What is the biggest group of people you have been to the BWCA with (on one permit)? I only ask because out group went from 7 to 5 and then up to 9 people.

Just wondering what your experience was with a big group?

3 adults, 4 kids.

6 and that is enough personalities to deal with.

Seems like 1 is a much nicer number to deal with :)

SunCatcher

quote SunCatcher: "6 and that is enough personalities to deal with.


Seems like 1 is a much nicer number to deal with :)


SunCatcher"

3-4 in solos is pretty cool too.

I brought seven newbies to the BWCA a few years back. Some had never paddled a canoe.

I've been going solo ever since ....

This will be 5 adults, 3 who have been to the bwca and 4 kids 13,12,10,7. I am truely excited for the kids.

9. 2 adults. 7 scouts.First trip in early 70's. Only 4 max since then.

quote Aaron79: " What is the biggest group of people you hace been to the BWCA with? (on one permit)
I only ask because out group went from 7 to 5 and then up to 9 people.
Just wondering what your experience was with a big group?
"

Used to see pretty large groups before it was regulated, but you saw a lot fewer people overall. Then, when group size was first limited, the limit was ten for a while.

Our extended family went out as a large group several times. Lot of fun. I'd just be guessing at the size.

I have been on many trips with eight people. Last year we had eight and was great. This year we will have only four.

We went with five once for five days, but then we took five more days for ourselves before we came in at the end. It was 1982, so I don't remember if we had two permits, but it is possible that we did. The five of us traveled together for the first five days, then they went in and we continued on for another five days. It was the only way I would agree to go with a group.

Back then canoe-tripping was the way I got to spend alone-time with my husband and I wasn't about to give that up. :-)

The time with five (it was another couple and one other guy, and they were good friends, very congenial people, lots of fun) was an OK time. One of the guys liked to go out very early in the morning and catch fish for breakfast, which I appreciated. We had a dog along, and I thought I wouldn't like that, but it ended up OK, too.

I cannot possibly imagine tripping with a group of nine. To me that seems like a crowd.

As a kid it was nine. Since its only been four, but this spring it will be seven. I have to admit trying to plan and coordinate a trip for seven has been exhausting. I think four is a great number. One is really good as well:)

2 Adults, 7 Scouts once. Mostly 2 to 6 these days.

quote RainGearRight: "As a kid it was nine. Since its only been four, but this spring it will be seven. I have to admit trying to plan and coordinate a trip for seven has been exhausting. I think four is a great number. One is really good as well:)"

yes! I am the "trip planner" and had been frustrating at times! Dates have changed 3x and our transportation has changed a few times also. We started with a group of 7, had 2 back out, found 2 replacments and then the other 2 came back in. I am very happy with the group of people we have..im just hoping it all works out in the end.

I have done 8 or 9 many times, but usually it was a school group and I was the boss. In the last 10 years I've guided adult groups and about half of them have been in the 7 to 9 range. My partner and I were the co-leaders, but we have to be a bit more careful in leading adults.

I'd suggest that you meet beforehand and decide what the trip intent is. Some may want to basecamp, some marathon travel, some find fish. Agreeing beforehand what the system will be will help a lot. I find that it helps to point out that campers may not be able to paddle with their friend all the time...we may have to split people up based on strength and ability and balance. I have also found that parents often want to do too much for their kids, protect them from the work. The the kids know how the family system works and sometimes expect mom or dad to step in and care for them, and guess what? the parent does.

It is a real treat to see the young rookies soak it all up and gain confidence. You'll all learn a lot.

9, all family members and all great ethical sportsmen. Memories that will last a lifetime.

First trip there were three of us; since then only solos or trips with my brother. Even just trying to organize a trip for me and my brother is complicated and I got tired of compromising my trip. I've pretty much taken to just planning the trip I want to do and telling others they're welcome to join that trip if it works for them. I think a solo trip or a trip with one other is good for me, but I'm not a "crowd lover" anyway. I can't imagine trying to plan a trip for a larger group - most people who haven't planned a BW trip, have no idea how much work is involved. And that doesn't include changing everything several times.

quote kanoes: "

quote SunCatcher: "6 and that is enough personalities to deal with.



Seems like 1 is a much nicer number to deal with :)



SunCatcher"

3-4 in solos is pretty cool too."

+1. That sounds like a really great way to travel!!!

Back when I went through Charles Sommers in 1969 it seems to me we had 11 in our group. 8 scouts, 2 adults and 1 guide. There were five canoes. One cool thing was that the guide had a wood/canvas canoe. He said it weighed 80lbs+. It could have been a Seliga but I just don't remember...

5

quote boonie: "First trip there were three of us; since then only solos or trips with my brother. Even just trying to organize a trip for me and my brother is complicated and I got tired of compromising my trip. I've pretty much taken to just planning the trip I want to do and telling others they're welcome to join that trip if it works for them. I think a solo trip or a trip with one other is good for me, but I'm not a "crowd lover" anyway. I can't imagine trying to plan a trip for a larger group - most people who haven't planned a BW trip, have no idea how much work is involved. And that doesn't include changing everything several times."

YES!!!!! Just once I would like to show up for a trip with some cloths, a paddle and life vest and sit in the bow!

The biggest problem with first timers for me is explaining that you cant take any and everything because you will have to carry/portage with it.

Usually go solo or with my wife, but last year we went with our biggest group of 8 (6 adults, 2 children). It was a great time! It just all depends on who you go with.

10

Had a blast but it's unlikely I'll go this big again. Way too much work.

5

We'll have 7 this year. It's not the BW part that bothers me; it's the 15 hrs each way on the road w/ 7 in an Excursion.

I love large groups of people, but only for a few hours. Then I get cranky and sullen.
Largest group in the BWCA was 4.

I've gone in with a larger group many times. My oldest son (now 13) has been on every trip with me and my younger son (now 11) has been on all but 2.
With a group that size/with rookies you will definitely need to have some meetings to go over what gear to bring and to find out what the group wants to accomplish as in basecamping, moving everyday and how far, fishing, sightseeing, exploring, day tripping, etc...
When I plan our Scout trips now I just set the dates get the permit and if you can't make it, maybe next time.

With kids of that age give them plenty of time to explore and have fun.

quote RainGearRight: "

quote boonie: "First trip there were three of us; since then only solos or trips with my brother. Even just trying to organize a trip for me and my brother is complicated and I got tired of compromising my trip. I've pretty much taken to just planning the trip I want to do and telling others they're welcome to join that trip if it works for them. I think a solo trip or a trip with one other is good for me, but I'm not a "crowd lover" anyway. I can't imagine trying to plan a trip for a larger group - most people who haven't planned a BW trip, have no idea how much work is involved. And that doesn't include changing everything several times."

YES!!!!! Just once I would like to show up for a trip with some cloths, a paddle and life vest and sit in the bow!"

YES! Go solo, young man, but be warned...it's addictive! :) Solos are a little more work in some ways, but less in others.

Or you can go with me, IF you don't mind doing it my way - eating my food, traveling when I want to travel, carrying half my load :), etc. That's basically what my brother does.

Of course, my planning is complicated by the fact that I live 1,250 miles away and have a couple of days on the road out and back. I did have a person who was going to join, which would cut my travel cost about in half, but family business got in the way.

quote oldgentleman: "I love large groups of people, but only for a few hours. Then I get cranky and sullen."

+1, and it's not just because we're old, people ;).

quote 1stSatInMay: "We'll have 7 this year. It's not the BW part that bothers me; it's the 15 hrs each way on the road w/ 7 in an Excursion."

Ouch! No way.

We hit the limit of 10, back when the limit was ten.....never ever again.

4 is my max now

I am starting to think about splitting the group up and just getting a 2nd permit (if available) . LOL
The kids know what we are doing and we have explained to the 2 adult rookies what the plans are, what to bring, what not to bring.

6 adults 3 kids. It was a lot of fun. The hardest part was finding a camp sight big enough for us all. In a group that large there were a lot of people willing to watch the kids for a few hours every now and then. So hubby and I got to fish kid free from time to time.

I was with a group of 5 people with two canoes twice. Other trips were two people one canoe, or four people two canoes. One of the 5 people trips had some quarreling going between two of the people. Other than that time there were no problems. However, in my experience it seems to me that fewer people allows for greater flexibility in all aspects of the trip.

8, including two girls on their first wilderness trip.

I had an awful lot of fun with one of those girls on that trip... nudge, nudge...nod's as good as a wink to blind man, eh?

My first trip with the YMCA in the early 70's seemed like well over nine. It was close for sure. Our scoutmaster/guide was a very good guy and did teach us respect for the BWCA. I think we had two groups that camped in seperate sites but, traveled together.. LOL What a mess that musta been with a bunch of rookie kids..sorry about that.

4, more than 4 would be to many in most campsites, 2 is ideal looking forward to a solo trip some day soon before i get to old.

quote overthehill: "9. 2 adults. 7 scouts.First trip in early 70's. Only 4 max since then."

Exactly the same for me, first trip was in scouts. 3-4 make a good group.

6 was the most. Very heavy food pack. Solo, 2, or 4 is my limit now.

quote dicecupmaker: " 6 was the most. Very heavy food pack. Solo, 2, or 4 is my limit now."

"Number 5... please step forward... turn to the right..."

Four was the size of the only group trip I undertook. I view that number as an absolute maximum.
I loved my solo trips but I doubt I would make the 2,000 mile, solo, one-way drive again in order to spend a week alone in the BW, followed by a solo 2,000 mile drive home. At 66 this summer, both my wife and the little voice in my head tell me not to undertake such trips in the future.
Two-man trips are the most attractive to me now.

9 (3 adults & 6 scouts)last year. Some of the scouts burned out from fishing and eating fish. This year 4 adults who love the outdoors and no scouts. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

9 men, 4 boats. 7 Day loop on LLC out of EP16. You want to talk about a heavy food pack... We were all friends before hand so there wasn't any fighting/bickering all trip. One of the best trips I've taken. I still remember trying to figure out food for all those guys - quite the math problem!

8. Fun on a base-camping trip, but wouldn't want to do a loop with that many...

Seven.

It was an interesting trip. No problem with the group size. I'd say the composition of a group, and communication/preparation, are much more significant than the size of the group itself.

Our group of seven to Q consisted of a "core" group which had traveled many times together - three, plus one with one trip under his belt. The other three had introduced him to it. Then there were two newbies, related to the semi-newbie, and they had learned stuff from the semi-newbie. Then there was me, who hadn't been to the Q side yet but knew what I was doing from BW trips and lots of info from msg boards, 'copia, etc.. So I was on the trip but new to this group as it related to tripping.
We'd discussed things like who would bring what, what routes we might take, etc.. BUT: As to common canoe country practices - wow, were we off!
First night after dinner, a couple guys say they'll do the dishes.
I look around, and they have gone TOWARD the lake, rather than away from it! Yeah.
Now what? I wasn't invited here as a conservation officer chaperone.
I mention to one later on that I've never seen someone do the dishes by heading toward the lake instead of away from it.
That's the way they've always done it. Made me cringe. I didn't want to be Mr Regulation man wet blanket, I wasn't the "leader" of the trip
, and I had mentioned it to someone. So although it was prob the wrong thing to do, I shut up about it. Figure if I'm ever invited back, I'll just say I'm doing the dishes every night.

When someone was cleaning some fish - within the area of our large campsite on Jesse Lake - I could just see it coming. Nothing ticks people off more than fish remains in shallow water at a campsite! So in this case, I just grabbed my collapsible bucket and said, "Give me the guts & stuff, I will take it & paddle over to that far shoreline". So the site stayed clean and some eagles got fed.

I see three of them at family events all the time, and I figure over time I can diplomatically work it in that they're big "rule breakers".
Funny, if I'd paddled by strangers washing greasy dishes in the lake I'd probably have said something. But being these are people I will encounter for maybe my whole life, I clammed up.


Sorry for rambling - but the point is, from my lesson learned, not to be so much concerned about the size of the group but that the composition of people and the info shared ahead of time can make for a cohesive, enjoyable adventure.

(Maybe I should plan a trip with 3-4 of you guys and invite a couple of them. There's an approach!)

Back in the day I took groups of eight or nine people a few times. I then cut it down to six max when I saw the impact the bigger groups where having on the campsites. I also think smaller groups have a better quallity trip. Three is a good number for me.

Lead church groups of 9 multiple years.
CB

typically we end up between 5 and 7. This year the full 9.

of my 9: 4 males that trip to bwca yearly, 2 males that are new to BWCA but not canoeing, and 3 of our female better halfs all of which have done plenty day trips canoeing and car camping but are new to the bwca.

we are planning a relaxing, moderate travel sort of trip.

I'm thinking the sawbill up to cherokee lake loop. or may even just over to Phoebe or maybe hang out in the smoke,flame, burnt, kelly area...

Nine...Four adults, five Scouts. I have also done this with two adults. The boys get a better experience that way.

10 once
9 several times
All were wonderful trips.

When I was 22, I guided a group of 14. We had to split up to camp so it wasn't all-out guiding imo, as 7 were on their own.
By the way...it was myself & 12 college girls & one female teacher.
The trip went very well.
Once again, as their bus pulled out of the CBO lot, I was left with that dull ache in my heart.

Stumpy, I think I once read your trip report in some magazine....

As an adult my largest group has been 4. But as a kid I went on many 11 or 12 person trips. This was in Canada before group size limits and mostly just outside Quetico anyway.

I would generally shy away from such a large group now but as a kid I loved those trips. I think I might be willIng to go with 9 again if 4 were kids like in your group, Aaron. 9 adults - no way! But could be worth it with kids along. You just have to mentally prepare yourself for a different kind of trip.

quote HowardSprague: "Stumpy, I think I once read your trip report in some magazine...."

LOL..."I never thought, it would happen to me...."
Actually, if it was in a magazine, it would have been fit for Boys Life...well maybe ;)...

6 adults one trip, 3 adults 2 kids one trip. All the others have been 4 or less.

quote Ho Ho: "As an adult my largest group has been 4. But as a kid I went on many 11 or 12 person trips. This was in Canada before group size limits and mostly just outside Quetico anyway.

I would generally shy away from such a large group now but as a kid I loved those trips. I think I might be willIng to go with 9 again if 4 were kids like in your group, Aaron. 9 adults - no way! But could be worth it with kids along. You just have to mentally prepare yourself for a different kind of trip. "

9.... once. Five kids, four adults (including my brother that is NOT a parent and has never been comfortable around kids - ha!).

Kids were 1,3,5,6,6. They outnumbered us. We had TWO canoes. My SRQ18.5 inaugural trip, and my Coleman RAM-X (short). 2 adults, 3 kids in the SR. 2 adults, 2 kids in the Coleman. Everywhere we went (day trip, fishing adventure, out for water) was like getting a slow moving barge to gather momentum.

Ho Ho said it - "you just have to mentally prepare yourself for a different kind of trip".

I do remember the special time with my brother, after all others were in tents - laying on a rock watching the shooting stars, then paddling in the dark night out around an island. He found the noises in our tent to be a bit unsettling and slept in a hammock (unplanned). He was a great sport all around.

Needless to say, I've opted for smaller groups since then - but even just my own family is five people. So if non-family comes, it's on trips with less than my full crew. I can barely handle my own chaos, let alone more. Be forewarned Nojobro - when we get our paddlers together here in a couple weeks, I'll probably need Xanax, ha!!!

Still, wouldn't have traded that trip for anything!!



This is only PART of the chaos!!