We had two members of our party drop out of the trip due to smoke sensitivity. Do I need to bother truing up the reservation by removing them and reducing the canoe count?

One of the party members is the alternate leader, if that makes any difference.

Declare an alternate leader when you pick up your permit. You can also change party size at that time. No need to do it before you leave, especially considering the wonkyness and problematic nature of the Recreation.gov website.

Mike

Thanks!

S

Alternate leader(s) must be named when reserving the permit. The leader and any alternates named at that time may pick up the permit. If none of those persons are present, the permit is void.

That said, a difference in the number of participants at permit issue from when it was reserved is of no concern. You can reserve for two and show up with nine -- or vice versa -- and the proper payment will be charged/refunded and permit printed out accordingly.

Just don't surprise your outfitter with additional needs when you show up; communicate with them any known changes in roster ASAP so that they can distribute their resources accordingly - eg. bunk room space, number of rental canoes needed, etc.

Thanks -- I did email Seagull right away after we heard about the change in our needs. I was concerned that having a named alternate leader drop out would be an issue but sounds like it's not.

NordSteve: "Thanks -- I did email Seagull right away after we heard about the change in our needs. I was concerned that having a named alternate leader drop out would be an issue but sounds like it's not."

Great. As long as you are going as the originally named Leader, all's well.

And, congratulations on picking an eastern BWCAW entry, away from the closures.

Yeah feeling good about that. Listening to the webcast tonight I left thinking it would take quite a bit of rain for the west end to reopen.