JoyceMallery

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, located in northern Minnesota and “covers about 1.3 million acres and extends nearly 150 miles along the International Boundary adjacent to Canada's Quetico Provincial Park and bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park.

The BWCAW contains over 1200 miles of canoe routes, 15 hiking trails and approximately 2000 designated campsites. Wilderness offers freedom to those who wish to pursue an experience of expansive solitude, challenge and personal integration with nature.

Because this area was set aside in 1926 to preserve its primitive character and made a part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1964, it allows visitors to canoe, portage and camp in the spirit of the French Voyageurs of 200 years ago.”

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Let’s Get Started How many people and how many canoes will be in

the party?

Where do we want to go and for how many days/nights?

What will we eat?

What should we bring? (Clothes, supplies, equipment)

Should we hire a guide or an outfitter?

How much will it all cost?

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Let’s Get Started

How Many People and How Many Canoes Will Be In The Party?

First, we must look at how many people will be going? There are rules to go by in determining the maximum

number of people in a party. The maximum is 9 and does include adults and children.

How many canoes? Unless you have a three man canoe, where up to three

people or three adults and one to two small children can be in the canoe; it is usually recommended two people per canoe, or two adults and one small child per canoe. The maximum number of canoes per party or group of people is

4.

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Where Do We Want To Go and For How Many Days/Nights?

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Because the Boundary Waters covers over 1.3 million acres, this might be a difficult decision to make at first.

There are a few questions you could ask such as:1. “How many days/nights do we want to plan for?2. “How many portages do we want?3. “Do we want to plan on staying in one place and then plan for “Day Trips” from there?

Once these questions are answered, you could look at a map of the entire area and begin planning from there.

**I recommend an easy access, only a few, if any, portages, staying at one campsite, and planning “Day Trips” from there if this is a first or second trip in, or if you have several inexperienced paddlers and/or campers.

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What Will We Eat?First, you must determine the likes and dislikes of

the members within the group.

Second, you should plan on an amount to spend or budget for the food.

Third, when planning menus, remember the more you portage and paddle, the more calories and energy you will need and consume.

**Food is packed in a food pack, separate from the gear and equipment and will be hung in a tree to prevent bears from wandering into camp.

A Sample Menu For Nine People On A Seven Day Trip

BREAKFAST

Day 2---Eggs {1doz}, Herb Potatoes, Summer Sausage, Dehydrated {Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers}

Day 3---Oatmeal, Breakfast bar

Day 4---Pancakes, Cheese Potatoes

Day 5---Oatmeal, Breakfast bar

Day 6---Hash Browns, Summer Sausage, Dehydrated {Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers}

Day 7---Oatmeal, Breakfast bar

LUNCH

Day 1---Ramon noodles, Granola bar

Day 2---Granola bar, Dried fruit, Nuts, Jerky

Day 3---Roman noodles, Cheese stick, Sausage stick

Day 4---Cheese {Sharp Cheddar}, Sausage {Thuringer}, Crackers {Triscuit, Club}

Day 5---Roman noodles, Granola bar, Jerky

Day 6---Granola bar, Dried fruit, Nuts, Sausage stick

Day 7---Ramon noodles, Granola bar, Jerky, Cheese stick

Crystal Light, Coffee, Teas

DINNER

Day 1---Hamburger Helper Stroganoff, Dehy Hamburger, Mixed veggie’s

Day 2---Bear Creek Creamy Wild Rice Soup, Brown Rice, Mixed veggie’s

Day 3---Bear Creek Navy Bean soup, Bulger Wheat, Mixed veggie’s

Day 4---Pasta Roni Tomato Parmesan, Dehy Hamburger, Mixed veggie’s

Day 5---Angel Hair Pasta, Salmon, Peas w/white sauce

Day 6---Bear Creek Tortellini soup, Med. Egg noodles, Mixed veggie’s

DESERT

Day 1---Cheese cake, Oatmeal Bannock

Day 2---Chocolate Chip cake, Corn bread

Day 3---Smores, Damper

Day 4---Triple Berry cake, Three Cheese bread

Day 5---Cheese cake, Indian Herb bread

Day 6---Poppy seed cake, Corn bread

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What Should We Bring? Packing For Your Trip General Packing List Rain jacket and pants...essential! Two pair of shoes (water shoes and hiking boots) Two or three pair of heavy socks Two pair of long pants (NO jeans!) (Zip off, quick dry

pants work best) Two or three t-shirts Two or three pairs underwear Two pair of shorts or swim trunks (Shorts not needed

if you have zip off pants) One long-sleeved shirt One sweatshirt or long jacket Personal toilet articles Wide brimmed hat Small towel Camera Paperback book Add gloves, stocking cap, long underwear and an extra

sweater for spring or fall trips Don't forget clean clothes and a towel for your trip

home (Leave in your vehicle) Please leave your

radios, walkmans, guns, fireworks, flares and large knives at home

**Please bring your Drivers License to obtain your entry permits

**Please bring your Fishing License (it is required)

Fishing Tackle Packing List (Suggested)

Two-piece spinning rod in 6-1/2 to 7-foot length

Spare rod tip and super glue

Freshly oiled spinning reel with fresh 8-pound line

One back-up rod and reel for the party

Polarized fishing glasses

Depth locator (optional)

Small tackle box

Pliers

Stringer

Leech locker and/or worm box (Only if you are bringing live bait)

Lindy-rig and slip-bobber set-ups

Split shot sinkers, small hooks

Lead head jigs; Mr. Twister jigs and spinner baits

Casting spoons like Daredevil

top-water lures like Rebel Popper, Tiny Torpedo, Hula Popper, Jitterbug, and Rapalas

Steel leaders

Crank baits like Shad Rap, and other Rapalas

Spinners like Mepps

For the fly angler:

Two-piece fly rod (8 weight)

Single action fly reel

Floating weight-forward bass line

Twenty pound backing

Tippet spools

Dry flies

Streamers like Wooly Buggers

Poppers

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Additional Items To BringPersonal Items Community Items

Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Mat

Large Contractors Bag to keep pack dry

Flashlight or headlamp Extra batteries for lights Bug spray (100% Deet works

best) Sunscreen (essential) Covered mug and water bottle Life Jacket Camera (digital works best)

Pots, frying pan, and cooking utensils

Tin Foil

Spices

Camp Stove, Fuel, and Waterproof Matches

First Aid Kit

Bear Ropes and Pulleys

Tents, Dining Fly, and Rain Fly

Water Filter

Dish Soap and Scrub Pad

Bear Spray

Ax and Saw

Tarps

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SHOULD WE HIRE A GUIDE/OUTFITTER?

HERE IS A PRICE TABLE FROM SAWBILL OUTFITTERS

Complete Outfitting

Complete Outfitting

“Plus”

Food Only

Food Only“Plus”

Complete Equipment

CompleteEquipment

“Plus”

3 Days/2 Nights 9 People $192/person $267/person $96/person $129/person $123/person $183/person

4 Days/3 Nights 7-9 People $256/person $356/person $128/person $172/person $164/person $244/person

5 Days/4 Nights 8-9 People $300/person $425/person $150/person $205/person $190/person $290/person

6 Days/5 Nights 7-9 People $360/person $510/person $180/person $246/person $228/person $348/person

7 Days/6 Nights 9 People $385/person $560/person $196/person $273/person $245/person $385/person

Joyce Ludwig

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SHOULD WE HIRE AN OUTFITTER? (CONT.)

Complete Outfitting includes a lightweight 17' Wenonah Royalex canoe (59 lbs) or 17' Grumman aluminum canoe (65 lbs) with adjustable, padded carrying yoke; paddles; Extrasport paddling vests; Eureka Timberline tent with rain fly, waterproof floor andno-see-um netting; poly tarp with ropes; folding saw; Exponent backpacking stove with fuel; freshly laundered Polarguard sleeping bags; 3/4 length Thermarest self inflating sleeping pads; nested cook kit with cooking and eating utensils; folding water carrier; first aid kit; 80' heavy duty bear rope w/pulley; one waterproof map per canoe; lightweight trail food (menu planned to your specifications); all miscellaneous supplies for cooking, dishwashing, etc. (see Sawbill's Food Preference form); Granite GearTraditional canoeing packs with padded shoulder straps and hip belt for all your food, equipment and clothing; expert, personalized route planning assistance; any instruction or advice needed; free camping on your first and/or last night in the Sawbill Lake National Forest Campground; free transportation to or from Kawishiwi, Baker, Homer, Brule or Hog Creek entrypoints if desired; and a hot shower with towel at the end of your trip. Complete Outfitting “Plus” includes a 17' Bell Kevlar canoe (42 lbs), or a 18.5' Wenonah Minnesota II canoe (42 lbs), (Kevlar three person and solo canoes are also available) with adjustable, padded carrying yoke and Sawyer laminated wooden paddles (bent or straight shaft); Extra sport paddling vests; lightweight ALPS dome tent with rain fly, waterproof floor and no-see-um netting; nylon tarp with ropes; folding saw; Exponent backpacking stove with fuel; freshly laundered Techloft sleeping bags; full length Thermarest self inflating sleeping pads; Crazy Creek chairs or Therma-loungers (makes a chair out of your Thermarest sleeping pad); nested cook kit with cooking and eating utensils; folding water carrier; first aid kit; 80' heavy duty bear rope w/pulley; waterproof, topographic canoeing maps; lightweight, gourmet trail food (menu planned to your specifications); all miscellaneous supplies for cooking, dishwashing, etc. (see Sawbill's Food Preference form); Granite Gear canoeing packs with suspension systems and hip belts for all your food, equipment and clothing; expert, personalized route planning assistance; any instruction or advice needed; free camping on your first and/or last night in the Sawbill Lake National Forest Campground; free transportation to or from Kawishiwi, Baker, Homer, Brule or Hog Creek entry points if desired; and a hot shower at the end of your trip.

Food Only includes all meals and miscellaneous items (matches, soap, t.p., etc.) packed in a Duluth style packsack, ready for you when you arrive. You choose your menu from a wide variety of choices. See Sawbill's online or printable food preference selection form for details.

Food Only "Plus" includes all of the above with an expanded, gourmet menu packed in a Granite Gear "Superior 1"pack. See Sawbill's online or printable food preference selection form for details.

Complete Equipment includes everything from Complete Outfitting except food and miscellaneous supplies (matches, dishwashing soap, t. p., etc. - See the food preference selection form for a complete list of miscellaneous items that you should plan to bring.)

Complete Equipment "Plus" includes everything from Complete Outfitting "Plus" except food and miscellaneous supplies.

Nonprofit groups exempt from Minnesota sales tax receive a 10% discount on outfitting.

Joyce Ludwig

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SHOULD WE HIRE AN OUTFITTER? (CONT.)

Youth 17 years and under get a 10% discount off prices above if accompanied by two full paying adults. No other discounts apply.

What to Bring: Your clothing should be layered and sufficient to deal with temperatures ranging from 90 degrees to freezing. Reliable rain gear (we sell a variety in our store). Comfortable, lightweight hiking boots are the best footwear for travel and tennis shoes or moccasins for camp wear. You should also bring a flashlight, fishing equipment, personal toiletries, medicines, sunglasses, sun screen, hat and camera.

If a member of your party cancels, please tell us right away. If we pack for a person and are not informed of the cancellation before your arrival, plan to pay for that person.

BWCA Wilderness Entry Permits are required by the U. S. Forest Service. The entry permit allows you to enter the BWCA Wilderness on a certain date at a particular entry point. You can check permit availablility and reserve a permit yourself on the web at: www.recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-550-6777. If you prefer, we can reserve your permit for you. Fill out and return our Permit Reservation Application or give us a call, whichever is most convenient for you.

Deposits - $50 deposit per person is required to confirm your reservation. Full refund will be made if you cancel more than 5 days before your scheduled arrival at Sawbill.

The balance is due on the day your trip begins. There is no refund if you return early from your trip.

Joyce Ludwig

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