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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: I need ice!
 
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andym
02/19/2018 11:27PM
 
Just looked at the Yeti site and they have a backpack soft cooler coming out this spring. That might be the ticket and a second pack in the canoe will give you more ways to adjust trim.
 
andym
02/19/2018 11:31PM
 
Just pondered the instant ice packs. They are lighter than ice to begin with for the cooling power and will last any number of days. But the problem is that they weigh just as much at the end of the trip as at the beginning and the waste is a big issue. For lots of cold drinks, I'd go with real ice. But I can see throwing a couple of extra instant ice packs into the pack for one set of cold drinks after a week. That could be a bit of a group pickup.


Although, that would undercut the joy of the ice cold sodas and beers our friends bring when they pick us up at the end of a trip.
 
Wick
02/20/2018 08:26AM
 
andym: "Just looked at the Yeti site and they have a backpack soft cooler coming out this spring. That might be the ticket and a second pack in the canoe will give you more ways to adjust trim."


i went and looked at the RTIC coolers sylvesterii mentioned. They claim to keep ice for 5 days in one cooler, and 10 days in a cooler on another place on the website.


It may be as simple as buying a high tech cooler and putting ice cubes in it. Who knew?
 
mirth
02/20/2018 10:48AM
 
Monoprice could be another option if you're thinking of a hard sided cooler similar to Yeti & Rtic.
Pure Outdoor Cooler
 
Atrain
02/20/2018 11:07AM
 
I have a Yeti 35 cooler (the original not the soft sided one) that i take on canoe trips with little to no portaging. Theyre a little heavy but honestly who cares if you aren't carrying it overland much. The 35 fits perfectly in the middle of a canoe. I fill half of it with frozen meat (steak, chicken, brats, ground chicken) which remain plenty cold all trip, and the other half with ice (helps hold temp and i use for cocktails). Last river trip i did this was over Labor Day with temps in the 70s and all day sun. On day 5 i still had at least 50% of my ice. Just open it only when needed and close it right away. Also a full cooler holds the temp better. Another pro to that setup is that you can throw a long shackle lock on it and it's certified bearproof. They're a little pricey and i scoffed at it originally, but it is an amazing piece of kit. Artc'x are cheaper. People spend that much on tarps, tents, bags, etc and don't even blink. If ice for drinks or a steak on day 4 is your luxury, i'd consider it. Also the soft sided yeti ones don't hold for nearly as long in my experience. YMMV. Did i mention it is a seat, table, and cutting board too!



Cheers,
Atrain
 
mastertangler
03/10/2018 06:36PM
 
What the heck! (WTH!) I really try and be a tolerant type fellow, honest I do (well mostly;-)


But this whole notion of not wanting to trip in August because you might have to drink some water which isn't ice cold is preposterous. If someone told me that I wouldn't of believed it. It wouldn't even enter my mind, you couldn't make it up! .........canoe trippers, the alpha men, squeamish about drinking warm water? And here I am, a bit afraid of cold water!


Where the duct tape? I always have it handy (being an alpha male myself ;-) ............My head is about to explode!


The crazy thread which just won't d-i-e!!
 
TominMpls
02/20/2018 12:30PM
 

 
mastertangler
03/11/2018 08:58AM
 
"Buy you a cold one" clever! No pun intended?


I could wrap my head around it if say you were actually wanting to bring "cold ones" into canoe country. Then we could all rally around waving our man cards in the air. HERE, HERE!


Now that would be intolerable.......warm beer, blah! (Say, wouldn't the ale drinkers of the 1600's accuse me of being a pansy since all they had was room temperature drinks for the most part? > "Wench, another round of warm ale for my blokes" ) just a thought.......
 
Wick
02/20/2018 02:33PM
 
mirth: "Monoprice could be another option if you're thinking of a hard sided cooler similar to Yeti & Rtic.
Pure Outdoor Cooler"



they claim 130 hours for keeping cold, and 150 for keeping stuff hot. It looks like a new cooler is all I need! 100 hours should fix me up this trip, and it can't hurt to upgrade that old cooler of mine.

yep, you guys will be slobbering to find me and get a cold drink on the lake! :)
 
greywolf33
02/20/2018 02:56PM
 
This thread cracks me up! No disrespect intended to the original poster. Personally I think you should feel free to bring anything you are willing to carry (within the rules of the wilderness of course).


This reminds me of a underrated movie from the middle 80's:



The Mosquito Coast movie trailer
 
Wick
03/11/2018 08:08AM
 
Northwoodsman: "Hey Wick,



Since I mentioned that cooler that you purchased, how about if I stop by for some of that Chocolate Ice Cream? I think we are tripping at the same time. I'll be paddling up off the Gunflint Trail Sept. 15th - 22nd. I'll actually be in your neck of the woods Wednesday and Thursday of this coming week. I would meet you for an ice cold beverage but I will have two co-workers with me and we have a couple long days to put in workging on a project."



I am at canoecopia. I'll be heading back to ohio today. Stop on in! I'll buy you all a cold one!
 
ockycamper
03/11/2018 01:11PM
 
This thread is like conspiracy theories. You know it is a hoax and you are being trolled, but you can't help coming back and reading more
 
mvillasuso
02/20/2018 06:47PM
 
Atrain: "I have a Yeti 35 cooler (the original not the soft sided one) that i take on canoe trips with little to no portaging. Theyre a little heavy but honestly who cares if you aren't carrying it overland much. The 35 fits perfectly in the middle of a canoe. I fill half of it with frozen meat (steak, chicken, brats, ground chicken) which remain plenty cold all trip, and the other half with ice (helps hold temp and i use for cocktails). Last river trip i did this was over Labor Day with temps in the 70s and all day sun. On day 5 i still had at least 50% of my ice. Just open it only when needed and close it right away. Also a full cooler holds the temp better. Another pro to that setup is that you can throw a long shackle lock on it and it's certified bearproof. They're a little pricey and i scoffed at it originally, but it is an amazing piece of kit. Artc'x are cheaper. People spend that much on tarps, tents, bags, etc and don't even blink. If ice for drinks or a steak on day 4 is your luxury, i'd consider it. Also the soft sided yeti ones don't hold for nearly as long in my experience. YMMV. Did i mention it is a seat, table, and cutting board too!




Cheers,
Atrain"



^Now, THAT'S better living!

 
CoolWater
02/20/2018 08:51PM
 
I would put a dorm size frig into a number 4 pack, bring a drop cord and plug it into a current bush.
 
schweady
02/20/2018 08:52PM
 
andym: "...that would undercut the joy of the ice cold sodas and beers our friends bring when they pick us up at the end of a trip."
True that.

 
Wick
03/11/2018 07:37PM
 
mastertangler: ""Buy you a cold one" clever! No pun intended?



I could wrap my head around it if say you were actually wanting to bring "cold ones" into canoe country. Then we could all rally around waving our man cards in the air. HERE, HERE!



Now that would be intolerable.......warm beer, blah! (Say, wouldn't the ale drinkers of the 1600's accuse me of being a pansy since all they had was room temperature drinks for the most part? > "Wench, another round of warm ale for my blokes" ) just a thought......."



Mastertangler, did you skip your meds today? :)
In ohio, yes, it would be easy to buy Northwoodsman and his co workers a cold beer,,,they would not ask for a man card,,it is a pretty normal thing to do around here.


Why could you wrap your head around bringing cold beer, but ice perplexes you?


Lol,,, i am not sure what your point is. The 1600s were quite a long time ago. Those pansy guys drank warm beer? They were not man enough to carry some ice? They could have made the wench carry the ice,,,,,,

 
billconner
02/20/2018 07:45PM
 
Wick: "mirth: "Monoprice could be another option if you're thinking of a hard sided cooler similar to Yeti & Rtic.
Pure Outdoor Cooler"




they claim 130 hours for keeping cold, and 150 for keeping stuff hot. It looks like a new cooler is all I need! 100 hours should fix me up this trip, and it can't hurt to upgrade that old cooler of mine.


yep, you guys will be slobbering to find me and get a cold drink on the lake! :)"



Yup. One trip my son and I talked about a burger and beer canoe on Basswood. Figured we'd get a lot of business even at ballpark prices.
 
Dooger
02/20/2018 08:02PM
 
We use a Kondo's food pack with the rigid plastic box sold by Boundary Waters Journal.
 
Wick
02/21/2018 06:59AM
 
CoolWater: "I would put a dorm size frig into a number 4 pack, bring a drop cord and plug it into a current bush. "


naw,,I have been told most of the bushes are 220v.



Looks like the Pure Outdoor cooler Mirth suggested is the target now. Wife is ok with going from single portage to double if that is what it takes.


Everything would improve:
1. ice !!!!
2. More packs for canoe balancing
3. More walking for creaky bones after sitting in the canoe.
4. Add a chair since we would have more packs?
5. Throw in a steak for a break from dehydrated food.
6. God I love chocolate icecream !!!!!!
7. Pack gets lighter every day.
 
mastertangler
03/12/2018 04:33AM
 
How did you know? It was on the advice of my most recent therapist..........having fired my old therapist as he thought the meds needed to be increased. I will seek a third opinion.


The man card thrust high in the air for the stoutly lad that would lug ice into the backcountry to chill their frothy beverage of choice so that he and his fellow plaid wearing trippers might enjoy themselves in style.


Man card revoked for lugging ice in to avoid drinking water which is only tepid. (the horror!)


But its all cool.......its a brave new world!

1/2 of me says "hey, to each their own, if they want to lug ice so they can have cold water then whats the big deal"? and the other 1/2 says "dude, did you just hear yourself?.........they are lugging ICE because they don't want to drink water which isn't perfectly cold, thats like insane"! So, the internal wrestling match continues.........maybe the meds will help ;-)
 
mirth
11/13/2018 01:19PM
 
Hey Wick, did your September trip happen? How was it? Did you have ice cream & ice for your drinks on day 4?
 
Bushman
03/12/2018 10:23AM
 
I have seen some You Tube videos of guys drinking beer in the BW. Bottles and cans.
Now I am guessing they are not drinking it warm but I also wonder how much extra weight they had to carry around. I suppose If I was base camping I would be willing to go the extra mile and haul it in but I won't be doing that this year.


Who wants to open a beer store in Ely that sells beer in plastic bottles? Gold Mine!


I was thinking of bringing some frozen steaks and hot dogs for a couple meals but it's a 14 hour drive plus a nights stay in the bunkhouse. Not sure how long it would stay frozen. I could pack a few beers around the steak for the first night!
 
boonie
02/21/2018 11:53AM
 
Well, double portaging would be more realistic with a cooler like mirth linked. ;) Do you plan to put it in a pack or lash it to a frame . . . ?
 
Wick
02/21/2018 12:11PM
 
boonie: "Well, double portaging would be more realistic with a cooler like mirth linked. ;) Do you plan to put it in a pack or lash it to a frame . . . ?"


I have not gotten that far yet. I know nothing about frames. Is one better then the other? I would think just from the name, a pack could be used for other things, and a frame would be more specialized?
 
boonie
02/21/2018 01:43PM
 
I don't know - never used a frame, but was wondering after seeing the specs on that cooler: 24 lbs. empty, 23"x15"x15", for the small (25L) ones. It might be overkill for your needs . . .


It might be hard to fit in a pack and a frame might be awkward to fit in your canoe. You certainly wouldn't want to hand carry any distance even on a nice smooth level sidewalk.


I don't know about ice, but water is roughly 8 lbs. per gallon.
 
Jackfish
02/21/2018 02:30PM
 
Forgive me, but I'm still chuckling about this entire thread. Something in the back of my mind is telling me that Wick is getting his jollies by reading all the responses to his silly request to have ice on his trip. Dreading having to drink stuff that isn't cold... bringing Yeti coolers... strapping to a pack frame... ice cream... this is all quite hilarious.
 
Dances with Sheep
02/21/2018 04:17PM
 
Jackfish: "Forgive me, but I'm still chuckling about this entire thread. Something in the back of my mind is telling me that Wick is getting his jollies by reading all the responses to his silly request to have ice on his trip. Dreading having to drink stuff that isn't cold... bringing Yeti coolers... strapping to a pack frame... ice cream... this is all quite hilarious."


I don't have the impression that Wick is trolling us. It may sound silly to some but I know several people who hate water unless it is ice-cold.
 
Wick
02/21/2018 04:40PM
 
Dances with Sheep: "Jackfish: "Forgive me, but I'm still chuckling about this entire thread. Something in the back of my mind is telling me that Wick is getting his jollies by reading all the responses to his silly request to have ice on his trip. Dreading having to drink stuff that isn't cold... bringing Yeti coolers... strapping to a pack frame... ice cream... this is all quite hilarious."



I don't have the impression that Wick is trolling us. It may sound silly to some but I know several people who hate water unless it is ice-cold. "



Jackfish, you are forgiven! Not trolling, i will have ice on my trip one way or another(i hope). Not only do i have problems with water that is not very cold(and any other liquid) i despise plain tasteless water, and have not drank non flavored water for many many years. I will also be putting flavor in the water since we found out the filters will not remove it.


I swear though,,,this is the only weird thing about me! I have no other strange habits! Feel free to check with my wife,,,,:)
 
TominMpls
02/21/2018 04:57PM
 
Water? You mean like the stuff in the toilet?
 
andym
02/21/2018 08:16PM
 
Chocolate Ice Cream means dry ice. Go for it!
 
yellowhorse
02/21/2018 08:17PM
 
This cooler keeps ice cold for 10 days. Bear resistant. Measurements look like it'll fit in some canoes. Dual handle system will make the weight seem plenty lighter than the 92lbs! 250 quarts could carry almost 500lbs of ice! I'm freezing my arse off just thinking of that cold! Plus, it has a fish scale on the lid!?
http://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/outdoor-heavy-duty-coolers/elite-cooler/cooler/250QT/
 
boonie
02/21/2018 09:38PM
 
OCDave: "boonie: "It's not just the weight either - it's the bulk too. IIRC, you have pretty small canoes . . . ?"



I hope he's not self conscious about the size of his canoe. "



:). I think he said it was a thirteen-footer . . . ;).
 
Wick
02/22/2018 04:42AM
 
andym: "Chocolate Ice Cream means dry ice. Go for it!"
Gotta be someone who knows,,where is the closest place to Sawbill that sells dry ice and ice cream?


My spitfire is the 13 ft model. I don’t have a dog, so lots of room for a cooler, but not a 92 lb one! I forgot about pelican. I’ll go look at them.
 
bwcadan
02/22/2018 07:54AM
 
Wick: "Dances with Sheep: "Jackfish: "Forgive me, but I'm still chuckling about this entire thread. Something in the back of my mind is telling me that Wick is getting his jollies by reading all the responses to his silly request to have ice on his trip. Dreading having to drink stuff that isn't cold... bringing Yeti coolers... strapping to a pack frame... ice cream... this is all quite hilarious."
I don't have the impression that Wick is trolling us. It may sound silly to some but I know several people who hate water unless it is ice-cold. "

Jackfish, you are forgiven! Not trolling, i will have ice on my trip one way or another(i hope). Not only do i have problems with water that is not very cold(and any other liquid) i despise plain tasteless water, and have not drank non flavored water for many many years. I will also be putting flavor in the water since we found out the filters will not remove it.

I swear though,,,this is the only weird thing about me! I have no other strange habits! Feel free to check with my wife,,,,:)"

Maybe it is me, but I find it weird to be asking your wife if you are weird via possibly any method to do so. Suggest you not offer her e-mail account as many could not resist your offer. haha
 
mirth
02/22/2018 10:00AM
 
You're probably best served getting your dry ice either at home or on the way up. I'm sure there's someplace in Duluth that has it.


I look forward to the trip report. =)
 
jwartman59
02/22/2018 10:29AM
 
I find this post most amusing, I believe it is serious however. I have never read a trip report on this site but this one I would consider a must read.

You can buy blocks of ice in Ely, no problem. Carrying a hard sided cooler is a bummer on portages. If you must have ice, I suggest finding a soft-sided insulated cooler, buy a space blanket, wrap the ice in the blanket, then in a heavy duty plastic bag, then in the soft sided cooler. Then stick this in a day pack and when packing the canoe, make sure to keep it on the bottom of the canoe and out of the sun. I’ll confess I’ve done this, not in the BWCA, but river trips when we want to keep our beer cold. Depending on the weather, the ice may last for quite a while.

If you really need ice, go up there now. Plenty of ice to be found.





 
boonie
02/21/2018 06:36PM
 
It's not just the weight either - it's the bulk too. IIRC, you have pretty small canoes . . . ?
 
Jaywalker
02/21/2018 07:12PM
 
I'm loving this thread, and Wick, I really hope you get your ice. I'd also like to point out that Adam has the magical ability to change screen names, and IWANTICE would be an excellent one!
 
OCDave
02/21/2018 09:34PM
 
boonie: "It's not just the weight either - it's the bulk too. IIRC, you have pretty small canoes . . . ?"


I hope he's not self conscious about the size of his canoe.
 
Wick
02/22/2018 08:29AM
 
solar coolers do exist,,would not need ice. My luck it would rain all week. Too big and has wheels.



 
inspector13
02/22/2018 10:25AM
 

Yes, Praxair in Duluth has it. 4105 W. Superior Street. A block from Super 8. But no ice cream. : )


 
Wick
02/21/2018 06:18PM
 
boonie: "I don't know - never used a frame, but was wondering after seeing the specs on that cooler: 24 lbs. empty, 23"x15"x15", for the small (25L) ones. It might be overkill for your needs . . .


. "



I am seeing that weight on the pure outdoor coolers now. The same size yeti is 16 lb,,saving 8 lb.


I think those are still to large.
 
nooneuno
02/21/2018 06:35PM
 
While I would never personally carry ice in to the bdub, once near the end of a trip, looking for a site on Basswood we stopped at one to check it out and lo and behold laying in the ash of the fire pit was a 10lb block of ice. I looked at my paddling partner, then back at the ice, he looked at me then back at the ice, we looked at each other and without saying a word the ice was rinsed off in the lake, and it was cold drinks from then on... Please don't tell me you left it there after peeing on the fire to put it out.
 
WHendrix
02/22/2018 09:15AM
 
I think you would need a 4W Drive cooler for most of the portages out of Sawbill.
 
ockycamper
03/01/2018 03:56PM
 
All these are great ideas but apparently miss Wick's issue. He does not want cold drinks. . .he wants actual ice to put in glasses. Most of us on the BWCA boards have solved the issue of keeping things cold a long time ago. However, I no of no one that actually brings in ice cubes and tries to keep them for use in drinks. At the end of the day, cold drinks are cold drinks.
 
mastertangler
03/01/2018 07:23PM
 
All things are possible. This is America after all isn't it! We may be overlooking the obvious. Probably the best way to solve the ice issue is to have it flown in via helicopter. Perhaps even daily. Ice cream could be kept via dry ice.


(i'm sorry Wick, I couldn't help myself...........with my crew you know they like you when they pick at you a bit ;-)





 
boonie
03/01/2018 07:36PM
 
The obvious is to camp at Sawbill campground and day trip.
 
OCDave
03/02/2018 05:58PM
 
I ONCE carried an 18-pack of canned beer on the first day of a backpacking trip. I thought it was brilliant at the time but, I don't recall ever having the interest in doing that a second time.



 
sns
03/02/2018 10:31AM
 
We have sunk beer in early August and it was delightful - as long as you got it below the thermocline for a few hours. Every bit as cold as a refrigerator, or so it seemed.
 
Wick
03/02/2018 02:54PM
 
mastertangler: "All things are possible. This is America after all isn't it! We may be overlooking the obvious. Probably the best way to solve the ice issue is to have it flown in via helicopter. Perhaps even daily. Ice cream could be kept via dry ice.



(i'm sorry Wick, I couldn't help myself...........with my crew you know they like you when they pick at you a bit ;-)





"
You can pick on me all you want mastertangler! I grew up with 5 sisters. Nothin that hasn’t been done before!


We are not done with the dry ice idea yet! I have that backpack cooler ordered and on the way in the big brown truck. We will be making another liner for it to improve performance using the thinsulate or foam ideas,,maybe both, foam sewed inside insulate?


I am thinking dry ice on bottom. Icecream in next with the stainless ice cubes, and a compartment sewn to the lid to hold dry ice on top. We will compare time it takes to melt or ruin icecream with the dry ice, then with solid ice, then ice cubes. Which ever has the longest melt times goes to bwca with me as long as it gets into 3 days. June daytime weather in ohio should match bwca in sept, and be hotter at night,,so whatever it does here, should improve there.
 
Wick
03/06/2018 07:26PM
 
A cooler arrived today. I will add pics later. It has handles on all sides just like a ccs pack. I think i can make a liner that will work!
 
Wick
03/07/2018 07:58AM
 
Grab handles. Has a zipout liner to use for a pattern. Since it has a two way zipper, i can leave them together on top, which will put a very small opening between them making a vent for the gasses of the dry ice to escape without expanding the cooler?


 
BnD
03/07/2018 09:43AM
 
The End.
 
Wick
03/07/2018 02:08PM
 
With the liner removed, there is some silver material. A cross between foil and windbreaker material?


Anyone ever sew on those space/mylar blankets? Would they hold a sewed seam?

I have never touched one, but the inside of the cooler made me think of that material. Wondering if i could/should wrap my yoga foam with space blankets, since i am thinking compression will not effect the effeciency of that material.


Do they insulate well?

 
PapaBear1975
02/18/2018 04:37AM
 
TominMpls: "The wilderness is a good place to reevaluate your needs. You need your water to not give you the runs, but you don't need it to be cold."


Exactly. I planned on taking in beer last year, but honestly I settled for keeping a six pack back at the outfitter in their fridge while I went off for a few days. When I got back, the beer was ice cold and tasted pretty damn good after filtered lake water and coffee all week. In September, the water is nice and cool anyway...like right out of the tap at home (filtered). One time my dad and I had a father/son come with us on our Troop's annual trip to the BW, they brought an chest cooler filled with milk jugs of frozen water from home. They didn't want to drink lake water. So we made them haul it over the portages. The next year they came back.....they decided packing a cooler (despite our insistances not to) was the better idea. My advice- just get a small soft sided lunch cooler. Freeze any items you want for the first day or two (steaks, bacon, etc), and put any items you want cold for day1-2, then once those are used, pack up the soft sided cooler, your back will be a lot happier.
 
BnD
02/18/2018 06:51AM
 
I’m dreading another meaningless thread. Just sayn.
 
Wick
02/18/2018 07:34AM
 
BnD: "I’m dreading another meaningless thread. Just sayn. "


Then why participate in it? Just sayn
 
billconner
02/18/2018 07:33AM
 
However stored, a single block like the jug mentioned will last a lot longer than the same weight of ice in cubes. Even two half gallon jugs will melt sooner than a single one gallon. So maybe learn to chip it.


If you could find a small styrofoam chest - I once received gourmet ice cream via FedEx in one - an fill that with water - lined - and freeze it, that would probably last longest.


No I might bury a couple of cans of beer in it but that's another issue.



 
Wick
02/18/2018 07:53AM
 
billconner: "However stored, a single block like the jug mentioned will last a lot longer than the same weight of ice in cubes. Even two half gallon jugs will melt sooner than a single one gallon. So maybe learn to chip it.



If you could find a small styrofoam chest - I once received gourmet ice cream via FedEx in one - an fill that with water - lined - and freeze it, that would probably last longest.



No I might bury a couple of cans of beer in it but that's another issue.



"

My wife would bust that chunk to get the cold beer!


I thought about that styrofoam idea. The freezing ice would expand and break the cooler? Maybe a lined cardboard box, slightly smaller the the cooler,,freeze it and then transfer to the cooler. The box would hold the general shape while freezing,,cut box off and discard before transfering to cooler. Styrofoam might not survive the canoe. I could use a cooler for ballast since i only have 1 pack and a solo canoe.


Everyone brags up those yeti coolers. I think my previously mentioned glass is that type construction
 
lundojam
02/18/2018 08:39AM
 
Here's an idea for one of you; you can give me half the profits:
You know how the fixtures on top of a one-pound propane can sometimes frost up while in use? Capture that reaction and re-direct into an ice maker or a gizmo that cools liquid. I think it'd be pretty simple for the right person.
You're welcome.
 
campnfish
02/18/2018 09:32AM
 
Grandma L, is that a 30l, and what food pack is that?

 
LindenTree3
02/18/2018 09:34AM
 
Wick,


FWIW,
I quit critiquing people long ago on what they should or shouldn't bring on a trip as far as the internet goes. Bring whatever makes you happy within reason.
Styrofoam Coolers, think of the thick ones that are not too big and 1-2 inches thick, the kind that they ship medical items in that need to stay cold.
Either way, what others have said. Freeze ice in a gallon size, or buy block ice and chip it. It will last very long this way.
 
bwcadan
02/18/2018 01:28PM
 
Plus one for each bringing what makes you happy. I do not bring ice, but most every creature comfort known to man. Think rocking chair in addition to chair for tent. Add a cot and a Therma Rest for it, etc. I bring a 24 pack of juice bottles for breakfast for each 2 of us and one liter bottle of water for each to be used on day one when traveling to our base camp, think one 4 man tent for each.


Do the best you can as long as it will last, then and only then suck it up as there is only one other choice and that is to plan your exit.
 
Northwoodsman
02/18/2018 02:10PM
 
Out of all the modern conveniences you are giving up, ice is something you can't live without? You are going in September, correct? Two years ago I went about the same time you did and our water bottles had ice in them in the a.m. one morning. Lake water is fairly cold that time of year. You may be wishing you had something warm to drink, not something cold to drink. I'm not sure ice/liquids are something you really want to carry on portages. Whatever the temperature, make sure that you are drinking plenty of liquids. Don't wait until you are thirsty. At home a lot of the food you eat contains water; most likely the food you take to the BWCA won't. You need to make up for it.
 
krole
02/18/2018 02:21PM
 
Have you brought ice before? What was/is your previous system?
 
Grandma L
02/18/2018 02:47PM
 
campnfish: "Grandma L, is that a 30l, and what food pack is that?
"

I altered a Kondos regular #3 - took in the sides and shaped the top. Not hard and easier + cheaper than the special Barrel packs.
if you are in the Twin cities - I would be willing to help-do one for you.
 
awbrown
02/18/2018 02:54PM
 
Get these, recharge them by placing in a small mesh bag, tie a cord onto the end and throw them out where the lake water is cold.


Reusable Ice Cubes
 
Frenchy19
02/18/2018 03:19PM
 
BnD: "I’m dreading another meaningless thread. Just sayn. "


Then don't read it, much less respond to it.
 
Frenchy19
02/18/2018 03:20PM
 
My wife is the same; her biggest downer on trips is not having really cold water. She deals with it by having plenty of Gatorade.
 
billconner
02/18/2018 03:35PM
 
Wick - just recalled I took a soft sided cooler once and froze 4 pints of orange juice as "the ice". Still ice on day 4 in August. Just as an indicator.


(I looked at REI where I got it but they seem to have gone Yeti crazy.)


I appreciate how good cold drink is after a week without. Hope this helps.


I take books - paperbacks. They are certainly not something I can't live without but I never get a chance to read fiction except when on a canoe trip, so 4 or 5 paperbacks. And too many maps - because I love maps. To each their own, especially on their leisure time.



 
Wick
02/17/2018 08:50PM
 
I am dreading having to drink stuff that is not cold on my sept trip. How long can you keep ice? What is the best cooler? Is there a dry ice system?
 
Jackfish
02/17/2018 10:26PM
 
You're dreading it? You can't handle some modestly cool water?
 
TominMpls
02/17/2018 11:00PM
 
The wilderness is a good place to reevaluate your needs. You need your water to not give you the runs, but you don't need it to be cold.
 
campnfish
02/17/2018 11:32PM
 
Freeze a milk jug filled with water, you will have cold water on day 4 or 5, we do it all the time, keeps everything cool and cold water on day out.
 
bwcasolo
02/18/2018 05:43AM
 
Jackfish: "You're dreading it? You can't handle some modestly cool water?"
+1, seriously? dreading it.
 
pswith5
02/18/2018 06:02AM
 
Ice is heavy.
 
Wick
02/18/2018 06:13AM
 
Yes!,, dreading it! Everybody has their comforts they want. I can do without about anything,,but i like cold drinks! I do not touch any hot drinks during a normal day.



(Read this with sarcasm/smile in your head)
I am not taking chairs and other comfort items,,but i do not tell you guys to suck it up, reevaluate the wilderness and sit on a log! You won’t hear me telling people to leave the raincoat and the coffee at home, it is weight you have to carry! What is with everybody carrying stoves! You can’t eat cold food for a couple days? You don’t NEED your food and coffee hot!


I want ice! Geez louweez. Not wanting to know how to commit murder!


Campnfish, the idea on the milk jug. You just put that in a cooler? We will be drinking lake water with some flavor added. I am thinking more of small pieces of ice in a glass. My wife bought me a metal glass last month that i drink out of at dinner. If i take it to the sink after i am done, and she doesn’t do dishes right away, that ice will still be there the next day, almost looking like new!


I guess i am looking for a cooler that will be as efficient as that glass. I could reuse ice cubes until they are gone. I will be the only tongue licking them.






 
Grandma L
02/18/2018 09:15AM
 
Oh, don't let those nay-sayers bother - I freeze several things in Nalgene bottles - depending on the season. Eggs, water, soup - just depends on who gets to carry my food packs. If it is the young strong ones - they don't mind and they appreciate fresh food the first day or so.
I use blue barrels in a pack for food. We wrap them in closed cell sleeping foam, add a foam lid and bottom - thus a cooler. The foam makes the barrel padded and when the food is gone, I have another foam for around camp or for sleeping.



 
Wick
02/18/2018 05:15PM
 
awbrown: "Get these, recharge them by placing in a small mesh bag, tie a cord onto the end and throw them out where the lake water is cold.



Reusable Ice Cubes "



Now there may be an idea,,expensive, but i may be willing to pay for cold drinks!
They have stainless steel ice cubes. I could carry a much smaller chunk of dry ice,,throw the stainless cubes in with the dry ice to get/keep them cold,,then put them in my drink. It might reduce the ice weight needed by 1/2, plus the weight of some tongs to retrieve them from the dry ice.

Nice find awbrown!


I will go research dry ice melting times.
 
Wick
02/18/2018 05:50PM
 
Well, the internet says dry ice melts twice as fast as regular ice. I did not expect that.
 
yellowhorse
02/18/2018 06:10PM
 
billconner: "Wick - just recalled I took a soft sided cooler once and froze 4 pints of orange juice as "the ice". Still ice on day 4 in August. Just as an indicator.



(I looked at REI where I got it but they seem to have gone Yeti crazy.)



I appreciate how good cold drink is after a week without. Hope this helps.



I take books - paperbacks. They are certainly not something I can't live without but I never get a chance to read fiction except when on a canoe trip, so 4 or 5 paperbacks. And too many maps - because I love maps. To each their own, especially on their leisure time.



"



You read 4 or 5 entire paperbacks on a trip? Or just pick and choose depending on your mood? How long are your trips? I need to take longer trips as I'd love to do that much reading!
 
WIMike
02/18/2018 06:09PM
 
Wick: "Well, the internet says dry ice melts twice as fast as regular ice. I did not expect that."


Dry ice requires a lower temp to stay solid. The bigger the gap between freeze point and ambient temp the faster the melting, or in the case of dry ice, sublimating.
 
awbrown
02/18/2018 07:41PM
 
Wick: "Well, the internet says dry ice melts twice as fast as regular ice. I did not expect that."


You have to insulate dry ice or it will evaporate rapidly. I've been on desert jeep trips where we used a 20 lb. chunk of dry ice in a cooler. The temperatures in the day were above 100F with no shade. We wrapped the dry ice in several layers of newspapers and it lasted a week.
 
billconner
02/18/2018 07:46PM
 
yellowhorse: "billconner: "Wick - just recalled I took a soft sided cooler once and froze 4 pints of orange juice as "the ice". Still ice on day 4 in August. Just as an indicator.




(I looked at REI where I got it but they seem to have gone Yeti crazy.)




I appreciate how good cold drink is after a week without. Hope this helps.




I take books - paperbacks. They are certainly not something I can't live without but I never get a chance to read fiction except when on a canoe trip, so 4 or 5 paperbacks. And too many maps - because I love maps. To each their own, especially on their leisure time.




"




You read 4 or 5 entire paperbacks on a trip? Or just pick and choose depending on your mood? How long are your trips? I need to take longer trips as I'd love to do that much reading!"



10-12 nights. I can do one book on a rainy layover day.
 
andym
02/18/2018 07:39PM
 
I personally wouldn’t sink rocks to the bottom of a lake and then put them in my drink. I might, however, put them in a cooler next to my drink. And those wouldn’t be expensive rocks that I carried over portages. They would be rocks I found in camp. If I’m going to carry something heavy to chill, it’ll be beer and people have sunk beer to cool it.


There are propane powered refrigerators. But I’ve never heard of anyone camping with them.


I’ve only used the gallon of ice trick in hot climates. When mapping in the desert we used to leave a gallon of ice under the truck to drink at the end of the day. And we’ve taken a gallon of ice kayaking in Hawaii for the day. Starts out keeping lunch cold and ends up as the final drinks.


In September you might get lucky and have some snow and frost to cool things off just by leaving them out. We’ve had some chilly nights in Sept.


Whatever you do, claim some style points. I hold that my greatest number of style points were earned at 10,000 feet in the Sierra with snow cooled beers and jiffy pop.
 
Brsed
02/18/2018 08:23PM
 
Buy a Yeti Tundra 50, fill it with water within 1 inch of the top, place the whole thing in a meat freezer, put it in a large CCS ruck; bring an ice pick. Enjoy! Whole thing should weigh less than 100 lbs and will last you the week.
 
OCDave
02/18/2018 08:53PM
 
Wick: "I am dreading having to drink stuff that is not cold on my sept trip. How long can you keep ice? What is the best cooler? Is there a dry ice system?"


Consider rescheduling your trip. Going next week would help prolong the life of your ice.


Sorry- couldn't help myself.

On a more serious note: Bota bags, canvas water bags, even MSR Dromodary bags will cool your liquid refreshments to some extent with evaporative cooling. Keep the exterior surface wet and hang in a breeze. Keep in the shade to prevent the sun from undoing your chill.

 
drnatus
02/18/2018 08:56PM
 
Filling a nalgene to the brim and tie a rope around it and sink it deep in a lake should get cold, but not ice cold.


Here is a dumb idea: you could get the medical packs that freeze when you break open a little vial inside..... expensive, heavy, you will have to pack it out, not reusable, but you will have something that is frozen to cool stuff down!!!
 
DontPanic
02/18/2018 09:14PM
 
I think bringing ice is crazy however, I’m not the one carrying it so....
Yeti coolers, I’ve heard, keep ice for 5 days.
 
Arcola
02/18/2018 09:30PM
 
There is still time to head up now and put up ice in a secret locale; all you need to haul in is sawdust , ice tongs, and an ice saw. Problem solved!
If you're clever enough to cut ALOT, you could take the summer off , stay in camp, and sell ice to weary paddlers. :) Oh, and one more thing, location, location, location!

 
Wick
02/19/2018 04:42AM
 
OCDave:



Consider rescheduling your trip. Going next week would help prolong the life of your ice.
"



There is an instant fix! :)
 
Dances with Sheep
02/19/2018 07:45AM
 
You could try evaporative cooling. Take an old worn out pair of jeans and cut off a leg. Tie a knot in one end, dip it in the lake and hang from a tree in a shady location. I've used this to keep things cool (not cold) and it works fairly well.

Edit..I see that Dave beat me to the punch.
 
sylvesterii
02/19/2018 11:22AM
 
Wick: "I am dreading having to drink stuff that is not cold on my sept trip. How long can you keep ice? What is the best cooler? Is there a dry ice system?"


All joking in the thread aside, an RTIC (or YETI) Soft-sided cooler, packed inside a CCS food pack, opened as little as possible and kept out of the sun as much as possible would easily keep ice for several days. September temps should help that as well most of the time.


The RTIC isn't cheap (YETI even less-so) and kind of heavy, but if Ice is a huge concern, its manageable.

 
NoisyWetHermit
02/19/2018 06:29AM
 
lundojam: "Here's an idea for one of you; you can give me half the profits:
You know how the fixtures on top of a one-pound propane can sometimes frost up while in use? Capture that reaction and re-direct into an ice maker or a gizmo that cools liquid. I think it'd be pretty simple for the right person.
You're welcome."

Dad had a truck camper with a propane refrigerator in it. I don't know how it worked, but if someone does and could make a miniature one, we would be all set. It just has to be big enough for a six pack.
 
cowdoc
02/19/2018 07:30AM
 
drnatus: "Filling a nalgene to the brim and tie a rope around it and sink it deep in a lake should get cold, but not ice cold.



Here is a dumb idea: you could get the medical packs that freeze when you break open a little vial inside..... expensive, heavy, you will have to pack it out, not reusable, but you will have something that is frozen to cool stuff down!!!"




I put several full nalgenes in a mesh bag with a rock, tie a rope to it and sink it in the deepest water off camp. It does cool your drinking water off quite well. Not ice cold but still refreshing.
 
Magrockt
02/19/2018 08:25AM
 
10 lb block from the iceman stays frozen for days. OR Use frozen gallons if you must, then you can drink them up when they melt
 
arm2008
02/19/2018 08:45AM
 
Using a vacuum to turn water into ice


You can create a vacuum using running water. Not sure if it would create a strong enough vacuum. Or, a canning jar with a hose attachment and shutoff on the hose. Boil the jar, forcing air out, allow to cool. Open shutoff to access the vacuum. I don't know how large your canning jar would have to be! But you've got time to experiment :-)
 
Cofit
02/19/2018 10:56AM
 
As far as location goes, Dorothy Molter had that figured out long ago.

 
schweady
02/19/2018 03:50PM
 
Not totally nuts, just added weight. Whatever floats your boat.


When on family trips and taking fresh foods, my wife insists on some ice in the meat pack. Two or three half-gallon juice containers do the trick and extend the chill for 3 days. Drink as it melts, too.


That said, when on trips with the men's group, we take the same fresh meat supply without ice. It's mostly thawed out by the third day, but still cold. Insulated pack kept in the shade makes the difference.


I have never, however, felt the need to add ice to my drinking water. In the height of summer, my parched throat is quite happy with whatever temperature the lake is at.

 
Northwoodsman
02/19/2018 04:16PM
 
Aren't you taking two solo canoes? And isn't hers like 12'? Where are you going to put this stuff? Are you driving or flying from Ohio? Don't forget you have to get the frozen block/jugs/whatever of ice from OH to the BWCA also.
 
andym
02/19/2018 11:22PM
 
schweady: "Whatever floats your boat."


Ice will, literally, float your boat.
 
bwcasolo
02/20/2018 05:42AM
 
Wick: "Yes!,, dreading it! Everybody has their comforts they want. I can do without about anything,,but i like cold drinks! I do not touch any hot drinks during a normal day.




(Read this with sarcasm/smile in your head)
I am not taking chairs and other comfort items,,but i do not tell you guys to suck it up, reevaluate the wilderness and sit on a log! You won’t hear me telling people to leave the raincoat and the coffee at home, it is weight you have to carry! What is with everybody carrying stoves! You can’t eat cold food for a couple days? You don’t NEED your food and coffee hot!



I want ice! Geez louweez. Not wanting to know how to commit murder!



Campnfish, the idea on the milk jug. You just put that in a cooler? We will be drinking lake water with some flavor added. I am thinking more of small pieces of ice in a glass. My wife bought me a metal glass last month that i drink out of at dinner. If i take it to the sink after i am done, and she doesn’t do dishes right away, that ice will still be there the next day, almost looking like new!



I guess i am looking for a cooler that will be as efficient as that glass. I could reuse ice cubes until they are gone. I will be the only tongue licking them.






"

good point wick, we all can carry in whatever we want!
 
Wick
02/19/2018 05:49PM
 
Northwoodsman: "Aren't you taking two solo canoes? And isn't hers like 12'? Where are you going to put this stuff? Are you driving or flying from Ohio? Don't forget you have to get the frozen block/jugs/whatever of ice from OH to the BWCA also."


Yes, 2 carbon fiber solo canoes, but we had everything packed except for a few pc of cloths, and it doesnt even fill up 1 pioneer pack for each canoe. We are not taking or needing too many comfort items, and decided cold drinks were what we want. Our canoes weigh less then 20 lb. We can add some luxury weight. It will get lighter every day!


I do have to solve the problem of getting the ice to the dock still. I suppose i can throw a chainsaw in the truck, buy a big block on the way, and trim it to size i want before leaving the dock. That ain’t a big deal for a farm boy!
 
old_salt
11/13/2018 10:27PM
 
I freeze a qt nalgene or two to start the trip. You can flavor it when you fill it. As it melts and you drink it, add more water to be cooled by melting ice.


You can do the same thing with your frozen milk jug. You will run out so carry a second one in a cooler. Keep it in the shade, and keep a wet towel around it.
 
Nozzelnut
02/23/2018 09:38PM
 
RTIC Soft 30 with at least 2 frozen gallons; divided into quarts or halves. Only open 1x per day, keep it in the shade, precool your cooler before putting your blocks of ice in, wrap with reflectix.....


Not sure how long it will last for you; but we left about a gallon of ice in the fire pit when we headed home after our 4 night trip.

 
Wick
02/24/2018 11:30AM
 
Northwoodsman: "I bought 2 different sizes of the Ice Mule and returned them both. Way to bulky and held next to nothing. "


Good info. Thanks!
 
bwcasolo
11/19/2018 06:39AM
 
OMG, that's all i can type. winter is surely here.
 
mjmkjun
02/23/2018 05:12PM
 
Two days is better than none. Thought of you, Wick, when I saw this:
Ice Mule
 
BuckFlicks
02/23/2018 05:16PM
 
I'm not saying you're crazy... but I find the comfort of not hauling around 20 pounds of extra water a lot more comforting than a slightly colder than lake water drink would be, so I've never even pondered this for a BWCA trip.


We have packed coolers for Coke and beer on river trips where we don't have to portage. We put several water bottles in the freezer a couple days before the trip, and they were the ice for the coolers, along with a block of dry ice on the bottom. We drank them as they melted. Worked out very well. No way I'd do that for a trip with portages, though. That's the advantage of a purifying filter and nalgene bottles... fill up and drink as you go, minimizing the weight carried on a portage. Finish off the bottle at the start of the portage, and fill it up again before launching. Drink as you paddle, then repeat. Also a good way to make sure you stay hydrated.

 
Wick
02/24/2018 05:53AM
 
Nozzelnut: "RTIC Soft 30 with at least 2 frozen gallons; divided into quarts or halves. Only open 1x per day, keep it in the shade, precool your cooler before putting your blocks of ice in, wrap with reflectix.....



Not sure how long it will last for you; but we left about a gallon of ice in the fire pit when we headed home after our 4 night trip.
"



If it was on basswood, nooneuno found it! Good to hear experience. We will only need 3 nights worth on this trip, so it should be easy to do.
 
Mickeal
02/24/2018 07:34AM
 
When not portaging this is what we do. In May when we are on Seagull I always invite the openers to stop by and have a cold one,
 
Northwoodsman
02/24/2018 10:17AM
 
I bought 2 different sizes of the Ice Mule and returned them both. Way too bulky and held next to nothing. You close them like you do a dry bag by rolling up the end. You end up trapping a lot of air inside and the whole thing takes up a lot of room in a pack. You could carry them with a strap but I would use a Yeti soft side instead with a carrying strap around your neck, over your shoulder. Well actually I wouldn't, but you could.
 
mastertangler
02/25/2018 01:40PM
 
Hmmmm.........get a grip. You had better get used to the idea of drinking less than cold water and you need to get used to it quickly. It's much more than just a preference, your health and well being will depend on your ability to stay hydrated.


Don't like broccoli? Eat it every day for a month and I promise you that you will start to crave it. Drinking warm water is merely a decision. "I will drink it and I will like it" should be your self talk. If you keep telling yourself that you simply cannot tolerate less than cold water that will be your self imposed reality.
 
Wick
02/25/2018 03:10PM
 
mastertangler: "Hmmmm.........get a grip. You had better get used to the idea of drinking less than cold water and you need to get used to it quickly. It's much more than just a preference, your health and well being will depend on your ability to stay hydrated.



Don't like broccoli? Eat it every day for a month and I promise you that you will start to crave it. Drinking warm water is merely a decision. "I will drink it and I will like it" should be your self talk. If you keep telling yourself that you simply cannot tolerate less than cold water that will be your self imposed reality. "



Lol,,,No thanks, you torture yourself. I reward myself with things i like. I don’t give up that easy. I am used to working hard. Working hard on a few portages? Youall make it sound like a death sentence!
 
ockycamper
02/25/2018 01:12PM
 
Ice cream, steaks, ice, and camp chairs?! Do you get very far?
 
mastertangler
02/26/2018 05:51AM
 
Your response sounds like something I would write Wick.........I to, don't mind working hard to bring in some luxuries and am willing to put in the sweat equity and extra time to make it happen. Good for you (thumbs up emogee inserted >HERE<)


Sure, bringing in some ice is a great idea........I like the sound of it and have strongly considered doing a "food" type trip myself. Base camp with all the good food and just fish........read....... fish....... nap...... fish.......(whoops, I forgot about the food ;-)
Besides it gives me an excuse to buy some more gear........Stu's insulated pack system.


The idea of drinking the melting water along with a great meal sounds rather nice. I like the sound of it. But having said that, and perhaps I am misreading you, the concept of being unable or unwilling to drink less than cold water on a canoe trip sounds silly in the extreme sense of the word (with all due respect etc. etc.)
 
mastertangler
02/26/2018 02:21PM
 
I have re-read the thread and must offer an apology for my tone. If your only going in for only 4 days (3 nights) and desire some nice cold water then I guess all is well. Somehow I was picturing doing a "regular" trip of several days or more which incorporates some travel and could not conceive of the practicality of HAVING to have cold water to drink.


But hey, you got plenty of input and maybe some other folks may have benefited from the discussion concerning ice. I know one day (over the rainbow ;-) I will be bringing in ice, and steaks and real spuds etc, etc.


Besides, the ONE person on this planet you don't want ticked off is Mr Wick.
 
Wick
02/26/2018 03:15PM
 
mastertangler:
Besides, the ONE person on this planet you don't want ticked off is Mr Wick. "



no apology needed mastertangler! It is a shorter trip.


lol,,,I got your reference,,and my first name IS Jon! :)
 
Northwoodsman
02/28/2018 08:21AM
 
Wick,


I don't know anything about this item but perhaps you could research it. It's on sale for $65.70 through today using the extra 25% off coupon code. The code is 25OUTSL. There are several other similar items listed as well like the Seattle Sports Cooler Tote.


Barebones Backpack Cooler
 
ockycamper
02/28/2018 09:32AM
 
Do you need ice in the drinks, or just cold drinks?


We have used Polar insulated back packs for years in our groups. We freeze everything we put in them and arrange from stuff we need first on top.


One year on an Adirondicks 60 mile trip (4 hard portages over 1 mile each time) we brought an NRS insulated cooler. I put 6 plastic bottles of Diet Coke in there. Add a couple of frozen gel packs and your are good for days.


If cold drinks is the issue, you can do so without weight. If you truly MUST have ice in your drink. . .you are carrying in water and needless weight.
 
ockycamper
02/28/2018 09:51AM
 
So this is not about cold drinks. . .you've got to have actual ice floating in the glass?


Cold drinks are no problem and the weight can be contained. Just put them in with the frozen stuff. If actual floating bits of ice is the deal killer, you are then into the area that has brought about the "troll" comments. . . actually bringing in ice and coolers to keep ice for putting into the cups.



 
Grandma L
02/28/2018 10:05AM
 
Well, head north NOW - there is plenty of ice. Just saying -
If you want ice, can haul it in and keep it insulated for a few days while carrying a heavy cooler - more power to you. I am sure there are plent of us who have carried in other things that are heavy and of questionable value to the masses.
 
Wick
02/28/2018 10:20AM
 
ockycamper: "So this is not about cold drinks. . .you've got to have actual ice floating in the glass?



Cold drinks are no problem and the weight can be contained. Just put them in with the frozen stuff. If actual floating bits of ice is the deal killer, you are then into the area that has brought about the "troll" comments. . . actually bringing in ice and coolers to keep ice for putting into the cups.



"



shrug,,,,people can call me whatever they want. It is their problem and heart burn, not mine.


I plan on eating chocolate ice cream the second and/or third night on the BWCA. I plan on having ice in my drinks in the evenings. If you run across me, I will provide ice for your drink too,,,,,just don't ask for my ice cream!


GrandmaL: When I have added insulation to coolers I have used closed cell foam - yoga mats. they are flexible and easy to cut and shape - OR you can get "Thinsulite" by the yard. It works too. "


Thinsulite is a material? A quilted or flat material? Like in gloves and such? Thinsulate?


Can you tell the difference when adding the yoga mat? I will be experminting this summer of course.
 
Wick
02/28/2018 09:26AM
 
Northwoodsman: "Wick,



I don't know anything about this item but perhaps you could research it. It's on sale for $65.70 through today using the extra 25% off coupon code. The code is 25OUTSL. There are several other similar items listed as well like the Seattle Sports Cooler Tote.



Barebones Backpack Cooler "



I saw that one Northwoodsman. The other places I investigated that cooler, like walmart, says they hold ice only for 48 hours. Since most ads claim the best scenerio,,i figured real world would be less then 48 hours. I like the backpack style though. It would work good for portage, and has a liner that comes out. The good part is the price and a 2lb weight. Might be great with a insulater put inside it. The 2lb weight says there may not be much insulation there,,but the solid coolers are heavy! It is too big also, so there would be plenty of room for an insulator of some type to be added.


Anyone here tried one?
 
Wick
02/28/2018 09:44AM
 
ockycamper ,we WANT ice,,,,,,


I just bought that backpack cooler on sale that Northwoodsman was referring to. Now i must find insulating material for my wife to sew up to make an insulating liner for that cooler, to ,make it more efficient. Moon blankets? I will go look at the sewing store(can't remember name) where my wife buys material to see what they have. I know they have foam, but there should be a more high tech solution then that. Plus, foam is thick
 
Grandma L
02/28/2018 10:08AM
 
Wick: "ockycamper ,we WANT ice,,,,,,
I just bought that backpack cooler on sale that Northwoodsman was referring to. Now i must find insulating material for my wife to sew up to make an insulating liner for that cooler, to ,make it more efficient. Moon blankets? I will go look at the sewing store(can't remember name) where my wife buys material to see what they have. I know they have foam, but there should be a more high tech solution then that. Plus, foam is thick"

When I have added insulation to coolers I have used closed cell foam - yoga mats. they are flexible and easy to cut and shape - OR you can get "Thinsulite" by the yard. It works too.
 
mastertangler
02/28/2018 12:23PM
 
One thing I will add being familiar with having to keep ice for extended periods of time using high end Engel coolers. The key is to "precool" your cooler before actually adding the ice that you intend to use. I will take a bag of ice and add it to the cooler over night. Then I will dispose of that bag and then fill my cooler. The difference is rather dramatic.


The other helpful concept is to use block ice. You can make it yourself using various plastic containers. I like tapered containers which require very little thawing before your block slides out. A hammer with a pick type end could then be employed to knock off the requisite amount of ice to civilize the wild ;-)

FWIW any of the high end Engel or Yeti coolers are quite heavy, even empty and will require the use of a REAL Yeti or Saskwatch to hoist them across portage trails. On the bright side your thirst will be mightily worked up and the cold water will truly be appreciated. Be sure to have a bit of Beef jerky for your hairy portage friend.



 
GrizzlyCoolers
02/28/2018 01:47PM
 
Wick: "I am dreading having to drink stuff that is not cold on my sept trip. How long can you keep ice? What is the best cooler? Is there a dry ice system?"


If you are looking to keep just cubes for drinks and not a traditional cooler to keep everything cool I'd take a look at vacuum insulated vessels. The insulation properties to weight ratio should be quite good. I know there is a 3QT vacuum insulated crock that may be just the ice bucket you are looking for.
 
inspector13
02/28/2018 01:53PM
 
Wick: "Thinsulite is a material? A quilted or flat material? Like in gloves and such? Thinsulate?"
Yes; Google “Thinsulate fabric”. Its a great product brought to you by 3M.



 
Wick
02/28/2018 04:17PM
 
GrizzlyCoolers: "Wick: "I am dreading having to drink stuff that is not cold on my sept trip. How long can you keep ice? What is the best cooler? Is there a dry ice system?"



If you are looking to keep just cubes for drinks and not a traditional cooler to keep everything cool I'd take a look at vacuum insulated vessels. The insulation properties to weight ratio should be quite good. I know there is a 3QT vacuum insulated crock that may be just the ice bucket you are looking for. "



I looked at some of those. The 3qt ones i saw were advertising only 16 hours for cold
 
GrizzlyCoolers
02/28/2018 04:22PM
 
Wick: "GrizzlyCoolers: "Wick: "I am dreading having to drink stuff that is not cold on my sept trip. How long can you keep ice? What is the best cooler? Is there a dry ice system?"




If you are looking to keep just cubes for drinks and not a traditional cooler to keep everything cool I'd take a look at vacuum insulated vessels. The insulation properties to weight ratio should be quite good. I know there is a 3QT vacuum insulated crock that may be just the ice bucket you are looking for. "




I looked at some of those. The 3qt ones i saw were advertising only 16 hours for cold"



I think that would be keeping cold water cold, not ice cubes. I could be wrong though.
 
bwcasolo
02/28/2018 04:33PM
 

 
Banksiana
02/28/2018 07:22PM
 
Ok. This thread is one of the silliest I've read- but Wick seems genuine, both serious and determined to carry water (albeit frozen) from lake to lake in the quest for a steady supply of cold beverage.


Then.... Walking through the Anchorage REI I see this and all I can think is "I solved Wick's dilemma."
 
nooneuno
02/28/2018 05:20PM
 
I am almost tempted to offer to carry in 50 lbs of Ice for Wick just to end this crazy thread.
 
Northwoodsman
03/01/2018 07:51AM
 
Wick,
Now you may want to find another light weight cooler like a soft-sided cooler or something and put a block of ice in it, then wrap that in insulation and put inside the backpack cooler. You will need a block, cubes have too much surface area and they will melt. As for the ice cream, try the freeze fried stuff! Your ice will maintain a temp of just under 30°. Anything not frozen into the center of that block will be above 32°. Ice cream really needs to be between 0° and 15°.


Keep your cooler in the shade, with a light breeze, with a damp towel on top of it. That will help get you a couple of degrees cooler.
 
ockycamper
02/28/2018 07:27PM
 
For $250 I could pay a teenager to make deliveries of ice and fresh soft drinks directly to the base camp site every day for a week and not have to portage anything!
 
HighnDry
02/28/2018 08:07PM
 
Banksiana: "Ok. This thread is one of the silliest I've read- but Wick seems genuine, both serious and determined to carry water (albeit frozen) from lake to lake in the quest for a steady supply of cold beverage.



Then.... Walking through the Anchorage REI I see this and all I can think is "I solved Wick's dilemma.""



Heck of a cooler!
 
gymcoachdon
03/01/2018 11:23AM
 
OK, I have been following along without comment, but thought I would share my experience. I have done a couple solo trips, and one trip with my son and 2 of my brothers. My brother wanted to eat fresh food as much as possible. He took the measurements from the website of the food pack we were renting from an outfitter, and made a foam insert with a lid. He used aluminium tape to assemble it. He had dry ice in the cooler, with 2 nalgenes frozen at the bottom, and the food above it. When we got to Ely, we got the food pack, and it fit inside perfectly! (he is pretty anal, and made several different "test" coolers before the trip).
The night before the trip, he bought another block of dry ice, and put it in the bottom. I could be mistaken, but I believe the Nalgenes were still frozen solid on Day 3, and he drank really cold water on day 5. This was early September, with temps ranging from 50-60 degrees, and not a lot of sunshine that trip.
In conversations leading up to the trip, he asked about this, and I replied that he could do whatever he wanted, but HE had to carry it!
 
Grandma L
03/01/2018 11:29AM
 
GrandmaL: When I have added insulation to coolers I have used closed cell foam - yoga mats. they are flexible and easy to cut and shape - OR you can get "Thinsulite" by the yard. It works too. "
Thinsulite is a material? A quilted or flat material? Like in gloves and such? Thinsulate?
Can you tell the difference when adding the yoga mat? I will be experminting this summer of course."


I actually think the closed cell yoga mats worked the best. I put it inside a good cooler - lining all the sides, top and bottom. Then, put the cooler in a duluth "square" pack and off we go! Food stayed frozed in August for 4+ days
 
Wick
03/02/2018 03:10PM
 
boonie: "The obvious is to camp at Sawbill campground and day trip."


Too easy Boonie!
 
schweady
03/02/2018 05:13PM
 
Wick, I salute your tenacity!

 
boonie
03/02/2018 07:09PM
 
Wick: "boonie: "The obvious is to camp at Sawbill campground and day trip."



Too easy Boonie!"



:) Well, you do know I'm a KISS guy . . .
 
Jaywalker
03/02/2018 08:30PM
 
schweady: "Wick, I salute your tenacity!
"

Me too! And I applaud your ability to counter all the nay-sayers with decorum and a humor. I can't say I started here when this thread was short, but I've come along to your side. In fact, despite enjoying the taste of tepid lake water myself, you've got me thinking about how nice it might be to shake up an ice cold martini on day 3 or 4 of some July or August trip.


I know you've got a cooler on order, but yesterday I was in REI and could not walk by the growing cooler section without some review. I was really impressed by the Mountainsmith coolers, which seem to use some fairly rigid but not stiff closed cell foam, and a rather thick amount of it. I thought these would be ideal.


As for building a liner, I'd personally shy away from Thinsolate. It's an excellent fabric insulation, but made for clothing and I think would lose its R value when compressed. Rigid foam I believe will have better R value. I'd go with a modified closed cell foam blue pad, or even some pink rigid foam from the local Home Depot which I believe has even higher R value. I made a custom container out of blue foam pad and duct tape for my water bottle for winter trips and it has worked very well.
 
HighnDry
03/02/2018 08:47PM
 
Duct insulation works if layered enough. Just a thought.
 
Wick
03/03/2018 04:40AM
 
Jaywalker:



As for building a liner, I'd personally shy away from Thinsolate. It's an excellent fabric insulation, but made for clothing and I think would lose its R value when compressed. Rigid foam I believe will have better R value. I'd go with a modified closed cell foam blue pad, or even some pink rigid foam from the local Home Depot which I believe has even higher R value. I made a custom container out of blue foam pad and duct tape for my water bottle for winter trips and it has worked very well. "



I was wondering about the compression problems. That seems to be a problem with all material type insulation.


I have some nice foam here. When i put water on it, wipe it off, then squeeze it, the water shows on the surface and goes away when i let up. Very little water, but enough to see it. Does that mean it is not closed cell?

nooneuno:

" June daytime weather in ohio should match bwca in sept, and be hotter at night"
I don't know what part of Ohio your coming from but late September in the bdub has had me breaking ice for 25' to get from the campsite to open water.

2nd week is our choice. I have been hearing more of that opinion lately. This all may be wasted work in the end! Sept is my favorite month in ohio.

 
nooneuno
03/02/2018 09:09PM
 
Wick: "mastertangler: "All things are possible. This is America after all isn't it! We may be overlooking the obvious. Probably the best way to solve the ice issue is to have it flown in via helicopter. Perhaps even daily. Ice cream could be kept via dry ice.




(i'm sorry Wick, I couldn't help myself...........with my crew you know they like you when they pick at you a bit ;-)






"
You can pick on me all you want mastertangler! I grew up with 5 sisters. Nothin that hasn’t been done before!



We are not done with the dry ice idea yet! I have that backpack cooler ordered and on the way in the big brown truck. We will be making another liner for it to improve performance using the thinsulate or foam ideas,,maybe both, foam sewed inside insulate?



I am thinking dry ice on bottom. Icecream in next with the stainless ice cubes, and a compartment sewn to the lid to hold dry ice on top. We will compare time it takes to melt or ruin icecream with the dry ice, then with solid ice, then ice cubes. Which ever has the longest melt times goes to bwca with me as long as it gets into 3 days. June daytime weather in ohio should match bwca in sept, and be hotter at night,,so whatever it does here, should improve there."




" June daytime weather in ohio should match bwca in sept, and be hotter at night"
I don't know what part of Ohio your coming from but late September in the bdub has had me breaking ice for 25' to get from the campsite to open water.




 
ockycamper
03/03/2018 09:08AM
 
If Wick had said he wanted ice AND a gun. . .imagine how far this thread would go
 
cofit
03/03/2018 08:22AM
 

 
LindenTree3
03/03/2018 08:56AM
 
133 posts in a thread about ice.


We could have hit 200+ easy if this had been posted on the listening board :-)
Wick, thanks I have enjoyed this thread and agree with others that you have kept your posts positive despite naysayers.
 
mgraber
03/04/2018 12:38AM
 
Wow, this thread just goes on and on and on. Keep it up and it might even pass the marijuana thread( "what's that smell?") .lol
 
analyzer
03/08/2018 10:21AM
 
It should be noted, that many hard sided coolers do not have insulation in the lid, and that's where you're losing days. Some will drill a hole or three in the underside of the lid, and fill will the squirt foam insulation.
 
schweady
03/06/2018 04:19PM
 
mgraber: "Wow, this thread just goes on and on and on. Keep it up and it might even pass the marijuana thread( "what's that smell?") .lol"
Anybody here read the fishingminnesota site back in the day and recall the 20 inch box fan thread? google might turn that one up for ya. Settle in for an afternoon of snarky amusement.

 
mastertangler
03/08/2018 06:18AM
 
BnD: "The End."


The end is not the end..........actually, this is the End
 
analyzer
03/08/2018 10:03AM
 
Over the last 40 years or so, of tripping to the boundary waters, the vast majority have been base camping. We leave no luxury behind. We like to eat Steaks, bacon, sausage, burgers,etc, and pack the food in a coleman 5 day cooler. For ice, we just freeze water bottles. They'll last about 4 days, depending on how often you open the cooler. We've gotten a 5th day now, by creating a foam layer or two in the cooler. (much like Gymcoachdon's brother used).


We bought some of that pink hard foam insulation, about 3/4" thick or something like that, and cut it to fit perfectly inside the cooler. We wrapped it in duct tape to make it stronger. We then put some water bottles, and the meat/eggs/bacon whatever we are using day 4/5 on the bottom. Then a layer of foam, then whatever we are eating day 2/3 mid-level with a couple more water bottles. Then a 2nd layer of foam, and the rest on top, with a couple more bottles. We pre-frig all of the meat. Bacon gets frozen, sausage gets frozen, eggs get precracked and frozen, beans refrigerated, steaks refrigerated.


We have found the cooler to be so cold, the non frozen steaks, if put under the foam, actually freezes. So it stays on top.


The problem with a cooler, is any time you open the lid, the air warms up, and you're losing your ice. With layers of foam, the bottom layers of the cooler, don't get exposed to the warmer temperatures as much, and stays much colder. You're only exposing the layer that you need access to. It takes a little pre-planning, but we go up the night before, and have a 5 day base camp, and still have ice on day 5, which is actually day 6, from our door step.


Using foam layers, I would imagine you could keep cube ice in each layer, and still have ice at least on day 4.


Note, always fill your water bag, container, filter, whatever you use, the night before. Lake water temp is not going to change much, in the lake, over night. But the water you have hanging, will cool off significantly. Even without ice, even in late June, or even early july, I can often get a cold tang breakfast drink in the morning, simply by hanging the water all night.


Wick, to tell the truth, I'm in your camp. I have thought about bringing ice cubes every year. I don't like warm drinks. I hate late July/august trips for that reason, among others.


While I don't like camping in 40 degree weather, I do enjoy a cold beverage, and almost find it a necessity.


But no, given the choice, I'm not giving up my camp chair, for ice. But where we go, I don't have to choose.


Besides, keeping the leeches and crawlers cold, helps preserve them. I find filling the remaining capacity of my cooler with the leech bag, helps too. Air warms up much faster than water. So filling the remaining space in the top of the cooler with the leech water bag, helps keep everything cold.


I'm not laughing at your thread.... just the responses to it. Thanks for the laughs everyone.

 
mirth
03/08/2018 10:45AM
 
analyzer: "It should be noted, that many hard sided coolers do not have insulation in the lid, and that's where you're losing days. Some will drill a hole or three in the underside of the lid, and fill will the squirt foam insulation."


Yep, this. Last year for the family trip I made a reflectix sheet cut to fit the inside of the cooler to act as an insulating layer for the uninsulated lid. It sits right on top of whatever's in the top layer in the cooler. It definitely helped.
 
ABisbee
03/08/2018 09:47PM
 
Has anyone mentioned Cyto-freeze?
Think you can get a half dozen cans for under $100.
Probably just need 1 per trip.
Create an insulated cold chamber, something with lots of surface area and highly thermal conductive material.
(Thinking of a sort of aluminum waffle iron)
Fill this with the coolest water you can find then spray exterior with cyto-freeze.
Instant ice!
Scrape into beverage of choice.
 
ABisbee
03/08/2018 10:02PM
 
Just like Mama used to say:
“Ain’t nuttin’ like Cyto and a pack of freeze pops to make the hot days cool agin’”
 
zski
03/09/2018 10:36AM
 
Wick: "A cooler arrived today. I will add pics later. It has handles on all sides just like a ccs pack. I think i can make a liner that will work! "Wick, what brand/model is it?
 
Dougherty90
03/09/2018 01:50PM
 
I'm with you 100%. I rarely post, but this works & ice is critical. Period. I've a few of the CCS food packs (the padded sided ones) . They are great as-is for a few days with ice, but I wanted longer. I had a sheet of the pink ridged housing insulation & measured the inside of the pack & cut up a square of insulation as an insert for the CCS food pack. I used aluminum tape, (the type with the backing you pull off). I made a lid of the same stuff twice as thick. Works great & holds ice, but eventually the pink breaks down or breaks, especially if you drop it. It's cheap & if a pink box lasts a few years & you make a new one, so be it.


I made a second pink box & then used construction adhesive to build a box out of 1/4 " plywood as a rigid surround. Used epoxy & fiberglass to strengthen the sides. Plywood lid of the same. It's surprisingly light & we handle it with care. Built in backpack straps for portaging & it turned out pretty cool. I freeze food & use zip-lock bags of water to match the size of the box. Frozen food & thick bags of ice in the bottom. Then I've a layer of reflective bubble wrap, place that on top of the frozen stuff & refrigerated goods go on top. Keep it in the shade & we've had ice for scotch & bourbon for six days.


I also have to plug Dan Cooke. I called & he sells thick additional closed cell foam for the packs so that's a simple, easy solution too (no surprise there, he's the best) I had the pink foam so to save a buck & have some fun I built my own.


Cheers!
 
carmike
03/10/2018 11:35AM
 
schweady: "Anybody here read the fishingminnesota site back in the day and recall the 20 inch box fan thread? google might turn that one up for ya. Settle in for an afternoon of snarky amusement.
"



I had forgotten about that. :)
 
BnD
03/10/2018 07:43PM
 
BUMP


Did that make it explode:)

Just roll with it, you’ll live longer.
 
Northwoodsman
03/09/2018 09:30PM
 
Hey Wick,


Since I mentioned that cooler that you purchased, how about if I stop by for some of that Chocolate Ice Cream? I think we are tripping at the same time. I'll be paddling up off the Gunflint Trail Sept. 15th - 22nd. I'll actually be in your neck of the woods Wednesday and Thursday of this coming week. I would meet you for an ice cold beverage but I will have two co-workers with me and we have a couple long days to put in working on a project.
 
nooneuno
03/12/2018 11:02AM
 
Bushman: " I have seen some You Tube videos of guys drinking beer in the BW. Bottles and cans.
Now I am guessing they are not drinking it warm but I also wonder how much extra weight they had to carry around. I suppose If I was base camping I would be willing to go the extra mile and haul it in but I won't be doing that this year.



Who wants to open a beer store in Ely that sells beer in plastic bottles? Gold Mine!



I was thinking of bringing some frozen steaks and hot dogs for a couple meals but it's a 14 hour drive plus a nights stay in the bunkhouse. Not sure how long it would stay frozen. I could pack a few beers around the steak for the first night!"

They sell both at Zup's in Ely and would appreciate the business.
 
Bushman
03/12/2018 12:18PM
 
I will definitely hit them up in August then.
A few cold beers the first night with a steak would be awesome!!
 
TominMpls
03/12/2018 02:15PM
 
Heck, warm beers by the campfire would also be spectacular if they're the right beer. Some of those aforementioned English "warm ales" would taste pretty good after chilling in the lake for a while.
 
Wick
03/12/2018 05:46PM
 
Dougherty90: "I'm with you 100%. I rarely post, but this works & ice is critical. Period.


“Snip”.


Keep it in the shade & we've had ice for scotch & bourbon for six days.



Ah yes,, a man after my own heart! I never really told everyone that my need for ice goes much farther then cold water,,,!! Well, except for the ice cream.


In my younger days, one of my favorite drinks was yukon jack poured on top of the ice cube trays in my fridge. I would go back later and just pour it off of the tray directly into my mouth,,,reload the ice tray with more yukon jack, rinse, repeat.


I grew into better whiskeys and using glasses after getting married,,,,,still need that ice though.


Great cooler, good job! Kind of the same size and shape i am working on. Good to know success has already been achieved. I only need 4 days. Is alum tape also an insulator, or just the construction method?
 
mjmkjun
11/22/2018 12:05PM
 
LindenTree3: "Wick,



FWIW,
I quit critiquing people long ago on what they should or shouldn't bring on a trip as far as the internet goes. Bring whatever makes you happy within reason.
Styrofoam Coolers, think of the thick ones that are not too big and 1-2 inches thick, the kind that they ship medical items in that need to stay cold.
Either way, what others have said. Freeze ice in a gallon size, or buy block ice and chip it. It will last very long this way. "

Yep. Don't forget to haul it out.

 
johndku
11/19/2018 08:27PM
 
Gives a new meaning to the term "ice in". I'm more concerned with ice out.