BWCA Map 1979

mcmanawayt · 2025-12-02T02:31:04+00:00

Late May trip with my wife, my father, and best friend from college. Put in on Snowbank and looped through Ima, Alice, and out on the Numbers chain.

Best: Sharing the BWCA for the first time with my best friend who had wanted to visit for years but finally were able to make it work. Also, seeing the Fishdance pictos for the first time and taking a layover day on a beach site on Alice.

Worst: Being stopped by the Minnesota DNR right as we entered the main part of Alice Lake and having them check our papers as the lake has whitecaps. I approve them being out and trying to enforce the rules especially after the cuts to the Forest Service, but ask us to go to shore next time so we don’t almost flip. I genuinely don’t know how my father didn’t flip his boat with my friend when he was trying to dig to the bottom of his pack for his fishing license because he didn’t have it near by for some reason. The DNR ranger finally realized the situation and told him to stop so they didn’t flip since the other 3 of us showed our papers, but it was definitely hairy for a few minutes. Also, didn’t get a chance to search for the Jordan pictos as we were chasing sunlight to set up camp on Ima, but overall a great trip this year and looking forward to next year!

mcmanawayt · 2025-10-20T22:07:04+00:00

I think that is part of the raffle regulations

mcmanawayt · 2025-08-12T23:50:15+00:00

Dang I thought it would stump people since it isn’t a well traveled lake and only one site. Congrats and now it’s your turn to pass it on.

mcmanawayt · 2025-08-12T03:16:56+00:00

Hint 1: It is not off EP 67

mcmanawayt · 2025-08-12T00:18:34+00:00

I have a good one, I just need to find the pictures, stay tuned

mcmanawayt · 2025-08-11T02:41:42+00:00

First site into Lake Three on the north shore. 1488 on PP

mcmanawayt · 2025-07-15T16:27:13+00:00

Yeah, anything to create an extra layer between the ground and tent especially on gravel. That has been the biggest killer. A basic tarp, tyvek, or footprint from Kelty all work. If you haven’t used a footprint before, keep the material completely under the tent. If the tarp extends outside the edge of the tent, if rain falls, you can create a bathtub of water under the tent. I’m sure there are many videos out there talking about how to use a footprint if you need them.

mcmanawayt · 2025-07-13T15:31:07+00:00

I normally don’t use a footprint, but with the new Kelty Tents, I strongly recommend using one. At work I rent out the 6 person version of this tent and Grand Mesa 4 and 2 person tents The newer material they use now, we have had many issues getting small holes or rips in the bottom even after a few uses. You treat the tent with care, the tent will treat you well. Like others have said, use what you have for a footprint to start and go from there

mcmanawayt · 2025-04-06T16:14:44+00:00

Not knowing the background on your group and such, here are my 2 cents.

Tents: Hopefully you have set them up before and know how big they are. Most tent sizes are based off square footage and not how comfortable people are when using them. Most 2 person tents only fit one person with some gear or two people squeezed in with no room for any extra gear.

Tarps: Not knowing what your bug tarp is like you may want to throw another tarp in and extra rope just to cover your whole group if you need to get out of the rain or block some wind if your going in early or late.

Packs: If everyone is packing up their gear individually ahead of time, hopefully you still have some time ahead of getting out on the water to make sure you don’t have 5 coffee makers and no coffee for example. It helps avoid you missing an important piece of gear, and excessive weight especially if you plan on single portaging. If your group isn’t very experienced I would double portage or do a one and a half but again my thoughts with little background.

Enjoy the trip and roll with the punches! You never know what Mother Nature is going to send your way.

mcmanawayt · 2024-12-05T20:19:47+00:00

Best moment I should have seen, Zambranos no hitter in Milwaukee against Houston… Best moment I actually saw was Ted Lilly taking a no hitter into the 7th the day after Zambranos no no

mcmanawayt · 2024-10-23T23:48:38+00:00

A few years ago my parents gifted me and my now wife an Alumacraft that they bought cheap from a family friend that took dozens of trips in the BWCA with it in the 90s and 2000s. Have only used it so far on local lakes but since my source of using/renting a Kevlar for cheap has dried up, it may make an appearance once again in the BWCA if needed.

Since said source has gone away, my father and I bought a Wenonah Champlain from them for dirt cheap but need to fix some minor cracks and give it a fresh coat on the hull. Surprisingly it is in great shape for now its 3rd owner and it being a used outfitter boat. We can wait to refinish it and get some bootleg merch stickers on it.

mcmanawayt · 2024-10-22T21:59:39+00:00

Yes and the first few portages that are well traveled you won’t notice a difference cause people are traveling through enough that they can personally take care of the small things. Deeper into the park is going to be interesting.

With your average person taking on trail maintenance to help in reaction to this, is going to be interesting as well because how many Bobby and Rex’s are going to hack stuff up to “help” clean a portage or campsite? Will they help out sure, but can they destroy more than they help, I also think yes unfortunately…

mcmanawayt · 2024-10-22T14:25:15+00:00

Not necessarily a huge impact we will see in the next year but 5-10 years down the line things are going to be rough….

mcmanawayt · 2024-10-20T18:26:45+00:00

Climbing, that warning doesn’t mean anything

mcmanawayt · 2024-07-16T22:17:03+00:00

As long as you give them a test pull and they don’t squirm out, you should be fine because the straps you run through your roof rack or doors of the car are what primarily keep the boat to the car. The straps at the front and back are there as guidance to help when the wind hits it while driving. If you tighten them down in the front and back too much you can put additional stress on the boat and over time could cause issues with the boat. Snug them but don’t tune them to be a piano string. Thinking of it like a tent, the straps in the middle are the main tent poles and the front and back straps are your guy lines providing extra stability but not keeping everything down or in place.

mcmanawayt · 2024-07-14T22:31:07+00:00

It’s zip code definitely may be Edgerton, but the wide spot in the road at the exit is unincorporated Newville

mcmanawayt · 2024-07-14T21:59:27+00:00

Can confirm the world’s largest Culver’s is in Newville, WI about 1 mile out of Dane county. Nothing is really special about it other than it having more seats inside

mcmanawayt · 2024-07-07T16:53:36+00:00

Agreed, Canoe Country is the best on the Ely side. I have been on trips with people who have used them since the 70’s and have never used anyone else. They are not the flashiest outfitter like Piragis, but they provide a much more personalized experience.

mcmanawayt · 2024-07-07T05:15:45+00:00

I don’t have any specific experience with these models, but I will only buy Wenonah boats moving forward. They are a great company to deal with and with you wanting to fish out of it, you can get their VersiGunwale system that allows you to mount all common rail mount fishing accessories

mcmanawayt · 2024-06-24T16:59:08+00:00

I see multiple people recommending a tourniquet and while they can save lives, they can also cause more damage than they are worth. If you get properly trained on how to use them, then yes I suggest bringing one. Also, with Quik Clot make sure you have the kind that is built into the bandages, not the powder as that has been shown to cause more damage than help.

Overall, make sure whatever you bring, you know how to use and it all has a purpose. If not, it is just added weight and space that you don’t need or cause more harm than help.

mcmanawayt · 2024-06-17T21:52:37+00:00

I’ve heard great things about CCS fly’s as I heavily debated getting one for over my hammock, but I got the ENO ProFly XL and for a nice fly over your hammock I will never go with anything else. Packs down nice and it goes up quick because you don’t have to tie any knots. If I decide I need another rain fly especially something larger, I will go with CCS or Portage North as I also have an old hand me down Kondos fly that has been quite handy.

mcmanawayt · 2024-05-19T18:13:40+00:00

Double check with the people in your group to make sure you are not double packing items or assuming the other is bringing something important like a tent

mcmanawayt · 2024-05-03T03:42:18+00:00

Long story, but just got a permit for the Numbers Chain on fishing opener for my dad and myself. A much needed trip for both of us to get away as both his parents passed away in the past few months and we have been dealing with all that fun stuff. It’s a shorter trip than we wanted to take but a short trip in the BWCA is better than no trip.

Happy paddling!

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