Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Wind, travel in Arrowhead region lakes
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desertcanoe |
Friend and I looking at going in on John (if the ice is out) on Thursday this week and traveling west through East/West Pine, as far west as we feel like going. Maybe Bearskin/Duncan/Rose or maybe just to Clearwater. Then looping back either through the lakes to the north (Mountain, Moose etc) or those to the south (Pine etc). I've never traveled in that area - always off the Echo Trail or west of the Gunflint. When I look at those lakes, I see what look like west-east wind tunnels to me, with little ability to use islands for protection. Here's the Friday forecast: Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday Breezy, with a north wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Sunday Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. (Plus rain most days. As you'd expect with those east winds.) I've done a number of April trips with a different canoe partner and handled ice cold water, snow etc. And I thought it would be cool to go up to what's supposed to be a gorgeous (and popular) area with nobody around. But geez that wind. Every canoeing instinct I have says "choose another route." Anybody who knows those lakes want to give some advice? |
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Mocha |
Maybe I have just reached my age-related safety zone where taking chances isn’t as fun as it used to be. Double check with Clearwater outfitters that the ice is off their lake. Also ask if it’s possible to get a shuttle back to arrowhead if you choose to end your trip at Clearwater. ($$) The chance of rain and that much wind will make it pretty chilly and increasing chance of hypothermia just from being wet, and sweaty from exertion. You guys talk it through, and then make a trip report with photos if you decide to take the trip. |
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thegildedgopher |
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JD |
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gravelroad |
TuscaroraBorealis: "straighthairedcurly: "If it were me, I would switch to entering at West Bearskin and go hang out on Duncan or Rose and then spend time hiking the Border Route Trail. Water is too cold to get out on one of the big east-west lakes with that level of wind." Mother Nature is still trying to kill you at this point: |
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jwartman59 |
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cmanimal |
Ditch kit, even if your not far from shore. |
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desertcanoe |
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desertcanoe |
cmanimal: "Paddle early, wind is usually lighter in the morning. When strong winds are predicted, I'll hit the water at morning twilight. Thanks, sage advice. Ditch kit is always in the pockets of my PFD, which is always on. |
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desertcanoe |
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WhiteWolf |
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Mocha |
WhiteWolf: "Remember this-- NWS wind forecasts are 95% of time under done. Especially in non-urban areas. You can add 10-25% of wind forecasts for open fetch on lakes. Now that is something i did not know! it did usually seem windier than the weather man said. |
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straighthairedcurly |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
straighthairedcurly: "If it were me, I would switch to entering at West Bearskin and go hang out on Duncan or Rose and then spend time hiking the Border Route Trail. Water is too cold to get out on one of the big east-west lakes with that level of wind." Sage advice |
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desertcanoe |
Gildedgopher that's just what I needed to know about the wind. Sounds like walking the line between adventure and danger, this could easily tip towards danger. |