From: princed@cae.wisc.edu (Dan Prince)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: 16 Jul 1995 23:10:25 GMT
In article <blvargo-1607951105590001@f182-088.net.wisc.edu>, blvargo@facstaff.wisc.edu says...
>outfitter. Our tentative plan is to enter the BWCAW near Ely, MN and
>therefore would like to work with an outfitter based there. We have, of
>course, sent for information from the BWCAW and will be getting a list of
>outfitters. However, we would like to hear from anyone out there about
>their particularly good (or bad) experiences and would like to get some
>recommendations.
If your "tentative plan" is flexible, I'd recommend changing it. The BWCA can be sort of split into 3 general areas: the western part near Ely, the eastern part serviced by the Gunflint Trail, and the central part serviced by the Sawbill trail. Both the eastern and western parts have a large number of motor routes, and the outfitters are generally not very wilderness-minded. They (there are a few exceptions) have supported the wise-use anti-wilderness movement consistently and they continually pressure the Forest Service for higher visitor use, higher motor use, motorized portages, etc.
The central region has no motor routes and its two main outfitters, Sawbill Outfitters at the Northern end of the Sawbill Trail, and Sawtooth outfitters at the Southern end of the Sawbill Trail, recently dropped out of the Outfitters' Association largely because of its anti-wilderness stand. Sawbill outfitters actually requested lower use quotas for the region of the BWCAW which it services, because it wanted to preserve a true wilderness experience for its customers. While I've had good experiences in other parts of the BWCA, I consider the Sawbill area the most beautiful and pristine.
I should mention that I have a bias here -- I worked for Sawbill outfitters for three years, and the Hansen family (the owners) are friends of mine. I have used other outfitters though, and I've been to other regions of the BWCA, and I recommend Sawbill.
If you have other questions, feel free to send me email. Have a great trip, and let me know how it goes! -- Dan
--
Dan Prince princed@cae.wisc.edu
From: The Gord <mckinnon@sparc.isl.net>
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 1995 19:38:56 -0500
By the way, I would recommend Voyageur North Outfitters (John and Lynn O'Kane in Ely. 1(800) 848-5530, tell 'em I sent ya.
*** Gordie McKinnon mckinnon@sparc.isl.net ***
*** Northwoods log cabins available on secluded lake. ***
*** It's a nice place to visit but I'd rather live there. ***
From: (torreano_rob@htc.honeywell.com)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: 17 Jul 1995 09:32:03 CDT
I would recommend "Dan Belands Conoe Trips". They are loacated on Moose Lake near Ely. We found them to be very helpfull and reasonably priced.
I hope your trip goes as well as ours did.
Rob Torreano
From: sketzler@aol.com (Sketzler)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: 18 Jul 1995 00:43:00 -0400
I would recommend Cliff Wold's as a very good outfitter in Ely. He has good, clean equipment, good food (and plenty of it) and his prices are reasonable. He will transport you to the put-in of your choice while your car is safe at his base. This year will be my 5th trip with his outfitting.
If you want to contact him, his phone is 218-365-3267.
Have a good trip.
Steve Ketzler
sketzler@aol.com
From: Dave McNab <davemcnab@ids.net>
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: 19 Jul 1995 03:16:50 GMT
I've never outfitted with them but have done a lot of mail order with
Piragis Northwoods Co.
800-223-6565
in Ely. They're prompt they carry a good line of stuff and answer questions knowledgably.
Dave McNab
davemcnab@ids.net
From: crsandstrom@mmm.com (hogsbreath)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: 19 Jul 1995 15:03:05 GMT
Be aware that some of the outfitters serving the BWCA are chafing for more motorized access to the area. I believe that these folks should be economically spanked for this position. I will try to find out which ones are most canoe friendly and post.
brief editorial:
The motorboats and snowmobiles have all of the rest of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Mich etc. and now they need to effectively run the quiet travelers out of the BWCA as well.
Chad Sandstrom
mmm!=me
From: dan@watson.ibm.com (Walt Daniels)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: 17 Jul 1995 16:13:10 GMT
I have used Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely occationally (i.e.
every time I am in the area) for almost 40 years. I have always
been happy with their service (not that I need much - usually
just a canoe). I get their newsletter every year and they have
been very active in promoting wilderness ethic. Their call to
action was even enough to get me to write a letter to the USFS on
their plans to change the usage numbers.
--
Walt Daniels (IBM)<DAN at WATSON> 914 784-6736
(Internet)<dan@watson.ibm.com>
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
From: cnb@UWYO.EDU (PRO-SLACKER)
Date: 16 Jul 95 13:51:39 MDT
Look up a place called "Seagull Outfitters" .... it's on seagull lake, near Ely, MN ... I've been to the BW four times and they were the best outfitter I've used ... very reasonably priced, and great food and equipment.
Hope this Helps,
Chris Bane
CNB@UWYO.EDU http://plains.uwyo.edu/~cnb/
CNB@RODEO.UWYO.EDU
From: lon@msc.edu (Lonny Isenberg)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Outfitters for the BWCAW
Date: 16 Jul 1995 15:47:26 -0500
In article <1995Jul16.135139.12899@roper.uwyo.edu>
cnb@UWYO.EDU writes:
>Look up a place called "Seagull Outfitters" ....
it's on seagull lake, near...
Seagull Lake is about 180 road miles from Ely. Seagull Lake is at the end of the Gunflint Trail, which starts in Grand Marais, Mn. and ends 60 miles later at Sea Gull Lake. It's a nice area once you get past the motorized sections.