The subject about says it all. I have sweated out two trip reports in the past and think I would like to do another this year. I would really like to hear from the forum what you think makes a good or great trip report. Aside from pictures, what makes the report come alive and brings you along on their trip? More about wildlife? Portages? Camp set up? Meals? Fishing? Weather? On and on, etc., etc.

Thanks, Merlyn

Take a look at these reports in the Trip Report Contest.

I like lots of photos, humor, delineating what worked and what didn't work, and how the trip's trials and joys resonated in the paddler.

I don't like to hear the menu for every meal, the details of every decision, or the minutiae of every portage.

However, I expect that there are those who LOVE the things that make me go, "Meh."

You nailed it, MM

Good question. I've never really put my together for this forum...and I should.

Agreed with the suggestion to review the trip reports that are in the contest.

Also like the idea that what is interesting to one isn't for someone else.

From my perspective, I read the reports to learn about areas I'm interested in exploring. Yep, photos are great - mix of scenery, campsites, and people experiencing the bwca. Big fish pics make me think I can catch one too! I look at details in the photos to see the gear people use or pick up other ideas.

I really appreciate when people have a deeper purpose for their trip and feel a sense of connection to the place they are visiting...but I also really like the fun fishing snippets.

Make it your trip and do the same for the report...if it is meaningful to you it will also resonate with someone else, I believe.

Start with a short intro about the destination and planning. Describe the days events. The high and low points of the day. How you feel, the mood you are in help set the scene for the day. If this is the third straight day of rain, what’s going through your mind? Be honest. Good pictures can tell a story but sometime a story can be built around a particular picture. Some play by play narrative is ok but don’t be to detailed or repetitious. Goal for the day, Last thought of the day, a shared bit of wisdom, an insight, something learned, something funny that happened, frame of mind at a particular moment….. all can be used at different parts of the report but not necessarily the same ones every day. A good journal that notes your thoughts at the end of the day is helpful in putting a report together. A good summary at the end.

A trip report is a good way to relive the experience and to look back on years later.

For me, a trip report needs to make me feel like I am along on the trip. It may be a place where I have been, or even a place that is new to me, but I like narrative that is descriptive, with lots of photos. I am not critical about the quality of the writing or the photos if the report catches my interest and makes me want to keep experiencing the trip. We don't fish, but that doesn't mean that I don't admire seeing photos of others' catches. We don't run rapids. . .you get my drift.

When I started writing trip reports I had a mentor (HoHo) who helped me learn to insert photos into the report. I have always kept a daily journal on canoe trips, and having those is helpful for coming up with a narrative. But I find, in reading reports, that I enjoy them more if the photos are interspersed within the narrative and not in a group at the end. I also have trouble reading a report if it is all one big paragraph. Not saying I don't read it, just that I find it harder to do.

If you want to find real excellence in trip reports to study, just pick any one, or better yet, any "several" by TuscolaBorealis. IMHO, he is the best on this site for crafting a report that has stunning photography along with a narrative that keeps me wanting to keep reading.

I am not a fan of videos in reports, personally. Probably it because of my age and my experience, but I prefer to just read a report in text and see still photographs. If I do watch the video, I usually do it with the sound muted, as I find the music tracks on almost all of the videos distracting rather than enhancing. This is not a criticism of the style, just a remark on my own personal preference, and I don't expect anyone to agree with me, nor do I want anyone to be offended.

I find writing a trip report to be a labor of love. Most of you know that we are no longer doing canoe trips. My last trip report that was "current" was in 2013, but in the past few years I have written up quite a few of our earlier adventures in trip report format. I found it really interesting (to me) to go through the old journal books, take out information and try to match it up with what photos I had, and then relive the trip from long ago by making a story. There are many more that could be done, and I suspect, almost all of them will not be. But you never know. Sharing our trip experiences with our friends here has been fun for us.

Take your trip, merlyn, and then share it with us. Take pictures, and notice what is happening, what you are thinking, and what you think we might find interesting. I will be looking forward to reading your report. Have fun!

I don’t think I have ever written an actual trip report in decades worth of trips even though I always have a good time and continue to face new experiences and adversities, why? Even though my trips are interesting to me personally, not every trip, from everyone is all that unique compared to the next guys, and only real writing talent can make them appear so, this results in describing every meal you eat in order to fill the page….

missmolly: "I like lots of photos, humor, delineating what worked and what didn't work, and how the trip's trials and joys resonated in the paddler.

I don't like to hear the menu for every meal, the details of every decision, or the minutiae of every portage.

However, I expect that there are those who LOVE the things that make me go, "Meh." "

Yeah, you're right, but after "minutiae of every portage", I'd add "and every fish caught". :) But, of course, we all write them for ourselves too, I suppose. A little bit of everything works well - big things, little things.

I just reread my trip report, "Source to sea in England," and was startled to see my zig-zagging. I wrote like a 13-year steers a canoe for the first time. I think that comes from travel writing for magazines, where strict word counts have made me into a squishing writer, squeezing as many moments into a story as possible.

To heck with segues: just change direction, Miss Molly!

At bwca.com, one can tell a leisurely tale and there's a lot to be said for a sip-and-savor tale.

A good trip report is in the eye of the beholder so I will just speak for me. I love trip reports with photos interspersed with the text. I enjoy when people include a route map also, especially if the report is about an area I have never been...it helps me get oriented.

I get bored very quickly when the trip report is only about fishing all day long and just filled with pictures of fish. I really enjoy when there is a variety of photo topics: some people, some landscape, some macro, some campsite scenes, interesting trees or boulders, etc. I love when people identify flowers or other natural things because I can usually learn something.

I love reading about first time experiences or lessons learned. I love philosophical musings interspersed. For off the beaten routes, I do enjoy reading about portages if they are especially tricky or difficult. It helps me when I plan my own trips.

I try to read most trip reports posted. But I rarely go watch video links...don't know why, just don't. Others may disagree.

But overall, variety is the spice of life. If all the trip reports followed the same formula, it would get boring. So don't be afraid to put your own unique spin on it.