What are the top 3 items you take into the BWCA?

What are the top items you always take into the BWCA and use around your campsite?

Yes, we take a canoe, paddles, life jackets, tents, sleeping bags w/pads and more.  I'm asking what special items do you take?

Couple of my favorites area pliers or multi-tool and Gerber 6 inch blade knife w/sheath that I received as a high school graduation gift. Oh has it been that long that I have owned it...since graduation? These must have items are great for cooking, repair of camping equipment, fishing, etc.

What items do you have to have available around your campsite?

• 2- 50 ft length of rope - use for hoisting food pack into trees or line for drying wet clothes

• Collapsible or Sven saw - many times I don't even use a saw as there is usually more than enough small pieces of wood gathered off the ground. No need to take an ax or hatchet. Most people fail to follow correct handling rules and risk a severe cut. Save your fingers by using a saw.

 

• One or two burner stove with fuel - size of the group will determine size of stove. 2-4 people a single burner stove will be adequate. 4+ people, go for the two - single burner or two burner stove.
• Strike anywhere stick matches in a water tight container. I also like to have a small lighter along as a back up and easy to carry in my pocket.

       

• Water bottle for each person. Keep hydrated and your trip will be more comfortable.
• Compass for orienting your map to north. I have my compass on a landyard around my neck for quick use.
• Map of the area you are traveling. Using a GPS is fine; but batteries wear out, devise may not pick up a signal, or you drop it in the water and now it really doesn't work.  We recommend having a set of maps for each canoe. Keeps peace in the group, allows others to know "where the heck are we?" and to compare locations

Visit Spirit of the Wilderness website at www.elycanoetrips.com or call us at 218-365-3149 and start planning your 2016 Boundary Waters or Quetico canoe trip.

Turtles are laying eggs

One of our guests reported painted turtles and snapping turtles are laying their eggs. A bit later than normal.
The painted turtles moved onto sandy/gravel shore, laid their eggs and then a snapper moved in; trashed the painted turtle's nests and laid her own eggs over the top.  Sounds like a bully momma to me.

Painted turtles sunning themselves

Snapping turtle laying her eggs

Why Use an Outfitter?

Are you planning a Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventure this summer? You will make lifetime memories. So why use an outfitter? Simply stated; an outfitter will make your trip much more enjoyable. Your outfitter will customize your route, advise you on techniques to use including choosing and setting up your campsite, preparing your meals, what clothes and fishing tackle to take along and much more.

I know we have done our job when our guests return and say " that was simple." What a great feeling to hear those words and see the "glow of the woods" on their faces.

When planning a BWCA canoe trip you will need:

• Set the date you want to be on the water, the day you will enter the BWCA
• Determine an entry point and general route your group will travel. Consult with your outfitter for recommendations
• Reserve your permit.Your outfitter can do this for you and do it correctly
• Determine how much outfitting your group will need. Do you need complete or partial outfitting, what type of canoes to use, how will canoes be transported to/from your entry point
• In case of an emergency who will be your local Ely contact.This is critical for both those on the trip and those at home

Watch for more steps in planning a Boundary Waters adventure

Contact Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters today to start planning your adventure.

800-950-2709 or email at info@elycanoetrips.com

Trip Packing Tip

When packing liquids and sauces for a canoe or hiking trip, place your container in a plastic bag and seal with a bread wrapper twistie. This will ensure any leaks will be contained in the plastic bag and not spread into your pack.

Liquids we place in a plastic bag included: cooking oil, liquid fuel containers, condiment packets (honey, tartar sauce, ketchup, mustard etc) and even fresh eggs in their carton.

Holiday BWCA Gift Card

Still trying to figure out what gift to give for the holidays?  Spirit of the Wilderness has gift cards in any denomination.  Gift cards can be used towards BWCA canoe trips, canoe rentals, in store products and more.

Order by December 15th to receive in time for Christmas.

Special Offer

Get $5.00 gift card FREE when you purchase a $50 Gift Card.  Offer good until December 15, 2012

Give the gift of a BWCA canoe trip

and lifetime memories.

Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitter & Outdoor Store
2030 E. Sheridan Street
Ely, MN 55731
1-800-950-2709 or 218-365-3149
email: info@elycanoetrips.com
 

Leaves are Changing & a Fall Canoe Trip

With the days getting shorter, nights getting cooler the Fall tree colors are starting to show. Late September into October is one of the best kept secrets for traveling the Boundary Waters.
The weather has been superb this week. With temperatures dipping to 30 degrees last Thursday, the bugs have been knocked down. So a canoe trip or walk in the woods at this time of the year is simply put...fantastic!.

BWCA permits
Permits are still necessary until October 1 and we are still reserving permits daily.  October1 you only need a self-issued permit and these are FREE and with no usage fee required. With fewer people in the wilderness, you do not have to travel as far to get a remote wilderness experience.
Minnesota in the Fall. The BWCA in the Fall. Doesn't get much better..maybe that is why we live here.

Canoecopia Paddle Show

We will be heading to the Canoecopia Paddle show in Madison, WI this weekend. The show runs March 11-13, 2011. We will have show specials for those that book their trips during the show. Stop by the booth to talk about your summer canoe trip into the BWCA or Quetico.

• Need help with picking a new route? We will have maps to look at route options.

• Need to reserve your trip? Stop by the booth to talk with Steve or Kathy Nelson and set up your 2011 trip.

• Just have questions about how to get started planning? Once again we can help you.

We look forward to seeing past customers and meeting new ones.

Rochester Sport Show

We exhibited at the Rochester, MN Sport Show over the past weekend. It was a good turnout. Thank you to all of our previous customers that stopped by. It is always good to hear stories about your wilderness adventures. We met many people that are interested in experiencing the BWCA or Quetico Park and invite you to visit our website at www.elycanoetrips .com for more details and to start planning your adventure.

On Saturday and Sunday we offered a seminar on “Fishing the BWCA.” Attendance was good and showed us that interest in the BWCA reaches across all ages. Our seminar covered what tackle to use, where to fish, doing C.P.R. (catch-photograph-release) with the big fish and more. And of course some BWCA stories that cause all of us to laugh and enjoy.

Be sure to visit us at the following shows:

February 19 – Camping & Outdoor Expo, Maplewood MN Community Center

March 11-13 – Canoecopia, Allina Convention Center, Madison WI

March 30-April 3 – NW Sport Show, Minneapolis Convention Center**

** Watch for an announcement of our seminar times

Good paddling,

Steve

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for all our great clients. Many have turned into friends over the past 10 years of running Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters. There have been many great Bounday Waters and Quetico canoe trips memories made during this time.

We hope you and your families have an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

From our family to yours,
-Steve, Kathy & Ginny Nelson