BWCA Wcpp checklist Boundary Waters Group Forum: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
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ECpizza
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04/11/2014 10:48PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So, my first trip camping in Ontario, Canada. I'm making my "leader" checklist and my "crew" checklist. I already have my BWCA checklist, but there are items to bring or obtain for this trip that would not be on my Bdub checklist. (Everyone have a valid passport?). I'm looking for items unique to going up to the Great White North.

So far I have passports, spotsman card and licence, i have to get a clear answer on taking (or having to obtain in ON) some frozen steaks, potatoes and such. A grate/grill. What else should be on my list?

(Sorry, I'm just itchin to talk about the upcoming trip. August cannot arrive soon enough, but it's also coming fast!)
 
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dentondoc
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04/11/2014 11:01PM  
You may not have cell service in Canada ... check with your provider and confirm the type of service you have.

On occasion, I've encountered that not all major credit cards are accepted. Have a back up plan. Some places (esp. near the US border) will take U.S. currency, but don't bank on it. If you use an ATM is does dispense Canadian Dollars. Also, if you are using credit cards outside the U.S., you should contact the card issuer and advise them on your dates and places of travel. Otherwise, your transactions could be refused. Also, in some countries, your ATM card must have a 4-digit PIN to work properly (I don't know if this applies to Canada). Also banking/ATM fees can be expensive. If you are planning many trips outside the U.S., I'd recommend credit cards that don't charge a currency conversion fee and cards that have embedded chips (often required in the EC).

I'd recommend driving close to the speed limit (and its in kilometers per hour).

The road to Red Lake is a very good stretch of pavement, but you shouldn't expect a gas station around every corner. I wouldn't let my tank get too low.

Radio reception is sometimes spotty ... even more so in the park.

Keep an eye peeled for moose and bear along the side of the roadway ... they can leave a pretty good dent in your vehicle (and that's if you are lucky) and they are plentiful.

I did pass a sink hole in the roadway south of Red Lake a couple of years ago. I'm glad local law enforcement was present to give me a heads up warning ... that would have been really dangerous after dark.

Be sure to carry ownership, registration and insurance documents in your vehicle.

Depending on the length of your trip, you might want to disconnect your battery so it has juice when your return. Sometimes a "sneak circuit" will drain you dry over a couple of weeks.

Finally ... RELAX and enjoy your trip. Its not on the far side of the moon you know!

dd
 
04/12/2014 11:06AM  

dentondoc offers a lot of good advice, so to avoid being redundant, I'll just add a few additional advisories.

You mentioned taking fresh potatoes along, but according to some sources, fresh potatoes are prohibited. Although this seems like a strange restriction, apparently there's some issue with seed potatoes and a potential potato disease. This may have changed now, but it's worth noting.

Bringing potatoes to Canada

What you can bring to Canada

What can I bring to Canada?

Adding to what dentondoc mentioned about Credit Cards; I know Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted for the most part, but I've found very few business or agencies that accept the Discover Card, for what it's worth.

Finally, Radar Detectors are illegal in Canada. So if you're a user of these devices, it would be best to leave it at home.

Canadian Law regarding the possession of Radar Detectors

Hans Solo
 
04/12/2014 11:43AM  
You can buy potatoes in Red Lake. Meat, too! And likker...
 
Marten
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04/12/2014 08:23PM  
You may want to think about what you will use for sitting around camp. The log seats you are used to will be rare up there. No fire grates either but a few light medal rods set on rocks will work in a pinch.
 
old_salt
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04/12/2014 11:05PM  
Gas up in International Falls. Cheaper than Canuck gas which is sold in liters.
 
old_salt
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04/12/2014 11:23PM  
Order Poutini in Red Lake.
 
ZaraSp00k
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04/17/2014 08:10PM  
quote old_salt: "Gas up in International Falls. Cheaper than Canuck gas which is sold in liters."


and if you are going up thru Manitoba, get gas in Grand Forks
 
Longpaddler
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04/18/2014 07:11AM  
barbless hooks....
 
dentondoc
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04/18/2014 08:59AM  
quote ZaraSp00k: "
quote old_salt: "Gas up in International Falls. Cheaper than Canuck gas which is sold in liters."

and if you are going up thru Manitoba, get gas in Grand Forks"

... and if you are entering WCPP from the Manitoba side, I believe they have re-instituted an annual fee for parking at what would be your EP. In addition, I believe there is no fee for camping in Manitoba, but you must used an established campsite (with a metal fire ring).

dd
 
ECpizza
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04/18/2014 09:50PM  
Keep em coming!

So was going over some things with one of my crew, and discovered that he is having passport troubles. He's not a US citizen, born elsewhere but lived his whole life here. I am imagining the trouble we might have coming home with an obviously Minnesota speaker traveling on a foreign passport, crossing at I-falls in the middle of the night.

I have not travelled to the Great White North since 9/11, but prior to that crossed over all the time. Never thought of any of this stuff, and probably still wouldn't if one screw up could ruin a trip for three others.
 
mpeebles
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04/18/2014 10:29PM  
It is not just "coming home" that you should be concerned about. Getting into Canada can be equally challenging. I started going to Canada three years ago because two folks in a group were denied access due to prior convictions and one of them had been going in for years with those priors. Seems like one of them smarted off to the Canadian Customs Agent. That trip was scratched at the border.
I would make sure that everything with your friend is OK before you leave. That should give you and your tripping partners some peace of mind. Above all, be honest with the border folks. You are a guest in their country.
Enjoy your trip!
 
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