Boundary Waters Canoe Camping

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

What's New About This Edition?

A Note to the Reader

Preface, by Kevin Proescholdt

Chapter 1: A Wilderness in Turmoil, by David Backes

Chapter 2: Planning and Pacing Your Canoe Trip

First, Pick Your Travel Area

Maps

If You Plan To Use a GPS

Don't Turn Your Vacation into a Marathon!

Rules for Interpreting Contour Lines

Planning the Route

Scenario Thought List

Permits

Chapter 3: A Maze of Finger Lakes, Portage Trails, and Confusing Bays!

Maps

Orienteering Compass

No Need to Worry about Magnetic Declination!

Using Map and Compass Together

Test Your Map and Compass Skills

Aiming Off

Tips for Navigating Small Streams and Moose Trails

Using a Map With Your GPS/UTM Coordinates

Chapter 4: Favorite Routes—Where Solitude Still Remains

Ham Lake to Long Island Lake and Points East

Frost River

Granite River through Guide's Portage

Chapter 5: Federal Regulations and Rational

Quotas

Some Obscure Regulations

No Cans or Bottles Are Allowed in the BWCA!

Camouflage Your Camp

Camp Only at U.S. Forest Service Designated Sites

When Nature Calls and There Is No Forest Service Box Latrine

Campfires Are Allowed Only Within the Steel Fire Grates at Developed Campsites

Sanitation and Waste Disposal

Chapter 6: Selecting and Outfitting Your Canoe

A Boundary Waters Canoe Can Never Be Too Light!

A Fast Canoe Is a Welcome Luxury

Canoe Building Materials

Canoe Tips

Outfitting the Canoe

Chapter 7: Paddling and Portaging Your Canoe

Paddling Your Canoe

Big Water Tactics

Portaging Your Canoe

Chapter 8: The Right Stuff—Everything You Need To Know About Equipment

Packs

Tent

Cooking Tarp

Stove

Edged Tools

Clothing

Rain Gear

Hats

Footwear

Sleeping Gear

Kids' Stuff

Packing Your Packs

Packing the Canoe

Chapter 9: Solo Canoes and Kayaks in the Boundary Waters

Why Solo Canoes?

Things To Consider When Choosing A Solo Canoe

Customizing Your Solo Canoe

Paddle Strokes

Solo Canoes And Camping

Packs And Packing

Portaging The Load

Canoeing With Friends

Why Not Paddle A Kayak?

Chapter 10: Fast Fixin's—Easy Ways to Prepare Great Trail Meals

Hardware

Spices

Packing the Kitchen

Containers for Powders and Liquids

Easy Breakfasts

Launching Lunch

On into Supper

Meal Management Tricks

Tasty Cooking Tricks

Chapter 11: A Bomb-Proof Canoe Camp!

Tents and Tarps

Campfires

Chapter 12: Bothersome Beasts and Ornery Stingers!

Bothersome Beasts

Ornery Stingers

Chapter 13: Dangers, Safety, and First Aid

Swimming Don'ts!

Lightning

Widow-Makers

When Your Canoe Becomes a Kite!

Safety with Edged Tools

Water Quality

Medicine for the Boundary Waters

First Aid for Common Ailments

Signals: When You Need To Bring the Airplane Down!

Chapter 14: A Magic Day in the BWCA

Chapter 15: Advice from the Experts

Rob Kesselring

Bob O'Hara

Bert Heep

Dr. Nick and Stephanie Boismenue

Zoe Kesselring

Sue Harings

Advice from an Outfitter—Nancy Piragis

Appendix A: Equipment Checklist

Appendix B: Resources

BWCA Information and Permits

Quetico Information and Permits

Customs

Minnesota Licenses

Organizations

Maps

Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies

Packsacks, Map Cases, and Other Canoeing Luggage

BWCA and Quetico Canoeing Guide Books

Appendix C: Seven-Day Menu

Appendix D: The Wilderness Meal

Index