Boundary Waters conoing

[Lapslah]

Taking a week-long trip to the boundary waters (Minnesota/Canada border) this summer with my two boys and their scout venture crew. We will have a guide, and have a fairly good idea what to expect, but sage advice from experienced paddlers of the area in this thread would be great.

 

[dew042]

When exactly and in what part?

My whole family has been doing BWCA trips our entire lives. In fact, I believe that my brother was about 5 days old when he got to make his first trip. It was hot in the city in August. I never did the BWCA with the Boy Scouts, but my brother did several BWCA/Quetico trips.

.dew.

 

[RayW]

Duct tape. No kidding. I did a point-to-point trip up in Quetico (north of BWCA) a while back and a canoe developed a leak in a seam. We didn't have any duct tape so, being avid watchers of MacGyver, we fixed it with Big Red gum. It held for 4 days and then we found someone who had duct tape and that held for the rest of the trip.

 

[hdewees]

It depends on what your guide is providing - here are some ideas -

Fishing equipment (note that this is my first idea).

First aid kit.

Depending on the time of the year - really good insect repellent.

Water purification tablets/device.

What are you going to eat for the week?

Waterproof matches to start a fire to cook the great fish you will catch.

Salt and pepper for the fish.

Sunscreen/proper clothing/hat for the time of the year.

 

[crackerkorean]

Clean dry socks.
The portages are usually soggy and you feet will get wet from getting in and out of the canoes. Best feeling in the world when you get to camp, putting on clean dry socks.

Red Devil Spoons, never used anything else while I was up there and caught everything.

 

[Doctordirt]

Dry bag!

 

[audiozaz]

Dry bag!

This should have come up in reply #1. Don't forget a pair of quality kneepads as well.

az

 

[dew042]

Dry bag!

Yes, otherwise known as a trash bag liner. No need to get all fancy.

.dew.