BASICS
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Where do you live?  Baton Rouge, LA, previously in Phoenix, AZ
 
Approximate number of previous nights spent canoe camping? over 200  
 
Do you have the gear or use an outfitter?  Have gear, but usually rent a canoe due to travel constraints
 
Preferred/Typical party size? 4-6
 
What length of trips do you do/available to do? Have been going for at least a week every summer, but wanting to go for longer or more frequently
 
Preferred season? Summer
 
What % of the trip do you travel/base camp? travel 75-100% of the days, but like to vary travel length
 
What difficulty level do you go for?  Any
 
What area of the park are you most familiar with and do you want to spend time there or  
explore new areas?  Southern Quetico from Prairie Portage to Kawnipi, Darky to Saganagons.  Enjoy all areas of the Quet. and BW, but would like to see northern Quet, far east & west BW
   
Paddling:   Wind isn’t a problem.  Whitewater is a risk not worth taking without the proper equipment.
 
Bow or stern preference?  Prefer stern, but will bow paddle as long as stern isn’t ruddering
 
What is your paddling rhythm?  I adjust to the bow paddler, but prefer a steady, medium paced rhythm.
 
Paddle the shoreline or beeline? Depends on the wind & bugs
 
How nasty of water are you comfortable paddling in?  Will not paddle in lightning, but I have been known to go out in 2-3’ waves
 
Do you have strong navigation/map skills? Yes.
   
Portaging  
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Do you usually single/double/triple/or  portage? Single most of the time, but will run back for a 2nd load on occasion
 
Do you carry everything on your back, or a lot of hand carry?  Back with at most 1 hand carrying loose items.
 
How well do you handle the mountain goat portages? I may gently put a canoe down once or twice for a breather, but otherwise, it just makes you appreciate paddling more.
 
How well do you handle the boot sucking bogs?  They usually aren’t that difficult.    
 
Camping Style  
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Would you rather cook or wash the dishes?  Take turns
 
Fresh or dried foods?  Dried, though I’d love to try fresh fare
 
Cook over a fire, or over a stove?  Both
 
Cook breakfast or breakfast bars?  Try to do equally, enjoy voyageurs breakfasts (breaking camp first thing and paddling a couple miles before eating breakfast in canoe or on portage trail)
 
How many fish meals do you like to have during a trip?  1-2
 
Hang the food pack or ground it? Hang 'em high.
 
Axe? Saw?  Hatchet and saw
 
Sit around campfire all night OR wake at crack of dawn?  Stay up late on a clear night.
 
On a travel day, what time do you like to hit the water?  Try to get out a couple hours after sunrise.    
 
Fishing  
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How much time do you like to spend fishing? Besides trolling while traveling, a couple hours for a few days of the trip.
 
Which species do you like to go after?  Bass and Walleye.
 
How much tackle do you bring? One small box
 
Are you good with a fillet knife?  I waste little meat, but it does take some time.
   
Misc  
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Do you have any medical conditions to be considered?  Mild asthma
 
Level of alcohol consumption?  A couple of drinks at camp most nights
 
Are you a smoker?  Pipe tobacco only, and very rarely
 
Is photography high on your list?  definitely
 
Do you like to go after pictographs? yes
 
Do you like to go after waterfalls? yes
 
Do you like to go after the northern lights? definitely
   
Personality  
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If the bugs are bad, will it ruin the trip for you? No
 
What weather conditions are difficult for you to deal with?   80-100 mph winds  
 
If we've got a problem, would you rather discuss it or bury it?  Speak up. Don’t be passive-aggressive.
 
Other than illness or injury what events or conditions would make you want to quit a trip early and head home?  Haven’t found one yet, and we didn’t return early after going through the July 4th, 1999 storm.  I imagine that a lack of food would probably force me return early.