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Listening Point - General Discussion

Can you share what you have learned?

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Last Visit: 06/18/2013 10:34PM
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PlumberDave

02/26/2012 04:43PM

I have only been a member for a short time, but would visit and glean info off this site for a couple of years. Of the things, which have been several, I have learned was the reflector oven and its uses. I got the plans and made a couple of them and now they are a regular part of my equipment.

I said all that to say this. Since you have been a member of this site what is some of the best advice you have received here. Come on... older members you can share too.

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Old Hoosier

02/26/2012 05:05PM

Discovered the Jello Mold Oven (JMO). The most simple and truly amazing cooking utensil I have ever owned. It has changed my back woods menu forever.

It ROCKS!

Old Hoosier

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nctry

02/26/2012 05:21PM

I think the best thing I've learned is there is a group of people out there that shares my passion and are a lot of fun to be with. I can't talk with my neighbors about canoeing... I think they think I'm a little strange that way. It's good to know I'm not alone. It's fun to see the different ways we all do things. So I guess the best thing I've gained is the friendships!

Nctry Ben

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Canoearoo

02/26/2012 05:21PM

I posted this in the wilderness survival and firstaid forum....

to cure leach bites.. once you pull leech off apply pine pitch from either a red pine or white pine. The pitch causes blood to clot and it is an antibacterial (said to be better than some antibiotic creams)

Life jackets float, you don't!

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dicecupmaker

02/26/2012 05:30PM

More than one tarp. Updated most of my gear on the 'For sale' tab.

Joy is a great teacher, but so is dispair. Wonder is a great teacher, but so is confusion. Hope is a great teacher, but so is disillusionment. And life is a great teacher, but so is death. To deny yourself any of those in any aspect is not experiencing life totally.

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Savage Voyageur

02/26/2012 05:54PM

I think one of the best tip I have got is for fishing. Use a hook, split shot, slip bobber and a leech to catch Walleyes.

"So many lakes, so little time."

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OBX2Kayak

02/26/2012 06:19PM

Freezer Bag Cooking. It's cut my pack weight considerably and the meals are great.

"I go because it irons out the wrinkles in my soul" -- Sigurd Olson

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butthead

02/26/2012 06:20PM

quote nctry: "I think the best thing I've learned is there is a group of people out there that shares my passion and are a lot of fun to be with. I can't talk with my neighbors about canoeing... I think they think I'm a little strange that way. It's good to know I'm not alone. It's fun to see the different ways we all do things. So I guess the best thing I've gained is the friendships!"

Same for me! Well put Ben!

butthead

“There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life.” ? Frank Zappa

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bellolake

02/26/2012 06:26PM

When I first came on board, the biggest revelation for me was how much I didn't know about this sport. The amount of info here is astounding. I have picked up many gear ideas and tricks and made a whole group of new friends.

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maxxbhp

02/26/2012 06:59PM

Adam would have to buy another server, I had visions of 1979 car camping when I found this place

"Old Nashville still has a song and dance, and the Florida girls still wear no underpants. And we all get drunk at the football game, yeh the new south, thank God is still the same" Hank Williams, jr

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JoeWilderness

02/26/2012 07:09PM

quote butthead: "quote nctry: "I think the best thing I've learned is there is a group of people out there that shares my passion and are a lot of fun to be with. I can't talk with my neighbors about canoeing... I think they think I'm a little strange that way. It's good to know I'm not alone. It's fun to see the different ways we all do things. So I guess the best thing I've gained is the friendships!"

Same for me! Well put Ben!

butthead"

I have to agree with you guys. :+]

I also have to admit that I am gonna give that Irwin Pro Touch
course blade saw a try. I can see this saw as a gift to a few
friends of mine.

"You only have one chance at life, so make it an adventure!"

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SunCatcher

02/26/2012 07:16PM

Too numerous to mention but here goes...
Portage yoke set up for solo canoe.
utilizing base camp filters.
Steripens
tarp set up idea's
bdb's
reflector ovens
gps help
basketball net for anchor(rock) bag
bannock cooking
etc etc etc.
Must agree with nctry about the most iportant thing I have gained.
SunCatcher

Dad Always said "We don't Always catch fish...but we ALWAYS have a good time"

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Sierra1

02/26/2012 07:17PM

I have been most informed by the different types of gear available that I never knew existed. Especially in the area of sleeping pads and stoves. What I really like is that you're never to old to learn more. And I do that here.

Watch out for that rock!!!........ Oooo.... That's going to leave a mark...

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Scout64

02/26/2012 07:37PM

There are other people out there like me. It's a nice feeling.

"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit."

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Chilly

02/26/2012 07:41PM

Always remember it's a vacation. Bring the things that will help your personal enjoyment. Some think a chair is a silly thing to bring but I wouldn't go if I had to sit on the ground all week. No correct answer, make your vacation: YOUR vacation.

Best gear trick learned: food bag: Army duffel with 2 five gallon buckets that have gamma seal lids.

"Now days these kids take out everything: radar, sonar, electric toothbrushs" Quint

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MHS67

02/26/2012 07:48PM

Fishing, slip bobber for walleye as Savage Voyageur mentioned and several great recipes.

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jb in the wild

02/26/2012 07:54PM

There are many knowledgeable people here Butthead,nctr, Andysg and JoeWilderness to name just a few. What I have learned is having a lot of trees does not mean you have a lot of knowledge or time spent in the wilderness. You have to weed through a bunch of posts to find the gems.

Although I would say 99% of the folks here are gems.

JB

You can't explain the obvious to the ignorant.

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fitgers1

02/26/2012 08:56PM

I've learned numerous tidbits here from my fellow paddlers. Some that stand out are:
Building a ski wax bench
There are alternatives to my 20 year old water filter. I'm talking the base camp filters which I'll be adding this spring.
Leaving the tent at home and using solely a hammock, putting a lot of thought into this one, thanks all for the threads about it.
I've learned a lot about winter camping which I can now say I have tried, albeit a wimpy winter outing. Looking forward to the next outing.
I've learned a lot about cameras, video and outdoor photography. Got a new camera!
I've learned about all the different manufacturers and types of gear that I didn't previously know about.
I've picked up lots of little tricks and shortcuts.
I've learned lots about outdoor cooking especially dehydrating my own stuff. Bought a dehydrator and we are currently prepping for this coming summer.
I've learned soloist's are the Tom Cruise's of the paddling world.
I've learned there are lots of great people out there that share my passion, people that are all outstanding and I would love to paddle with anytime!
I've learned I'll always be an outie!
Lots of great history of the area to.
I really enjoy learning about the area and people's experiences by reading the trip reports.
This is a great place to get pre-trip info from people that have already been where I am planning to go next.
Thanks for everything fellow board members!

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson...and...“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

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overthehill

02/26/2012 09:33PM

Aside from all the 'new gear' available , the fishing tips, planning tips, recipes.....the list goes on and on..... It is the ability to feel like I know someone a little without ever meeting them.
or, I guess, imagining the facial expression or the personality behind the written text. OH.....and typing skills. Before stumbling onto this site, I hardly spent ANY time at a keyboard. If I wanted to order something online.....family or kids would help me or do it for me. So.....what few computer skills I have are from here. The only thing that has enough of a draw to interest me in returning to the keyboard. Too far away for wing nights or copia..........but when I need friends I guess I visit BWCA.com. Scout64 said best what I mean. I'd been on a few trips and alot of river trips and always loved to paddle and camp and fish and figured I knew alot. Ha, There is SO MUCH knowledge, experience, and a willingness to share it that it IS "a good feeling".

Not to Hurry-Not to Worry

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Basspro69

02/26/2012 09:34PM

Theres a few things, I will start with, choose your trip partners well, find someone that has the same interests as you because if your not on the same page it can be a very long trip. Next, avon skin so soft is not a mosquito repellent that works in the bdub. It may work on the wimpy innercity bugs, but up there you will need a blood transfusion when you get done with your trip. Good rain gear is worth its weight in gold. Bring a whistle, if you get lost it could save your life. If you see lightning get off the lake, everytime, you hear people talk about bears, wolves and other things that can hurt you but lightning can and will kill you if you let it. If you trip in the fall there is an animal thats more dangerous than any other, and thats a bull moose in full rutt, they will knock down trees to come after you, so if you see one at this time of year, use the zoom on your camera and keep your distance. Murder every last single mosquito in your tent before you go to sleep, if you leave even one alive they will torture you all night. If you happen to be climbing along a nice ridge overlooking a lake and you have your woman with you, go make a baby.

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein.

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Boppa

02/26/2012 09:34PM

Whole-heartedly agree with Ben.

Can only add to what has already been said is that there is a lot of good advice shared and there is more than one right way to get something done.
Boppa

"Yesterday is the past, Tomorrow is the future, Today is a GIFT, that is why it is called the present".

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kanoes

02/26/2012 10:36PM

not what ive learned, what i gained. lifetime friendships.

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg...youtube it))

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boonie

02/27/2012 07:13AM

People have different priorities, and different ways of doing things. It's always good to get a fresh perspective, hear new ways of doing things, and gain new knowledge.

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Jackfish

Moderator

02/27/2012 08:07AM

One of the cooler things I've learned - basketball nets for anchor bags. IMO, the perfect solution to anchoring while fishing. There are probably many more, but that one springs to mind first.

It's only a spot on the map... until you go there.

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AndySG

02/27/2012 08:29AM

Although a lifelong outdoors person, I only started going to the BWCA in 2005. This site has provided invaluable firsthand information on routes, campsites, portages, and lakes. What really impressed me though, was the acceptance and willingness to help I received from other members. This spirit of community has prompted me to consider many members as friends. Friends I now look forward to spending time with at the various get togethers.

Sincerely yours, Andy

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OneMatch

02/27/2012 09:19AM

quote boonie: "People have different priorities, and different ways of doing things. It's always good to get a fresh perspective, hear new ways of doing things, and gain new knowledge."

I have to agree wholeheartedly here. I've found many things that folks do differently and different doesn't mean wrong. A huge value from a board like this one.

We all have to believe in something. I believe I'll go paddle.

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Jackfish

Moderator

02/27/2012 09:32AM

It's only a spot on the map... until you go there.

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Kevlar

02/27/2012 11:09AM

In my circle of friends I only have two who canoecamp and understand my love of it. All my other friends think I'm a little off on this topic. So it is a great enjoyment to me to sit down at the computer and trade insights or just read info and comments from people who share my interest. I haven't learned as much of the "howto" stuff as I have just enjoyed immersing myself in the whole situation.

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Tony

02/27/2012 12:49PM

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PlumberDave

02/27/2012 09:46PM

Awsome I just learn alot more things from one post then having to go to search for it.
This is a great site.

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jcavenagh

02/27/2012 09:53PM

I have learned to look at my tarp a whole lot differently than I used to. It is much more useful, in many different configurations, than I ever thought.

LNT - The road to success is always under construction. http://hikingillinois.blogspot.com/

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jwartman59

02/27/2012 11:58PM

secret best advice from a guy with a gray beard. bring lots of matches, in lots of different plastic bags. double bags some of them, also toilet paper, small rolls in lots of different bags. these are things that don't work when wet.
also, if you can't light a cigarette in the shower, you won't be able to light one in the bwca in a thunderstorm. that might be important to you, maybe not. but if you smoke, and the weather sucks, just something to think about,.

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