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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Books for Friends who want to make a trip.
 
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andym
04/05/2022 01:29PM
 
I really appreciated reading Cliff Jacobsen's "BWCA Canoe Camping" book before my first trip. I also read through a bunch of Beymer's Guides the night before. But I had longer to read Cliff's book and have also sent it to people who were coming with us for the first time. We don't do everything his way but he gives a great, well organized overview.
 
Kendis
04/06/2022 08:56AM
 
Exploring the Boundary Waters by Daniel Pauly for an introduction to the BWCA and information about each entry point and suggested trip routes.


For a primer on canoe camping, I'd recommend Canoeing & Camping: Beyond the Basics by Cliff Jacobson.
 
MossBack
04/05/2022 11:23PM
 
dschult2: "Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.> Furtman's book Canoe Country Camping apparently is out of print and only available on the used market.




 
dschult2
04/06/2022 01:40PM
 
MossBack: "dschult2: "Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.> Furtman's book Canoe Country Camping apparently is out of print and only available on the used market.




"

Well that's too bad but I wouldn't let that deter me from buying a copy if all I could find was used. I've bought plenty of used books in the past with good results.
 
StLouisPaddler
04/06/2022 07:24PM
 
I enjoyed Pauly’s book on Exploring the Boundary Waters and Furtman’s BW and Quetico Fishing Guide. I believe you can still buy Canoe Country Camping directly from Furtman’s personal website
 
Chilly
04/06/2022 09:55PM
 
A book called 'Canoeing with the Cree' is a great read.


The book might help them want a canoe adventure.

 
lindylair
04/07/2022 08:30PM
 
There are many great books listed above. Canoeing with the Cree was an epic read. Many of the technical books about how to go and where to go from Beymer, Furtman, Jacobson, etc. are great too. But if you want to really stir the emotion and imagination of your tripping partners, get them to read a few of Sigurd Olson's books.


The Singing Wilderness is the most popular and a wonderful book but there are also several others including Listening Point, Reflections from the North Country, Of Time and Place, Runes of the North and The Lonely Land, all of which are great reads and inspirational. Not all are specifically about the BWCa but all are about the Northwoods and the wilderness experience. Sig Olson is so important to the BWCA legacy and he saw, felt, heard and wrote about it like no other. Highly recommend them.



 
MidwestFirecraft
04/05/2022 12:00PM
 
I like to hand out copies of Robert Beymer's Western or Eastern Regions:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region


I like that it gives area history, things to pack, and not pack, and the difficulty of routes, as well as future options.
 
boonie
04/05/2022 12:20PM
 
I've used Cliff Jacobson's Guide, Beymer's Guides, and Pauly's Exploring the Boundary Waters. I have, of course, also referred them here.


At one time I had sent so many emails to different family and friends that I consolidated a lot of it into summary documents about what the BW was, the rules/regs/LNT, the process to plan a trip, route plan, the weather, gear, food, clothing needed, gear checklists, the travel/portaging, answers to questions people had asked. A lot of general information and sometimes trip specific information. Travel to MN, accommodations, outfitters.


It practically amounts to a book ;). When someone wants information now, it's a lot simpler to send a WORD document, then answer any questions it raises.
 
dschult2
04/05/2022 01:42PM
 
Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.
Canoe Country Camping


Boundry Waters and Quetico Fishing Quide
 
portagedog09
04/05/2022 03:39PM
 
MB,


On the more esoteric side, The Singing Wilderness by Sigurd Olson. Those other suggestions will tell them where to go and how to go. This one will tell them why to go. But you probably already know that. ; )


pd
 
plander
04/05/2022 05:05PM
 
dschult2: "Michael Furtman has two really good books for the newbies. One on camping and one on fishing.
Canoe Country Camping



Boundry Waters and Quetico Fishing Quide "




+1
 
plander
04/05/2022 05:05PM
 
MidwestFirecraft: "I like to hand out copies of Robert Beymer's Western or Eastern Regions:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region



I like that it gives area history, things to pack, and not pack, and the difficulty of routes, as well as future options. "




+1
 
Blatz
04/07/2022 05:54PM
 
When I started in the 80s Bob Cary's book, Cliff Jacobson and Furtman all pointed me the right direction
 
Loony_canoe
04/07/2022 10:08AM
 
andym: "I really appreciated reading Cliff Jacobsen's "BWCA Canoe Camping" book before my first trip. I also read through a bunch of Beymer's Guides the night before. But I had longer to read Cliff's book and have also sent it to people who were coming with us for the first time. We don't do everything his way but he gives a great, well organized overview."


+1
That's what helped get me started.
 
MossBack
04/05/2022 10:08AM
 
I have two friends who are not near me, but are interested in making a trip to the BWCA or Quetico. What book or reading material would you suggest as a starting point? I have already sent them a subscription to the BWJ, but I thought a more in-depth primer might be better?

Thanks for your suggestions.

MB
 
Savage Voyageur
04/05/2022 10:58AM
 
Go to You tube and look up the three videos from the forest service and have them watch those. These will give them some visual insight into the BWCA.
 
bobbernumber3
04/05/2022 11:53AM
 
I'd plan out a weekly email and include a picture from previous trips you have made. Make each week a mini-topic regarding things to see and do, prepare, pack, or be ready for. Keep it short and let them ask questions... keep the conversation going.


Your BWJ idea sounds great!