This page was last updated on: December 23, 2022
GeoFisher's BWCA and Quetico Web Site
Equipment List: Camping
Tent - This is my new Eureka Apex 3XT tent that I purchased for the BWCA. I have not used it in the Boundary Waters yet, but plan on using it next year. I chose this particular tent for a few reasons.........1). The 3XT is a 3 man tent.....perfect for 2 persons. 2). It is lightweight at around 8lbs. 3). It has 2 doors and 2 vestibules to store equipment. 4). I like the Eureka Brand.
Drybags - There are many different manufacturers that supply drybags. These are SealLine See Bags from Cascade Designs. I personally like this bag because it seems to be pretty durable, and it is clear. I usually use 2 of the bags in the canoe to carry gear that I want to stay with me in the canoe. These bags keep the gear dry, and close. I usually clip them around seat supports or a thwart.
Stuff Sacks - If you like to organize your stuff, these are absolutely necessary. I use them for everything from my raingear, to clothes, and other stuff that will be put into my backpack. Other members of our group use these type of stuff sacks to coordinate and organize meals. Blue for breakfast, red for lunch, green for dinner, black for snacks. This makes finding the necessary items quick and efficient. These stuff sacks are by Outdoor Research, but really any stuff sack that is water repellant would work.
Sleeping Bag - In this area, I am definitely lacking. I currently own a Coleman sleeping bag. This bag is just marginally ok for the BWCA. I have used it 3 years in a row, and will definitely be replacing it before my 2001 trip. This particular bag weighs about 5lbs, and is only good down to 30 degrees. Not good enough for early June trips where the lows can be high 20's to low 30's.
Sleeping Pad - In this area, I am also lacking in good, quality equipment. The sleeping pad shown here is a Thermarest classic from Thermarest. Again, for the last 3 years, I have used a Coleman mattress pad, which is great for base camping, but much too heavy for traveling in the BWCA. The Coleman pad wieghs in around 6lbs. This Thermarest pad weighs in around 2lbs. A solid performer if you ask me.
Stove - This is the MSR Dragonfly multi fuel stove. Although we have only burned white gas with the stove, it is possible to burn diesel, gas, kerosene, and other fuels with the stove. I personally do not own this stove, but it was brought by "Gadgetman". The cost is a little more than the Whisperlite below, but the adjustable flame is worth the extra money. This piece will probably replace the Whisperlite that I purchased and brought to the BWCA in 2000.
Stove - This is the MSR Whisperlite stove. I used this stove in the BWCA in 2000. It performed very good. I had trouble trying to keep the pressure just right to simmer with the stove. It is not supposed to simmer, but many others have had success by adjusting the pressure in the fuel bottle for simmering. I will probably replace my Whisperlite stove with the MSR Dragonfly listed above.
We did have a failure with one of our stoves. A fuel pump broke on the Whisperlite stove. We had a stove repair kit, but it did not include components to fix a broken fuel pump. A separate fuel pump kit and stove repair kit is an absolute necessity when camping in the BWCA during fire bans.
Cookware - Really any decent lightweight cookware will work while in the BWCA. This is MSR cookware. "Gadgetman" managed to shave a few more ounces by purchasing a titanium version of this cookware. The gear should be durable, and light.......those are the two most important aspects for cookware.
Axe - There are two thoughts on this subject.........Don't take an axe, you will never need it, or always take an axe, you should never be in the BWCA without an axe. Personally, I take an axe, even during fire bans. You never know when you will need this piece of equipment. This gerber sport axe is 13 inches long, and has a hollow handle, making it very useful, and extremely light. I use the axe that is 1 size up.........the Gerber Camp axe. This axe is 17 1/2 inches long, and gives you a little more leverage when needed.
Saw - As with the axe above, some people take either a saw, or an axe, but usually not both. Well, I like to take both. Sometimes you need to cut wood into manageable lengths, and an axe is not very efficient at cutting multiple lengths of logs to burn. This is where a saw comes into play. This is the SVEN saw. I have the 15" version, but will probably replace it with the 21" version for my 2001 trip to the BWCA. The saw packs down to less than 1 pound. The blade (along with an extra blade) stores safely in the handle.
