Anybody ever have a stranger randomly walk through camp?

We got off the water Monday. Went into Sawbill and spent 4 nights on the SE side of Alton. Sunday night at sunset a stranger walked through our camp, didn’t pause or even look at us, and said, “just passing through”. We were speechless and that was the extent of our interaction. We had 4 guys out there but still a bit concerning and certainly weird.

Within 5 minutes 2 guys in a canoe paddled past our site going the opposite direction. Upon talking with them we found out the stranger was their friend who they said went on a “wilderness adventure” earlier.

We pointed them in his direction and they picked him up 200yds down the shore. When they picked him up we overheard him tell them about getting lost, walking through our campsite and another camp with women further north. We found out Monday morning that the ladies were so concerned they paddled to another campsite.

We assume he got lost, headed west to find the lake, and figured to follow the shore south until he found his campsite. It was a first for me in 22 years camping in the BWCA. Also posted this in the Facebook BWCA Pictures and Trip Reports Group. Interesting responses there!

One short portage lends itself to carrying in excess alcohol me suspects. Possibly one of the more mild events of the 2020 pandemic paddling panacea .

thats crazy cant imagine walking shoreline in the BW , guess he was shy or too proud to ask if you had a map for location.

shock: "thats crazy cant imagine walking shoreline in the BW , guess he was shy or too proud to ask if you had a map for location."

Or just straight out asking for help getting back to his campsite! Makes you wonder if there was some sort of argument.

niederhauserandrew: "Anybody ever have a stranger randomly walk through camp?

We got off the water Monday. Went into Sawbill and spent 4 nights on the SE side of Alton. Sunday night at sunset a stranger walked through our camp, didn’t pause or even look at us, and said, “just passing through”. We were speechless and that was the extent of our interaction. We had 4 guys out there but still a bit concerning and certainly weird.

Within 5 minutes 2 guys in a canoe paddled past our site going the opposite direction. Upon talking with them we found out the stranger was their friend who they said went on a “wilderness adventure” earlier.

We pointed them in his direction and they picked him up 200yds down the shore. When they picked him up we overheard him tell them about getting lost, walking through our campsite and another camp with women further north. We found out Monday morning that the ladies were so concerned they paddled to another campsite.

We assume he got lost, headed west to find the lake, and figured to follow the shore south until he found his campsite. It was a first for me in 22 years camping in the BWCA. Also posted this in the Facebook BWCA Pictures and Trip Reports Group. Interesting responses there! "

Thanks for sharing. Just another incident that adds to the other numerous garbage/strange/weird things happening in the BWCA this year. I'm waiting to see how many of these "Novice" individuals make cold weather trips/winter camping into the BWCA and do not make it out. Very disappointing on many levels.

A kid and his father wondered into out camp on Fourtown and few years back. Their camp was around the point from our and there was a trail they were following along the lake.

We haven't had this happen in the BWCA/Q; we usually hit the 'off the beaten path' routes. But we've had it happen on backpacking trips in popular areas. I've long maintained that some folks, even if they hired a personal guide, could get lost on their way back from the 'pee tree'.
TZ

What a strange story. One would think the guy could have said to you that he’s staying at the next site and not to worry. Might have been drugs or alcohol involved with this guy.

TrailZen: I've long maintained that some folks, could get lost on their way back from the 'pee tree'.
TZ"

Ha, Ha. Ask Ben/nctry about that :-)

Charley Bowdre: Hey, Chavez, how come they ain't killing us?
"Dirty Steve" Stephens: Because we're in the spirit world, a-hole. They can't see us.

Don't know why, but it made me think of this....

Hex

Such a weird year.
In July, while making dinner near the fire grate, 2 canoes landed at our site, walked up to us, and asked when we planned to leave. Not egregious, but definitely an interaction I don't want to have in the BW.

The walking man of 2016
Was it that guy who was walking into campsites four years ago?

Skarc75: "Such a weird year.
In July, while making dinner near the fire grate, 2 canoes landed at our site, walked up to us, and asked when we planned to leave. Not egregious, but definitely an interaction I don't want to have in the BW. "

Sheesh! I sorta think that is egregious...

I had that happen on Englishman Island. I'm pretty sure dude had no idea we were there, plus that's a motor area so it's not like he destroyed the solitude.

Even rangers are super polite when they approach and ask if they can come into camp. I actually enjoy chatting with them now that its happened a few times. A random stranger better need help and be twice as polite.

I'll be honest, I've done it before, on accident and sort of on purpose. I've rolled up to peninsula sites and come up the "backside" only to realize the site is occupied, so I just make my apologies and retreat. People have also done this to me, I'm a minimalist when I camp so there isn't a lot of evidence a site is occupied when I'm there. No harm to foul I figure.

As a kid I would go exploring in the woods from camp. I would pick a point on the map, usually another campsite or hilltop and see if I could make it there. Imagine peoples surprise when some 14 year old kid comes stumbling out of the woods, mumbles something about exploring, then dives back in to the woods.

Skarc75: "Such a weird year.
In July, while making dinner near the fire grate, 2 canoes landed at our site, walked up to us, and asked when we planned to leave. Not egregious, but definitely an interaction I don't want to have in the BW. "

Good grief, I would have told them normal people don’t break camp at 6:00pm at night.

Had a guy paddle over to our island site on Ram lake thinking we were his buddies. He left soon enough thankfully. Annoying.

dhfish: "Even rangers are super polite when they approach and ask if they can come into camp. I actually enjoy chatting with them now that its happened a few times. A random stranger better need help and be twice as polite. "

Yep, I was a Ranger for years. Anytime we approach a campsite we announce ourselves with a verbal Knock, Knock.

Should be common courtesy to announce yourself before entering a campsite. As a very hard of hearing individual (almost deaf w/o wearing my hearing devices) I don’t always put on my devices when I get to my campsite (for oblivious reasons I don’t wear them on the water) and have been very surprised when all of a sudden someone is standing there next to me.

I would have treated that like someone walking into my house, especially in the evening, i would not have been able to just sit there as he walked by, he would have at least been put to the ground until we understood why he was there.

To walk through a camp is in poor taste and dangerous. Some folks carry and do not mind protecting themselves if they feel threatened.

Put to the ground. Wow, make sure to YouTube that one. Put your forearm on his neck till he confesses. I’m sorry, I’m lost, I’m confused, I lost my map, now my neck hurts...

Geez, is this the spirit of sharing the world with your fellow beings. Some people are confused. It might do your karma some good if you tried to help the guy instead of putting him to the ground. What were you planning next. You gonna dry hump him to teach him a lesson. Have fun with that. Could gave him a brat and some directions instead. Leave him on his feet at least.

Your house is your own private property. Like it or not, the sites are public.

My wife and I had Group of nine men and maybe a few late teens invade our camp on Agnes (Quetico). Landed at our camp, Leader around 60 years old announced we were at his “lunch” site and started cooking soup in the middle of our camp...I entertained bear macing them and kicking the crap out of them...to be honest I think my wife would have been more dangerous than me as smoke was coming out of her ears...but we were going to leave anyway, so We took the high road and we informed him of how poor of a leader he was and packed up and left...his ignorance has provided many a laugh to us over the years :) Many of the other members of the group seemed to have expressions that they thought this wasn’t right as well.

On Darky, we were on the northern island, there was a fire ban even though it was a high of 50 and had rained/snowed 5 days in a row...my Dad was developing hypothermia so we did a fire anyway—thinking a fine was worth it—-just as we are warming up and starting to eat some grilled Laker a guy walks into camp Scared the crap out of us as it was night time. His group was on the eastern end of the island but we didn’t know that...he said he was so cold he just was walking the trails to keep warm. He was surprised too and apologized. We invited Him to warm up and shared some trout. Turned out my Dad knew his friends...I think everyone in Iowa can somehow make a connection to another Iowan :)

What happened to you is crazy and inappropriate...walking through another person’s camp the way he did is just plain weird behavior.

T

^^^ "you were at his lunch site" and he started making soup , WOW thats crazy.

elkmike23: "Your house is your own private property. Like it or not, the sites are public. "

public and an occupied camp are two different things.

shock: "

elkmike23: "Your house is your own private property. Like it or not, the sites are public. "

public and an occupied camp are two different things."

How? Why?

missmolly: "

shock: "

elkmike23: "Your house is your own private property. Like it or not, the sites are public. "

public and an occupied camp are two different things."

How? Why?"

Well the BWCA the sites aren’t multi-group sites. They are first come first served. Once a group occupies a site you really aren’t supposed to go to that site anymore...it Is in the videos apparently no one watches :) They aren’t public sites once occupied. Although it isn’t the same as breaking into my house...it does feel that way.

Now I’ve had people approach my site and ask for directions or if we are leaving...no big deal...I had someone mistakenly land on a site and walk in thinking it was unoccupied but as soon as they saw ya they were apologetic and couldn’t leave fast enough. This is normal behavior in the BWCA...someone just walking in unannounced, unapologetic is suspicious and abnormal. Your guard automatically goes up...I get why that group of women moved camps the OP referenced in their post. I am sure they felt invaded...

T

timatkn: "My wife and I had Group of nine men and maybe a few late teens invade our camp on Agnes (Quetico). Landed at our camp, Leader around 60 years old announced we were at his “lunch” site and started cooking soup in the middle of our camp...I entertained bear macing them and kicking the crap out of them...to be honest I think my wife would have been more dangerous than me as smoke was coming out of her ears...but we were going to leave anyway, so We took the high road and we informed him of how poor of a leader he was and packed up and left...his ignorance has provided many a laugh to us over the years :) Many of the other members of the group seemed to have expressions that they thought this wasn’t right as well.


On Darky, we were on the northern island, there was a fire ban even though it was a high of 50 and had rained/snowed 5 days in a row...my Dad was developing hypothermia so we did a fire anyway—thinking a fine was worth it—-just as we are warming up and starting to eat some grilled Laker a guy walks into camp Scared the crap out of us as it was night time. His group was on the eastern end of the island but we didn’t know that...he said he was so cold he just was walking the trails to keep warm. He was surprised too and apologized. We invited Him to warm up and shared some trout. Turned out my Dad knew his friends...I think everyone in Iowa can somehow make a connection to another Iowan :)


What happened to you is crazy and inappropriate...walking through another person’s camp the way he did is just plain weird behavior.


T"

Maybe he wanted a knuckle sandwich... What an a-hole.

Pilot...lol...this was back in 2009. It was really weird...like is this really happening. I posted the story on this site back then and gained a little more knowledge. We were at a site near Louisa falls...it had been closed in the past due to over use. I confirmed with Quetico officials it was not closed when I reported the incident. But apparently when it was closed many groups use it as a “lunch” site...as the actual falls area can be too busy and it is a portage (the falls not our site). I surmise he thought we shouldn’t be camping there due to past closures and was passive aggressively teaching us a lesson...what he didn’t know is if they close a site due to overuse they also don’t want groups using it for “lunch”. 2-6 groups a day landing for “lunch” a day is way more devastating to a site than 2 people camping...closed is closed...so this idiot who had been violating Quetico rules for years was now “teaching” me a lesson? Oh and the part I left out is half his group got trowels out to duece once they landed at our site to top it off... biggest a hole I’ve ever seen out there. Told me he had 30 years experience...someone on this site made me laugh and said I should of replied “sounds like you have 30 years of experience of being an a hole!” Yes he deserved a knuckle sandwich...but I don’t regret my response...I might of regretted the former...lol

missmolly: "

shock: "

elkmike23: "Your house is your own private property. Like it or not, the sites are public. "

public and an occupied camp are two different things."

How? Why?"

adding to timatkn comments ,
in the old west you didnt ride into a man's camp unannounced , now granted this isn't the old west but as Tim stated your guard goes up automatically , you are in the wilderness (for the most part) .
i'm sure the guy in the O.P. had no idea he was coming up to a camp , but my guard is going up instantly , and i'll be eyeing where i last put my camp ax ;)

timatkn: "Pilot...lol...this was back in 2009. It was really weird...like is this really happening. I posted the story on this site back then and gained a little more knowledge. We were at a site near Louisa falls...it had been closed in the past due to over use. I confirmed with Quetico officials it was not closed when I reported the incident. But apparently when it was closed many groups use it as a “lunch” site...as the actual falls area can be too busy and it is a portage (the falls not our site). I surmise he thought we shouldn’t be camping there due to past closures and was passive aggressively teaching us a lesson...what he didn’t know is if they close a site due to overuse they also don’t want groups using it for “lunch”. 2-6 groups a day landing for “lunch” a day is way more devastating to a site than 2 people camping...closed is closed...so this idiot who had been violating Quetico rules for years was now “teaching” me a lesson? Oh and the part I left out is half his group got trowels out to duece once they landed at our site to top it off... biggest a hole I’ve ever seen out there. Told me he had 30 years experience...someone on this site made me laugh and said I should of replied “sounds like you have 30 years of experience of being an a hole!” Yes he deserved a knuckle sandwich...but I don’t regret my response...I might of regretted the former...lol"

You handled it well. Not sure I would have.
Some people are just difficult no matter where they are.

All of this talk of barging into campsites, guns, putting someone on the ground, an ax, and a knuckle sandwich has me glad that I go places where there aren't people.

Or, as Walt Whitman wrote:

Bears? Schmears!
Man? I scram!

missmolly: "
Or, as Walt Whitman wrote:
Bears? Schmears!
Man? I scram! "

Duh? Animal behavior is predictable for the most part...humans IMHO not so much...

T

timatkn: "

missmolly: "
Or, as Walt Whitman wrote:
Bears? Schmears!
Man? I scram! "

Duh? Animal behavior is predictable for the most part...humans IMHO not so much...


T


"

Don't you dare "duh" Walt Whitman.

Ronnie Milsap ~ "There's a stranger in my (public) camp", i keep thinking of that song.

The sites are not "public" if you mean open without restrictions. Setting up camp at one of sites makes that site "yours" for the duration you are there. Others do not have the right of access to that site while you occupy it. It is no different in any of the national parks.

Courtesy goes a long ways. Our men would be more then willing to help someone who was lost coming into our camp.

However. . .if someone simply used our camp as a through way on his "hike" . . . different story. And if it happened at night or near dark, the risk is on the trespasser. All of our men come armed.

The person could of just decided to go for a long walk along the shoreline and yes the campsite was there. Yes first seeing someone pop out of the woods into my campsite would be scary. I don't know the answer here. If it was me I would try to skirt way around the campsite if possible, there they might get a glimpse of you in the woods and it might make the situation worse. The guy out for a nature walk should of looked at a map and see where campsites are present and not walk in that area.

campnfish: "I would have treated that like someone walking into my house, especially in the evening, i would not have been able to just sit there as he walked by, he would have at least been put to the ground until we understood why he was there."

campinfish,
A poster got banned on bwca.com for threatening to throw a kid off a bridge not long ago.

Scat, as always thanks for the laugh.

Scat quote: Put to the ground. Wow, make sure to YouTube that one. Put your forearm on his neck till he confesses. I’m sorry, I’m lost, I’m confused, I lost my map, now my neck hurts...

I always do an assessment of people that I interact with, especially when I’m alone. As someone else said, the whole fear factor could have been avoided if the boy would’ve just stopped and shared his story. But, yeah, if some guy walks through camp and keeps going-I’m on alert. Agree alcohol could’ve been involved. Lol

LindenTree: "

campnfish: "I would have treated that like someone walking into my house, especially in the evening, i would not have been able to just sit there as he walked by, he would have at least been put to the ground until we understood why he was there."

campinfish,
A poster got banned on bwca.com for threatening to throw a kid off a bridge not long ago.


Scat, as always thanks for the laugh.


Scat quote: Put to the ground. Wow, make sure to YouTube that one. Put your forearm on his neck till he confesses. I’m sorry, I’m lost, I’m confused, I lost my map, now my neck hurts..."

LindenTree, is that what your asking for, that i get banned, Or is this sarcasm?

Last year a friend and I (two women) were camping on Horse and a guy came walking into our camp. He looked as surprised to see us as we were to see him! Thankfully he was a part of a group of young guys that we had seen on the portage and they were very respectful and kind. They were ahead of us and we ended up camping in the site just around the bend from them. We knew where they were but they did not know where we had ended up. This guy was out exploring and came up over the hill and there we were. He apologized and went back the way he came. We weren't freaked out by him. But had it been some random man coming in from out of nowhere I would have been creeped out.

A few years back on Polly, I and two female friends had a group of women come strolling into our camp with their dog on a trail from their campsite down the shore. It was drizzling and we were all napping/reading in our tents. Their dog came out of no where and started barking at my tent. Woke me up and I was very disoriented. Scrambled out of my tent swearing a blue streak. I think I probably scared those women more than they scared me!

campnfish: "

LindenTree: "

campnfish: "I would have treated that like someone walking into my house, especially in the evening, i would not have been able to just sit there as he walked by, he would have at least been put to the ground until we understood why he was there."

campinfish,
A poster got banned on bwca.com for threatening to throw a kid off a bridge not long ago.



Scat, as always thanks for the laugh.



Scat quote: Put to the ground. Wow, make sure to YouTube that one. Put your forearm on his neck till he confesses. I’m sorry, I’m lost, I’m confused, I lost my map, now my neck hurts..."

LindenTree, is that what your asking for, that i get banned, Or is this sarcasm?"

LindenTree is trying to protect you. That's who he is: a protector. That's who he's been all his life, running toward the flames while everyone else flees.

I understand some people’s want for solitude. Some won’t look up or say hi when passing on a portage or the chance encounter. I kinda gave up on being unfriendly a while ago. Almost dying of cancer cured me of that. You realize how many kind, beautiful people there are in the world. As mm has pointed out, there are jerks and lost souls anywhere you go. Human beings, I’ve been both myself at times. I prefer to embrace my fellow person, give them the benefit of the doubt. Laugh at them if they are really stupid. What else can you do. Take him to the ground. Then what...

You are going to run into people on a BW trip, I like to smile and say a kind word. Enjoy chatting if the smile is returned. You can find solitude in the BW, we all have our fav spots. I’m not going to freak out if someone needs a hand. I would share a site if somebody is in trouble. Might be fun.
Unless they’re from Iowa...

cheers, scat

scat: "I understand some people’s want for solitude. Some won’t look up or say hi when passing on a portage or the chance encounter. I kinda gave up on being unfriendly a while ago. Almost dying of cancer cured me of that. You realize how many kind, beautiful people there are in the world. As mm has pointed out, there are jerks and lost souls anywhere you go. Human beings, I’ve been both myself at times. I prefer to embrace my fellow person, give them the benefit of the doubt. Laugh at them if they are really stupid. What else can you do. Take him to the ground. Then what...


You are going to run into people on a BW trip, I like to smile and say a kind word. Enjoy chatting if the smile is returned. You can find solitude in the BW, we all have our fav spots. I’m not going to freak out if someone needs a hand. I would share a site if somebody is in trouble. Might be fun.
Unless they’re from Iowa...


cheers, scat
"

scat. your post reminds me of Matthew 5:40: "If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.…"

I agree with the above, and I am from Iowa (but Illinois born, Mr. Scat).

campnfish: "
LindenTree, is that what your asking for, that i get banned, Or is this sarcasm?"

PM me if you want to know, I don't want this thread to get hijacked.

We were at the western campsite on Robbins Island, Knife Lake. As we were finishing lunch, a young lady appeared from the north side of the island with a roll of toilet paper in her hand walking very quickly past us to the trail leading to the latrine. She asked if she could use our bathroom as she hurried past. We just sat there, staring at each other speechless. After a little while she returned, walking not nearly as fast and disappeared down the north side of the island.

PaddleIN: "We were at the western campsite on Robbins Island, Knife Lake. As we were finishing lunch, a young lady appeared from the north side of the island with a roll of toilet paper in her hand walking very quickly past us to the trail leading to the latrine. She asked if she could use our bathroom as she hurried past. We just sat there, staring at each other speechless. After a little while she returned, walking not nearly as fast and disappeared down the north side of the island."

Lol! When you gotta go, you gotta go.

My dad and I were sitting in camp just after dinner time, hadn’t seen anyone all day even though we were on a relatively busy border route lake. We had an island campsite, so imagine our surprise when a guy comes walking into our camp from the trail to the Thunderbox. Startled the crap out of us and I hopped up in a knee jerk reaction and the guy gave us a puzzled look and then apologized and said he had landed on the other side of the island to try and find a campsite. It turns out it was a group of three that were kind of lost and were trying to find a campsite to recoup and get their bearings. We showed them where they were on the map and then had a good laugh and passed around a couple shots of Fireball before they took off.

Tony

This thread affirms our groups decisions to camp on islands or peninsulas. No through traffic. In 12 years of taking groups up to BWCA, both in Ely and Gunflint, we have never had someone come into our camp with this practice.

One a side note, never quite understood the "bushwhacking" idea where people just walk through trees and areas with no paths for the heck of it with no real idea where they are going. Doesn't seem to fit with the leave no trace idea.

GopherAdventure: "My dad and I were sitting in camp just after dinner time, hadn’t seen anyone all day even though we were on a relatively busy border route lake. We had an island campsite, so imagine our surprise when a guy comes walking into our camp from the trail to the Thunderbox. Startled the crap out of us and I hopped up in a knee jerk reaction and the guy gave us a puzzled look and then apologized and said he had landed on the other side of the island to try and find a campsite. It turns out it was a group of three that were kind of lost and were trying to find a campsite to recoup and get their bearings. We showed them where they were on the map and then had a good laugh and passed around a couple shots of Fireball before they took off.


Tony"

That's the spirit! Good to read about kindness.

Have had this happen once, but they walked over to alert us of a Black Bear swimming towards our camp (the bear had already been in our camp, but it was the thought that counts)

With all the weird folks, and weird happenings going on in the world, I may start "packing"on my solo trips.

mooseplums: "With all the weird folks, and weird happenings going on in the world, I may start packing on my solo trips."

I always pack for my solo trips except for the first trip when I didn't and the portages were horrible, trying to carry all those loose items and dropping so many of them in the mud.

luft: "Last year a friend and I (two women) were camping on Horse and a guy came walking into our camp. He looked as surprised to see us as we were to see him! Thankfully he was a part of a group of young guys that we had seen on the portage and they were very respectful and kind. They were ahead of us and we ended up camping in the site just around the bend from them. We knew where they were but they did not know where we had ended up. This guy was out exploring and came up over the hill and there we were. He apologized and went back the way he came. We weren't freaked out by him. But had it been some random man coming in from out of nowhere I would have been creeped out."

Were you in one of the two just to the north when you exit the river? 3 and 4 (or 1115/1116) :D We had a similar thing happen to us...20-something kid sort of wandered in/nearby. I think he was way more startled than we were. It was just the two of us, so we were a lot quieter. He apologized and left. We waved at them out fishing later :-)

missmolly: "

mooseplums: "With all the weird folks, and weird happenings going on in the world, I may start packing on my solo trips."

I always pack for my solo trips except for the first trip when I didn't and the portages were horrible, trying to carry all those loose items and dropping so many of them in the mud. "

good one...

Skarc75: "Such a weird year.
In July, while making dinner near the fire grate, 2 canoes landed at our site, walked up to us, and asked when we planned to leave. Not egregious, but definitely an interaction I don't want to have in the BW. "

“Right after we get done disposing of the remains of the last party to ask us that question.”

Camping on Agnus lake at the Louisa falls site a few years back. 3 canoes just paddles up, pulled ashore in between our canoes and walked right through the camp while we were eating and said not a word. Unreal. Well when they got back their canoes were about 100 yards down shore. They thought about saying something. But 6 men in their 30s looking really pissed off standing there waiting for them deterred that event. Lucky we didn’t push their canoes off shore.

Reminds me of the scene in Crocodile Dundee 2:
wandering into camp

Jezbo: "Camping on Agnus lake at the Louisa falls site a few years back. 3 canoes just paddles up, pulled ashore in between our canoes and walked right through the camp while we were eating and said not a word. Unreal. Well when they got back their canoes were about 100 yards down shore. They thought about saying something. But 6 men in their 30s looking really pissed off standing there waiting for them deterred that event. Lucky we didn’t push their canoes off shore. "

You said they didn’t say a word. I for one would have had a choice word or two. I can’t imagine what goes through people’s minds that says it’s ok to land at someone’s camp and do a walk around.

MidwestFirecraft: "Reminds me of the scene in Crocodile Dundee 2:
wandering into camp "

That was funny! I watched it twice.

Jezbo: "Camping on Agnus lake at the Louisa falls site a few years back. 3 canoes just paddles up, pulled ashore in between our canoes and walked right through the camp while we were eating and said not a word. Unreal. Well when they got back their canoes were about 100 yards down shore. They thought about saying something. But 6 men in their 30s looking really pissed off standing there waiting for them deterred that event. Lucky we didn’t push their canoes off shore. "

OMG that sounds exactly like what happened to my wife and I at Agnes in 2009...What did they look like? Was there a guy who appeared older than everyone in the group who appeared to be in charge?

When they landed they walked right through while we were eating a late breakfast cooked over the fire---wouldn't talk to us until I pushed the issue.

T

timatkn: "

Jezbo: "Camping on Agnus lake at the Louisa falls site a few years back. 3 canoes just paddles up, pulled ashore in between our canoes and walked right through the camp while we were eating and said not a word. Unreal. Well when they got back their canoes were about 100 yards down shore. They thought about saying something. But 6 men in their 30s looking really pissed off standing there waiting for them deterred that event. Lucky we didn’t push their canoes off shore. "

OMG that sounds exactly like what happened to my wife and I at Agnes in 2009...What did they look like? Was there a guy who appeared older than everyone in the group who appeared to be in charge?


When they landed they walked right through while we were eating a late breakfast cooked over the fire---wouldn't talk to us until I pushed the issue.


T"

What did they say?

mmrocker13: "

luft: "Last year a friend and I (two women) were camping on Horse and a guy came walking into our camp. He looked as surprised to see us as we were to see him! Thankfully he was a part of a group of young guys that we had seen on the portage and they were very respectful and kind. They were ahead of us and we ended up camping in the site just around the bend from them. We knew where they were but they did not know where we had ended up. This guy was out exploring and came up over the hill and there we were. He apologized and went back the way he came. We weren't freaked out by him. But had it been some random man coming in from out of nowhere I would have been creeped out."

Were you in one of the two just to the north when you exit the river? 3 and 4 (or 1115/1116) :D We had a similar thing happen to us...20-something kid sort of wandered in/nearby. I think he was way more startled than we were. It was just the two of us, so we were a lot quieter. He apologized and left. We waved at them out fishing later :-)
"

Yes! They were the campsite nearest the river we were the next site just north.

If the scenario of someone walking through your camp makes you think about violence and gunplay, you need to get rid of cable TV (in my opinion.)

Anyway, one good thing to say might be "I'll forgive you for coming in to our camp unannounced if you forgive me for asking you to leave. Sound fair?"

Just got back from a trip to long Island lake, on a side trip I was on the portage to Muskeg lake just to see not carrying the canoe. Some younger guys were at the portage and I over heard one say " is the old guy alone?" I said "I am now ,she pissed me off" Wonder what they thought of that?

signed : The crazed killer of Muskeg lake

mooseplums: "With all the weird folks, and weird happenings going on in the world, I may start "packing"on my solo trips."

I almost did on my recent trip but decided against it in the end. I hesitantly placed the Baretta back in drawer. Getting weird out there and some of these stories are the telling of it. What happens to "Excuse me for imposing. I'm (insert name) and I apologize for barging into your camp unexpectedly."
No manners. An overinflated ego, perhaps? A misplaced sense of entitlement?
Kindness is good. So are manners. Equally, good.

mooseplums: "

timatkn: "

Jezbo: "Camping on Agnus lake at the Louisa falls site a few years back. 3 canoes just paddles up, pulled ashore in between our canoes and walked right through the camp while we were eating and said not a word. Unreal. Well when they got back their canoes were about 100 yards down shore. They thought about saying something. But 6 men in their 30s looking really pissed off standing there waiting for them deterred that event. Lucky we didn’t push their canoes off shore. "

OMG that sounds exactly like what happened to my wife and I at Agnes in 2009...What did they look like? Was there a guy who appeared older than everyone in the group who appeared to be in charge?



When they landed they walked right through while we were eating a late breakfast cooked over the fire---wouldn't talk to us until I pushed the issue.



T"

What did they say?"

Only the leader talked and he tried not to...he landed first and just all of a sudden was on us, my wife was sitting by the fire pit eating and I was over by the tent. All of a sudden Sara yells “Tim?” In a tone that alerted me right away some thing was wrong.., I look down and some guy I don’t know is standing by wife...he was looking around, I started walking towards him and asked can I help you (in I am sure an irritated tone)? He said they were here to see the falls...my guard relaxed and I started to say the falls were a little further he interrupted me and said I know I’ve been doing this route for 30 years, next thing I know 2-3 more canoes land and a whole group of guys start walking around our camp 3-4 with duece shovels...they were younger and were surprised when they saw the tent and fire place. They retreated back to their canoes...next thing I know he huddles the group up and then they are breaking out a Coleman stove and making soup in the middle of camp. They were in the way to even pack up camp to get of there. That’s when we told him what a bad leader he was and he tried to say we were at “his lunch spot”...