Rendezvous in the Bush
by Jim Carrier
In 1912, the following newspaper advertisement was placed, calling for a few good men: "Men Wanted for Hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success." - Ernest Shackleton.
In February of 2003, a similar but less-daunting "internet" call was placed on park-related websites, calculated to appeal to on-line park enthusiasts like myself. A shadowy but clearly wilderness-savvy cyberspace character named Stumpy proposed to convene a "Bushwhackers Jamboree". Attendees would earn charter membership in his unique club called "B.U.G.B.I.T." (Better Understand Going Bushwhacking Is Torture). "Ground rules" for participation in Stumpy's proposed modern day "Rendezvous", were as follows:
| WHO… | Whoever can get a permit & get to the location to be named later. |
| WHAT… | An informal meeting of tough & hardy travelers. |
| WHEN… | Mid-June, when bugs are bad & so are the voyageurs. |
| WHERE… | On a no-name lake near the middle of Quetico. No portage trail leads to it. |
| WHY… | I want to meet other bushwhackers & shake the hand of anyone that gets there. |
On December 7th, 2004, Bushwhacker Jamboree's day of infamy, Stumpy posted map coordinates for his proposed Rendezvous. The destination was revealed as a small, nameless lake between Cairn and Kawnipi lakes. Internet characters with curious and sometimes colorful ID's such as Intrepid Camper, Woods Walker, Magic Paddler, Pittsburgh Portager, Quetico Passage, Kawishiway, Rangeline, Hexnymph, and many others soon applied for June entry permits with the purpose of accepting Stumpy's challenge. By way of contrast, my own web ID, Jimbo, felt a little lame.