Borrowing from other boards...what are the top mistakes made in the PMAs? I think the remoteness of PMA journeys magnifies the impact of mistakes.

I'll start the list with...over estimating the distance/pace while bushwhacking.

Thinking too much about the next day's route (if on a multiple day brushcrash), instead of enjoying and paying attention to where we have gotten to. Want to take more time and enjoy those PMA spots. They are never really big lakes, but there are some really pretty ones.

Underestimating the time it will take and the difficulty of the portages.

I have heard more than a few times that people got to camp very late or ended up camping somewhere along the portage trail because of getting turned around on a portage or just underestimated the time it would take.

I always plan on tripling the time a portage might take for any PMA portage. Example: A 160 rod normal portage will take me about 40 minutes to double portage. The same 160 rod PMA portage I will figure it may take me close to two hours. If I am able to get it done quicker than I just have extra time to fish or have in camp. I'd rather be happy with the extra time than frustrated because its dark and I'm no where near where I wanted to be.

Good to "see" you Bogs!!!

For me the biggest mistake was not even thinking about how emotionally taxing a PMA route would be. Even if I would have considered it, I would have underestimated it. Going solo also magnified it. Basically, the PMA's will push you to your breaking point.

Bring a chair and a pack of smokes so when you fizzle out and are searching for the meaning of life, you can at least be comfortable.

Not having a well laid plan
Not trusting your compass
Not bringing enough water
Not taking enough breaks
Thinking that you are alone (actually lots of eyes are watching you)
Not flagging your gear
Not watching your back trail
Not taking enough photos
Not watching weather
Not enjoying it

quote PortageKeeper: "Not having a well laid plan
Not trusting your compass
Not bringing enough water
Not taking enough breaks
Thinking that you are alone (actually lots of eyes are watching you)
Not flagging your gear
Not watching your back trail
Not taking enough photos
Not watching weather
Not enjoying it"

Thanks, I will write these down, helpful reminders for my first PMA solo.

bumabu, great picture, I've felt that a time or two!

My biggest mistake is one we've made before even getting to the PMA. We were so eager a few years ago to get into a PMA that we pushed extra hard with a brutal first day & when we woke up the second day & actually looked at what was in front of us, with aching shoulders & more to come, good lord.

I won't wear myself out again before even getting there. There's a rhythm to the BWCA & I tend to forget that one gets stronger fast there...but not right away.

Improper attire: You should be covered fully including eye protection. No shorts, or sort sleeves as the woods will often scrape you up more then you think. And you don't want a tree branch in the eye. Good hiking boots with great ankle support is a must.

Underestimating the input of people that have been to the PMA that you are interested in..heed their information. It's valuable.

quote Chilly: "Improper attire: You should be covered fully including eye protection. No shorts, or sort sleeves as the woods will often scrape you up more then you think. And you don't want a tree branch in the eye. Good hiking boots with great ankle support is a must.


"

Totally agree. I also bring the plastic safety glasses from work before setting out on any bushwack.

Keep a GPS location of where you started and where your canoe is on the other side, and don't let that GPS or map/compass out of your sight.

For me it was moving to fast and not enjoying it more.

quote Chilly: "Improper attire: You should be covered fully including eye protection. No shorts, or sort sleeves as the woods will often scrape you up more then you think. And you don't want a tree branch in the eye. Good hiking boots with great ankle support is a must.
"

Sadly, for those of us who are allergic to heat, this isn't an option.

Perhaps I'm an outlier, but I've done every bushwhack in shorts, a t-shirt, & Keens or the equivalent. Yes, I end up with some scrapes & even a nasty bruise once, but I'm not soaked & miserable all the time. I'll probably regret it when I break an ankle or open a vein, but it works for me.

Never mind, it's sound advice. I'm an idiot.

This is a good thread for me as I plan my first PMA trip into Hairy in about a month. Thanks, all.

I think my first mistake that I learned was that crashing through alders shouldn't be my first instinct. There probably is an easier way.

quote Minnesotian: "
I think my first mistake that I learned was that crashing through alders shouldn't be my first instinct. There probably is an easier way.


"

So true! This one made me laugh so hard with the truth of it...been there, done that.