Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park :: Dilemma
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solotrip |
quote Marten: "If you are comfortable with being the "expert" on this trip then by all means take the rookie. Don't get carried away with a difficult route and be ready to adapt the trip to take care of any issues that pop up. " Agreed. As long was you're willing to be patient. There is nothing really tricky to paddling in Woodland Caribou, just that it's more remote and there are only a few access points so if things turned bad due to group dynamics, it may take a little "working together" to make it back early. Of course, then you'll be working as a team and kumbaya................. There are so many simple and straight forward routes available. As long as this is not your first canoe trip and you keep it simple, life is good. |
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jcavenagh |
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SunCatcher |
Phone. Paul Kolterman. 402-649-0811 cell SunCatcher |
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dentondoc |
As mentioned, the portages are generally shorter than those in the BW or Q and are generally in good shape on more traveled areas. In addition, the terrain is a bit flatter in WCPP, which means that up an downs on portages are not that significant. Fishing is not necessary, you'll get enough fish to feed yourself by just dragging a hook thru the water ... I've had a few cases where the fishing lure was just hanging over the side of my canoe, partially submerged, and hooked up with descent walleye. You are unlikely to find smallies unless you get up north ... you'll find them on sections of the Bloodvein River. And walleye and trout are sometimes segregated by which drainage system your are on, so check the "species by lake" sheet before you go. I can't help but think that WCPP now must be very much like Quetico of 40-50 years ago. I LIKE IT! dd |
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McVacek |
And Woodland Caribou-is an amazing experience. It is remote, quiet, beautiful, and a unique place to visit. I'd invite your friend to read several trip reports and involve them in the planning-whether it be the route or food or gear to bring. That way they'll be invested in the upcoming experience. Woodland Caribou can be challenging in finding portages-but if you are calm and think things through the "approximate" portages become a lot easier to locate. We've been there three times and love it! We even went up there this winter and had a great time winter camping. If you have questions, let us know!!! |
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solotrip |
quote dentondoc: "quote ECpizza: "The biggest minus, and thus my biggest concern, is if I am injured. That happened to me backpacking 2 summers ago. I was mobile, but having a partner who knew first aid, AND how to find his own way and get help, was a big relief if needed." Exactly, either of those devices can, for the most part take care of the concerns. None of the park access points lead to populated areas, so having communication with someone in town would be important. |
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gnegard |
As mentioned above, some of the portages can be tricky to locate, but with patients, and some map reading you won't have any problems. Before you go, make sure whoever goes on the trip, you all agree as to what your goals for the trip maybe. Some people (especially me) like to travel everyday, others, like to fish, base camp or travel less. As long as everyone is on the same page there won't be hurt feelings or less arguments. Remember, Fun is the key. "Be careful out there" |
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ECpizza |
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gnegard |
When I told him I was planning a May trip, he's suddenly trying to figure out how to go, even though there is no vacation on the books. I am actually planning a solo trip, but if he can figure out how to make it, I'm certainly not going to say NO. Though maybe we'll each paddle our own canoe? Listen to Harlan, he's a world of knowledge, as well as many here on the board. This paddling park, is nothing like the BW or the Q IMOP, but remember they all have their good points and fun. Good luck with planning, it's almost as much fun as being there. |
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ECpizza |
Right now, he's had a week to think about it. I'll hit him with a list of all the B.S. Costs, food, no thrones... A week with only me to talk to, and I can be a real -uh- donkey. All that. Get it out of the way and make sure he understands what he is in for. Forget what this trip means to me, i consider it my responsibility to make this a trip of a lifetime for the rookie. I'm relying on Harlan for a route. Then I want to scan the maps, see if there are alternates when we find what kind of time we are making, and how we feel. I know what I could do with my son paddling in the bow, but it took years of shouting "shut up and paddle" to get there. Imagine my delight when he was paddling the stern with another scout and a storm coming in and I hear his voice across the water shouting "shut up and paddle!" Turns and gives me a wave as we head to shore. :) It did just hit me that this will be my first trip ever without kids... Including when I was a kid. But enough rambling... |
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nctry |
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solotrip |
quote ECpizza: "I did, about a week- week and a half ago. I'll send another." Name? Checked your email address and can't find anything. |
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ECpizza |
I understand it's not always about me... But it should be! |
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Marten |
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hobbydog |
One thing about taking someone new is there are no bad habits you have to endure. You can teach them how you do it your way. But first you need to make sure you are synced up on what you want to do and see on the trip and your style is compatible. I have had people from work wanting me to take them as well. I have shied away from that for probably for some of the same reasons you have. If it were me I would take the newby as long as you had some good assurances he would not back out and knew exactly what he was getting into. |
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ECpizza |
Yes, the biggest "plus" for taking a rookie is being able to teach him the 'right' (i.e. 'My') way of camping. :). I suspect some of my colleagues do not practice LNT very well. The biggest minus, and thus my biggest concern, is if I am injured. That happened to me backpacking 2 summers ago. I was mobile, but having a partner who knew first aid, AND how to find his own way and get help, was a big relief if needed. So,,yes, we will head up to Cleary or Hyland lakes and rent a canoe a few times to teach him to paddle. Learned that lesson from my sister. She had been to the BWCA 5 times and never sat in the back of a canoe. We weren't 50 ft from the landing when she ended up getting blown and windbound. I shudder to think of how we would get out if I did something as simple as break an arm... He sounds more like me, leisurely travel, but on the move. We'd both like to fish, but would find pictographs more interesting. |
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dentondoc |
quote ECpizza: "The biggest minus, and thus my biggest concern, is if I am injured. That happened to me backpacking 2 summers ago. I was mobile, but having a partner who knew first aid, AND how to find his own way and get help, was a big relief if needed." Already mentioned, but taking a SPOT and/or a satellite phone could be money well spent with respect to your piece of mind. Just be sure you both know how to use whatever device you take before you go. dd |
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ECpizza |
I've got to hit him with a big dose of reality next week. Questions to answer, training, gear needs, climate, etc. not to mention money... I gave him a number I thought was incredibly high, but when I start adding things up, it may have been low. I'll start planning and experimenting with the menu now too. Life is too short for freeze dried muck. New map... It'd be nice if I could compare lake sizes to the BWCA. And if I could figure out where my best exit is, how far we should paddle, and I have no idea where any cool stuff is.... I try to avoid big lakes, i wanna use my hammock... Etc. Worst of all is the waiting. |
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ECpizza |
So, i started to plan, after all Yoder (my 18 yr old) is always available to go. Well seems he has lined up a summer job. The kind where they work 12 hour days 6 day weeks. No time off for him. My wife? Well she's not so keen. I could maybe get her to the BWCA again, but with a1 & 3 yr old at home, she doesn't want to be gone 10 days. And on the subject of yung un's... They WILL be camping at 2 & 4. So, this is my summer to do the adventure. After that it's family camping, followed by cub scouts, etc., until I'm an AARP member. I mention this to a friend who's all "heck yeah!" But, now it seems he has no time available, but still wants me to count him in.... But I'm not planning this without a guaranteed partner. No way. So my dilemma is this... Two choices: I have a few colleagues that canoe. We are all in the same business. A few of them are wilderness campers as well. All of them are very nice people. The main problem is that I do not know any of them so well as to be 100% certain they are going. It is also a possibility some event could give them all the same compelling reason to stay home. One of them, is the nicest of guys and probably the most reliable, experienced and eager one of the bunch. But I know I could not survive a week alone with him in the wilderness. Option 2, i have an employee who almost gushes with envy talking to me about camping. He's probably reading this. Reads and learns tons about the BWCA and backpacking etc. We talk about methods and equipment frequently. He's never done any real camping. (Defined as everything you need is on your back). Nice guy, I think we'd get along... I'm more likely to annoy him... But a complete rookie. IF any of my 3 desired trip-mates (son, wife, friend) can come, then I want them to come. But, I don't think the mix with my colleagues would work with anyone but my wife. OTOH, the employee and any of my 3 desired would make a great crew. Would you go on a trip if the only trip mate was a complete novice? |
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solotrip |
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ECpizza |
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solotrip |
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solotrip |
quote ECpizza: "Very big smile on someone's face today. I left the map and brochure for him to look at yesterday. When I said I was looking for a trip partner, he just said "I'm in!" Before I'd finished the question. Took him a full 2 hours to ask about cost, and another hour to realize he needs a passport. Give me a call or an email.....answers to all your questions can be realized... |