Personally I envy the BW because I think it has more soil therefore more hardwoods, more deer more wolves...

My posts have a Quetico slant because 99% of my time in a canoe has been spent there. It's where I was introduced to canoe camping. Over the years I got to know my outfitter. Even after I brought everything I needed with me, I'd still stop in to say hi. He became part of the experience. We'd critique his paintings and I'd leave with another little tidbit of knowledge about the park I'd have never gained without his lifetime of experience. I don't go there because I think it's better. I go because I know IT better. And I like to; find things I've overlooked (except barely submerged rocks), notice little changes (usually), and relive memories for the first and last couple days of a trip.

I don't believe either is intrinsically better or more challenging. There is probably no difference that justifies any more or less respect or credibility based on which area someone paddles. Both places require the same unique skills. Quetico may see less people but I doubt their better campers. I know all to well Quetico suffers it's share of abuse from people who don't know or don't care what jerks their being. I'd also bet the campsites are just as worn whether you're north or south of the boarder. When I first started solo tripping I would avoid the big popular campsites since I was just one person and didn't need much space. Then one windy day I came up with the excuse that I could give an abused site a break for a night or two. Now I'll use any site if it suites me, guilt free. While it's true you can camp anywhere in the Q, you really wouldn't want to. I had to make due one night by necessity. It certainly isn't something I would plan on doing again. Campsites are where they are, or not, for a reason.

Actually the only thing (silly as it may seem) I can point to that has kept me out of the BW for all but one trip, is I believe I'd have to stick a license and numbers on my canoe and I just don't want to do that if I don't have to.

Posted by db on October 30, 2000 at 02:46