I am planning on going up in with a new guy or three in two weeks. They need cellular service for work emergencies or they won’t go. I’m planning an easy trip. Moose Lake to Ensign, or Snowbank to Disappointment.

Last time I was on Ensign the cell service was sketchy. I’ve never stayed on Disappointment so I’m not sure what cell service is like there. Any input on current cell service on those lakes?

My dad had cell service on Disappointment with Verizon.

Tell them not to go.

Jackfish: "Tell them not to go. "

Not sure having a cell for an emergency is really all that bad. If no cell service I’d rent a satellite phone.

I've not had service on any of those (Sprint and t-mobile). Do they have a satellite communicator--I just got an inreach mini....they could get that and a single month plan with a crap ton of texts in case of emergency?

OTOH...few people are THAT important :-) Maybe there is a better time for them to go, when they can be free on PTO?

For the record, the question asked was about cell phone coverage. If they need that, they shouldn't go because cell service can't be expected in the back country.

The satellite phone is clearly an option. However, you'll be on the trip, too. Can the emergency be handled by phone or do they have to drive home? Do you want to cut your trip short because of their work emergency or will they have the ability to paddle out on their own and drive their own vehicle home?

Jackfish: "Tell them not to go. "

Yup.

Jackfish: "For the record, the question asked was about cell phone coverage. If they need that, they shouldn't go because cell service can't be expected in the back country.

The satellite phone is clearly an option. However, you'll be on the trip, too. Can the emergency be handled by phone or do they have to drive home? Do you want to cut your trip short because of their work emergency or will they have the ability to paddle out on their own and drive their own vehicle home?"

Thanks for your judgements. I Asked a simple question. I Was not expecting a moderator to discourage people from loving the BW. People with tough jobs are not allowed in the BW?

I’ve gone on dozens of these trips. I know what’s involved. I’m retired so I’m unimportant and love it. Some people cannot unplug that easy. Ever. But they still deserve the right to go to the BW and enjoy it. So what if they have to make a call each day to check on what’s going on as a couple hundred employees count on their jobs for their families. is that so bad?

And it’s an emergency. I would not know what our response would be as it would be an “emergency”. And clearly I’m asking so I’d be good with leaving. He can rent a satellite phone if needed. And I won’t be going by myself so if they don’t go I won’t go. And kids are back in school “sorta” so I can’t take them.

I was just curious what cell service is like on those who lakes. If someone has that answer I’d appreciate that.

Jackfish: "Tell them not to go. "

Best answer yet. Thank you!

Dbor: "

Jackfish: "For the record, the question asked was about cell phone coverage. If they need that, they shouldn't go because cell service can't be expected in the back country.

The satellite phone is clearly an option. However, you'll be on the trip, too. Can the emergency be handled by phone or do they have to drive home? Do you want to cut your trip short because of their work emergency or will they have the ability to paddle out on their own and drive their own vehicle home?"

Thanks for your judgements. I Asked a simple question. I Was not expecting a moderator to discourage people from loving the BW. People with tough jobs are not allowed in the BW?

I’ve gone on dozens of these trips. I know what’s involved. I’m retired so I’m unimportant and love it. Some people cannot unplug that easy. Ever. But they still deserve the right to go to the BW and enjoy it. So what if they have to make a call each day to check on what’s going on as a couple hundred employees count on their jobs for their families. is that so bad?

And it’s an emergency. I would not know what our response would be as it would be an “emergency”. And clearly I’m asking so I’d be good with leaving. He can rent a satellite phone if needed. And I won’t be going by myself so if they don’t go I won’t go. And kids are back in school “sorta” so I can’t take them.

I was just curious what cell service is like on those who lakes. If someone has that answer I’d appreciate that.

"

There are a lot of areas and lakes to go that do have cell phone coverage, outside of the BWCA. Perhaps that would be a better trip for those who are tied to there jobs and cannot unplug from society for a few days? Otherwise, a satellite phone will do the job. They can be rented from a number of outfitter locations across the BWCA servicing area for a small fee... someone that important to their businesses day to day success should be able to afford it from a financial perspective.

Dbor: "I am planning on going up in with a new guy or three in two weeks. They need cellular service for work emergencies or they won’t go. I’m planning an easy trip. Moose Lake to Ensign, or Snowbank to Disappointment.

Last time I was on Ensign the cell service was sketchy. I’ve never stayed on Disappointment so I’m not sure what cell service is like there. Any input on current cell service on those lakes?"

The overall message is that one cannot count on cell service in the BWCA. In early July I posted a similar question regarding cell service on Fourtown. Almost everyone who responded said I will have cell service on Fourtown, especially with my provider (Verizon.) When I got to Fourtown, I had none. Zero. Not even close.

So, if no cell service is a deal killer for your paddle partners, then they should stay home. I don't know how a satellite phone works in terms of porting numbers or being able to get personal and work calls. I assume it can be done with the right phone and the right money. That said, if it's their first time using a sat phone, and they must have phone service, I dunno if I'd want to risk something going wrong in the set up of the phone, and discovering it when I'm in the BWCA.

Mike

Dbor: "Thanks for your judgements. I Asked a simple question. I Was not expecting a moderator to discourage people from loving the BW. People with tough jobs are not allowed in the BW? "

Take it easy, Dbor... you asked a question about cell phone coverage and the need to have it for possible work emergencies. My answer stands as stated because no one should expect cell coverage while in the BW and if it's that important that they stay in communication, then they shouldn't go. They should go to a place with good cell coverage.

The satellite phone option is a good one... if that's enough. My thoughts were that they'd be in the middle of the trip, get an emergency, then have to kill the trip and head home. What fun would that be?

I'm discouraging people from loving the BW? I think people with tough jobs are not allowed in the BW? You can't possibly believe my answer above means that.

If they can get away with using text messaging for work than an Inreach is a very good option. You can pair it with your smart phone for easy typing

Blatz is right: you can synch cell phone with InReach device (uses satellite system) and have fine texting and connectivity, at least compared to older sat phones that we used to use with the Wabakimi Project. You just don't have voice connection. The InReach I used in various parts of the BWCA generally had satellite connection within minutes. And I am pretty much a technology lumphead. Do have your friend test-text the device with his employees before you head to BWCA. That is, if he or you are willing to lay out about 350 for the device, along with fairly minimal monthly charge...

I take my cell phone...more for curiosity and link to my Garmin. However, I do plan to test for service for the hell of it. I have the 66i so I already have texting ability.

The only emergency that would take me out of the BWCA would be a health emergency of a family member (wife or son).

On the trip, next week, we plan to hike up to that peak on Kek trail--its a nice view. Might see if my phone works there...again...just for grins.

My consulting work has had me buried for months...so ready to get AWAY FROM THE THINGS OF MAN! (That is a quote)

i think what people are trying to tell you is that cell service in the BWCA is unreliable. One person may get reception one day and then the next person may not. Because of its patchy and unreliable nature you should probably proceed with your planning with the assumption that there will be no cell service. Based on your original post that would mean staying home.

You could go with a sat phone or inreach and work with that if your friends think thats a workable option. Or you can also look at doing a solo trip while they stay home and tend to emergencies.

The region seems to be better for ATT and T-Mobile, and I usually have had 4-5 bars reliabily on and around Bald Eagle. The new tower (4-5 years?) off the Fernberg Road should made a huge difference. I stopped carrying my phone after that. Use to be for photos. No interest in being in touch.

The Verizon Map indicates very sketchy coverage on Disappointment.

The AT&T Map indicates better coverage on Disappointment.

However, Disappointment is at the limit of their coverage areas.

FWIW, I've never used a cell phone on Disappointment, so I have no personal experience.

For the record, Jackfish wasn't being judgemental, just stated that if cell service was an issue maybe they shouldn't go because it is really sketchy in the BWCA. He was no doubt posting as a regular guy. The fact that he's a moderator is irrelevant. I know the situation as I am a mod on another forum and some people tend to think my answer is forum policy or some such. Generally it's not and if it is I will make it clear that it is. He has done that in cases where needed.

As far as someone mentioned T-Mobile, I would not count on it. I get no service at Sawbill on T-Mobile. In fact I get little to no service in Tofte.

I will try to answer your question, but it’s two years old info. When I’m at LaTourells on moose lake I can only text, no cell service. No cell on New Found or Ensign. Many outfitters rent Satellite phones for the week, I would suggest that in your case.

jhb8426: "
As far as someone mentioned T-Mobile, I would not count on it. I get no service at Sawbill on T-Mobile. In fact I get little to no service in Tofte."

Eastern end does seem to be cell-less. I suspect lower density if permanent residents makes the cost of a tower unprofitable. Just look at Google maps to see buildings along Gunflint corridor versus Fernberg.

Fernberg Road tower is between Farm and east end of Fall so perhaps OP can adjust your travel plans.

I’ll just echo, there is no where you can count on getting cell service for the BWCAW. I can tell you lots of stories about how I got reception on such and such a lake then an hour later nothing the rest of the trip or the next year that area had no coverage.

I don’t think JF's comment was being judgmental, but more informative. If your friend absolutely needs to be touch with work or else... you cannot trust cell reception. I would hate for them to lose their job because they didn’t have reception, but we all told you that you should. You simply cannot trust cell coverage in the BWCAW.

If they can check-in by text, an InReach will work well.

T

All these folks are correct, it's not meant to come off as judgmental but part of the allure of the wilderness is its disconnection from society. If your partners are unable to do this then there are other lakes closer to Ely (South Hegman, for example) that have full coverage and still provide the full beauty of the back country.

I’ve been on Moose and Ensign 4 times this year. I have checked my phone several times and haven’t had enough signal to get a text to go. Fall lake entry Would be a better choice. I’ve had good signal up on Pipestone Bay. I didn’t have any by the Basswood River. Back bay should also have good signal.

Sorry, but I have to support those who have obligations that require them to be somewhat connected always. Though I prefer to have no electronics and to totally get away, I cannot make decisions for others. I know there are people out there with aging parents, ill relatives and, yes, others whose work situations may need their input in an emergency. That does not mean they should be excluded from experiencing that wonderful place called the BWCA.

We have a couple who we regularly go canoeing with. One trip he had a particularly difficult situation at his business. He rented a satellite phone and called in twice a day. He did it discreetly and it had no effect whatsoever on the rest of us and our appreciation for the wilderness. Thanks for listening.

To put it simply,
if you need to stay in contact, either for an emergency or for work, do not rely on cell coverage. It isn't reliable. Either stay outside of the BWCA (though cell coverage can still be spotty even then) or rent a satellite phone.

burgydancer: "Sorry, but I have to support those who have obligations that require them to be somewhat connected always. Though I prefer to have no electronics and to totally get away, I cannot make decisions for others. I know there are people out there with aging parents, ill relatives and, yes, others whose work situations may need their input in an emergency. That does not mean they should be excluded from experiencing that wonderful place called the BWCA.

We have a couple who we regularly go canoeing with. One trip he had a particularly difficult situation at his business. He rented a satellite phone and called in twice a day. He did it discreetly and it had no effect whatsoever on the rest of us and our appreciation for the wilderness. Thanks for listening."

No reason to say sorry, your post essentially echos the majority opinion on this post. I shouldn’t even say opinion. It is just a fact cell coverage is highly variable and unreliable in the BWCAW and another device will be needed to allow someone to go if that is their restriction.

T

We stayed just around the corner from Disappointment last September on Ahsub lake, the campsite just around the corner from the portage. The only way I was able to get any kind of cell service was to walk up on the ridge to the trail and I was able to get enough service to get check weather updates as we had some bad weather come through, and to get a text or 2 out, I may have been able to get a call out possibly, but also, not every time I went up to the ridgetop, I wouldn't always have service, it was pretty spotty. That was with Verizon.