New Trip Report posted by BigPaul

Trip Name: There will be BUGS!,... and a floatplane..

Entry Point: 14

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Thanks, nice report, I enjoyed it, learned (and relearned) some things. I was last on Oyster in 2002 - my first trip - and again in 2006 - my first solo. It recalled many memories from those trips.

Thanks for sharing your experience. As you likely already know, you aren't the first one to get turned around on the Oyster River. Lost BWCAW Campers
I've likely spent over a year of my life canoeing the wilderness and I still get turned around once in a while even while having the map right in my lap. You owned it and you got out safe. Learn from it. Embrace the experience. Head back out there soon and you'll be more prepared and wiser from your experience.

Thanks for sharing. Same as Hang Loose - I've spent the better part of my life in the woods, growing up in farm country, BW, SNF and just bushwhacking to whatever remote section of stream, i've decided has agates or brookies. I too have gotten turned around a number of times.

One question - you mentioned you lost your map, what was happening there?

Inadequate storage in a cargo pocket… it was thick in there and evidently came out during a venture through the bush, same as the headnet. Admittedly, I was much more concerned with maintaining my water bottle.

I enjoyed your trip report. I'm glad you hit the SOS when you did. Under those conditions and the way it was going you could have lost the Garmin too. Dehydration is dangerous. At least you had some good times during the trip to offset the bad day.

BigPaul, Good report. I'm very glad you're alright and handled the situation as you did. I've stayed in the same (I think) Oyster camp just around the point from the main lake. I can see how easy it would be to head toward Manes, especially when solo. I don't use my compass enough; usually too eager to move on. Your trip report provides a great learning moment for me: shoot a general bearing before crossing. I say this in all appreciation of you and your candid report, not criticism. Wishing you many happy and safe trips ahead.

Thanks so much for sharing. Stories like yours are so valuable because they demonstrate how easy something can go wrong even when you're prepared, experienced, or not terribly far away from an entry. And one doesn't have to make really big, wrong decisions to get in trouble: just a few small flukes can get you there. I'm glad everything worked out fine! Thanks for sharing.