I've toyed with the thought of canoeing WCPP (or Wabikimi) in the next few years, especially after reading some of the nice reports from this site and at Canoecopia. 

Here's a question I've had for a while.  Are the forests different between Quetico and WCPP (and Wabikimi)?  I love the old growth red and white pines prevalent in Quetico and parts of the BWCA.  It's my understanding that as one travels northward, the forests are more boreal in nature, with less of the red and white pines.  Forgive me if my forest terminology is inaccurate and thanks in advance for your insight.

I'd say that this view is reasonably typical of what you'll find in Woodland Caribou.  Finding trees to hang a bear bag is a hit or miss proposition (mostly miss).  Alder and Black Spruce are also common and you'll run into Birch ever so often.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

This shot was from my campsite on Hansen Lake (WCPP) from my 2010 solo trip. 

dd

On a trip to WCPP we did find trees to hang 2 hammocks at each camp sight although 2 times we used 3 trees to hang 2 hammocks.  Other times I would brace a tree so I would not pull it over. I used a chain saw to clear enough of the area in the above picture to set up one tent.  There was another space where another tent could be set up.  There were other sights that were too messed up to reclaim. 

I saw alot of what both DD and MP showed. Although we never "needed" a chainsaw... One would have helped a few times. I have enough trouble carrying a folding saw let alone a chainsaw. It definitly won't discourage me from returning multiple times this year. I was at a couple campsites where we paddled to another location to go to the bathroom... Kind of wish others would have done similar. The nice campsite on So Aegean had potty holes within a few feet from potential tent pads. Yuk!

Quote:


Hmmmmmm.  "...I have found fewer poor bathroom remnants...than the Q..." 

Now, one could read that to mean you've found in the Q  not only richer better bathroom remnants, but more of them!!   

Quote:


Great! Now MT is going to start a 20 page thread on the best and lightest chainsaw to bring along, just in case... along with the associated discussion of calculating quantities of bar oil and fuel. 

Old Salt wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2011 at 1:31am:


Don't be ridiculous!!



But...........now that you brought it up, what would be the best and lightest chain saw..........I mean If a guy would actually.........oh, nevermind.

In MT's stove...NO. In my stoves, YES , the mix could be burnt to make the bread; fouling could occur I suppose. I suppose the bar oil could work in an Altoid tin candle for those survival sitchiations, and if food grade rape seed oil was used one could have a sublime double use purpose ...oh the bar and pan how  wood that be

Here is a start...

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

And a pack to haul it in...

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Might need a high-tech titanium muffler for stealth mode, and kevlar chaps for safety concerns

Just saying...not that I would do it as I am a little set in my ways being the old goat that I am

solotripper wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2011 at 4:25pm:


Not sure the ten incher would work against this bad boy    :  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Humaniod, its the OTHER white meat!  

dd

Dear Pine Knot

I'd have to disagree with Denton Doc - the photo he showed is not typical at all. I rarely see such colourful towels in the backcountry of WCPP.  Usually they are quite plain andmuch dirtier. Must be at the beginning of his trip!!!
I do agree with your discription tho as you go further north. You will lose the large red and whites - but then life would be boring if we were all the same.  The towel photo is a prime example!!!
The forest is different as it is derived from a different set of conditions.  We do have reds but they are fewer and farther between bscause of the fire regime.  We tend to celebrate those occurances more excitedly as they are at the northern extent of thier range.  Same goes for the Bur Oak that appears here and there.

I saw some of what MagicPaddler showed in his picture as well as what DD had in his... minus the "towel". Although my son used his bright pink sleeping bag for his dog for me to find him on Paull Lake like that. My point is you'll see it all and quite often it'll be the tangled mess you found in MP's picture. On better established routes you'll find better campsites and portages for obvious reasons. But I'm guessing like on Jimbo's past trip they had to improvise a lot off the beaten path. I'm looking forward to that myself this year. I'm going to upgrade my saw, but still not going to the power saw or the bear.  And hopefully make some nice places to pitch a tent. It seemed to me Marten actually often times pitched his tent right out on the rock near the lake. I better be ready to do that and have a good mattress. Nothing "boring" about the WCPP. I'm excited to see what other areas have to offer. Thanks Doug!