If I had a choice then I'd choose to paddle my canoe through a rainstorm or even a blizzard over paddling in a wind that produced large waves. The wilderness waters have been quite turbulent the past few days and it doesn't make happy canoe country campers.
Canoe parties in both the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park have been fighting the steady 10-15mph winds with gusts up to 30mph. Usually the wind stops blowing in the early morning or evening yet at 4:00am this morning the wind speed was 12mph and at 6:04am there was a gust of 26mph. There's nothing worse than listening to the wind blow outside of your tent when you have plans to paddle the BWCA or Quetico in the morning.
It's always a good idea to plan on at least one day of a wilderness canoe trip when you might not be able to paddle. Whether it's rain or wind or great fishing you didn't expect at a campsite you want to have the cushion an extra day provides. That way when you don't come off of the water on your scheduled day your family or friends whom you have given your trip itinerary too will not worry if you're late.
Unfortunately it's difficult to know when the wind is going to blow. Smaller lakes and rivers are sometimes ok to paddle even when it's windy and some larger lakes have islands and bays that are protected from the wind and waves. One thing we have learned over the years of camping in the Quetico in Boundary Waters is you can't control Mother Nature.
If you're out in the canoe country wilderness during inclement weather and you have to camp at the same site for four days then that's part of the wilderness experience. You may not get to see the lake you had your heart set on but at least you will be safe and able to plan to visit the lake in the future.
Canoe parties in both the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park have been fighting the steady 10-15mph winds with gusts up to 30mph. Usually the wind stops blowing in the early morning or evening yet at 4:00am this morning the wind speed was 12mph and at 6:04am there was a gust of 26mph. There's nothing worse than listening to the wind blow outside of your tent when you have plans to paddle the BWCA or Quetico in the morning.
It's always a good idea to plan on at least one day of a wilderness canoe trip when you might not be able to paddle. Whether it's rain or wind or great fishing you didn't expect at a campsite you want to have the cushion an extra day provides. That way when you don't come off of the water on your scheduled day your family or friends whom you have given your trip itinerary too will not worry if you're late.
Unfortunately it's difficult to know when the wind is going to blow. Smaller lakes and rivers are sometimes ok to paddle even when it's windy and some larger lakes have islands and bays that are protected from the wind and waves. One thing we have learned over the years of camping in the Quetico in Boundary Waters is you can't control Mother Nature.
If you're out in the canoe country wilderness during inclement weather and you have to camp at the same site for four days then that's part of the wilderness experience. You may not get to see the lake you had your heart set on but at least you will be safe and able to plan to visit the lake in the future.
We're hoping the wind will settle down sometime soon. If not then we hope people just sit tight and wait until it's all done blowing and there will be calm waters once again.
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