to rest and see the little things never seen if you were moving; day trip / explore the next day; move on the day after that based on the route and available time and weather.
Repeat if there are enough days.
Now retired, I am a hybrid, with trip length still loosely determining the format. 2-4 nights will be base camping. 5-6+ will be "3 night stays with a move in between, or something like that."
I like to stay in a site a minimum of 3 nights because it allows travel to camp the first day; hang around camp the next day to rest and see the little things never seen if you were moving; day trip / explore the next day; move on the day after that based on the route and available time and weather.
Repeat if there are enough days.
Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans...
06/04/2020 09:49AM
Base camper here, mostly due to fishing. Not afraid to go really deep in but once there we stay put and get to know the fishing spots. Something about having a tidy camp set up and knowing you'll be there for a few days is really cool. Have been wanting to do a big loop trip soon though and just bring one 2 piece rod for kicks.
"The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders."
06/04/2020 10:07AM
I interpret the OP's query as being whether there's data on this - not an anecdotal report on what people do. I'm not aware of data; I design social science research studies at UMN so designing such a study would be right up my alley, if somebody is interested in proposing the study for funding with the Forest Service and actually running it.
But to add my anecdata, I'm absolutely a mover. Changing sites every day is my norm except when I'm doing trail clearing.
But to add my anecdata, I'm absolutely a mover. Changing sites every day is my norm except when I'm doing trail clearing.
06/04/2020 11:12AM
Did some loops of daily travel when younger. Basecamp exclusively now. Number of portages covered on entry to our base lake have ranged from 0 to 9. Set up for 3 nights and combine fishing the base lake or day tripping to interesting sites in the area - waterfalls, overlooks, pictographs, etc
"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra
06/04/2020 11:37AM
WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
06/04/2020 11:48AM
My buddy and I are fishermen, so it really depends on the fishing.
If we're headed to a really good lake we'll pound out 15+ miles the first day and then base camp.
Other times times we will plan a loop and stop where the fishing is good.
There have also been times we have completely changed gears. One of the most memorable trips was one of these. By the second day we realized our destination lake was not producing the fish we wanted. We paddled to a giant rock island and stood at the very top. We were able to get just enough cell signal to reach Voyageur North Outfitters. They were able to secure another entry permit for our group of 4 for the next day. The next day we killed ourselves paddling out, driving to Ely, picking up the permit and some cold fired chicken, and putting back in an paddling to camp. The fishing was significantly better and well worth it.
There's so many variables involved that make each trip unique. I will say that if we were to move every day I doubt we would bother fishing at all.
If we're headed to a really good lake we'll pound out 15+ miles the first day and then base camp.
Other times times we will plan a loop and stop where the fishing is good.
There have also been times we have completely changed gears. One of the most memorable trips was one of these. By the second day we realized our destination lake was not producing the fish we wanted. We paddled to a giant rock island and stood at the very top. We were able to get just enough cell signal to reach Voyageur North Outfitters. They were able to secure another entry permit for our group of 4 for the next day. The next day we killed ourselves paddling out, driving to Ely, picking up the permit and some cold fired chicken, and putting back in an paddling to camp. The fishing was significantly better and well worth it.
There's so many variables involved that make each trip unique. I will say that if we were to move every day I doubt we would bother fishing at all.
06/04/2020 05:51PM
I'd say a hybrid of the two strategies. Fishing is always a big part of our trips, but we don't mind hard travel days to get to cool places. Basecamping on one site for a week is a little too sedentary for me. However, staying on a lake even for several days offers the ability to get to know a lake much more intimately than if you're just pounding through and occasionally glancing at the shore. You get to know where the weedbeds, the walleye reefs, and the good drop-offs are, and the cool nooks and crannies of the lake. Plus, even when we're camped on one site for a few days, we take some pretty aggressive day trips to explore other areas.
Of course I'm not being critical of anyone with a different strategy. That's the beauty of canoe tripping- you can do it however you want, and no way of doing it is wrong as long as you aren't bothering anyone else.
Of course I'm not being critical of anyone with a different strategy. That's the beauty of canoe tripping- you can do it however you want, and no way of doing it is wrong as long as you aren't bothering anyone else.
06/04/2020 10:03PM
With small kids along it is base camping, otherwise I move, even though my focus is on fishing. On a 9 day trip we paddle hard for 2 days, trolling of course, have a layover day, then pack up every morning and fish our way back to the EP, setting up camp around dinner time. Much easier to do in the Q. We probably won’t attempt that next week going East from Moose. Lots of people up there right now.
"Hold on, I think I can get in without getting my feet wet."....SPLASH...
06/05/2020 12:23AM
inspector13: "WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
"
I’m interested in this study. Very surprised that it would only be 13%. Maybe that number has a different denominator than I assume (counts day trips? Motor permits not counted?). Or maybe how the question was asked. I could see only 13% stating fishing as the primary reason for visiting, but not that only 13% of visitors fish at all.
Is there a link or a year or title to this study to track down the reference?
06/05/2020 06:02AM
We are typical basecampers. Love to go far the first day to a good lake, then explore that lake and plan fun day trips. We get to know the fishing spots and still do some exploring without having to pack up daily and hit the trail. We just got back from Stuart Lake, it was really fun but pretty crowded. I was suprised how many people were staying there longterm.
06/05/2020 07:37AM
We have done a little bit of each. Our first 3 trips were base camp only before we tried a loop moving each day.
Last year we tried a new method of moving every other day on the loop out of Mudro up through Crooked. That might be our favorite combining a little bit of each style. Still get to cover a lot of ground but have plenty of relaxing days and time for fishing.
Last year we tried a new method of moving every other day on the loop out of Mudro up through Crooked. That might be our favorite combining a little bit of each style. Still get to cover a lot of ground but have plenty of relaxing days and time for fishing.
06/05/2020 08:12AM
I was a mover. Even on my 40 day trip I couldn’t spend more then two nights on a lake. I was always excited to travel. Base camped this May... my heart is moving. Now with my physical condition I can’t paddle without pain (unless I’m loaded with drugs)... I still have hope for solutions. Canoeing gave me the opportunity to see a part of creation that many will never see. I like to fish, travel and explore. Whatever you like I encourage you to do things your way. Don’t be afraid to push yourself, but not to where it isn’t fun. With people you need to compromise. Whatever I hope and pray the border to our north opens and again soon people can again inhabit Canadian waters... I’d encourage people to check out other options. Many non bwca places to explore. Try a chunk of the upper Mississippi... just go...
Nctry
06/05/2020 08:54AM
Based on my most recent observations, I'd say 80% basecampers, but I am sure reality is very different.
We tend to move every other day...solo I might move more or at least have a several day paddle to a destination, layover a few nights, and then continue on or home.
We tend to move every other day...solo I might move more or at least have a several day paddle to a destination, layover a few nights, and then continue on or home.
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
06/05/2020 01:44PM
I have a bad habit of doing a long forced paddle/march in, then base camp, then long paddle/march out on the last day.
Seems I end up doing it every trip even though I recognize that in some ways I'm taking away from the travel/wandering part of the trip.
Seems I end up doing it every trip even though I recognize that in some ways I'm taking away from the travel/wandering part of the trip.
06/06/2020 06:43AM
Hybrid
A new site each of the first two days as we get away from the entry point then hole up on a good site for two or three nights and then a new site each day on the way back out. All of this depends on availability of course. Especially as we near the exit point where many of the sites are usually taken.
The best part for us is we stay in the bunkhouse at VNO the night we come out so we can spend all day paddling to get back to the car if need be.
As long as we get back in time for a steak dinner and a cold beer at the steakhouse we are good to go.
A new site each of the first two days as we get away from the entry point then hole up on a good site for two or three nights and then a new site each day on the way back out. All of this depends on availability of course. Especially as we near the exit point where many of the sites are usually taken.
The best part for us is we stay in the bunkhouse at VNO the night we come out so we can spend all day paddling to get back to the car if need be.
As long as we get back in time for a steak dinner and a cold beer at the steakhouse we are good to go.
06/07/2020 04:10PM
I go to Quetico to fish. I have found a great hot spot that produces numbers and sizes every year.
I base camp for that reason.
I used to do loops and I've seen a lot of Quetico, so I'm happy now to set up camp once and fish my little heart out from sun up to sun down. Wish I was there now.
I find myself wishing a lot these days.
Terry
I base camp for that reason.
I used to do loops and I've seen a lot of Quetico, so I'm happy now to set up camp once and fish my little heart out from sun up to sun down. Wish I was there now.
I find myself wishing a lot these days.
Terry
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." Red Green
06/07/2020 05:23PM
Mixed. I move almost every day, but lay over an extra day once in a while. I only fish casually, and prefer to visit as many places as I can. When I do lay over, I make day trips to nearby lakes, where I may or may not fish.
06/07/2020 06:18PM
We are definitely in the blended category. We will move daily, stay for an extra day at a nice site, or up to 5 days at a really great location.
BTW, we don't fish but I always thought that put us in the vast minority of people visiting the BW.
BTW, we don't fish but I always thought that put us in the vast minority of people visiting the BW.
06/07/2020 08:34PM
Total base campers our typical trip we overdo it going as far as possible the first day with too much fresh food and comfort items. We camp on lakes with good fishing, with multiple good Fishing lakes around for day trips. Coming out is much easier And faster without the Weight of the fresh food packs. For some it’s the scenery and canoeing, for us if the fishing wasn’t good we would be somewhere else.
06/08/2020 07:17AM
Abbey: "inspector13: "WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
"
I’m interested in this study. Very surprised that it would only be 13%. Maybe that number has a different denominator than I assume (counts day trips? Motor permits not counted?). Or maybe how the question was asked. I could see only 13% stating fishing as the primary reason for visiting, but not that only 13% of visitors fish at all.
Is there a link or a year or title to this study to track down the reference? "
Ooops, I must retract. USFS 2007 survey. It looks like the number I gave came from the general population. See page 23-24. If I would have actually read the study rather than skim it, I would have seen that 77% of BWCAW visitors in 2007 reported fishing with 35% of them saying it was their major reason for being there. See page 11.
06/08/2020 03:00PM
When I was younger I would have loved to base camp more to find good fishing spots. Now that I am older and a better fisherman, I prefer to move most days. I enjoy finding and figuring out the patterns as much as the actual catching these days. Of course I have the luxury of being able to sit on schools of fish on my local lake.
06/08/2020 08:04PM
So I went through the thread and recorded whether people said they were a mover, base camper, or hybrid/both. In some cases, people said "I usually do X, but sometimes I do Y." In those cases, I counted X. Totally non-scientific, and I'm sure people would count some judgement calls differently, but here is where I ended up:
Move - 34% (n=23)
Hybrid/Both - 31% (n=21)
Base camper - 34% (n=23)
Move - 34% (n=23)
Hybrid/Both - 31% (n=21)
Base camper - 34% (n=23)
06/08/2020 09:59PM
inspector13: "
Ooops, I must retract. USFS 2007 survey. It looks like the number I gave came from the general population. See page 23-24. If I would have actually read the study rather than skim it, I would have seen that 77% of BWCAW visitors in 2007 reported fishing with 35% of them saying it was their major reason for being there. See page 11.
"
That sounds more like what I would have expected. From a quick read it sounds like they surveyed each person over 15 in a group. So, the percentage of groups in which someone fished may be higher than 77%. For instance, even though I don't fish, most of our trips have had someone who is fishing.
06/09/2020 09:54AM
inspector13: "WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
"
Wow, that’s a really Low percentage of visitors that fish. I would have thought it was closer to 60%. Fishing rods and gear are the first things I pack for a trip.
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
06/13/2020 08:05AM
We are there to fish. I am a 99% base camper. Someday I would like to take a long solo and explore to fill that 1%.
I love fishing. You put that line in the water and you don’t know what’s on the other end. Your imagination is under there. Robert Altman
06/13/2020 10:53AM
Throw me in the basecamper crowd unless I'am with my Kruger Challenge crew though that really doesn't count. Like to go hard for a long day in and set up camp on a decent fishing lake like so many other basecampers. Might ease the trip out -- case in point start trip with one long day into Iron via the Stew River. But on way out, smell the roses on Stuart Lake.
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
06/13/2020 03:42PM
We mostly stay 2 to 3 nights per camp, then I get bored and want to see another place. I depends too, on if you do a loop or a through trip. You can see more varied areas if you move daily on a longer route. Our first trip we moved every night but 2 of the 9. It felt more adventurous seeing new areas every day, but staying in camp for 2 nights allowed us to take showers and do laundry.
"Geography is just physics slowed down, with a couple of trees stuck in it." Terry Pratchett
06/17/2020 02:53PM
Mover here. I've never spent more than one night in the same spot on a BWCA trip. We don't fish either.
I'd guess it's about 50/50. The EP lake campsites seem to get pounded and some are gross by early September from all the traffic.
I'd guess it's about 50/50. The EP lake campsites seem to get pounded and some are gross by early September from all the traffic.
06/23/2020 11:27PM
Mostly a mover. I plan to move on about 2/3 or 3/4 of the time. That leaves some time for layover days. That way if the weather gets bad I can layover and not worry about paddling in the wind or rain and not completing my trip on schedule. If the weather is nice and I've been working hard, a rest day can be nice. So, for a typical 10 day/9 night trip, I'll plan camp in 6 or 7 different spots. As the trip progresses, I can change the plan as need be.
Subscribe to Thread
Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. Sign up Here