Not too far away.
Lake will be revealed December 7, 2014 at 9:00 PM cst.

Egads!  A ghost haunts the forums of QuietJourney!

Jimbo   8-)

Looking forward to it. Some of us have commitments for June 18 through July 6 hope it is not then.

Magicpaddler wrote on Nov 15^th, 2013 at 10:23pm:

Looking forward to it. Some of us have commitments for June 18 through July 6 hope it is not then.

Well...we better make it the week before that.

Stumpy wrote on Nov 15^th, 2013 at 2:48am:

Not too far away.

?? Next year in Dec, for 2015 ??

That's planning ahead.

So here goes....

BUSHWHACKERS JAMBOREE 2015....

WHO....Whoever can get a permit and get to the lake on the dates to be revealed later. No daytrippers (campers only)...we will gather in the evening.

WHAT...It will be an informal meeting of tough and hardy travelers, where stories and information will be told. Knowledge, that has been earned, and should continued to be earned.

WHERE...It will be on a lake near the middle of Quetico, with no name, no portage trail to it (none), good depth, good water, plenty of bugs and campable shorline, and maybe...just maybe good fishing.

WHEN....It will be in mid-June 2015...when bugs are bad, and so are the voyageurs.

WHY...Because the best information should be earned. Because exploring those no-name lakes makes for great adventure. Because I want to meet other bushwhackers and hear where they've been, and tell them where I've been, and exchange great stories. Because this time I REALLY want to shake the hand of anyone who gets there!!!

HOW...Barring any changes in the permit system...I will anounce the exact date and location on this website at 9:00 PM (cst), December 7, 2014.

Thank you,
Stumpy

Stumpy wrote on Nov 16^th, 2013 at 4:31am:

Magicpaddler wrote on Nov 15th, 2013 at 10:23pm: Looking forward to it. Some of us have commitments for June 18 through July 6 hope it is not then. Well...we better make it the week before that.

Magic,

He's talking about the FOLLOWING year.

Like JimJ says, Stumpy is REALLY planning ahead!

Jimbo  8-)

Jimbo
I figered that out when I saw  Jim J’S post.  Daaaa.

Sorry, I'll be in Alaska at that time. Can you get a reality show to chronicle the adventure?

Old Salt wrote on Nov 18^th, 2013 at 2:12am:

Sorry, I'll be in Alaska at that time. Can you get a reality show to chronicle the adventure?

I LIKE this idea. Or at least carry video cameras. If you go in Aug. or Sept. I'll be there.

This is my first ever post on QJ.

I've been far and wide through the Q.

See you there, where ever it may be.

Refresh my memory please, who here has shown up at the predetermined Bushwhackers Jamboree lake at the Bushwhackers Jamboree appointed time besides pghportager and crew because that seems (to me) what they enjoy doing anyway?

This is the third scheduled Jamboree right?

db wrote on Dec 6^th, 2013 at 7:15am:

Refresh my memory please, who here has shown up at the predetermined Bushwhackers Jamboree lake at the Bushwhackers Jamboree appointed time besides pghportager and crew because that seems (to me) what they enjoy doing anyway? This is the third scheduled Jamboree right?

As for me, I converted from Jamboree's to Jimboree's when I waved the white flag on the very first outing.  You REALLY need to consider the lay of the land when you initially position yourself to do these things... & we hadn't done a good job of that.  The only good approach was from other side of Stumpy's selected land mass.  My error stared me right in the face; when the fog & deluge of rain let up, slippery dripping cliffs loomed above me and my canoe party retreated to follow other pursuits.

As I understand it, there WAS a second Jamboree (5 years later) at which a large number of adventurers actually "made it."  Apparently, a small industrious group arrived a couple days early & lumber-jacked a reasonable facsimile of the New Jersey Turnpike (ie. portage) straight to the selected destination... exponentially reducing the effort required to reach it from a major canoeing thoroughfare.  I guess you can't hold back "progress."  Rumor has it that groups of 90 year old great grandmothers now frequent this route to basecamp at the site of Bushwhacker's Jamboree #2.

So, yes, this will be the year of Bushwhacker Jamboree #3.  As it will also be the occasion of Bushwhacker Jimboree #15 (we like to think we have 5 times as much fun), I may once again try to arrange my event in general vicinity of their more "aggressive" venture.  Our outings, on the other hand, require no particular aptitude other than it helps if you can tell a decent tale around the campfire.  Chances are, many of our tales will be about the OTHER event... and the howls of misery that emanate from the depths of nearby wilderness.

To each their own.  I will certainly make a toast to these more industrious, intrepid warriors... probably several.

Jimbo   8-)

I made it to Jimboree#1 and enjoyed meeting other QJ members there but didn't make it to Stumpy's "Secret Lake of the year" altho we did make a (feeble) attempt...route was so thick with small pines we couldn't get the canoes through the forest.   :o
Did attend Bushwacker's Jamboree #2.  Lake was okay but not very many good campsites to pick from. 
I'll do 2015 if I am still able...
Stumpy...will you give us some early clues to the lake location like you did in 2010?

Hey guys. Tom here (green solo canoe from 2010).

I have real fond memories from 2010's Jamboree. It was great meeting all you fine folks. 2015 is still a long way off, so no way to know if I'll be able to give that one a go. Hopefully I'll be able to unbury myself from work long enough to try, though. Glad to see you're keeping the tradition going, Stumpy. Looking forward to the grand revealing of 2015's location.

My favorite part was always the hype: the clues and the guesswork involved early on. The Jimboree was a great satellite idea IMO. And my apologies for forgetting about the second and its attendees. Am I right in recalling that Stumpy never made it to either?

All I can say for sure is the idea of intentionally busting my butt to share a lake/campsite with others has always sounded backwards to me. That said, I attended a pickup Jimboree last year and enjoyed the experience tremendously.

I believe the full cast of characters that made it to the 2010 event were the following:

Stumpy and nephew
IntrepidCamper with Son and Friend
Kingfisher and Paddlemaker
Hexnymph and crew (pghportager, reelhappy and pennpaddler)
Quiet Wild (solo)

I believe it was only Hexnymph and his band of crazed bushcrashers that made it all the way to 2005's final destination.

As someone who prefers to go it alone, I still had fun (it was just one day and night out of a ten day trip). Bushwhacking from That Man Lake into Magie was a highlight of the trip for me. Planning it is also half the fun, but I may be goofy that way.

Does anyone know if there are trip reports or videos of the 2010 gathering? What was that bushwhack like?

I have a bunch of photos and notes that I thought I posted somewhere at some point, but I can't seem to find it at the moment. I've been largely "unplugged" the past few years and have lost track of some things. I'll see if I can gather some of what I have locally and repost.

We did some serious bushwacking by choosing to go "as the crow flies" between Magie and Stumpy's destination lake up a long steep grade and over a hill via a compass heading.  We walked the route first, finding our way around deadfalls and moving loose stuff out of the trail; with lots of switchbacks to climb the hill and get around things.  Returned to camp on Magie for the night and portaged our stuff in the next day. 

Okay, I managed to dig up the photos and notes for that trip and have posted them to the following page:

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Day seven of the trip is the start of the bushwhack part. Fun to re-read all this - brings back good memories.

Tom

Quiet Wild wrote on Dec 8^th, 2013 at 3:54am:

Okay, I managed to dig up the photos and notes for that trip and have posted them to the following page:   (You need to Login or Register Day seven of the trip is the start of the bushwhack part. Fun to re-read all this - brings back good memories. Tom

thanks for the read Tom, I liked it.

QW - Thanks for the memories  ;D
Your photos are worth a thousand words to explain what one faces in a bushwack route.
See you at the next mystery lake :-?
IC

Can't wait to see where the next destination will be. I better start getting into shape! Too much sittin' around the past few years.

Quiet Wild wrote on Dec 8^th, 2013 at 3:54am:

Okay, I managed to dig up the photos and notes for that trip and have posted them to the following page:   (You need to Login or Register Day seven of the trip is the start of the bushwhack part. Fun to re-read all this - brings back good memories. Tom

Thanks for the link.  You make it sound so casual.  I've bushcrashed twice and it's never easy and left me pretty wore out afterwards.  I did the one miler from Ted to Robinson and also went in to an unnamed from Sarah.
Both times for me were solo also and I was very aware that if I got hurt I would be in some trouble.

Did anyone fish the reandevous lake?

Fishing was a bust. There were some serious fisherman in the group and still nothing. I think that's a big reason people were interested in moving on after just one day.

Do any former participants object to me picking the lake again?
It was my plan to come up with a voting procedure, to decide on the next lake. After everyone nominated lakes, you would be allowed one vote, for each Jamboree you attended.
That said, I'd like to just go ahead & pick the lake...because I've got a good one & it will keep up the suspense.
Thoughts ? (former participants only)

It is okay with me....don't make it any harder than the last one.....we aren't getting any younger!

It will be tougher for sure.
So remote, that nobody's going in early this time, to cut a trail.

You were/are just jealous :P

On second thought....since Hexnymph and his crew have been the most successful  bushwackers, so far, maybe THEY should choose the lake this time.  8-)

On third thought...I have a couple "back water" lakes I've wanted to see.  Easier to get to and probably interesting.   I'm forwarding their locations for possible nomination:  A) Lakes between southern Louisa and Agnes Lakes.  B)  Inland lakes in the area north and west of Monument Portage area and Swamp Lake.

I sent a message to Hex, before I started this thread, but received no reply.
I'm sure they would like a tougher destination, this time around.

and to quote the original intent as to where...
"WHERE...It will be on a lake near the middle of Quetico, with no name, no portage trail to it (none),.."

I'll defer any decision about collaborating on a destination to you more experienced folks (and I don't know if I'll even be in a position to make a run at it this time). Personally, I like the idea of Stumpy continuing to make a selection, as long as he's willing, since he began the tradition. I also respect his experience and judgement on such matters. The added suspense of not knowing the location until later is also part of the fun, I think.

And just to make it really challenging and as an added incentive, the destination lake will . ..

...be shark infested?  :D

...have big, hungry fish and potential campsites...

...contain the pot of gold.

liquid gold

In the early spring of 2010 I approached the publisher of Boundary Waters Journal about participating in the Bushwhacker’s Jamboree and writing a story for the magazine. It was approved, I found a partner, we made it to Stumpy’s chosen lake and I wrote the story.
Since its inception, there has always been a kind of mischievous mystery associated with Stumpy’s event. When the publisher of the magazine realized that this event was taking place without the expressed permission of park officials he was reluctant to have a story about it appear in his magazine such that he might appear to be endorsing this kind of activity. He argued that even if no park rules were technically broken the event may have violated the spirit of Quetico regulations. So the story never appeared in the magazine and I had forgotten about it until this thread appeared. For those of you not familiar with the early version of the Jamboree or its founder there is a little history included. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did putting it together.
Darrel

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Bravo!  Nice story Kingfisher!   (I see Stu's point,but that was a damn good read.)  I'm glad I finally did get got to read it. It really does make me want to try it, but I'm not sure I wouldn't hurt my self. :thumbup

Darrel
I enjoyed that. 
Lawrence

That was excellent, Darrel. Thanks a lot for posting it.

Thanks Darrel...You write very well.
Quite flattering too.
I've known Stu since the 1970s, when we were both working for outfitters. He's a good guy, but can be quite fickle about what goes into his magazine.
In the end, it's better, the more the Jamboree flies under the radar, if that's even possible these days.

Nice read  :thumbup
A little back history is always nice.

Darrel, Great read to start the year, really enjoyed it. Thank You. Tim

Very fun to read that, thanks!  I would love to participate in 2015 but unfortunately can only trip in Aug or Sept.

With the announcement 11 months away, clues can't be too specific.
And yet, East of the Big "W", would be quite terrific.

I really enjoyed the story. I could feel the pain and the satisfaction.

If we stay overnight on this lake will we be camped on the west wind?
Jon
PS I absolutely loved Darrel's story

KF - what a great line!
"Why do those blue lines always look so easily navigable on the map?"
-Thanks - it was a good read as others have said.

-27 below zero this morning...good day to be "looking" for the possible mystery lake on maps.  It's "warmed" up to -18 near lunch time.

"East of the big W" ?  Stumpy, would that be animal, vegetable or mineral or perhaps body of water?  There are a few "W" shaped bodies of water or groups of lakes near the center of the Quetico...am I on the right track? 

Wicksteed, Wolseley , Wildgoose Wise Wright, Williams, Woodside.  My guess is Woodside.

Magicpaddler wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2014 at 11:39pm:

Wicksteed, Wolseley , Wildgoose Wise Wright, Williams, Woodside.  My guess is Woodside.

East of the "big" W.

These early clues, are so broad, that I wouldn't lose much sleep over it.

Is the lake full of 4 foot pike unlikely to have ever seen a lure?
Jon

O ye of little faith, 5' hammerhandles. :D

Could the "big" W be White Lake??

Maybe we're overthinking this. "Big" W could just mean "water". The lake is east of water. Hmmm...that doesn't narrow it down very much.  :D

Overthinkin'. Big W= big waldos. 8-)

Still overthinking.

Think "Smiler Grogan" (Jimmy Durante) in the comedy, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."

Jimbo   8-)

Just for kicks...
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It's a heat wave!  0 degrees today and palm trees on QJ  :D

I'm thinkin' "East of the big Woods"...a'la Winnie the Pooh.  East of Poohbah ???

I'll drop a clue, every now & then, but I'm not answering any questions, or playing warmer/colder & such.
So any discussion will be left to others.
Even if someone pinpoints the lake (as I think happened last time), I won't confirm it, until December 7.
Thanks S.

Cache lake is the biggest W shaped lake and Zephira, just to the east, is the ultimate bushwhackers challenge. I am hoping this is it anyway.
Jon

I think Zephira Lake is not close enough to "the center of QPP" to qualify  :-?

How about a clue each month, becoming more specific as the day grows near.
After this, look for clues at the start of the month.

Less than 4 islands.

As you may have guessed...I look forward to any clue.
I've been studying the maps and realized there are very few sizable lakes that do not have portages to them.  It must be getting hard to find one with "no trail what-so-ever" to them.

Stumpy wrote on Feb 15^th, 2014 at 12:16am:

"WHERE...It will be on a lake near the middle of Quetico, with no name, no portage trail to it (none),.." East of the Big "W", Less than 4 islands.

I hope that it's not the one I'm looking at....because that one would be really hard to get into to!

intrepid_camper wrote on Feb 16^th, 2014 at 5:11pm:

As you may have guessed...I look forward to any clue. I've been studying the maps and realized there are very few sizable lakes that do not have portages to them.  It must be getting hard to find one with "no trail what-so-ever" to them.

Depends what you consider "sizable".
I'll take lakes just a 1/4 mile across & maybe less. There are more than a hundred in Quetico with no trail to them.

West of the big K

"WHERE...It will be on a lake near the middle of Quetico, with no name, no portage trail to it (none),.."
East of the Big "W",
Less than 4 islands.
West of the big K

Waiting eagerly for another clue... :)

North of the big B.

Basswood.

If my clues are lame
that's a shame
It's not my FAULT
or anywhere near it

Need another clue Stumpy; that last one still has me scratching my head  :-?

I'm guessing Pierna Lake.  I won't be there.

PJ - Why do you think Pierna Lake?  I have never been there.  Is it a major fault site?  IC

One of the clues is that the lake has no name. :o

Here is my 'read' of the clues. Fault line is Kahshapiwi chain. Not near it. Big B is Basswood. Big K is Kawnipi. Big W is Wickstead.
Leaves lots of 'wiggle room'. :o

South of the big S.

Silence not Sturgeon. :o

Can't guarantee as of this time, that I can even do this.
I've started a new job (good news), & next year I will only get 1 week vacation (bad news). I think I'll be spending that 1 week with my family. I'll need to work on a way of getting away for a second week.

Bring the family. :D

I can work a few Saturdays & get the days off that I need to do this.
Things are looking up....all the way up, past Robinson.

After all this you're not going? Just quit your job right before the trip. Any self righteous bushwacker would do that in a heartbeat. Get your priorities in order man!

Past Robinson....there's a bunch of no-name lakes NE of Ted.  Also several in the vicinity of Camel/Veron with no name and no portages.
Hey Stumpy!  We haven't had a clue since August :-?

intrepid_camper wrote on Oct 8^th, 2014 at 2:41pm:

Past Robinson....there's a bunch of no-name lakes NE of Ted.  Also several in the vicinity of Camel/Veron with no name and no portages. Hey Stumpy!  We haven't had a clue since August :-?

Sorry !

Did I say past Robinson?....I meant past McIntyre too.

In the Sturgeon Lake watershed !

Thank you Stumpy!  We will know exactly where the secret lake is soon  :)

"Not too far away.
Lake will be revealed December 7, 2014 at 9:00 PM cst. "

I will name the lake this time, with much hesitancy.
I have little vacation time next summer & we have family health concerns going on.
I don't know if I can justify making it...time will tell.
I am sorry for this, but I knew as I & my family grew older this might happen.  Physically, I know I can get there.
I wonder if anyone will go to the lake I intend to name.

Final hint.....between a girl & a guy.

I got it!! McIntyre between Sarah and Brent. ;)

Seriously, there are more important things in life than canoe trips. Heresy! Health is one of them. Do what you need to do. There is nothing you need to prove. Someone will make the trip in your honor, and share a toast to health. We're with you Stumpy. 8-)

Stumpy
Sorry to hear about the health concerns.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

The guys are right, family should trump anything else. Someone will make it there and raise a toast in your honor. :thumbup

Wow !
You guys are great !
There were times in my life, when nothing (or so I thought) mattered more than some canoe trips. That's no longer the case. Apparently, you all knew that before I did.
Thank you

I missed 7 years of trips. Partly with the economic meltdown and part me taking care of my mom the last  years of her life.
As much as I missed the trips, I wouldn't give up that bittersweet time with my mother for all the trips in the world.
Absence does make the heart grow fonder and going with a clear concience isn't bad either. ;)

My best guess is the two small lakes between and slightly north of a line from Allan to Bernice Lakes.

Stumpy,  We will be disappointed if you cannot make it....what would the Bushwackers' Jamboree be without you???

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Who'da thunk it?

Can anyone point to an earlier "Bushwhackers Jamboree" type post?

Just my view from the couch.  ;)

db wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2014 at 9:45am:

(You need to Login or Register Who'da thunk it? Can anyone point to an earlier "Bushwhackers Jamboree" type post? Just my view from the couch.  ;)

Yes...right hear...   (You need to Login or Register
But just want to say...I'm not proud of some my rhetoric, back then. 

Not sure if the lake has been revealed but thought I'd throw a guess in for the fun it: Between Marj and Burt......