BWCA Wind Lake Video Report-Part 1 Boundary Waters Winter Camping and Activities
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GreatBigCubsFan
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02/15/2013 07:34AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
 
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02/16/2013 10:57AM  
Hey, thanks for the trip report, and the trip video. I've been reading your postings ever since you first got the winter camping bug.

How about providing a posting about what you learned on your first BWCA winter camping outing, and what you would do different on your next trip.
GreatBigCubsFan
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02/16/2013 11:41AM  
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JCT68Uzw70E&feature=plcp


Part 2
catfish72
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02/19/2013 07:41PM  
hey GBCF, thanks for posting the videos and reports. Very nice!! It sounds like you had a had a great trip over all, though I sense some frustration in your reports. I would just like to say that you on your first trip took on a massive under taking and faired far better than most. I commend you for your perseverance and inherent ability. Most of all your miscalculations were the same things I "we all" had to learn as well. It took me many winter trips to come up with a solid set of tools both "mental and physical" that allowed me to really relax and enjoy winter camping. I am sure you learned so very much on that trip and your next trip will be that much more enjoyable. You now have about nine months to pair down your gear and work the kinks out. Anyway, I am glad to see that you caught some fish and made it out alive! I do hope to see you out there one day.
GreatBigCubsFan
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02/20/2013 07:01AM  
Hey Man,

Thanks for all the encouraging words,
The whole gear hauling experience was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do physically. My elbow an knee are still talking to me, however it has not dampened my spirts. I've already been planning on what I will do differently. 1st thing I did was to pick up a quality pair of boots on clearance. I'm also looking into getting one of those Black River sleds.

I'd like to hear about your Bog Lake trip. How was the trip and did you get any fish..Pictures?

Bill
catfish72
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02/20/2013 10:45PM  
quote GreatBigCubsFan: "Hey Man,


Thanks for all the encouraging words,
The whole gear hauling experience was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do physically. My elbow an knee are still talking to me, however it has not dampened my spirits. I've already been planning on what I will do differently. 1st thing I did was to pick up a quality pair of boots on clearance. I'm also looking into getting one of those Black River sleds.


I'd like to hear about your Bog Lake trip. How was the trip and did you get any fish..Pictures?


Bill"

I am glad your trip did not ruin your interest in winter camping! it is obvious you are a tuff as nails winter camper and hopefully in a few more trips you will be experienced as well. Smart move on the black river sled. even after years of doing this stuff I still tend to bring alot of crap that I do not need. A good 9 footer or longer will make you trips alot easier. If you are a DIY kind of guy just get the kit it will save you lots of money! I built mine from scratch from blanks. given the amount of hours I put into them I would have just bought the Kit. Also did you not bring boots up there? I was watching one of your videos and it sounded like maybe you were planning on just bringing shoes. I thought to myself "there is no way he is only bringing shoes" I was going to mention something before you left but just assumed you were bringing boots as well.

A few things I might also suggest are. Try to lighten up that tent a bit. maybe get the windows taken out and take out most of the vinyl floor and find DAC aluminum poles for it. That could take a 3rd of its weight off. Also about that cake in your stove pipe it was "creosote". It builds up in the chimney when you burn rotting and or wet wood. learn how to find standing dead timber in the winter. Pine variety are easy the needles are brown or nonexistent.

Oh and the bog lake trip went well we had a real good time! I managed to forget my camera so no pics. We did manage to catch a few walleye and a pike. In all my excitement about that lake I failed to remember that shallow walleye lakes in late winter are very difficult to catch fish in. It was a real tuff haul in and out. Deep snow made the trek in not so fun and it was snowing like crazy on the way out. other than that not to much excitement just your standard relaxing and enjoying the surroundings.
GreatBigCubsFan
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02/21/2013 06:20AM  
I did bring 2 pairs of boots but they were not well suited for this kind of activity. The 1st pair was the hiking camo type with little insulation, and the 2nd pair were my monstorous old snowmobile boots. While the snowmobile boots kept me warm around the camp site, they were a bogar to move around in. And the camo boots were only good parts of the time. I also had my trail running shoes which I found have no use in winter camping. I got all this pared down to a light weight -40 pair from Baffin.

Man, I'd hate to cut up that tent. I'm hoping to use it for spring and fall trips with my 10 and 11 year old boys. The windows and floor sure are nice.

I've also been working on getting my gear pared down to take exactly what I need, and the 1st thing I did here was to take just the full size axe. Not the axe, saw, hatchet and hammer.

I'm really not the DIY guy, I think I'd rather pay the $225 to Black River for the 9 footer.

I hope you ate at least one of those fish and not just release all of them.

Bill
SevenofNine
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02/21/2013 08:41AM  
I would still take a saw Bill. So much easier to cut wood to splitting length with a saw.

I did see you wearing a cotton sweatshirt. And although that is okay, if when you consider every ounce as something you have to haul a nice fleece or wool shirt is a better warmth to weight ratio versus the sweatshirt.
GreatBigCubsFan
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02/21/2013 04:25PM  
quote SevenofNine: "I would still take a saw Bill. So much easier to cut wood to splitting length with a saw.


I did see you wearing a cotton sweatshirt. And although that is okay, if when you consider every ounce as something you have to haul a nice fleece or wool shirt is a better warmth to weight ratio versus the sweatshirt."


9/7 the wood I found was lying down and the saw I brought might have been the wrong kind. I'll have to try a regular carpenters saw on standing dead wood.

I would like to get a wool shirt, but I also like to sleep in a hoody?
catfish72
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02/21/2013 11:28PM  
quote GreatBigCubsFan: "I did bring 2 pairs of boots but they were not well suited for this kind of activity. The 1st pair was the hiking camo type with little insulation, and the 2nd pair were my monstorous old snowmobile boots. While the snowmobile boots kept me warm around the camp site, they were a bogar to move around in. And the camo boots were only good parts of the time. I also had my trail running shoes which I found have no use in winter camping. I got all this pared down to a light weight -40 pair from Baffin.


Man, I'd hate to cut up that tent. I'm hoping to use it for spring and fall trips with my 10 and 11 year old boys. The windows and floor sure are nice.


I've also been working on getting my gear pared down to take exactly what I need, and the 1st thing I did here was to take just the full size axe. Not the axe, saw, hatchet and hammer.

Hey Bill, If your going to be using your tent for other seasons do not cut it up! could 2 people camp in it comfortably? If yes then also do not cut it up! It just seems so heavy for one person to haul. my first winter tent was very similar to yours, heavy and wrong featured for winter camping. I only use mine now for fall solo deer hunting trips. You could think about investing in a more winter camping friendly tent. You can check this tent out, 8x8, 14 lbs 10x10,21 lbs without poles! it is not the cheapest tent out there but it is a well built tent for the money. Any way it is something to think about for future years. on the other note We did let all our fish go. I brought lots of moose meat for dinners. We were eating like kings the whole time.


I'm really not the DIY guy, I think I'd rather pay the $225 to Black River for the 9 footer.


I hope you ate at least one of those fish and not just release all of them.


Bill"
tent
catfish72
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02/21/2013 11:59PM  
Whoops. I am not sure how my message got put into the quote but it did, so there it is. sorry for that!
02/22/2013 10:52AM  
Hey, GBCF,

Your bow saw should work fine for your needs, however......many today come with Chinese made blades, most of which are inferior and nearly impossible to get to work correctly.

Try to find a Scandanavian made blade, "Bahco" is the company that comes to mind.

Or you might want to invest in a good "rough" carpentry saw like the Irwin Marathon, or Stanly Fat Max.

Leave the hammer at home, but take both a saw and an axe.

SevenofNine
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02/22/2013 02:18PM  
FYI: I have found fleece hoodies now although the one I have is lightweight. Still looking for a heavier weight one with thumb holes.
Twinsplusone
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02/24/2013 08:11PM  
Great trip Greatbigcubsfan. We have a place on moose and I'm planning my first trip up for winter camping this next weekend 2-2-13. I'd like to get your thoughts on places to stay on wind, fishing, and the portage. I plan on walking out from our cabin. I've made my own sled from a frabil ice fishing sled. My first run with about a 85lb kid was ok on packed snow but didn't fair well up hills or in deep powder. You can email me at jbeatty@fairwaydairy.com

Thanks
 
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