Why Are You Here?

[Black_Fly]

I’ve probably answered this up there somewhere, but I really appreciate the knowledge specific to tripping and canoe maintenance, and also the lack of commercialism. I do think that Internet forums are basically antithetical to wilderness based, nature appreciating activities. We are basically promoting mass entertainment in “wild” places. As population grows exponentially, such promotion will degrade the resources and the experience. No way around it. This site is just more low impact (currently).

 

[lowangle al]

Well I think canoe tripping is a very environmentally sustainable activity. The more people that use it the less likely it will be damaged by resource extraction or dams.

 

[Alasgun]

Good point @Black_Fly, when i cam to Alaska in 1993 a friend (who'd been here) told me “you’ll be surprised how used up Alaska is”. This was then, and continues to be a more noticeable problem thru the years.
Then i come on here and see all the write ups about this portage or that trail and look at all the groomed campsites and think, “i’m sure glad i don’t live down there”!
Im still thankful for the time ive spent and the places i’ve been and seen over the years, up here or down in the lower 48!

 

[lowangle al]

I agree somewhat, but as far as canoe tripping I didn't mind the beautiful campsites in the Adirondaks and there seems to be real pretty ones in other canoe areas in Canada and the Boundry Waters too. It is a different experience then the less developed sites in Alaska but not less rewarding to me. But yeah, things in general have changed for the worse in Ak in the 30+ years I've been there.

FWIW I found that in the less traveled places in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge the campsites are becoming overgrown and some are not even usable anymore. The key is getting away from the road and finding places not accessible to motor boats or float planes. As less and less people use canoes there will be less people on canoe trails.

 

[PaddlingPitt]

FWIW I found that in the less traveled places in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge the campsites are becoming overgrown and some are not even usable anymore.

In 2003, Kathleen and I, with 8 friends, paddled the Dease River in northern British Columbia. Finding campsites was very difficult, which surprised us a little, as R. M. Patterson easily found great campsites when he travelled the Dease in 1948. The explanation is simple. Trappers kept campsites open, about every one-day‘s paddle down the river. No trappers anymore. No campsites anymore. More use and more trappers would have made a more convenient trip for our group.

 

[billconner]

beautiful campsites in the Adirondaks and there seems to be real pretty ones in other canoe areas in Canada and the Boundry Waters too.

Not disagreeing with your sentiments but ADK and BWCAW are very different, and cross the border into Quetico, and even more different from ADK. I can't imagine any better place in North America for canoe treks than Quetico/BWCAW. Even the name says it - BWCA Wilderness vs. Adirondack Park.

I would rather be in ADK or BWCAW than most anyplace else.

 

[lowangle al]

I wasn't comparing the two places Bill, just stating that they contain nicer campsites then what I've found in AK. I've never been to the BWCA so it's good to know that it has a more wilderness feel than the Adirondacks.

 

[billconner]

I know - just hard to group together. You might not like the BWCA camp sites - nothing but cleared area, a fire ring with cast iron grate, and a thunderbox off in the woods. And Quetico has neither grate nor thunderbox.


The real difference is how far you can travel with how few and short portages.

 

[Gamma1214]

Not to add fuel to the drift here but the major difference I noticed between BWCA and ADK / Algonquin is that there were no signs to indicate portages or campsites. It added to the "wilderness" feel and, after spending a few years as a sawyer, I've always hated nails in trees. (plastic golf tees and a cordless drill are far less dangerous if you must hang signs)

 

[yellowcanoe]

The ADK's were great.. fifty years ago. BWCA for me never great.. I don't like signs that point the way.
Much rather have Wabakimi or Woodland Caribou.. No signs.. You have to think like a portage. And some of the campsites are used and many not. No thunderboxes. No fire pit.

 

[stripperguy]

Some parts of the ADK’s are more wild now than 50 years ago.
The end of the tent platform era changed much of the back country experience for the better.
Granted, some areas have been heavily impacted, but in some of the places I visit I see little evidence of any of man’s intrusions.
No signs, no formal campsites, no trails, no other people.
Often tough going, but I prefer that sort of thing.
There’s something for everyone in the ADK’s, just have to match up your destinations with your expectations.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

This thread is drifting off topic a bit too much. A comparison of campsites in the Adirondacks, BWCA, Quetico, Algonquin and elsewhere would make a great topic—and I encourage someone to start one—but this thread is supposed to be why you frequent this site and how you found it.

 

[billconner]

The ADK's were great.. fifty years ago. BWCA for me never great.. I don't like signs that point the way.
Much rather have Wabakimi or Woodland Caribou.. No signs.. You have to think like a portage. And some of the campsites are used and many not. No thunderboxes. No fire pit.

Signs (and picnic tables and canoe rests) were removed decades ago.

 

[Rippy]

I've been absent here for years, and haven't tripped since 2015, but I plan on becoming active again. I showed up when Solo Tripping fell apart and Willis brought us back together.

 

[Waterdog]

Glad to see you back Rippy!

Cheers,
Barry

 

[Tumpline]

The forum was mentioned somewhere. Canoe tripping, the name brought me here. I guess, traditional canoeing and the old ways are what I like. I have found some good and interesting information on the forum.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I've been absent here for years, and haven't tripped since 2015, but I plan on becoming active again.

Great to see you back, Rippy!!!

A lot of us folks have cut way down on tripping as we've aged and for other reasons, including me. But its nice to chew the rag with like-minded canoe folks on this site and to pass along our experiences, knowledge and or just random thoughts to newer generations. We're on a much better software platform since you were last here.

 

[Seeker]

I found the forum when it was called "solo trekking"... cuz I solo-trekked.

I stay because I like you lot... you're full of good advice and trip reports.

 

[JohnSand]

I found this forum through a link in another, WCHA maybe?
I come back to enjoy reports, to learn methods, and share a common interest.

 

[Blukanu]

Because I don’t know a single person in real life that does canoe camping.

Every trip is an experience in refinement of my gear and procedures. Was hoping through this forum I’d live vicariously through others as they go on their adventures and learn from their experiences.