Boundarys Waters Trip Help.....

[Jsaults]

Good advice so far!

Large kitchen tarp? Yes.
BWCA.com? Yes.
Sawbill? Yes.


Bits of advice I will offer:
1. Take a "sacrificial" small blue tarp to string over the fire in the event of torrential rain. Sometimes outfitters will have dollar tarps from the previous season for sale.
2. Depending on the site, you may not be able to all hang under one tarp with your happocks. Better to be able to hang where you are able with individual setups.
3. Crazy Creek-type chairs are worth their weight on portages for the comfort they provide at camp. Sitting on logs around the fire ring gets old. A plus is that you can use them laid flat as doormats under your hammocks.

I hope to be in the BWCA in August as well. Maybe we will cross paths. Have a great trip!

Jim

PS: The big kitchen tarp is really appreciated if the weather turns foul. Like for sleet & rain in May.

[obxh2o]

I have been going to the Quetico for 20+ years. Wish you guys would have been dropping hints back then. Agree with the above comments with the exception of little to no bugs in August. No blackflies to speak of, but sunset will turn on serious moskies for at least an hour of forest- buzzing, skin-biting feasting. Would recommend always take bug nets and repellent into the Quetico.

I spent ten days in Quetico last August and only had serious mosquitoes on one night for about twenty minutes. On all other nights they were almost non-existant. A lot depends on the amount of rainfall and the winds.

[jeroldharter]

I would get a tarp for each hammock so that each setup is self sufficient. It might be hard to find the perfect spot where you can hang all of those hammocks and get them under a single tarp.

A separate tarp to sit under or cook under is a good idea. Makes passing the time in wet weather much more pleasant.

Consider renting some gear before you buy it. You can easily rent tarps, paortage packs, and canoes from many outfitters in Ely. I think Cooke Custom Sewing makes the best tarps up there. If your wife does not like a hammock, and you need a group shelter, you might consider a Cooke Custom Sewing Lean 3. That is large enough for the 4 of you to sit in during the day and stow all of your gear. Mine has a mosquito netting door also. 3 hammocks and a Lean 3 would be a deluxe setup for your group.

[mayday]

1. Tarp for each hammock
2. Kitchen tarp
3. Crazy Creek chairs
4. Marathon...not a sprint (don't try too much)
5. Try meals at home first
6. Do a overnight locally first
7. I like the smaller lakes and "rivers"
8. Invest in good maps (MacKenzie or other)
9. Bug nets are good idea
10. Start early on day one and get a good campsite right after lunch

[Debi Jaytee]

bugnets are essential in this neck of the woods, the mosquitos will cart you off for dinner without one

[jeroldharter]

bugnets are essential in this neck of the woods, the mosquitos will cart you off for dinner without one

If it is really buggy, these bug gloves make sitting around camp much more enjoyable:

http://www.cabelas.com/mens-lightwei...-mitts-2.shtml

I think these are the best head nets:

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Resear.../dp/B002UOTDM0