Mad_Mat wrote on Apr 27^th, 2012 at 1:00pm:


That was what I initially had planned Mat. But don't I have to enter BWCA at an established EP on the day reserved? Since I will be spending the first 5 days or so in Quetico and wandering up toward Basswood falls that would certainly put me at odds with the "spirit" of the entry system would it not?

While I like the goal aspect of paddling around the entire lake (still seems like a cool idea) I think in the long run IC has it right. Why put up with crowds and motor boats and heavily used campsites? Why not make the goal to know the Canadian side of Basswood in an intimate way.......notes of campsites, reefs found and plotted on the GPS. That would be a trip with some satisfaction especially if one does it with the future in mind. Lord willing I'm still kickin in my 60's and 70's and in decent health it might be nice to know Basswood. The good campsites, the good spots to fish. My big portaging days might be over by then but I cannot envision not being able to trip somewhere.........

All I know is that if Scott Smith doesn't have the Expedition finished by then the trip will far less satisfactory and I might even scrap the whole idea. Part of the attraction is getting to know the boat and see what it is capable of in bigger water (that is not to cold  ).

db wrote on Apr 27^th, 2012 at 3:00pm:


Wow.......what a guy! Thanks db. I was under the impression that contour maps for lakes in the Q were non existent. How cool is this. I know what I'll be lookin at in the "readin room" for the next few months. Thanks Pal.

It's on its way.........one of my favorite pastimes......pouring over maps!! ("watch out leetle feesh, your in big trouble now".....Russian accent implied  )

I routinely do what BC does, paddle the Moose chain the day before and camp near PP for the night.  It takes 3-4 hours to paddle there from the canoe access on Moose.  I also find it is a good way to double check you have everything you need and helps to re-arrange your gear a bit by setting up camp;  when you pack up again it seems the gear is better organized and somewhat less bulky with fine tuning.
This perhaps works well for me because the last hour or two when getting ready to leave for camping at home I am still not entirely "ready" and start to just throw extra stuff I think I want into a pack "in case".   

I am so wondering what to do with my extra day and a half. Not to keen on spending much time on Moose lake. I thought about spending the time on Basswood near PP. Think I would have a problem just showing up for a day pass to overnight on Basswood on the American side? Don't they keep a certain number of passes aside for just that scenario?

Hmmm, I'd say this discussion is getting into "paralysis by analysis" territory, but I know MT is going to go, come hell or high water, so I guess I'm wrong. 

But I've been waiting for a chance to use my favorite saying, being a non-analytical guy much to my wife's dismay. No matter -- MT has lots of options, and lots of "ifs."  Al -- just hop in that  canoe and "let the force be with you!"   

prouboy