BWCA (Boundary Water Canoe Area) By Steve Sewell

Agenda: What is the BWCA Planning a Trip Considerations BWCA Regulations Resources Picture Slide Show from Past Adventure Q/A

What is the BWCA?: Location

What is the BWCA?: Location

A.K.A. “The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)” Established in 1978 by Congress through BWCA Wilderness Act. This Act restricted logging, mining, and most motorized access 1,000,000+ acre area in Northern MN The BWCAW is part of and managed by the Superior National Forest.Superior National Forest What is the BWCA?: Description

Visited by more than 200,000 per year. More than 1500 miles of canoe routes What is the BWCA?: Description camp sites BWCA is a pristine, yet rugged wilderness. The lakes are cut from granite and surrounded in old pine growth

First…….Decide you want to go! Planned well in advance for two reasons: Planning a Trip: Where to Start 1.Ensure that you obtain a permit for the date and entry point you desire to embark into BWCA. 2.Make sure you are well prepared with proper gear, know-how, and a well thought out plan to enter the wilderness.

As Easy Portages and Few Portages As Possible Involve All in the Planning Offering Suggestions to Begin Discussion. Avoid BIG Lakes for easier navigation and less issues with wind. Plan on a day or two of down time for relaxing and weather. Watch the weather daily and listen to weather radio morning and night. Plan days and paddling accordingly. Each individual MUST be comfortable in a tent for more than a couple days Have canoed both river and lake. One person in canoe who is comfortable with most common paddle strokes. At least two people in group can navigate well with map and compass. (GPS is your backup) Planning a Trip: Beginners & Kids

Safety! This is a wilderness experience Travel IS by canoe Don’t do dumb things: Planning a Trip: Safety Not wear PFD Bring unnecessary equipment Bring axes, hatchets, weapons No Float plan Separate crew when moving Travel alone (in pairs preferable (“buddy system”)

100% Outfitter Gear & Food: $450 - $550 per person (aluminum vs. Kevlar canoes) Self Gear & Food with Outfitter provided Kevelar canoes: $250 per person Travel Expenses: Gas ($65 per person for 4 per vehicle) Bunk/Hotel House ($20 - $85 Food Souvenirs ??? Treasurer Planning a Trip: Cost

Agree on Rules & Regulations Permit ( search using: –BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS (RESERVATIONS) –Permits & Wilderness –Overnight PaddleOvernight Paddle Outfitter versus self-equipped BWCA Maps Crew Menu (self or outfitter) Food preparation First Aid (basic skills) Travel Arrangements Assignments Planning a Trip: Early Planning

Recap and status on prior meeting and assigned tasks. What equipment does the crew have. Reserve canoes and any other services Collect about a $100 deposit to cover Assign Treasurer Teamwork! Planning a Trip: 4-6 Months Before

Planning meeting - agree on rules Leader Decision versus Group decision Equipment check meeting –Common Gear (avoid unnecessary duplicates) –Personal gear Single/Shared Tent Menu Planning (unless using outfitter) Teamwork! Planning a Trip: 1–2 Months Before

Menu (final food purchases & repacking) Weather forecast (last minute equipment changes) Finalize travel arrangements Contact list for emergency Finalize common gear Teamwork! Planning a Trip: 1–2 Weeks Before

Character building days Tent mates & canoe mates Historian Safety! Teamwork! Safety! Teamwork! Planning a Trip: During Trip

TRAVEL PERMITS: You must enter the BWCAW at the entry point and on the entry date shown on your permit and may not re-enter on a different date using the same permit. GROUP SIZE Nine (9) people and four (4) watercraft are the maximum allowed together in the wilderness. You may not exceed the limit at any time or anywhere (on water, portages, campsites) in the BWCAW. TOILET FACILITIES AND WATER QUALITY –Use latrines at designated campsites. –Latrines are not garbage cans and should be used for the intended purpose only. –If you're not near a latrine, dig a small hole 6 to 8 inches deep at least 150 feet or more back from the water's edge. When finished, fill hole and cover with needles and leaves. –Bathe and wash dishes at least 150 feet from lakes and streams. –All soaps pollute water including soaps labeled "biodegradable." BWCA Regulations: For a Better Experience for All

CONTAINERS Cans and glass bottles are not allowed. Containers of fuel, insect repellent, medicines, personal toilet articles, and other items that are not foods or beverages are the only cans and bottles you may keep in their original containers. Food may be packaged in plastic containers that must be packed out with you. FISH REMAINS Dispose of fish remains well away from shorelines, campsites, trails and portages. CAMPFIRES: Fires are allowed within the steel fire grates at designated campsites or as specifically approved on your visitor's permit. If you build a fire, burn only dead wood found lying on the ground. Drown your fire with water any time you are going to be away from your camp or at bedtime. CAMPSITES Camp only at Forest Service designated campsites that have steel fire grates and wilderness latrines. It is illegal to cut live vegetation for any reason. BWCA Regulations: For a Better Experience for All

STORING WATERCRAFT Only watercraft and equipment used in connection with your current visit may be stored and left unattended. All equipment and personal property must be carried out with you at the end of each trip. CULTURAL HERITAGE Leave archaeological, historical, and rock painting sites undisturbed. The use of metal detectors is prohibited. MOTOR-POWERED WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS. Most lakes or portions of lakes within the BWCAW are paddle-only. Motors may not be used or be in possession on any paddle-only lake. Motor-powered watercraft are permitted only on designated lakes. DOGS IN THE BWCAW Dogs must be under control at all times.. WHAT RULES APPLY TO FIREARMS? FIREWORKS? PORTAGE WHEELS Mechanical assistance is only permitted over the following: International Boundary, Four-Mile Portage, Fall-Newton- Pipestone and Back Bay Portages into Basswood Lake, Prairie Portage, Vermilion-Trout Lake Portage. BWCA Regulations: For a Better Experience for All

W.A. Fisher Company 123 Chestnut Street, Box 1107 Virginia, MN (218) (B-1: Canoe Country Map Book) McKenzie Maps 8479 Frye Road Minong, WI Resources: BWCA Maps

Many, many links if you do a search on BWCA This is a good one to start: & Ely: Outfitter: –Eastern MN: –Ely, MN: –Eastern MN: Boundary Water Journal: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO BROCHURE CANPASS Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/rabc-pfre/menu-eng.htmlhttp:// asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/rabc-pfre/menu-eng.html Google Map Images: – &sspn= ,9.7229&t=h&hnear=Ely,+St+Louis,+Minnesota&z=13https://maps.google.com/maps?q=ely,+mn&hl=en&sll= , &sspn= ,9.7229&t=h&hnear=Ely,+St+Louis,+Minnesota&z=13 – &sspn= , &oq=grand,+mn&t=h&hnear=Grand+Marais,+Cook,+Minnesota&z=12https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Grand+Marais,+MN&hl=en&ll= , &spn= , &sll= , &sspn= , &oq=grand,+mn&t=h&hnear=Grand+Marais,+Cook,+Minnesota&z=12 – Resources: Web Links

Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region (7 th Edition or newer): Canoe-Area-Western/dp/ Canoe-Area-Western/dp/ Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Eastern Region (5 th Edition or newer): Canoe-Area-Eastern/dp/ Canoe-Area-Eastern/dp/ Resources: Planning Books

Picture Slide Show from Past Adventure The Basics –Traveling –Portages –Site –Canoe –Biffy Why do we go…