Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) Trip—A First Timers Retrospective
Spring has sprung and with that means the annual Alliant Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA) trip. This year’s trip brought sixteen campers through Lakes One through Four and Hudson Lake, eventually leading us to two great campsites located in the center of Lake Insula. Despite the ban on campfires, a good time was had by all.
As a first time canoer in the BWCA, I was asked to summarize my experiences. With that in mind, I thought it would be appropriate to create my own top “10 BWCA Lessons Learned” list compiled while enjoying the BWCA.
10. The sounds of nature can be very soothing at 8:00 a.m., however for those of us who are light sleepers; those same sounds of nature can be torturous at 2:00 a.m.!
9. Adding ten pounds of “anchor” rocks to an already 80 plus pound food pack prior to voyage was a good practical joke to pull on a few of our fellow campers.
8. Fishermen come out of full force when it is 80 degrees; unfortunately the same cannot be said about the Walleyes.
7. Never throw back good size Northern in the morning assuming the Walleyes will bite later in the day.
6. One can eat a year’s supply of beef jerky and Slim Jims during a four-day trip; therefore an extra supply of either serves as good back-up in case the fish aren’t biting.
5. No matter how little gear it seems you packed, you kick yourself after the last quarter mile portage.
4. Always keep a map on hand as it is easy to get turned around in the BWCA.
3. If it doesn’t taste quite right, throw a little Tobasco sauce on it.
2. A good Sherpa is hard to find when you need one.
As the number one from my list is (drum roll please…) – only in Minnesota can it go from 80 degrees and sunny to 35 degrees and snowing in less than 24 hours!
I am already looking forward to next year’s trip, albeit with one eye open in anticipation of retribution antics for the rocks supplied in the food pack.
Written by Steve Weser, a Professional Engineer and no longer a “BWCA novice”.
