Search found 21 matches

by WindChill
Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:39 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Sleeping Bags and Coats
Replies: 9
Views: 5848

Re: Sleeping Bags and Coats

If you want a new bag and can justify it because you'll use it for other trips, that's cool. If you really dont want a new bag but are concerned about being cold then there ways to stay warm with what you have. Personally, if I already had a 30 or 40 degree bag that I was familiar with (i.e. that I ...
by WindChill
Tue Aug 18, 2015 8:02 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Sleeping Bags and Coats
Replies: 9
Views: 5848

Re: Sleeping Bags and Coats

I suppose part of it depends on what you're doing. Will you be backpacking or staying in one place (lodge/cabin/single campground)? If you're staying in one place then weight and bulk dont matter as much. Either way, a -20F bag for $120 is going to be pretty bulky. Plus -20F will be way overkill. Ac...
by WindChill
Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:48 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Proper Use of Group Campsites
Replies: 9
Views: 4286

Re: Proper Use of Group Campsites

I had the same problem on one night of our trip at the end of June. It was our first night and two of the three group sites were occupied by a single tent. Fortunately the third site was open, and we didnt encounter this on any of the remaining nights.
by WindChill
Fri Jul 24, 2015 8:16 am
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Highway 61 Construction (2015)
Replies: 4
Views: 3130

Re: Highway 61 Construction (2015)

Was through there at the beginning of the month. The only construction I remember was the bridge work mentioned above - it was a single lane for a couple hundred yards controlled by a traffic signal. I dont recall anything else so if there was more it didnt slow us down much.
by WindChill
Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:06 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: TR: 6/28-7/4 2015, McCargo to Windigo via Feldtmann Loop
Replies: 5
Views: 3987

Re: TR: 6/28-7/4, McCargo to Windigo via Feldtmann Loop

Thanks fonixmunkee. Dont know if/when Ill make it back to ISRO, but I will continue to at least lurk around here for a while. You have a great community here.
by WindChill
Mon Jul 06, 2015 2:07 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: TR: 6/28-7/4 2015, McCargo to Windigo via Feldtmann Loop
Replies: 5
Views: 3987

TR: 6/28-7/4 2015, McCargo to Windigo via Feldtmann Loop

Last week four Scouts and three adults from eastern Iowa made our first trip to the island. The trek had some big miles for our group who only backpacks once a year but we really got to see several different parts of the island. We saw lots of moose tracks but no moose. In fact the only wildlife we ...
by WindChill
Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:42 am
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: [OFFICIAL] 2015 bug report
Replies: 21
Views: 15084

Re: [OFFICIAL] 2015 bug report

Six days on the island (6/29 - 7/3) going from McCargo to Todd Harbor, S Desor, Siskiwit Bay, Feldtmann and Windigo. The only bugs we had were mosquitoes and for most of the trek they were tolerable. Group campsite #2 at Siskiwit Bay was the worst - worse than any BWCAW campsite or portage trial Ive...
by WindChill
Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:35 am
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: Island Temperature
Replies: 5
Views: 4160

Re: Island Temperature

Temps last week were a bit higher - lows ranged from 47-52 on my thermometer. Highs were in the 70s each day except Friday which didnt make it out of the 60s.
by WindChill
Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:17 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Is GPS recommended on Minong
Replies: 9
Views: 4789

Re: Is GPS recommended on Minong

On battery weight - use lithium batteries; they weigh less and last longer. A pair of Energizer lithium AA weighs 1oz on my scale compared to 1.7oz for a pair of Duracell. A new pair of lithiums ran my GPSMap 60Cx for around 28 hours - I swapped them out at 26 hours when it said there was one bar re...
by WindChill
Sun May 31, 2015 5:11 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Trail Choice
Replies: 6
Views: 4224

Re: Trail Choice

Im doing a combo route in about a month: starting at McCargo Cove we'll take Mingong to Hatchet Lake trail to Greenstone Ridge to Island Mine then the Feldtmann Loop going clockwise to end at Windigo. Overnights are at Todd Harbor, S. Lake Desor, Siskiwit Bay and Feldtmann Lake.
by WindChill
Fri May 08, 2015 11:48 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Group Permit Status
Replies: 1
Views: 1362

Re: Group Permit Status

Woo Hoo - finally received my permit in the mail yesterday. Now off to make the rest of my reservations ...
by WindChill
Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:05 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Group Permit Status
Replies: 1
Views: 1362

Group Permit Status

I submitted my group permit on 3-March via email and mailed the check the next day. I contacted them late last week via the "contact us" link on their page and got a response this morning from Ranger Lori. She said they are behind in processing group permits due to a retirement and some co...
by WindChill
Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:29 pm
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: When will VII start taking reservations
Replies: 14
Views: 7099

Re: When will VII start taking reservations

Thanks Capt Don. That helps.

I sent the permit app about a month ago but have not heard anything yet. Figured I'd give a couple more weeks before I got too worried and called.
by WindChill
Sat Mar 28, 2015 8:37 am
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: When will VII start taking reservations
Replies: 14
Views: 7099

Re: When will VII start taking reservations

Yeah! A question for the group before I reserve - how long does it usually take NPS to approve a group permit and do they actually let you know that it is approved? Or, maybe the better question - does the boat fill up quickly and I should go ahead and book then change later if the drop off/pick up ...
by WindChill
Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:34 pm
Forum: Other Places and Parks
Topic: BWCA - Questions and a Brief Trip Report
Replies: 28
Views: 18882

Re: BWCA

I have not been at Sawbill yet (hopefully the next trip) but have researched it just a little. I know the "Lady Chain" which goes west from Sawbill to Alice is supposed to be very nice. If you make it that far there are pictographs on Fishdance. I also know there is the wreckage of a plane...