I'd take the good site.  I paid my money, quite a big chunk of it, so I don't see any reason to move on (andwhat if they didn't take the goodsite after all- then I'd be feeling likeapretty big fool).  If a big group want's to be sure to get that nice big site, they can send one of thier canoes ahead to claim it - get up earlier than I do.  Even more so if I was planning on more than one night at that location.

In part, that's mostly because I tend to travel late, and if I hit camp at between 5 and 7 pm, I'm not at all inclined to give it up for a maybe not taken site at next lake - noisewise, since the sites are within hearing of each other, its gonna be noisy anyway, and I'd be getting mad at myself for giving up a nice site to a noisy group (if it turned out that way, and like someone said, more likely than not a group of 4+ is gonna be noisy.

The one time that happened to me, I got to the site about a half hour or so ahead of the big group, and did move onbecause they askedme forthe site-  which meant me setting up camp in the rain farther down the lake at an only half way decent site.  At that time, it didn't matter much and I was only slightly reluctant (I hadn't pitched my camp yet), but I wouldn't give up a nice windy point in heavy bug conditions - I've shared my sites a few times, too.

But I just don't buy into any theory that says a group of one or two is somehow less deserving of a nice site than a group of 4 or more.

Jimbo wrote on Apr 20^th, 2010 at 12:39am:


 I had the same thought. One good thing (among many) is that in the Q you can bushwack anywhere you please.

 Db didn't specify and did say you were going to be there for 2 nights.
IF it was the Q, I'd join Jimbo and hang the tarp/ Byer Mosquito Hammock and find a spot as far away as possible from the group

Have not done a solo, I presume I'd be inclined to move on.

It depends who my partner is.  Be it Kingfisher, no need even to ask.  I'd have the same mindset and getting to next lake in a reasonable time is not an issue.

Be it my wife, I am already in trouble for not stopping at the last lake.  I grab the best one.  Be it my kids, the bigger group will want to move on (to seek their own solitude), I stay. 

Other scenario with partner, since the plan is for 2 days, there is good reason for going there.  The lake is going to be big enough and except for the minimal time in camp, I can avoid the activity of others. I choose the camp without the front porch.

-YB

WoW Joe! You be da devil. The thought would have never crossed my mind. I like it though. Don't think I could do it myself but I like it a lot. Welcome BTW!

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FWIW - I never defined the time of day beyond saying the next lake was decent and doable. All next lakes require some effort. One campsite on it means a large group could be noisy and probably not bother anyone. Not that large groups are all noisy.... Let's say it's mid to late afternoon in June. Plenty of daylight left to hit the next lake, set up camp and have a leisurely dinner before going out for the evening.

If the situation were reversed and you were leading the big group, do you think anyone in your group might be be miffed that the solo took the better site? Would there be a discussion about it in your group? And yes you told them which site you hoped might be open and why plus you understood the possibility that both sites might be taken. Heck, You're group may have even been aiming for the next lake all along!

Maybe this is just the Q paddler in me but here's a little different twist on campsite selection etiquette - if there is such a thing. Shouldn't it be obvious to the large group that someone who is solo IS solo because they desire solitude if not quiet? If reasonably possible, and the scenario described is, wouldn't you simply move on so the solo (or ANY other group) could have the area to themselves?

Basically I wouldn't choose a camp within sight and earshot of any other occupied site unless I seriously had to. I'd appreciate the same courtesy and I certainly would never set anchor and fish in front of anyone else's campsite. I at least hope I'm not in the minority with that.

P.S.

Or maybe the solo paddler is an advance scout for another group of four canoes ...