I have two friends who are not near me, but are interested in making a trip to the BWCA or Quetico. What book or reading material would you suggest as a starting point? I have already sent them a subscription to the BWJ, but I thought a more in-depth primer might be better?

Thanks for your suggestions.

MB

Go to You tube and look up the three videos from the forest service and have them watch those. These will give them some visual insight into the BWCA.

I'd plan out a weekly email and include a picture from previous trips you have made. Make each week a mini-topic regarding things to see and do, prepare, pack, or be ready for. Keep it short and let them ask questions... keep the conversation going.

Your BWJ idea sounds great!

I like to hand out copies of Robert Beymer's Western or Eastern Regions:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region

I like that it gives area history, things to pack, and not pack, and the difficulty of routes, as well as future options.

I've used Cliff Jacobson's Guide, Beymer's Guides, and Pauly's Exploring the Boundary Waters. I have, of course, also referred them here.

At one time I had sent so many emails to different family and friends that I consolidated a lot of it into summary documents about what the BW was, the rules/regs/LNT, the process to plan a trip, route plan, the weather, gear, food, clothing needed, gear checklists, the travel/portaging, answers to questions people had asked. A lot of general information and sometimes trip specific information. Travel to MN, accommodations, outfitters.

It practically amounts to a book ;). When someone wants information now, it's a lot simpler to send a WORD document, then answer any questions it raises.

I really appreciated reading Cliff Jacobsen's "BWCA Canoe Camping" book before my first trip. I also read through a bunch of Beymer's Guides the night before. But I had longer to read Cliff's book and have also sent it to people who were coming with us for the first time. We don't do everything his way but he gives a great, well organized overview.

Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.
Canoe Country Camping

Boundry Waters and Quetico Fishing Quide

MB,

On the more esoteric side, The Singing Wilderness by Sigurd Olson. Those other suggestions will tell them where to go and how to go. This one will tell them why to go. But you probably already know that. ; )

pd

dschult2: "Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.
Canoe Country Camping


Boundry Waters and Quetico Fishing Quide "

+1

MidwestFirecraft: "I like to hand out copies of Robert Beymer's Western or Eastern Regions:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region


I like that it gives area history, things to pack, and not pack, and the difficulty of routes, as well as future options. "

+1

dschult2: "Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.> Furtman's book Canoe Country Camping apparently is out of print and only available on the used market.

Exploring the Boundary Waters by Daniel Pauly for an introduction to the BWCA and information about each entry point and suggested trip routes.

For a primer on canoe camping, I'd recommend Canoeing & Camping: Beyond the Basics by Cliff Jacobson.

MossBack: "

dschult2: "Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.> Furtman's book Canoe Country Camping apparently is out of print and only available on the used market.

"

Well that's too bad but I wouldn't let that deter me from buying a copy if all I could find was used. I've bought plenty of used books in the past with good results.

I enjoyed Pauly’s book on Exploring the Boundary Waters and Furtman’s BW and Quetico Fishing Guide. I believe you can still buy Canoe Country Camping directly from Furtman’s personal website

A book called 'Canoeing with the Cree' is a great read.

The book might help them want a canoe adventure.

andym: "I really appreciated reading Cliff Jacobsen's "BWCA Canoe Camping" book before my first trip. I also read through a bunch of Beymer's Guides the night before. But I had longer to read Cliff's book and have also sent it to people who were coming with us for the first time. We don't do everything his way but he gives a great, well organized overview."

+1
That's what helped get me started.

When I started in the 80s Bob Cary's book, Cliff Jacobson and Furtman all pointed me the right direction

There are many great books listed above. Canoeing with the Cree was an epic read. Many of the technical books about how to go and where to go from Beymer, Furtman, Jacobson, etc. are great too. But if you want to really stir the emotion and imagination of your tripping partners, get them to read a few of Sigurd Olson's books.

The Singing Wilderness is the most popular and a wonderful book but there are also several others including Listening Point, Reflections from the North Country, Of Time and Place, Runes of the North and The Lonely Land, all of which are great reads and inspirational. Not all are specifically about the BWCa but all are about the Northwoods and the wilderness experience. Sig Olson is so important to the BWCA legacy and he saw, felt, heard and wrote about it like no other. Highly recommend them.