I mentioned this book at last weeks QJ dinner. A worthy read, just do not slap your forehead every time a wrong move is made. Most find it best to read it by every other chapter to follow one story at a time.

I'm re-reading Lost in the Wild after canoeing the Man Chain last fall.  Also, great story to read about Jason on the Pow Wow Trail on a cold winter night when you're warm inside.

starwatcher

After seeing this thread, I bought this book and I am about halfway though. It's a great read so far, and very informative. I've already ordered three more copies to give to some friends (and recent hunting partners) as required reading.

Hiya, Eric! Great meeting you guys last month at the BWJ.

I was also glued to my maps while reading these stories. It was interesting to follow along and try to figure out their routes.

This is definitely a great book to read for anyone venturing out into wilderness areas - lots of important lessons here. Just the one lesson alone of staying put when lost would have made such a big difference in both cases, but it's so hard to do. I'm sure the instinct of most people who make these kinds of trips is to try to get yourself out. It simply goes against the grain of otherwise self-sufficient folks to sit around and wait for help.

Having now experienced the Man Chain myself, I agree with you that the author does make it seem more rugged than I found it to be. Then again, as seen through the eyes of inexperienced scouts and their leaders, perhaps it was an accurate perspective.

Nothing like a little bushwhacking to change one's perspective of canoe country, I suppose. 

I checked this book out yesterday and finished it this morning. Great read. I'm kinda glad I didn't read it prior to the BWJ.

Uncle Moose-
Nice pictures of the forked trail. It really helped put the text into perspective. As I read the book I kept finding myself pouring over my maps. BTW - I met you a few weeks ago at the BWJ. I was with Darrell in the tandem canoe.

Overall, great read. There were a few thigs I questioned about the author's description of how remote and rugged the Man Chain is. Then I realized maybe I getting complacent and a bit comfortable. Heck, I rarely have my compass on me. It was a nice reminder of how quickly things go south and also how important it is to STAY PUT when lost! Also a nice reminder on having matches with you all the time.

I got separated/lost when I was 14 & on a drive during deer season in northern WI. Crossing the same place 2x is a horrible feeling and the author did a great job of bringing back that feeling in my stomach. I even managed to step into chest deep water that I thought was only ankle deep. Again, the author's description was spot on. My dad found me a short while later, thankfully.

One could almost argue this is a summary of what NOT to do when lost.

-pm

A little late to the thread, but here goes:

My wife and I backpacked the Pow Wow Trail this past April, hiking the same direction (counterclockwise) as Jason Rasmussen. She had read the "Lost In The Wild" story just before we left, and I then read it the following week during a layover day camped on Ima Lake.

As for whether the trail is tricky in the spot where Jason got into trouble, yes it is. The big difference today is that there are now two signs with arrows that point you in the right direction (see photos below). The problem is that the trail forks at this spot, but the "wrong" way is more straight ahead on a path that is more open and obvious than the "correct" way. The "correct" way is a left turn on a less obvious and partially obscured trail. To be honest, I'm surprised more people didn't get into trouble here. Nonetheless, if you're paying attention to your map and compass, most people would probably realize their error before getting into trouble. You should be expecting a turn to the west by this point, and if you find you're heading straight north, it should put up a red flag.

On a side note, just last week I also paddled through the pothole lake where Dan Stephens from the second story got lost. There too, it's easy to see how Dan went wrong. The portage landing leading to Bell Lake is very hard to see until you're right upon it. The dead cedar tree mentioned in the story that leans over the portage entry is still there and blocks it to the point where you actually have to duck under it to get to the landing. If you don't pay strict attention to the map and just try to spot the portage visually from across the lake, you could easily settle on one of the "cave-like" holes in the wall of shoreline foliage also mentioned in the story.

Wrong way:
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Correct way:
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I just finished this book on Sunday night - thought it was excellent! I actually enjoyed how the author wove both stories together so nicely. While separate incidents, the stories paced one another perfectly.

Agree that many mistakes were made by both guys. Not to mention how the number one rule - stay put! - would have shortened their ordeal in both situations. Everyone going into the bush anywhere should read this book.

Has anyone been on the Pow Wow trail? Is it as hard to follow as the author makes it sound, or was the time of year a factor?

Ranger

Just finished the Dan Stephens story, an excellent reminder of the harsh reality of a trip gone bad. I would only hope I would have the skills (and luck) that he showed in his ordeal.

Read every other chapter and turn it into two quick reads instead of jumping back and forth between the stories as the author laid it out.

Thanks for the heads up on a great story.

J

Taking Jimbo's advise I decided I should read this book.  Actually it has been on my list for a few months just recently did I get it and start reading it, thanks for the nudge Jimbo.

I'm near the midway point and find it very interesting at the ease of how things can go wrong very quickly.  Loosing your map on a hike in late Oct. could be a major set back, it made me refer back to a day when we took a spill and lost all of our maps.  Hence the reason I always carry a couple spare maps buried deep in my pack. Crossing a bog? That guy is one crazy dude, I think I would have found another route or at the very least cut a tree limb to hold onto if I stepped in over my head.

I wonder why the author mixed the stories together throughout the book?  I would prefered reading it as two seperate stories compared to it jumping back and forth. Nonetheless it is a great book and as mentioned above should be read by everyone that ventures into the forest.

qp

As the hype for Bushwhackers Jamboree revs up, I think this book should be REQUIRED reading for all who contemplate participating.

It also makes me thankful for all the luck I've encountered while attempting numerous "shortcuts" over the years.  After reading this book, I doubt I will ever rely on "luck" again!

A MUST read for all would-be bushwhackers!

Jimbo