Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: 2020 Border Route Trip Invite
|
Author | Message Text | ||
cyclones30 |
|
||
Conchistador |
JoshT: "< i have 4 methods which I'll be using 1: for shortest portages just grab by the handle and carry under arm 2: for little bit longer or to change up i can grab by handle but carry with an up bent arm sort of over the head but on one side - easier than it sounds 3: for longer portages, i have a strap system that i will carry over shoulder 4: for grand portage i will deflate the board and roll it up and either use the shoulder strap or just strap it to my backpack like a sleeping bag on the outside. 5: unforseen method - i'm sure i'll figure out about 10 other ways to do it as i go along but 1-4 should get me mostly through |
||
WhiteWolf |
GopherAdventure: "Conchistador: "Looking at the map, do you usually do Lac Lacroix or take the cutoff from Loon through Heritage, Lynx, Ruby, Hustler, Oyster, Agnes, and back to the route? Not only faster, but less energy exerted. Portaging- especially those portages spoken about- are not going to avg 4mph. Stay on water when you can, unless it's obvious. |
||
Conchistador |
cyclones30: "Nice, I had no idea it was an inflatable one. I figured it was a rigid one" super hi-tech inflatable race board style - not your typical inflatable |
||
BeaV |
bobbernumber3: "Holy Buckets!! We need to be paddling like 12 hours every day! With no wiggle room." Welcome to the fun, Bobber! |
||
bobbernumber3 |
TomColorado: "Looking for a canoe partner For the challenge or just about a week of paddling in bwca. Chat this up with a like-minded friend and get them interested. Call and talk with an outfitter near your preferred entry point and get a feel for a route, equipment needed, and style of trip you might make. Get your friend committed, block off some time, and make the trip. I think you would rather travel and trip with a person you know and understand. It will be a great experience for you both. |
||
GopherAdventure |
Conchistador: " " If you've never been to the BWCA before, you're going to love it! I don't think you'll run into any conditions that you're not equipped to handle with your level of experience. The only thing that might catch you off guard is how extreme the temps can be in mid September. I could be 90 during the day and in the morning you could wake to temps in the 40's or even lower. It's a really lottery with the weather in the shoulder months. The only thing I would suggest is some extra wool clothes to keep you warm even if it gets wet. I'm excited to maybe see you out there. I'm not on the roster for this challenge, but I happen to be doing it at the same time, at a leisurely pace. If I see an SUP out there, I'll have to come say hi. Tony |
||
JoshT |
Conchistador: "HighnDry: "Well, I meant a "canoe hat" as in putting the canoe over head and wearing it like a hat to go over a portage but the other kind is important too:) I'd love to just join GrandmaL on this one as part of the support team. Current family schedules won't permit me to actually do the challenge ---- but someday." Conchistador, I'll be there too, only starting at EP14, instead of Crane Lake. How does portaging with the SUP work. Do you have a harness\straps? Or just carry under your arm? Josh |
||
Conchistador |
GopherAdventure: "Conchistador: " " for sure. right now i might have a partner but more than likely i'll be alone and talking to myself so a little company is nice. |
||
GopherAdventure |
Conchistador: "Looking at the map, do you usually do Lac Lacroix or take the cutoff from Loon through Heritage, Lynx, Ruby, Hustler, Oyster, Agnes, and back to the route? It’s far easier to stay on LLC, more distance but faster travel. There’s a lot of portages going the other way. You’ll learn quickly that portaging is time consuming. It would probably take a lot longer cutting through there. Tony |
||
Conchistador |
I guess if it's windy maybe it would be better but yes there are a lot of portages on that. |
||
Grandma L |
|
||
Grandma L |
TomColorado: "Looking for a canoe partner For the challenge or just about a week of paddling in bwca. Tom, send me an email if you are still interested in joining the Challenge. I might have some possibilities for you. |
||
Conchistador |
Looking to team up with someone maybe. My permit is for entry 12 on Saturday so first day will be humping. Shooting for 40 mile days. |
||
DanCooke |
|
||
Dan Cooke |
! |
||
BeaV |
Minnesota Events Primer |
||
BeaV |
Dan Cooke: "My hats off to you all. I paddled just a portion in July- From Voyageur NP visitor center to Gunflint Lake in 9 days of paddling. To do the entire route.... My hat is off in respect for you all Thanks Dan! You got all the big water checked off the list! What did you think of Voyageurs National Park? Some of that area, I think, is the most scenic shoreline of our entire route. I like the big mature pine stands with little brush underneath combined with all the exposed bedrock. |
||
scotttimm |
BeaV: "scotttimm, here is that info Perfect, thank you...this answers most questions! |
||
HighnDry |
|
||
MagicPaddler |
|
||
Conchistador |
Grandma L: "Hey Scott, what does it all weigh?"48 lbs including food extra paddle, etc. might be able to lighten a bit after I get a final weather forecast. |
||
Conchistador |
HighnDry: "Well, I meant a "canoe hat" as in putting the canoe over head and wearing it like a hat to go over a portage but the other kind is important too:) I'd love to just join GrandmaL on this one as part of the support team. Current family schedules won't permit me to actually do the challenge ---- but someday." Actually I will be on Stand up paddle board. My board weighs 25 lbs |
||
Grandma L |
HighnDry: "Well, I meant a "canoe hat" as in putting the canoe over head and wearing it like a hat to go over a portage but the other kind is important too:) I'd love to just join GrandmaL on this one as part of the support team. Current family schedules won't permit me to actually do the challenge ---- but someday." High, send me an e-mail if you are serious. Might be able to work something out. |
||
BeaV |
However, the Border Route challenges will still happen but just without WaterTribe's involvement. The same thing occurred in 2017 and we just went on with our plans and paddled and portaged our way to Lake Superior. For those who had already signed up on WaterTribe site, you should have received an email from me indicating that we are doing it and nothing really changed- except I will organize the shuttles. Please email to let me know if you're still doing the Challenge and if you need shuttle services. In 2017, some people joined us after they found out WaterTribe was out. Maybe a few people are out there that may want to do it now. Let me know by August 24th if you want to be added to unofficial roster. So the information posted in the OP is still the what we're doing. MagicPaddler- I don't know how many people will need a shuttle yet. Let me know if you need a shuttle at the start, if so, to what location, and will you need a shuttle back to Ely. Shuttle times will be as early as Piragis will allow and as quick as us Challengers can get our gear and rears in the vans. Hoping it might be even a little earlier this year because there will be no WaterTribe forms to hand in and hopefully most people will print out their own Entry Permit ahead of time since the USFS is allowing that this year. The return shuttle from Grand Portage to Ely will likely be 11:00 am on Sunday 9/20 but until I set that with Piragis, it is just a tentative time. Grandma L- She likes us kinda crazy paddlers! Yes she is intending to be involved but limiting herself as she deems necessary to avoid contracting the covid bug. She volunteers her time for us. Some people do help out with expenses- if I forget to ask and you want to help, just catch me before we launch. |
||
Grandma L |
MagicPaddler: "How many people do we have for the shuttles? Are the shuttles still at the same times? Lori are you going to be there? If so how are you covering your expenses?" Magic, I plan to be there at the start and finish but spend less time at the Casino. Shuttles are 9 people max. from Piragis Expenses? Well, I haven't figured that out yet. |
||
BeaV |
1) Kruger/Waddell Challenge- 260 mile route International Falls through Voyageurs Nat'l Park and all the BWCA 2) Voyageurs Challenge- 205 mile route though all the BWCA west to east starting at either Crane Lake or Little Indian Sioux North 3) Moose Lake Challenge- 125 mile route Ely @ Moose Lake A group called WaterTribe is setting up the details and making shuttle arrangements. More details are given at the WaterTribe website: http://www.watertribe.com/Default.aspx The above start dates are going to be flexible due to Entry Point permit availability. All the challenge routes finish on Lake Superior at Grand Portage National Monument. The route to be followed should be the international boundary with Canada. Of course, longer routes are fine and maybe needed if the wind is blowing hard when you want to paddle one of many big lakes. All team members should register with WaterTribe and at least one person in each group needs to carry a PLB. Every canoe should also carry a Spot. All participants will equally split shuttling costs. WaterTribe has a customized Spot tracking map that will show all groups (every Spot that is registered and linked to the WaterTribe tracker) as they progress along the route. InReaches do not work with their shared map. Your safety is strictly up to you and your team- that is why at least one PLB is required. This is an unsupported challenge. Unsupported means no preplanned assistance such as a support crew, phone calls to home for navigation assistance, and food resupply. Take what you need from the start. What really makes this a challenge is the time constraint component. The harder you push the greater the challenge. The Voyageurs of old are the inspiration as well as paddling legends Verlen Kruger and Clint Waddell who held the fastest known tandem time, International Falls to Grand Portage, at 80 hours and 40 minutes set back in 1968 and stood for 51 years!. Feel free to express your interest in doing this and post any questions you may have here or you can email me direct. Post here if you’re looking to form a team, join a team, or have room for someone to join your team. The WaterTribe site is where you register and see the current roster list. The registration deadline is August 10th. |
||
scotttimm |
|
||
Conchistador |
TomT: "Conchistador: " Thanks. I've completed 3 Everglades challenges so 1 footers are no problem compared to 3 footers in Charlotte Harbor or 2 foot side chop all the way down Naples. One nice thing about sup is that there is no inside that needs to be bailed out. In the river, I have a super shallow fin or I can go finless if necessary. |
||
straighthairedcurly |
|
||
bobbernumber3 |
My partner and I are working on details of maps, food, camp gear, weights, training and conditioning and all the logistics details. Our third partner (Bobbernumber2) is going to be our shuttle driver so we can eliminate a trip back to Ely at the end. We are eager and excited for the Challenge!! |
||
mirth |
|
||
Grandma L |
|
||
BeaV |
JoshT: "I signed up for the Voyageurs Challenge starting at EP14. " Welcome JoshT! Are you planning to go solo or are you teaming up with anyone else? |
||
JoshT |
|
||
TomColorado |
Any suggestions on how to find someone/anyone? |
||
JoshT |
|
||
BeaV |
TomColorado: "Looking for a canoe partner For the challenge or just about a week of paddling in bwca. Posting here is a good start to team up with someone for the Challenge. Most people go into this with a team of their own, however, not everyone does. You would need to find someone or a team that is compatible with you. I would suggest stating which Challenge starting point(s) you would be interested in, if you have your own Entry Permit or not, preference for paddling solo with other solos and do you want to go in a tandem boat, and maybe what your time goal is to finish. Include your email. You could also post on the WaterTribe discussion page or their Facebook site. |
||
bobbernumber3 |
TomColorado: "Looking for a canoe partner For the challenge or just about a week of paddling in bwca. Tell us a little more about yourself, and maybe someone will reach out... if not already. Age: Paddling/Outdoor Experience: Fitness Level: Biden Mask or MAGA Mask: Other interests and hobbies: Hoping you have luck with your search for a tripper! |
||
Conchistador |
|
||
Grandma L |
|
||
MagicPaddler |
One thing that might take you off guard is water supply. Most of the lake are drinkable straight out of the lake. An exception to this is the last 2 lakes (North and South Fowl Lakes) and then the Stump/Pigeon River. So you need to plan on some way to have water for the Grand Portage. |
||
Conchistador |
MagicPaddler: "Conchistador I have a filter and storage bags. Not comfortable with drinking raw water. What is wrong with Fowl Lakes? |
||
inspector13 |
Nothing is wrong with the water in those lakes. They just aren’t within the boundaries of the BWCAW, and a very small amount of motorboat use occurs. |
||
MagicPaddler |
Conchistador: "MagicPaddler: "Conchistador Very shallow and weed choked |
||
WhiteWolf |
|
||
WhiteWolf |
scotttimm: "In talking with my 16 year old son, I think we may be game for this next year. Is there an email group or anything that I can get in to, or just pay attention here? Forum threads with a lot more info? I have a lot of questions...like what do you do if you finish early, do people hang around and camp somewhere? Do folks have typical routes mapped out already, located anywhere we can access? We both liked the idea of taking some time to think it out, train and prepare properly. I've followed both groups of record-setters via their spot link with a bit of jealousy, amazed at their pace and resolve. We may start out with the Moose Lake entry, but who knows, maybe we are up to the full deal. This could be a really fun adventure at the start of his senior year. Thanks!" You can email myself (Jrooster26@aol.com) or I'am sure GrandmaL or BeaV will get ahold of you. If your BWCA.com name has a link to your email above (usually does, typing on phone so hard to check**edit- I see it doesn't **-- shoot me or those above an email and we will answer your questions. Where in IA are you from? 15 mins W of DSM here. |
||
BeaV |
scotttimm: "Is there an email group or anything that I can get in to, or just pay attention here? Forum threads with a lot more info? I have a lot of questions...like what do you do if you finish early, do people hang around and camp somewhere? Do folks have typical routes mapped out already, located anywhere we can access? " The best and current information is found in the event descriptions on the WaterTribe site. But I did prepare this synopsis to help folks understand the basics. To emphasize the answer to one of your questions above....you definitely want to hang around Grand Portage after you finish. Hanging out with other like-minded paddlers is some of the most fun of the challenge. Cheering on those who finish after you, sharing stories, and getting to know new friends is fun! sorry, I can't insert anything right now, the site says "under maintenance". I add it when this site lets me. |
||
scotttimm |
WhiteWolf: "scotttimm: "In talking with my 16 year old son, I think we may be game for this next year. Is there an email group or anything that I can get in to, or just pay attention here? Forum threads with a lot more info? I have a lot of questions...like what do you do if you finish early, do people hang around and camp somewhere? Do folks have typical routes mapped out already, located anywhere we can access? We both liked the idea of taking some time to think it out, train and prepare properly. I've followed both groups of record-setters via their spot link with a bit of jealousy, amazed at their pace and resolve. We may start out with the Moose Lake entry, but who knows, maybe we are up to the full deal. This could be a really fun adventure at the start of his senior year. Thanks!" Hey BeaV and WhiteWolf - thanks for the replies. My email address is stimm@iastate.edu. I live in Decorah - though my brother lives in Waukee, so very close to where you are I imagine. My son and I have been taking trips together for the last 11 years, and last year we did a long jaunt without my wife and girls. When he and I are in the canoe we really haul and really enjoy pushing ourselves. This summer I noticed, when he is in the bow, I can barely keep the boat straight paddling opposite side - he has quite a powerful stroke. He went from my "little buddy" to 6', 200 lbs and a beard in the blink of an eye. I think we're both reluctantly interested to see what we can do. His first question: "what's the longest portage?". I laughed, and replied, "google The Grand Portage" and walked away...I could hear his swearing from the other room. |
||
Grandma L |
|
||
Conchistador |
|
||
HighnDry |
|
||
Conchistador |
HighnDry: "Just add a "canoe hat" and you are ready to go!" you bet. I really like the shelta hats. if you haven't tried one yet, just go ahead and get one. they have a stiff brim in the front and don't ever flip up in the wind. they also float. i will be also wearing different footwear. |
||
Grandma L |
|
||
TomT |
Conchistador: " Props to you for even trying this. I have a hard time understanding how a paddleboard will work in 1 foot rollers which will be common on the border lakes. Then there's the Pigeon River.... Best of luck! I hope without Watertribe's involvement we are able to follow the SPOT locators like last year. |
||
HighnDry |
Grandma L: "HighnDry: "Well, I meant a "canoe hat" as in putting the canoe over head and wearing it like a hat to go over a portage but the other kind is important too:) I'd love to just join GrandmaL on this one as part of the support team. Current family schedules won't permit me to actually do the challenge ---- but someday." I'll send you an email and get some info/dates. Maybe we can figure something out. |
||
Grandma L |
TomT: "Conchistador: " At this point, Water Tribe is planning to activate their tracking system. There are a few glitches in the SPOT interface W.T. systems. I am hopeful they will work so everyone can track the paddlers. |
||
Conchistador |
|
||
Conchistador |
|
||
HighnDry |
|