With the reduction, however major or minor it might be, I would like to suggest a new or renamed forum here.

How many would be willing to Permit Pool (this would include "Trip Partner Finder" forum)?

The concept - Two groups would agree on an entry date, general route, timing, etc.
No more than 9 people and 4 watercraft. - Of course!
Permits - One group would have the main permit and the other the travel tag.
Campsite - Groups would have to start and end at an agreed upon area/group of campsites.
Equipment/Food - The groups should be prepared to be self-contained for equipment/food. The groups could agree to share some if that was worked out ahead of time.
Travel - They would not travel have to travel together. There are many places in the BW where two different routes could lead to the same lake/bay/place.
Trip timing - While they would have to start together, they would not necessarily have to end together. There are several routes where a 3-4 day trip could tag on to a 6-8 day trip. The group with the longer trip would need to have the main permit while the auxiliary permit group travels out on their last day.

What say you? Would you be willing to give a Permit-pool trip a try?

Doesn't one permit allow you to occupy only one campsite for everyone on the permit? Every day of the trip?

lindylair: "Doesn't one permit allow you to occupy only one campsite for everyone on the permit? Every day of the trip?"

Yep. That’s my understanding.

I think that’s what they are aiming at. And it can be harder than one imagines to meet up as planned, especially if the desired campsites are full. I suggest a planned meeting point, not at a campsite, each day.

We’ve done trips that started together but one group left early and also joining up toward the end of a trip. The former is easy. The latter did work out and was fun too. Not sure I would do this with strangers, but that shouldn’t stop others.

Not camping together is not really an option per the rules and regulations. One permit is for one site, one group. If your not sticking together as a group site usage wise get two permits. Then you have the flexibility to do what you describe. Part of a group can leave early but it can’t include the leader (permit holder).




BWCA rules and regulations

This certainly appears to be illegal unless you share a campsite each night. All members on a single permit must occupy a single campsite. Also seems high risk if one or more people needs to alter their entry date by a day or two since everyone still has to enter on the specified entry day. Not sure I would plan a trip for several months from half way across the country and rely on a complete stranger to stick with the exact same plan. It may work for some. I'm extremely flexible and it doesn't really matter to me when I enter or where I enter so I'm in a different group. I also tend to trip in September when it's much less crowded. I have never once ever had all the permits pulled at the EP that I have used on the date that I have entered.

They wrote, “ Campsite - Groups would have to start and end at an agreed upon area/group of campsites.”

I think they mean: Campsite - Groups would have to start and end at an agreed upon area/group of campsites each day and pick a campsite to use together.

andym: "They wrote, “ Campsite - Groups would have to start and end at an agreed upon area/group of campsites.”


I think they mean: Campsite - Groups would have to start and end at an agreed upon area/group of campsites each day and pick a campsite to use together. "

Yes. This.

I am aware of the 1 permit/1 campsite regulation.

Ok I Think I get what you are suggesting. But, don't they list the number of people on a permit when you register? That number wouldn't match

Canoearoo: "Ok I Think I get what you are suggesting. But, don't they list the number of people on a permit when you register? That number wouldn't match"

Why would they (FS) care if there were fewer? They only want to make sure you paid for the largest number in your party. Yes, if the two parties equal 8 people, you would have to pay for the 8. But after 5 days, if 2-3 people tap out to an entry, so what?

Canoearoo: "Ok I Think I get what you are suggesting. But, don't they list the number of people on a permit when you register? That number wouldn't match"

Why would they (FS) care if there were fewer? They only want to make sure you paid for the largest number in your party. Yes, if the two parties equal 8 people, you would have to pay for the 8. But after 5 days, if 2-3 people tap out to an entry, so what?

Yes, I understand the logistics of meeting later in the day could be tricky, but I think it could be managed. Meet at an island. A portage end. The earliest group could scope out and claim a campsite and meet the second group at a pre-arranged spot. This saves the second group from paddling the entire lake looking for the first.

How would this be different than a "group solo"? I understand that with most group solos everyone has their own permit. But, if you are planning at staying in the same campsites (while traveling separately), why not pull only one permit and travel on the travel/day trip stubs?

Group leader can be pre-arranged for a person in the group staying the longest.

I know, there can always be the unexpected: an injury, a wrong turn, weather, etc. But, I think with a little planning, you should be able to allow for these contingencies.

And I know that traveling with "strangers" can bring on anxiety, but you are just as likely to make new lifelong friends, too.

I am not familiar with BWCA regulations and permitting, so don't really understand this discussion. What are we trying to save or accomplish here??

I agree that we haven’t worried about it when we’ve had people leave early. I think that could easily be explained of our permit got checked.

And I agree that you might well make new friends. Still not likely to be my thing.

bobbernumber3: "I am not familiar with BWCA regulations and permitting, so don't really understand this discussion. What are we trying to save or accomplish here??"

In a nutshell, multiple groups on one permit.

This seems like it would be a nightmare

RatherbeDuffing: "This seems like it would be a nightmare"

Agreed.

While I think the proposal is no doubt well intentioned, it sounds way more complicated than its worth. My personal experience over the last 20 years is when traveling in groups of 4 or more people many times plans change mid-trip for a variety of reasons, sometimes under contentious circumstances even amongst the best of friends. I can't imagine "negotiating" these types of changes with folks I've only met. And yes, since you have to camp together on the same site every night you will end up traveling together most of the time.

There is already the Trip Partner Forum that can be used for finding others to trip with, though it appears infrequently used. And of course people use the primary forums (Trip Planning and Listening Point) to make connections with others on a number of topics. As such, I'm not so sure what more an additional forum like the one being proposed by the OP would really bring. Personally, I wouldn't be inclined to use it.

FYI the data from the recently posted survey (link below) indicates most (90%) get the permit they want, both date and EP. So with a little planning and forethought anyone should be able to find something that works for them.

2021 survey data posted by Adam

Call me antisocial but no way would I trip with someone I don't know.