I confess that;

1) I travel solo without any form of communication.

2) I travel in a kayak.

3) I always bring a hatchet.

4) I sleep in a tent with an innie AND an outie.

5) I go forth with the optimism that I will maintain dry feet (but never do).

6) I eat food out of a bag “cooked” with hot water.

7) I have forfeited a trip this year to focus on work….

With all of my weaknesses, I have embraced each trip to the fullest. And my love of canoe country has grown with the addition of this community and the diverse collection of experience, knowledge and advice that lives and breaths here.

Here’s to you!!

JW

Good on ya! I learned a long time ago not to judge other people's camping styles. "Hike your own hike" is the backpacking community's mantra. Maybe "Canoe your own route" should be ours. Many people camp in the way that makes them feel good, fits with their budget and time constraints, and aligns with their risk/reward comfort level. All of those factors might be different then mine, but as long as you're getting out, then good for you.

Paddle your own trip and I won't judge you! (And no confession necessary.) Try to get me to paddle your trip and I'll probably resist on some points...

TZ

In the running community, it's called "run your own race."

I appreciate hearing about your style...no confession necessary. I also don't bring any type of communication when I solo. I do have my phone to use as a camera, but I've never received a signal sufficient to use to reach anyone.

I also don't mind freeze-dried and eating out of the bag. Freeze dried food has come a long long way from when I was introduced to it in the 80s. Then the only choices were chili mac, turkey tetrazzini, and "stroganoff."

I think we probably all do things, especially on solos, that might make others say "hmmmm..." I confess that sometimes I sleep late on solos. Once on Lower Pauness, I woke up really late but waited to get out of the tent until a passing canoe was out of sight because I was afraid of being judged!

Mike

Minnesotian: "
Good on ya! I learned a long time ago not to judge other people's camping styles. "Hike your own hike" is the backpacking community's mantra. Maybe "Canoe your own route" should be ours. Many people camp in the way that makes them feel good, fits with their budget and time constraints, and aligns with their risk/reward comfort level. All of those factors might be different then mine, but as long as you're getting out, then good for you. "

Spot on Minnesotian. With the obvious addition, of course, to respect nature and fellow campers.

I think the OP was seeking confessions and I will offer a couple, no judgement involved.
1. I use a double blade paddle even when in a tandem.
2. Sometimes when "bored" I process firewood justifying the next group will appreciate, so yes, a hatchet and saw.
3. I sleep in a hammock although that is becoming acceptable.
4. I don't fish in a fishing paradise.

I hope no amends are necessary.

HYOH.

I confess that I will likely continue to use a blue food barrel and not hang it.

bhouse46: "
1. I use a double blade paddle even when in a tandem.
"

Interesting, and something I've never even considered.

I do love one when in a kayak or a solo...so now you've got my wheels spinning...

Sounds a lot like "I'm a man, I can change, if I have too, I guess" Red Green.

Having a style that works for you is what is important.

I too have a confession that raises some hackles. I sleep in a tent without an innie or an outie. (gasp!)

Kayak?...no wonder you are confessing.. I'm afraid the strain was more than he could bear. :)

more than he could bear

cmanimal's confession got me to thinking too, as I also don't have an innie nor outie in my tent.

I confess that I:
1. store my ursack of food in a roll-top drybag and hang it
2. set up my tent under a tarp and forgo the rainfly that night.
3. or set up my tarp partially over the fireplace
4. make my own dehydrated meals and cook using only hot water, usually in plastic bags
5. get early starts, usually shooting for being on the water by 6:30am
6. whistling, usually an obscure earworm of a song that you can't quite name
7. Dryfooting it with a pair of Dryshod boots
8. bring a small speaker for podcasts and music, especially on solo trips

Mine may be slightly ungermane since it wasn't in the BWCA.
I cut down a Joshua Tree on a wildfire one time, it was toast before the blade bit into it and it was not in the NP.

JimmyJustice: "Kayak?...no wonder you are confessing.. I'm afraid the strain was more than he could bear. :)


more than he could bear "

Clicked on the link but wanted me to download something so I passed...but was it a clip, by chance, from the movie Tombstone? Val Kilmer(Doc holliday) showdown?

LindenTree: "Mine may be slightly ungermane since it wasn't in the BWCA.
I cut down a Joshua Tree on a wildfire one time, it was toast before the blade bit into it and it was not in the NP."

Ha!

Now, to confession:

Forgive me, Adam, for I have sinned. My last confession was about fifty years ago.

I confess I'm scared sleeping alone the first two or three nights before I acclimate to the nighttime racket.

I confess I sometimes poop on flat rocks when I'm away from camp. However, I'm one of many to poop there, for flat rocks are the privies of the wilderness for critters.

I confess that I sometimes use soap to take a bath in the water. It's biodegradable and since I'm on Crown Land and the only one on the lake, it's legal and I hope the lake can take it.

I confess that it's not easy for me to kill a fish.

I confess that I want to follow Quetico Mike into the wilderness, wait until he's about to cast, push him into the water, and then cast right where he was about to cast.

I'm confess that I'm afraid of the day I'll be too old to paddle.

JW you are describing me, all except for the part about the kayak.

I confess that I tell my wife I’m planning a trip for five days but in reality I’m planning a trip for seven days.

I confess I

-don’t stay as hydrated as I should on the 1st day while pushing to get in as far as we can.
-bring a mirror (on the compass) to apply facial sunscreen and fix my long hair.
- bring enough clean socks & unders to change daily, but don’t always do so.
- don’t measure the liquid that disappears while dehydrating meals, so I use the “cover with water, add more as needed” method of rehydrating. Drives hubby crazy.
-takes me a couple nights before I stop lying awake all night listening for Sasquatch.
-I put worms on a hook but I refuse to touch leaches. That’s what husbands are for.
-check the time early in the morning so I don’t get out of bed too early, especially if traveling with others.
-I overpack food, 1st aid, TP, clothes, plan for all what ifs.

I promise to do better this year!

Great thread.

I confess:

1) I have hidden my husbands hatchet so he couldn't bring it
2) Prefer an innie for my solo tent and an outie in bigger tents...some things are hard to explain
3) Think campfires are overrated
4) Tease my husband for bringing so many clothes
5) LOVE the feeling of putting on wet socks and boots every morning. Not joking, I love it!
6) I am an ounce fanatic, but it has allowed me to single portage on solo trips which is very freeing.
7) Skinny dip whenever possible.
8) Prefer using a soaking jar rather than a plastic baggie for meal prep with boiling water. I find eating out of a plastic bag to be disgusting.
9) I tolerate fishing only because my husband gets such joy from it.
10) Think a GPS and a weather radio are a waste of space
11) I have been known to seriously under pack TP
12) Hate paddling bow


Have a great day everyone!

I confess

When on a solo I talk to myself out loud - a lot!

Although I like soloing I enjoy the company of others when tripping.

I sometimes let the stress of finding a campsite ruin my first day. (Trying very hard to work on this)

Absolutely love processing firewood and think my nightly fire is one of my favorite things about being in BW

I enjoy sipping a bourbon in front of said fire (sometimes more than I should)

I am a hammock guy and will probably never sleep in a tent again unless absolutely necessary

I usually wash my hair once each trip but never in lake and with biodegradable soap away from the water. It just feels good to have clean hair.

I confess to many of the same things above...here are my unique confessions:

1) Bringing my full-size regular pillow but packing inflatable pillows for my daughters
2) Not being able to sleep because I can't stop thinking about my next trip
3) Eating most of my home dehydrated fruit leather before I leave thus having to buy nasty store stuff
4) Love washing my hair in the woods nearly every day before bed
5) Bring leeches even though I prefer topwater fishing and end up doing mostly that
6) Bring a sound recorder to capture the pure sounds of the wilderness to listen to while not in the wilderness - usually at night to put me to sleep or relax but it usually keeps me up thinking about my next trip
7) Pretend I'm on a trip and "practice" with a piece of gear nearly every day - yep, knife still works to sharpen that stick...time to leave for the bwca!
8) Willingly carry one of my daughters (nameless in this forum unless she wants to confess!) from the canoe to the landing so she can always dryfoot!
9) Miss my wife terribly while tripping but eternally grateful she's supportive of my time away and coming on her first BWCA trip this summer!
10) Love to read trips reports and threads about canoe trips and only recently taking the time to share my thoughts...and very grateful for the positive, collegial, and kind community found in bwca canoe paddling circles despite undoubtedly very unique backgrounds

I confess...

I hate using the ranger box. I would much rather hike back and dig a hole. Don't worry you won't step in it. I take care of my s..t, I'm OCD about that.

I have bathed in the lake with soap. Not anymore though

I have a hard time going from the woods to the office. It pisses me off

I am seriously wanting to pack up and move North

This thread has made me more obsessed with my trip planning for my June trip. (Sorry honey and kids)

I've enjoyed reading about people's idiosyncracies.

Well, I have a few, too:

I confess:
1) I bring a 12x7 tackle box, plus another 4x3 box, plus several bags of plastics but almost always use the same 2 lures for the entire trip. I consciously have to cut off and tie on something else (usually when the fishing is at a lull) just to justify bringing all that stuff.
2) I use a kayak paddle while soloing in a canoe and store a canoe paddle for light maneuvering while fishing.
3) I have buried uncooked walleye fillets. We were too full.
4) I have stepped over trace on portages because it's too hard to bend over and pick it up under weight of canoe and pack.
5) though I covet a nice CCS tarp, I always bring a large 'Menards' tarp to hang over the kitchen close to the fire. (Love to smell it in the 'off' season!)
6) I have steered clear of large chunks of the bwca due to 1) only lake trout in the lakes - no smallies, and 2) previous forest fires. I'd like to visit burn areas, but not for the whole trip.

missmolly: "I've enjoyed reading about people's idiosyncracies. "

Right!! Outstanding for sure, and good times…

I confess:

I dance pretty much anywhere and anytime I feel like it. Whether people, wolves, or pine marten are watching, I don't mind. In my playlist is Lady Gaga's "Born this Way".

when people yap at me, and all that is required is passive listening, I stare at their noses and travel to the wilderness in my mind. It looks like eye contact.

one of my biggest fears is an angry, drunk man, especially if he has access to a gas engine.

one of my biggest admirations is a man who reaches out to help me learn a skillset that women aren't socialized to learn. In return, I will teach him to knit and make lefse. This forum is full of men I admire, and women too.

My confessions

1. I deep 6 my fish guts or feed the eagles
2. I don’t alway tie my canoe down at night
3. I don’t leave an itinerary, just a general plan but carry an inreach
4. My first aid kit is smaller than my tackle box
5. I sleep with food in my tent.
6. No innie or outie
7. Rise early, nap at lunch and stay up late
8. I love my double blade

Hears mine.
#1 Except for my ancient Old Town canoe I don't believe I own one piece of "name brand" gear. I'm not cheap just financially challenged.
#2 I have no idea what you're talking about regarding "innie and outtie"
#3 I enjoy fishing but hate to clean fish so I don't eat fish.
#4 I have read every trip report on the forum. I think.
#5 Enjoy night time fires and always leave wood and kindling for the next guy.
#6 I pack out small trash others leave behind but draw the line at heavy or smelly things. These get sanitized in the fire, crushed and buried.

lindylair: "

JimmyJustice: "Kayak?...no wonder you are confessing.. I'm afraid the strain was more than he could bear. :)



more than he could bear "

Clicked on the link but wanted me to download something so I passed...but was it a clip, by chance, from the movie Tombstone? Val Kilmer(Doc holliday) showdown?"

Yup. linked worked for me. Oh well.

merlyn: " Hears mine.
#1 Except for my ancient Old Town canoe I don't believe I own one piece of "name brand" gear. I'm not cheap just financially challenged.
#2 I have no idea what you're talking about regarding "innie and outtie"
#3 I enjoy fishing but hate to clean fish so I don't eat fish.
#4 I have read every trip report on the forum. I think.
#5 Enjoy night time fires and always leave wood and kindling for the next guy.
#6 I pack out small trash others leave behind but draw the line at heavy or smelly things. These get sanitized in the fire, crushed and buried.
"

+1 on #2 - what the heck is that? I feel so uneducated. Lol
Love this post!

I confess:
1. I wear (comfy) cotton on a trip, sometimes including jeans
2. I still use and like my aluminum canoe
3. I fish with a closed-faced reel--have never used an open face spinning reel
4. I've never worn Keens or Tivas and probably never will
5. I rudder more than I j-stroke when paddling from the stern
6. I bring in fresh food like steaks, potatoes and apples--at least for the first day
7. Sometimes bottles of beer, too, if we can find anything that comes in plastic and still has a chance that we can choke it down
8. I bring in about ten times the fishing tackle I really need or actually use
9. I expend significant effort to keep my tootsies dry at the ends of the portage
10. Seeing how much others enjoy their BWCA trips or thinking how I have and will enjoy mine sometimes moves me to tears

PeaceFrog: "

merlyn: " Hears mine.
#1 Except for my ancient Old Town canoe I don't believe I own one piece of "name brand" gear. I'm not cheap just financially challenged.
#2 I have no idea what you're talking about regarding "innie and outtie"
#3 I enjoy fishing but hate to clean fish so I don't eat fish.
#4 I have read every trip report on the forum. I think.
#5 Enjoy night time fires and always leave wood and kindling for the next guy.
#6 I pack out small trash others leave behind but draw the line at heavy or smelly things. These get sanitized in the fire, crushed and buried.
"

+1 on #2 - what the heck is that? I feel so uneducated. Lol
Love this post!"

Clue #1... we’re not talking belly buttons! Haha.

I’d make confessions, but the list would bore you all!

I confess:

I take socks. Love putting on dry socks at the end of the day.

I swim naked a lot and when floating on my back hum the 'shark is coming' tune from Jaws.

I once peed in the water while swimming. I know it's leave no trace but I swear I couldn't see it afterwards...so no trace?

nctry: "

PeaceFrog: "

merlyn: " Hears mine.
#1 Except for my ancient Old Town canoe I don't believe I own one piece of "name brand" gear. I'm not cheap just financially challenged.
#2 I have no idea what you're talking about regarding "innie and outtie"
#3 I enjoy fishing but hate to clean fish so I don't eat fish.
#4 I have read every trip report on the forum. I think.
#5 Enjoy night time fires and always leave wood and kindling for the next guy.
#6 I pack out small trash others leave behind but draw the line at heavy or smelly things. These get sanitized in the fire, crushed and buried.
"

+1 on #2 - what the heck is that? I feel so uneducated. Lol
Love this post!"

Clue #1... we’re not talking belly buttons! Haha.


I’d make confessions, but the list would bore you all!"

Wait! What? We're not talking about belly buttons??? All these years, I've been a vociferous advocate of innies too, largely because they're a great place to store tiny gear.

bottomtothetap: "10. Seeing how much others enjoy their BWCA trips or thinking how I have and will enjoy mine sometimes moves me to tears "

+1. This. Well said.

Nctry and missmolly you are killing me. Good times! I was pretty confident it wasn’t a bellybutton reference. Lol Maybe the answer will be exposed during the Wingnight on Sunday.

PF

JillPine's post leads me to another confession:

I confess that the story a bwca.com-er told a couple times here sticks with me and scares me. It was about a couple guys who tried to land at his campsite. They had a full-sized ax in their boat and something else that was creepy . . . a chain? A thick rope? And the bwca.com-er told them "No" and kick-pushed their boat away from the shore. That story scares me. The man who told it wasn't alone and in Canada. I'm often alone in Canada. I just don't think I'd have the surety and quickness of thought to do what he did, which was the right thing, and then those two men would be on the shore, in my camp, and there'd be no more Miss Molly at bwca.com or anywhere.

I further confess that the story I told here, about the lights flashing the prime numbers off my island campsite, sticks in my craw. I wasn't scared then. I returned to the lake alone and wasn't scared that time too, but I'm pretty certain that the world isn't just strip malls and subdivisions, that the boundaries drawn on plat maps and by nations don't keep The Twilight Zone out.

Sorry for the change in mood, PeaceFrog.

No apology needed missmolly. I’m glad you shared/confessed.

Regards - PF

treehorn: "I confess that I will likely continue to use a blue food barrel and not hang it."

+1 brotha

treehorn: "I confess that I will likely continue to use a blue food barrel and not hang it."

+1

I Confess…

1. That my favorite trips are my solo trips. I’m almost always the trip leader on group trips and it’s great to go solo when I don’t have to feel any responsibility for everyone’s level of enjoyment.

2. That I never bring a spare paddle on trips. I will probably live to regret that one.

3. That I have lost a stringer of walleyes off the back of the canoe.

Tony

Continued:

8) I hate walking back to the thunder box in the middle of the night. Before I crawl in for the night, I make darn sure my bladder is empty and I am good to go until morning.

9) If there is one item in my food bag I could not trip without, it is coffee. If for some mysterious reason I woke up to find my coffee missing, I do believe it would end my trip. Coffee during a BWCA morning is something special. It just is.


JW

JWilder: "Before I crawl in for the night, I make darn sure my bladder is empty and I am good to go until morning."

Your BioMachinery works differently than mine...for me, this is UnPossible.

JWilder: "I confess that;

1) I travel solo without any form of communication.
I can yell - so I have communication.

2) I travel in a kayak.
What's a kayak?

3) I always bring a hatchet.
Never have - never will. That's what saws are for.

4) I sleep in a tent with an innie AND an outie.
I think I slept in a tent once this century.

5) I go forth with the optimism that I will maintain dry feet (but never do).
I know I'm gonna get soaked.

6) I eat food out of a bag “cooked” with hot water.
Check.

7) I have forfeited a trip this year to focus on work….
I'm tired of workin'. Let's go canoeing all the time.

JW"

I confess:
1. We always take 1 more big pack than we probably really need.
2. Taking 2 full loaves of bread for 2 people. See above.
3. Being a really bad stern paddler. I usually choose the wrong side of the canoe to paddle on when quickly needing to change course, ending us up fully immersed in canoe sucking reeds, getting stuck on a tree root on the bank with current making it impossible to back up without scaling the bank and lining it out and broadsiding a branchy snag in the middle of a river with a snake sunning itself on it. Fortunately the snake just gave us a dirty look and chose the water exit. Thus, I have been banned from stern paddling.
4. Frolicking in the woods while people were offshore looking to see if the campsite is occupied. Nuff said.
5. Enjoying less than perfect photos as long as they are interesting.
6. Being too insecure in my own abilities to ever go solo. See #3 above.
7. Not appreciating enough the work that goes into moderating a site like this. Just monitoring for 2 days for replies to the What Lake is This quiz was difficult. Much love and admiration for all you do!
I've never been religious, but see the value in confession for reflection's sake. I often doubt that it changes much though. I'll probably still take 2 loaves of bread next time. I love a good sandwich.

This is a stellar thread! I confess:
Twenty five years after quitting, the only time I still miss a smoke is around the campfire.
I took myself way too seriously as a trip leader and am relieved to be mostly retired from that role.
I rarely fish but am happy if others do.
I’m never scared at night but have had a strange dread come over me on solo portages.
I’m known as Mr. over-the-counter and would be useful if you ever needed a benadryl, loperamide or psuedoephedrine.
The worst case of poison ivy I’ve ever had started on my butt and spread from there.
I’m more likely to be spooked on flat, clear water than in rollers. I’ve been hit by vertigo floating quietly along when I can see down too deep.
I get a lot colder than I used to and hate that more than losing strength and agility with age.
I can have exceptional moments of clarity, creativity and problem solving in the backcountry but can never seem to recreate them back home.
The perfect gear and route and trip is whatever brings you home happy and safe.
Old dogs do learn new tricks and I thank you fine fellow paddlers for teaching them to me.

I confess.....
I gave in and bought a pair of Crocs tonight for when in camp. Never thought I would own a pair

-I plan trips and invite others, all the while knowing I'll be going solo (due to the route and time of year more often than not).
-I too sink my fish remains (well away/downstream from any camp)
-I start sipping my whiskey on the water (certain days). Other days it might be brandy.
-Once drank a single beer out of an aluminum can (did not bring or know about it beforehand, but sure enjoyed the hell out of it)
-On occasion, I have benefitted more from the woodpile gnomes than have paid my respect in return (always leave enough for an emergency)
-I have witheld fishing and location information from others who I've deemed annoying
-Missed out on howling wolves because I was listening to headphones (still pissed about this one but am confident the next time will come)

These things, I am somewhat sorry for, and will seek to do better in the future (no promises).

PeaceFrog: "I confess.....
I gave in and bought a pair of Crocs tonight for when in camp. Never thought I would own a pair"

I gave in last year. Better than the cheap tennis shoes I was using (the soles were too thin for stepping on stones & they got wet).

4keys: "

PeaceFrog: "I confess.....
I gave in and bought a pair of Crocs tonight for when in camp. Never thought I would own a pair"

I gave in last year. Better than the cheap tennis shoes I was using (the soles were too thin for stepping on stones & they got wet). "

Lol! Two years ago for me. Always gave my kids and grandkids a hard time for wearing things that could come off so easily. Now Papa is part of the Croc Crowd! Easy on, easy off.

Well the Crocs showed up today. I put them on when I took my work boots off. They feel kinda strange but like how light they are. Perfect for packing as light as possible

PeaceFrog: "Well the Crocs showed up today. I put them on when I took my work boots off. They feel kinda strange but like how light they are. Perfect for packing as light as possible "

They will fit nicely into the voids of your pack…

PeaceFrog: "I confess.....
I gave in and bought a pair of Crocs tonight for when in camp. Never thought I would own a pair"

I caved a couple of years ago. Wait until you go for a swim with them on! I sink like a rock in water, especially my lower half, I can’t back float for the life of me. Crocs change that, now I can float around out from camp because the crocs keep my lower half buoyant. Unexpected bonus. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a different camp shoe for summer trips. Now I just need to convert my wife into a believer.

Tony

I should rename this thread “The Croc Confessions” :)

I should confess. I too, travel with crocs. Even at home I have a pair by the front door AND a pair by the back door. For convenience of course…


JW

JWilder: "I should rename this thread “The Croc Confessions” :)"

Lol. I don't know why I felt so compelled to confess it but just felt like the right thing to do. My wife and kids have had them for years and love them. I resisted as long as I could. Just set in my ways a bit I guess. I like the tip on floatation Gopher Adventure. I know digress and someone else can confess. Cheers to all and stay warm up North. PF

I confess:
#1 I did a search for ' innie AND an outie tent' with no success

HayRiverDrifter: "I confess:
#1 I did a search for ' innie AND an outie tent' with no success"

groundcloth is the key search word you are missing

HayRiverDrifter: "I confess:
#1 I did a search for ' innie AND an outie tent' with no success"

HayRiverDrifter...Innie is a sheet on the inside floor of a tent. Outie is using a sheet on the ground outside of the tent. LOTS of discussions about the topic and who prefers innie, outie, both, or neither. :)

I confess I can never wear crocs,I poked too much fun at my brother in law about his being “little girl shoes” cuz when we were kids the only comparable thing was jellies that only the girls wore.I know it’s quite sexist but........they probably match his lipstick,haha!

YetiJedi: "

HayRiverDrifter: "I confess:
#1 I did a search for ' innie AND an outie tent' with no success"

HayRiverDrifter...Innie is a sheet on the inside floor of a tent. Outie is using a sheet on the ground outside of the tent. LOTS of discussions about the topic and who prefers innie, outie, both, or neither. :)"

Ahh Master. This I now have learned. I shall try an innie on my next venture.
Jedi - wise you are

PeaceFrog: "

Ahh Master. This I now have learned. I shall try an innie on my next venture.
Jedi - wise you are"

LOL! Reading the threads on this topic is informative and certainly reveals the multiple and dynamic personal approaches people take on their trips. As for wisdom, my username is aspirational on both accounts!

I have been madder then a wet hen at base campers when I couldn’t get a campsite 1st night in and last night out, maybe even cussed a little!

This is fun to read!!!
I'll bite
I confess that I love to travel solo but am really freaked out the first night in camp.
I confess that I prefer a wood straight blade paddle to a carbon fiber bent shaft.
I confess that I hate to poop on the thunderbox and prefer cat hole pooping
I confess that I always bring a hatchet.
I confess that I hate wetfooting and always manage dry feet.
I confess that I always carry 2 bottles of coke in my pack for emergencies.
I confess that I never cook over a fire because I'm anal about sooty pots and pans
I confess that I like to listen to the radio while I eat dinner.
There it is... I've bared my soul

I’ve base camped on the first nice campsite available!

I confess...
After 45 or more trips to canoe country I am no closer to single portaging than I ever was...probably further away.

As we have aged we do more of the dreaded and scorned basecamp trips

On those trips we have on occasion (ooh this hurts) triple portaged. That was my partner's idea, I wasn't enthused about it.

We probably bring 30% of our food back home with us...every trip.

I probably only wear 50% of the clothing I bring...every trip(this depends a little bit on conditions)

I took the boy scout oath of be prepared too literally and have redundancy built into almost everything. At least two flashlights. One headlamp, maybe a lighted hat. A couple knives. Batteries to back up the lights I will never use. Two stoves(my buddy brings a third). One being a small butane stove, one being a twig stove - I use it at least one every trip because I brought it.

Although i have pared this back a lot...i used to bring 3 fishing rods/reels(now two, just in case) Also bring way too much tackle, probably use 20% of the tackle I bring.

We are avid photographers and with digital cameras there is no harm in taking lots of shots. But we have been known to take over 1000 shots on a 4-5 day trip. Sometimes 8-10 shots of the same dang thing:( Still only get 10-15 really good shots per trip.

The first 41 or so trips up there were without chairs. Wouldn't go up there now without one.

Despite good intentions of doing a lot of fishing out in the canoe, I probably do 75% of my fishing form the campsite. It's has actually worked pretty well.

I am 66 years old and still going. These days we usually paddle in a half to 3/4 of a day and setup basecamp. Sometimes we move once. This is what we like to do and we enjoy it. Figure we have earned it. I don't feel the least bit guilty about it.

I confess I have eaten at least a dozen muskies, all from the same lake. Unfortunately, to reach that lake, you have to cross four lakes, two portages with trails, two portages without trails, and one swamp, which means you can't carry much food, which means you have to eat the only fish in the lake, i.e. muskies. And even the small ones are big fish, so you end up gorging, which isn't fun, and then you're so sick of eating muskies that you go hungry rather than eat another one.

lindylair: "I confess...
After 45 or more trips to canoe country I am no closer to single portaging than I ever was...probably further away.


As we have aged we do more of the dreaded and scorned basecamp trips


On those trips we have on occasion (ooh this hurts) triple portaged. That was my partner's idea, I wasn't enthused about it.


We probably bring 30% of our food back home with us...every trip.


I probably only wear 50% of the clothing I bring...every trip(this depends a little bit on conditions)


I took the boy scout oath of be prepared too literally and have redundancy built into almost everything. At least two flashlights. One headlamp, maybe a lighted hat. A couple knives. Batteries to back up the lights I will never use. Two stoves(my buddy brings a third). One being a small butane stove, one being a twig stove - I use it at least one every trip because I brought it.


Although i have pared this back a lot...i used to bring 3 fishing rods/reels(now two, just in case) Also bring way too much tackle, probably use 20% of the tackle I bring.


We are avid photographers and with digital cameras there is no harm in taking lots of shots. But we have been known to take over 1000 shots on a 4-5 day trip. Sometimes 8-10 shots of the same dang thing:( Still only get 10-15 really good shots per trip.


The first 41 or so trips up there were without chairs. Wouldn't go up there now without one.


Despite good intentions of doing a lot of fishing out in the canoe, I probably do 75% of my fishing form the campsite. It's has actually worked pretty well.


I am 66 years old and still going. These days we usually paddle in a half to 3/4 of a day and setup basecamp. Sometimes we move once. This is what we like to do and we enjoy it. Figure we have earned it. I don't feel the least bit guilty about it. "

I think I can identify why you have to double and (ouch) triple-portage. :-)