Hey all,

It's time to start the planning for my wife's first trip to the BWCA next summer.  

I want to make this an enjoyable trip for her.  Probably with a base camp and day tripping for fishing...

She is not able to carry a heavy pack due to back issues.  So, that means I'll be carrying most everything.  

I'd like to keep portaging to a minimum, if possible, or to only a few for the in and out.  I'd like to paddle half a day or so to get to a main camp area and we'll probably stay four or five days in the wilderness.

I've done EP16 a few times.  I don't think that would be a good one for her.  Too many portages, unless we quit before LLC.

Okay...inputs for an EP?   A lake or river for base camp?  I'm open to all ideas, folks.

Thanks in advance.

Deano

Sawbill Lake Entry (not sure the number) is a very good entry point. It is an easy in an out, there is a nice campground at the entry point and there is a good outfitter there as well who can help if you have last minute concerns.

From the entry point, you have two very good options for travel.  If you head East, there is a short very open (easiest protage ever) to Alton Lake.  

If you head North there is a nice long paddle and relatively easy series of portages into Cherokee Lake.  Cherokee Lake would be a very nice place to base camp with several day trip opportunites.

Going into Cherokee may be just what you are looking for.  Hard enough to feel like you accomplished something (for a first timer), but not so hard that you won't want to go back.  When I take my wife for the first time...that may be my chosen entry point.

Good Luck and have fun!!!

Deano,
I am taking my wife to Entry Point 14 LIS next summer, she has done 16 to Iron Lake, and Entry Point 27 Snowbank to Thomas.  

We are going to do an easy trip for about 5 or 6 days, and go to Little Loon for a few days and fish, then maybe Snow Bay out of North Lake for a couple of days and then come back by the mechanize portage (Beatty, I believe) and then head out.  No bad portages, Devil's Cascade would be the worst one, and the portage from Little Loon to Slim can be muddy if it is wet, but no killers...  That might be a good route for you...

Bruce

Arkansasman and Paddle Guy,

Thanks for the jumping off points...I'll start my research and see what comes of it.

I'm excited and a little nervous.  I keep prepping her for wilderness camping, but won't be sure if it's her "bag" or not until we experience it together.

She's a trooper....she'll do fine.

Deano

Deano,
When I took my wife on her first trip (before we got married) she had never done anything of that nature.  She had never used the bathroom in the wild before or anything of that nature.  We did 14 windy miles in on day one, and battled the wind most of the trip.  On one occassion while we were Island hopping to get back to camp against a stout wind, and after she had busted her knuckles on the gunnels for the upteenth time she turned to me and said, "this is not a damn vacation... this is worki!!"  She survived, went ahead and married me, and has gone back with me since.  She understands it is my get away from dealing with high school students and parents for 10 months of the year and something I need.  
On our next trip she better prepared and we took it easier, althought we did 19 miles on day one from EP 16 to Iron Lake, and she did great!  She is now a very experienced paddler, and is already getting in shape for our trip next year.  Says she can't wait for some fresh walleye fillets sauteed in a little butter and oil with just a little sea salr for flavoring.  As a matter of fact, neither can I.  Another thing that helps is that she loves to catch smallies too!

Good Luck and I hope both of you have a great time, be sure to include her in all phases of the planning.  Also allow for some shopping time in Ely.

Bruce

I do a trip for 8 days every year into Quetico with my wife.

The trip I do with my wife is different than a guys trip, but different in a good way. With the guys we travel very heavy, far and hard--then fish hard.

With my wife we are lighter, fish less, but travel more often. She is not a basecamper at all she is more of an explorer. My assumption (incorrectly) for our first trip was that she would not be able to handle the travel and we should basecamp. She HATED the basecamp---luckily I adapted and kept us moving and now will share a lifetime of travels with her. To tell the truth I fish less but my success is still good as with all of the moving around we are hitting new fishing waters all the time.

My tips---include her in the planning process. Get the maps out and show her what you have planned, what things or places you plan to do on the trip. Definitely get her input. Have a back up plan. If you are getting stale at a site, pack up and leave--be prepared for that. Sometimes a change in location/scenery livens up a trip.

Thanks again, guys.

Tim you brought up a good point.  I'm making assumptions of what my wife would like to do...I should ask, huh?

As a matter of fact, she came home the other day and said, "Hon, I think we should go Moose River to Oyster and then to LLC so I can see the picto's and Warrior Hill."  I said, we might as well do the route I know then.

But, I also know of her physical limitations and am worried she is going to end up needing the Emergency Room because of back issues.  It happened once after she thought she should take up golfing because I like it.  So, I do feel some responsibility to make sure this trip is both challenging and rewarding for her.

I'm looking at EP 38 and LIS and am still open to other inputs.

Thanks again.

Deano

I know I am late in replying to this thread, but if you are still out there, DeanoD, I thought perhaps you might like a woman's perspective on this (and I also have lower back problems.)

The suggestion about Sawbill is a good one.  We recently took a trip out of Sawbill (see my trip report entitled "A Wimpy Trip Report") and we had a good time.  We went in early September and had three days at the northermost campsite on Kelso Lake and didn't see anyone at all during that time (at least not close enough to really count.)  There are options for several nice short trips out of Sawbill.  Cherokee is my favorite lake in the entire BWCA.  Or a trip over to Smoke, Burnt and Flame would be a nice adventure also.  We didn't do either of those, for some rather specific reasons this time, but we considered both, and they were excellent options for trips.

Another good possibility might be to go in at Clearwater and through Little Caribou and Caribou to Pine.  Johnson Falls is a wonderful day trip that wouldn't involve her carrying a pack.  It is a very scenic falls; if you are willing to do some climbing you can see the falls at three levels and if you like photography it is really a beautifulspot.

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Pine Lake is another favorite of mine.  However, this is a busy route in the summer.

Really nice short trips can be made out of East Bearskin, too.  I especially like trips that start off the Gunflint, and would suggest you look at some routes in that area.  

All of these short routes are busier in the summer.  I would suspect the LIS entry point route would be the same.  If you are able to consider early September, the weather is often warm and sunny during the days, the mornings are misty and cool, and there are no bugs and fewer people.  Just a suggestion.   :)

I have found, since experiencing lower back difficulties for about a decade now, that sleeping on the ground isn't nearly the problem I thought it would be as long as I have a good pad and a sleeping bag that is warm enough.  I also found that I could carry a pack on portages as long as it was the kind that had a hip strap so that the weight was evenly distributed and not all on my shoulders.  I actually portage my heaviest pack with an external frame backpack.  I realize that that is a NO-NO for almost everyone on these canoe country boards, but it works well for me and since I have gotten my new backpack, I have portaged much more comfortably than when I used the Duluth-style packs.  So when people snicker, I just smile and go on my merry way.   ;)

I think the suggestions about including her in the planning are right on!  She may not enjoy days of base-camping unless she has something that she loves to do during that time.  Of course I don't fish, so on layover days I take photos, and that is OK for a day or two, but then I want to travel again.  I would rather have a little pain involved in the traveling than stay put!  But it depends, of course, on how much pain we are talking about.  Your reference to the ER makes me think that her back situation is quite serious, and you do need to take that into consideration, too.

Involve her in the planning and give her options.  Find out what she expects and what kind of experiences she would like to have to remember after your trip is done.  

My first trip was in 1971.  My 24th was in 2009.  I am already planning my 25th.   Enjoy!

Spartan2  (also from Michigan)

  As someone who has had back issues in the past, I know how bad and debilitating the pain can be.
 SP2 is dead on about an pack with good hip belt. External frame is the weight carrying standard, but a good internal frame pack with hip belt is okay as well. Some MFG, make packs with the hip belt cut for a womens anatomy. By nature, womens hips are wider and meant to carry a load.
Most women lack upper body strength, and a Duluth type pack sans hip belt puts too much weight on the weakest body part. Load the pack so the weight is low and tight to the body, and loosen shoulder straps, so most of the weight is carried across the pelvic girdle. A good sternum strap will keep the pack close to body for optimum load carrying.

Does your wife weight train, or do Yoga/Pilate's? Disc problems that are so bad that they require surgery are something you can't really fix, but you might be able to alleviate some of the pain, by doing some Core work on a Fitness Ball, and by getting into a good stretching program.
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 Believe it or not, much of the tightness in your lower back is caused by tight HAMSTRINGS, keep them stretched out and that will often make a big difference? Also strong Abs will help support a weak/damaged spine.
 When I wake up in the morning, in the woods or at home, I stretch like a cat. Bring one knee, then the other into my chest and slowly exhale and hold. Don't tug or jerk, cold muscles are like frozen rubber bands, they'll pop and you'll pull something. In the warmth of your sleeping back, the slow stretch on each leg will loosen those tight back muscles easily. You can try at home, a good way too start the day.
 Worse thing you can do is roll out of a warm bed/bag, and jump right up when you have back problems.
 Part of the planning for a trip includes or should IMO, getting the body in as good as shape as you can. It's hard too enjoy anything when your hurting.  Your wife sounds like a gamer, so make it a COUPLES thing too work on the Core and Stretching and you'll both enjoy the trip more ;)

I'll tell you what guys, I cannot believe the help that has been shown on this board to a newbie.  Actually,  I'm not a newbie but couldn't remember my userID from last registration.... ::)

Spartan2 (MSU fan?) thanks for the insight and the plethora of options.  Now I have more fodder for planning nights.

My wife let me know that she'd like to do a base camp and daytrip.  She loves to fish and eat fish, so I think she's hoping that we can accomodate that love....

SoloTripper you're right on with the core strength thing.  I work a lumber yard and have the opportunity to lift heavy every day, but I'm still not in good shape.  We have committed to an exercise and weight reduction plan and hopefully will enter the BWCA with new vigor and youth.

Again....thank you all.  

Deano [smiley=dankk2.gif]

DeanoD,

It's funny you mentioned working in Lumber Yard and lifting heavy things on a regular basis.
I worked commercial construction for 15 years, and even though I worked hard everyday ( we specialized in cement construction), I had ALL my back issues during that time!
Unlike a gym, often in the real world work environment, you can't always practice safe lifting/pulling practices. Your working on ladders/slopes/mud/ in confined areas. Sooner or later you hurt yourself, and often it stays with you for life.
 Mid 30's I got lucky and fell into a healthier lifestyle, which included daily exercise of some kind. My sore back eventually went away and I make sure it's not coming back.
 I'm a firm believer in being  PROACTIVE with my health and fitness, rather than RE-ACTIVE. It is a lot easier to stay in shape, than get in shape.  Couples that take care of themselves are much better at taking care of each other.
 There are "benefits" to being fit and healthy that have nothing to do with paddling  ;)
 Good Luck with your Health/Fitness plan. We'll EXPECT a trip report ;D

DeanoD wrote on Oct 15^th, 2009 at 2:37pm:

Hey all, It's time to start the planning for my wife's first trip to the BWCA next summer.   I want to make this an enjoyable trip for her.   Deano

Leave her at home. ;D

Kidding aside... I applaud your efforts to be thinking of her ahead of time.  Though know matter how hard you try...she may at times think... "Why did I agree to this?"  Hopefully your wife will get past that stage and begin to appreciate what we know and love.

On this one... Keeping you in my prayers.

k

Well. . . .some of us wives have been going and loving it for decades, K!    :P:)  (and yes, at first I had my doubts.   But they didn't last long.)  

Yes, DeanoD, MSU fans, both Spartan1 and me.  Alums.  We met on the student Rose Bowl tour in '65-66 on a Greyhound Bus headed for Pasadena.  Where are you from in Michigan?

We live in the beautiful port town of Ludington!  My Pops earned his PhD from MSU in horticulture and taught at the University of Idaho (where I was born and attended even though I only lived there are short while of my life) and Purdue University.  So, I cheer on the Boilers sometimes...but am a Spartan fan through and through... I actually thought we'd be in a New Year's Day bowl this year....I'm truly an optimist.

My dad (we lost him in December of last year) was the one who introduced me to the Boudary Waters in '74 when he took us boys on a trip in.  I still have the receipts.  As I recall the plane ride in cost him $52 for all of us....

Before he died he told me the one thing in his life he wished he would have continued to do was the wilderness canoeing and camping.  He then handed me my new #4 Duluth Pack and all his old packs.  No promises needed.

He had the opportunity to be introduced to the Quetico by Lou Leopold, a colleague at Purdue and one of Aldo's sons.  I only met Lou when I was a boy, but I have my dad's notes of their trip in.  His daily log is interesting and consisted of a lot of detail in plants, animals and weather.  

The North Country is in my blood.  I sit in the evening and read Sigurd Olson's "Loons of Lac LaCroix" and remember how they cried and laughed for me and my sons in '06 as we stayed on the island across from Warrior Hill.

I'm anxious to go back.  Anxious to share this awesome land with my wife.  

Thanks again for all the thoughts and I look forward to planning this and many more trips with all of your input.

Deano

Spartan2 wrote on Oct 21^st, 2009 at 1:15am:

Well. . . .some of us wives have been going and loving it for decades, K!    :P:)  (and yes, at first I had my doubts.   But they didn't last long.)

S2, You got me.... oops.  Truth is an ex girl friend introduced me to paddling the North.  :-?  She presented a whole new standard for the girls in my life to live up to.  Boy, did this revelation just sneak up on me... You Ladies of the North and those that love to paddle, Rock!

Thx for telling it like it is.

k

DeanoD wrote on Oct 15^th, 2009 at 2:37pm:

I want to make this an enjoyable trip for her.

When our wives and GFs first asked to come along we seriously tried to poo-poo the idea. We didn't want to be responsible if they didn't have a good time. After we considered the plus side, we wanted all our ducks in a row for good reason and once we convinced them that a mid May reconnaissance trip each year would make their late July trips better we (reluctantly ;)) agreed. We hit a lot of new territory during those years.  ;D [smiley=thumbup.gif] Just something to think about.



DeanoD wrote on Oct 21^st, 2009 at 2:44am:

but I have my dad's notes of their trip in.  His daily log is interesting and consisted of a lot of detail in plants, animals and weather.

My condolences ... what would your dad think of his son sharing excerpts of his daily log?  I'd be interested if both he and you were willing. Photographs of just the text would be easy and add insight....

I find that really interesting, db.  The longer I know Spartan1 the more I realize that he is atypical in a lot of ways.  He was so much the opposite.  He took his first trip with a group of friends and IMMEDIATELY he was after me to make a trip!  I had no interest in canoe-camping, had never spent a night in a tent, was terrified of bugs, and thought he was crazy!  But he kept at it for four years 'til I finally decided it might be fun.

And we didn't start out with a wimpy trip either--no base-camping, no layover day, no tow.  The same Namakan loop trip he took with the guys (except that I said I would NOT do the four-mile Dawson portage so we paddled the Loon River instead.  We walked all portages, though--he thought putting a canoe on that railroad thing was silly.)

I cut my teeth in canoe country the hard way, with traveling every day, trips that ventured into Quetico, trips with old Duluth packs, trips before Therma-rest pads.  And always just the two of us.  

Now. . . .a different story.  I will confess that I was the one who began suggesting taking folding stools when my arthritic knees made squatting at the campfire difficult.  I was the one who suggested that I enjoyed an occasional layover day, primarily because it gave me more time for photography.  I was the one who ended up with back problems so I now have the Big Agnes sleeping bag and the better backpack with hip straps.  But I am still the one who begins planning the next trip on the portages of the current one!  

I guess I am atypical, too.  I like to go in mid-June when the bugs are out in full force.  Fewer people, more flowers.  Campsites are cleaner, less trampled.  The green of the woods is that wonderful spring green. Loons are beginning to take their chicks on the lakes.  Snuggling in my wool shirt with a cup of hot chocolate and watching a misty sunrise.  A twelve-day trip that spans the end of June to the beginning of July is Heaven for me.  I even like to swim in the cold water.  Haven't graduated to a solar shower yet, although I do think that sounds like a great idea if you went in the summer.

Taking your wife can be a real boost to your marriage.   ;)  Alone time under the blue sky (I always try to think positive about the weather when I am planning) is the best bonding time.  We were blessed to have fabulous kid-sitters in Minneapolis, and now have lifelong friends to visit on every trip to canoe country.  Our granddaughter plays with their grandchildren.  

It's been such a great trip for me.  I am so glad I didn't let a few fears keep me away.  38 years later I realize how much my husband changed my life because he didn't decide that canoe tripping was something for "the guys".

Because of his health issues he shouldn't go solo.  (I know he wants to the very worst way.)  I hope I give him alone time enough that sometimes it is the next best thing.  We've become a pretty good team.

Just two cents from one of the few wives on this board.   :)