Hello!

I have been enjoying the BWCA with my dad for most of my life. He is turning 60 this year and still kicking my butt on portages. Sleeping is getting less comfortable for him as are prolonged hours in the canoe. Other than that, he is so agile and really loves his multiple trips a year to the BWCA.

I would love to get him something meaningful or helpful for his trips. I have done light binoculars in the past, but I would love some additional ideas, and I thought this community might have some insight!

He loves to fish, hates bringing too much stuff, and isn't too into technology.

Thank you!

As someone on the plus side of 60, my greatest find in recent years is a hammock. Much better for sleeping peacefully than the ground.
Also really appreciate getting a small Silky saw for processing firewood

Crazy Creek Long back chair, i use it in the canoe while paddling, lays flat and makes a great knee pad, rolled up it makes a decent pillow.

Our carbon paddles are among the best upgrades we've made in years.

TZ

Maybe a new thicker sleeping pad . . .

Get him an exped mega mat 10, it’s worth every bit of the bulk to sleep just like home.

I'm 80 and still doing modest trips and I remember a post here a couple of years ago about tripping as you age. The question was, as you age, what is the most important thing that you take with you. My reply was that I take along someone who is at least 20 years younger than I am. It sounds like he already has that. I think everything that has already been mentioned would be great.

A Sven saw would be a nice gift to get.

preacherdave: "As someone on the plus side of 60, my greatest find in recent years is a hammock. Much better for sleeping peacefully than the ground.
Also really appreciate getting a small Silky saw for processing firewood "

That was the first thing I thought of as well. And I'm sixty too.

As a 76 yo I find if I can sleep in reasonable comfort I can put up with pretty much anything during the day. I use one of several inflatable insulated pads which I find to be very comfortable and I select my tent sites with care.

preacherdave: "As someone on the plus side of 60, my greatest find in recent years is a hammock. Much better for sleeping peacefully than the ground.
Also really appreciate getting a small Silky saw for processing firewood "

Another 60 yr old giving the thumbs up to a hammock system! Best BW investment I’ve made.

moray: "

preacherdave: "As someone on the plus side of 60, my greatest find in recent years is a hammock. Much better for sleeping peacefully than the ground.
Also really appreciate getting a small Silky saw for processing firewood "

Another 60 yr old giving the thumbs up to a hammock system! Best BW investment I’ve made."

Thank you, Moray and Preacher Dave! Do you find that picking a hammock is a personal choice and maybe wrapping up a coupon to pick one out is better than just getting one for him?

I appreciate all of the feedback- the saws, exped mat and chair too! I will look into these!

WhitePine1: "

moray: "

preacherdave: "As someone on the plus side of 60, my greatest find in recent years is a hammock. Much better for sleeping peacefully than the ground.
Also really appreciate getting a small Silky saw for processing firewood "

Another 60 yr old giving the thumbs up to a hammock system! Best BW investment I’ve made."

Thank you, Moray and Preacher Dave! Do you find that picking a hammock is a personal choice and maybe wrapping up a coupon to pick one out is better than just getting one for him?


I appreciate all of the feedback- the saws, exped mat and chair too! I will look into these!"

White Pine...that seems like a very thoughtful way to do it. I'm exploring hammocks right now as well and imagine I would much rather choose what I like. It'll be a cool Christmas for your Dad with awesome trips next summer!

WhitePine1: "

moray: "

preacherdave: "As someone on the plus side of 60, my greatest find in recent years is a hammock. Much better for sleeping peacefully than the ground.
Also really appreciate getting a small Silky saw for processing firewood "

Another 60 yr old giving the thumbs up to a hammock system! Best BW investment I’ve made."

Thank you, Moray and Preacher Dave! Do you find that picking a hammock is a personal choice and maybe wrapping up a coupon to pick one out is better than just getting one for him?


I appreciate all of the feedback- the saws, exped mat and chair too! I will look into these!"

Yes I think it is a personal choice of what style of hammock to choose. I’m a side sleeper and prefer a bridge hammock. Maybe a gift card from Warbonnet(my preferred vendor) or one of the other reputable companies.
Good luck with your gift giving, you’ve gotten many great suggestions!

I am 67 and have been going to BWCA with 10-20 men for the last 16 years. The top items for guys our age are (ranked by most important)

hammock with down underquilt and top quilt
Helinox chair (I bring a Sunset model)
Platypus gravity filter
Jetboil stoves

Best hammock for side sleeping is a bridge hammock. I have a Warbonnet Ridgerunner and love it.

It you want a super deal on a hammock, Hennessy Hammocks has their 50% off sale going on right now. Get an Explorer XL zip model. Comes with everything you need but the insulation. Add an underquilt or pad and you are good to go

One the opposite side. . .items the guys in our group (all in their 60's) have stopped taking:

tents, sleeping pads, cots. . . anything tent related and heavy
full size backyard style chairs
large two burner stoves (like the Colmans)
heavy coolers

Basically, we have moved away from things that are heavy, and gone for comfort

+1 on the hammock idea. I am 60 now and moved to hammock a few years back. I won't go back to a tent now.

Hammocks are a rabbit hole, but a good one for the winter time of dreaming/planning.

I also fully concur with the above comment about younger companions. My son, daughter and nephews take up the bulk of the heavy lifting now. It's very nice.

I'm in that age range (!) A Helinox high back chair (the Sunset Chair). I tried a friend's this summer in the BW and as soon as we got back to Ely I bought one.
Sleep is high priority, and I've tried numerous pads, the latest being the Nemo, somewhat insulated. It's pretty good, though like any air mattress, you can get chilly if you camp in cold conditions. The Eureka CT11 NoBugZone is great, and you can still find some, s/as through Moose Jaw. It's a decent size screen, not to heavy, and very functional. A couple telescoping poles make it about perfect (CCS has nice tarp poles).

One thing that I didn't see mentioned is a good camping pillow. There's a recent thread on pillows in the Gear forum.

Take some maps you’ve used on prior trips, mark them up with any memorable experiences you had on that trip, maybe include some photos, then frame them or have them framed.

johndku: "Take some maps you’ve used on prior trips, mark them up with any memorable experiences you had on that trip, maybe include some photos, then frame them or have them framed. "

I love this idea! Thank you so much for all of the recommendations. Sounds like I have ideas for birthday and Christmas figured out!

johndku: "Take some maps you’ve used on prior trips, mark them up with any memorable experiences you had on that trip, maybe include some photos, then frame them or have them framed. "

I love this idea! Thanks!