Trip #7: Paddle & Backpack to Superstition on the Powwow w/ Valentin & Maura

YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.

MESSAGE Valentin (valentin.povarchuk@boundarywaterstrails.org) AND/OR Maura (mccafferty.maura@gmail.com) TO EXPRESS INTEREST OR ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRIP - INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND A GOOD TIME TO REACH YOU.

TRIP OVERVIEW
Crew members will paddle and portage Lakes One, Two, and Three to the west side of the Powwow Trail. We will then backpack 5.5 miles to Superstition Lake. After setting up a basecamp, we'll clear treefalls and brush along the trail. We work rain or shine!

WHY VOLUNTEER?
You will meet other like-minded hikers, share your skills and learn new skills from your crew, and have an unforgettable experience helping maintain one of the few hiking-specific trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

WHAT TO EXPECT
You will enjoy an adventure - working hard with a good group of people through thick brush, unpredictable weather, and stubborn insects in very remote area. This trip will be physically challenging, and infinitely rewarding! In the end, you will feel the thrill of having made a difference by maintaining access into the wilderness for many hikers!
Each participant will carry their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, water, personal gear, clearing tools, and group gear. BWAC may have the gear to share or borrow. Participants should be in good physical shape and have a "can-do" attitude for unknown trail and weather conditions. Trail clearing experience is not required or expected: BWAC provides all tools and safety training for our crews.

ITINERARY
Thursday, May 21 (Day 1)

• In the afternoon, carpool from the Twin Cities to the BWCAW.
• After arriving at the bunkhouse, we’ll set up for the evening.

Friday, May 22 (Day 2)

• After checking individual gear, distributing tools, and discussing safety, we will paddle 6 miles to the Powwow Trail (approximately a 3-4 hour paddle) before backpacking 5.5 miles to camp (approximately a 3-4 hour hike). NOTE: This will be a long day!

Saturday, May 23 (Day 3)

• In the morning we'll discuss safety, tool usage, and USFS trail standards. Then we'll make our way to the work area and clear trail, taking time for breaks, until 4-5 pm (crew leader discretion).
• Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.

Sunday, May 24 (Day 4)

• In the morning we'll discuss safety, tool usage, and USFS trail standards. Then we'll make our way to the work area and clear trail, taking time for breaks, until 4-5 pm (crew leader discretion).
• Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.

Monday, May 25 (Day 5)

• Clean up camp and repeat the backpack back to the entry point.
• Carpool back to the Twin Cities; keep in mind we may arrive back late.

NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:

1. Prior backpacking and canoeing + portaging experience.
2. Physically able to canoe + portage 6 miles and backpack 5.5 miles. You should be in sufficiently good physical shape to paddle and hike 2 mph, loaded with approx. 45 lbs of gear, hiking on rough terrain.
3. Attend the required Crew Member Orientation (April 14th at REI Bloomington).
4. Attend a required local hike and gear shake-down event before the trip with your crew and trip leaders.

Personal Gear: Gear lists will be provided and a gear shakedown meeting will be held to assess team members’ gear needs. Each team member will be responsible for carrying their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, water, personal gear, borrowed trail tools, and their share of group gear. If there is something you do not have, please let the crew leaders know well in advance of the trip.

BWAC Gear: BWAC will provide: McKenzie maps, safety glasses, hard hats, trail clearing tools, safety training, and BWCA permits. Water sterilization devices and bear canisters are available for use as needed.

Anticipated Temperatures/Weather Conditions: Crew members should prepare for anything from hot to rainy or cold days and/or nights. Also be prepared for bugs. Crew leaders will discuss specifics closer to trip dates.

Food: Bring your own easy-to-cook, or no-cook, food to enjoy during the 4 days. Confirm your food fits inside your IGBC-approved, bear-proof container or Ursack with odor-proof liner. Do not assume you'll be able to hang food.

Costs:

• $40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool and map costs) and

• $20-30 carpool gas money

• $25 bunkhouse fee

• THE FINE PRINT:

• Participants are required to sign a (1) liability release form, (2) confidential health form, and (3) USFS trip form prior to the trip. This is a pet-free, alcohol-free, and tobacco-free trip.

• Participation is subject to BWAC rules, i.e., trip leaders can deny participation to anyone for any or no reason. If you sign up for this trip without prior approval of the trip leaders, your sign-up is considered a donation to BWAC.

• Please note the trip could be cancelled due to bad weather, fire danger, or other circumstances beyond the control of BWAC.

Thank you for considering this trip. By investing your time you will be creating lasting value for wilderness hikers and helping preserve this trail for future generations!