Magic Paddler asked me to watch for his SPOT Messages while he is away in Quetico for a couple weeks.  He is doing a solo trip.  Magic sent me a "check" message from south of the border along the North Shore of MN last Thursday.  Allegedly he entered the park on Friday... but I've received no more "SPOTS."  Yesterday, Mrs. Magic gave me a call to see if I've received any messages.  Neither of us have.  We've checked the park service to confirm he entered the park as planned.  He did.  He registered his route with them per protocol.  As they see it, the first few days run through popular sections of the park, so they don't seem too concerned.

We know Magic intends to cross paths with other QJ'ers along the way.  I'm hoping if anyone out there DOES cross his path and returns home before June 26, they'll let me know.  Also, if you head in between now & then & see him, please give him the heads-up that he is not transmitting.

It is reassuring that Magic is one of the most experienced & wilderness-savvy guys I know.   The problem is likely electronic in nature. OR, perhaps even MORE likely, maybe he has simply lost his SPOT Messenger (Magic has lost stuff, including a cylinder containing his maps, in the past).  In any case, I KNOW what to do with "OK" messages & I know what to do with "Need help" messages.  Silence, however, is a bit more disconcerting.

I guess with the advent of technology our expectations go up.  We "expect" to hear from friends/family... even from remote wilderness. When we don't, the level of worry shoots up... perhaps even well beyond what it did BEFORE we these devices became common place.  I'm sure most of us remember being away for 8 - 14 days or more at a time and, since nobody expected to hear from you until you "got out", nobody seemed to have been particularly worried about you.

Satellite phones & SPOT Messengers have created higher expectations for us folks back home... for better or for worse.  At this particular moment re: Magic, it "feels" like it's for the worse for those of us supposed to be keeping an eye on him (especially for Mrs. Magic).  Yet, as little as 10 years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about it.   

Anyway, if anybody out there runs across him in the park before June 26, we'd be obliged if you would contact me.  I'd love to be able to put a few minds at ease.

Thanks!!!

Jimbo   

EP is Nym, then on towards Sturgeon (presumably via Deux Rivieres) & eventually headed down into the  Allan Creek area.  I'm thinking he had this year's Bushwhacker's Jamboree in mind (if there is even going to be one; I haven't kept up with that thread at all).  If so, he's headed for that No-Name just north of Berniece.  From there he listed several lakes but they were all over the place & he used the word "meander."  When I get home later today I'll retrieve the full list and post it to this thread.

From Nym it's at least a 2 day solo paddle down to Allan... and I don't think he was in all that much of a hurry.  That 1st day or so is relatively tame & pretty well-traveled, I'm thinking, in either approach (Deux Rivieres OR approaching via Lonely).  If he was in real trouble, I think it likely he would have been seen by someone.   It's that "Allan Creek/Berniece" part that starts getting remote & more worrisome.  Of course, there's always a concern in big wind & cold water when a small canoe is involved.

That's all I know to tell you just now.  More to follow.  Thanks!

Jimbo   

I certainly hope he is OK. One thing for certain, now he owes all of us a trip report. I also think he was headed for Stumpys rendezvous.

Was he a first time spot user or was he experienced with it. I know my gen 2 is odd that the "message sent" light starts flashing before its sent. I believe in leaving it on till it auto-offs.

Jimbo,
Can you help with other details such as make, color of his canoe, tent, tarp colors? Date of entry, last contact? Thanks.