Kids first wilderness adventure

[Gellar]

In just a few hours we will be setting sail on our first “Wilderness” adventure with the kids, 6 and 10. Being mostly feral they have plenty of camping, fishing, canoeing and outdoor experience but this will be their first overnight multi day trip in a designated wilderness. 5 days, 4 nights in the BWCA out of Ely.

We are definitely packed heavier than I would be if I was alone, most of it is snacks.

The weather looks decent. 70s for a high and 50s for lows with chances of scattered showers a few days.

 

[WildWill]

First off I hate you for that weather our low is 73 today and that's with 84% humidity . That's very cool I'd love to do that with the kiddos. We've done a few overnight trips on the kayaks on the lake and a couple rivers. Plenty of snacks is always a must with ramen and cup of noodles being a preferred choice. Some lucky kiddos good job dad!

 

[Southern Elk]

In just a few hours we will be setting sail on our first “Wilderness” adventure with the kids, 6 and 10. Being mostly feral they have plenty of camping, fishing, canoeing and outdoor experience but this will be their first overnight multi day trip in a designated wilderness. 5 days, 4 nights in the BWCA out of Ely.

We are definitely packed heavier than I would be if I was alone, most of it is snacks.

The weather looks decent. 70s for a high and 50s for lows with chances of scattered showers a few days.

View attachment 381356

A man can never pack too many snacks!

 

[cdub616]

Went on a week long trip up there about 12 years ago with a boy scout troop. We did a 70 mile loop, it was a blast. The winds on some of the big water like Knife Lake can be brutal, it really pushed us off our heading to the portage point.

 

[The_Jim]

Awesome, I've been planning on taking my whole family up there for a couple years, just waiting for my youngest to be old enough to make it work!

 

[Salmonchaser]

Outstanding. Way to go dad!

 

[Gellar]

We got back a day early. Lack of campsites within striking distance of the take out forced us to push through and come out a day early. Luckily the outfitter could pick us up. We used our own gear and only used the outfitter for Kevlar canoes and shuttles to the put in and from the take out. They also arranged our permit for us.

11 portages total. the furthest was about 3/4 of a mile.


The last spot we stayed at had a good cliff for jumping into 20feet of water.


Pizza on the campfire was a hit.


My dad, my wife and the 6 year old paddling. The 6 year old was like a voyageur, singing the entire time to keep the rhythm. His songs were probably a bit different than the voyageurs.


I turned 41 while in the bush. We fried walleye and had a cake. Perfect birthday party.

 

[Gellar]

First off I hate you for that weather our low is 73 today and that's with 84% humidity . That's very cool I'd love to do that with the kiddos. We've done a few overnight trips on the kayaks on the lake and a couple rivers. Plenty of snacks is always a must with ramen and cup of noodles being a preferred choice. Some lucky kiddos good job dad!

The weather was great, but the bugs were bad. It only rained for a couple hours one evening. Ramen and easy Mac were in the food barrel plus cosmic brownies, pop tarts, donuts, and a whole lot more!

 

[Gellar]

Went on a week long trip up there about 12 years ago with a boy scout troop. We did a 70 mile loop, it was a blast. The winds on some of the big water like Knife Lake can be brutal, it really pushed us off our heading to the portage point.

70 miles is a trip! I don’t think we are ready for 70 miles yet. We did 20.

 

[Gellar]

Awesome, I've been planning on taking my whole family up there for a couple years, just waiting for my youngest to be old enough to make it work!

The 6 year old pulled his weight! He was a good paddler and portage. A base camp style trip might be better with youngsters though.

 

[Bowmannate2000]

Looks like a great adventure! Good job getting your whole family out there. Looks daunting to me!

 

[duckhunt]

Looks like the family had alot of fun.

 

[cookchris]

Really cool pictures! Introducing kids to the wilderness is such a rewarding experience. Packing essentials from freebird stores can make the trip smoother, especially when outfitting little ones for their first camping adventure. Safety, comfort, and fun all need to be balanced, and the right gear can make a huge difference. Watching kids explore, learn, and get excited about nature is priceless.

 

[Nick87]

Awesome looking getaway. Wanting tk do something like this in the near future myself. Looks like you guys had a blast.

 

[Hem]

Ive wanted to go there for decades.
My wife and I are talking about the high route to Michigan next summer to visit some friends. Might pick your brain at some point.

 

[Jbotto]

I spent three years in Ely at VCC. Man I miss that area! Looks like a great trip!

 

[Hem]

@Gellar

Tell us about the canoes.
Good, bad?

 

[Wild Bill]

Good stuff, gellar.
I was learnt as a youth who spend a good amount of time sitting middle in a canoe, that position is titled “duffer”.
Not sure if that’s widely regarded, or family lingo.

 

[Gellar]

We rented canoes through Ely Outfitting Company, but there are many outfitters in the area. Even though they are pretty close in proximity Each one does a good job catering to different entry points and lakes. We had 3 Kevlar canoes. 2 were Northstar 17s and one was a Northstar 18. The 18 we had a 3rd seat in. The 17s weigh about 45 pounds and the 18 is slightly more. I could easily lift the 18 above my head. They all had portage pads and they are balanced so the front slightly tips up when you are carrying it. On one of the portages there was a tree at an angle about 8 feet up. I didn’t see it and it knocked me backward on my rear end when I ran into it with the canoe on my shoulders. The canoes tracked good but if you didn’t have them loaded proportionately the wind would turn them easily. The first big lake crossing we found this out and had to switch paddlers around.

After a few tries we settled on my brother and his wife in a canoe. My dad, my wife and the 6 year old were in the 3 person canoe and my daughter and I were in the other canoe.

 

[Gellar]

Good stuff, gellar.
I was learnt as a youth who spend a good amount of time sitting middle in a canoe, that position is titled “duffer”.
Not sure if that’s widely regarded, or family lingo.

Never heard of that before, but a google search says you are correct!