Customer Reviews

Boundary Waters Canoe Camping, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Reading the other reviews submitted about this book, one would think that it is either the best or the worst book ever written about the special requirements of canoe camping in the boundary waters. Well, it is neither. I take a 14-plus day trip to the Quetico every other summer, and have travelled many of the most challenging and remote routes of the park. The value of this book is that it offers one set of ideas as to the best way to go about one's business in the wilderness. These ideas are not definitive, and I flatly ignore many of them. That said, I have also adopted some of the ideas found in the book, or at least reconsidered my tried and true methods based on some of the author's recommendations. If you're looking for a book to stimulate you to think about different ways of doing things in the woods-- this is a good choice. If you're a beginner, this isn't a bad place to start, but it would be a bad place to stop. There are as many different ways to go about travelling in canoe country as there are lakes in the Quetico. Almost all have something to offer. None are perfect. This book is worth reading as part of the exploration and learning process.

Before setting out on our first trip to the BWCA five years ago, I bought Cliff's book. I read it cover to cover and found it packed with practical information that helped make my first trip (and all my subsequent trips) completely enjoyable. I've re-read the book every year since. I've followed Cliff's tips, and he's never let me down. Yes, put the groundcloth inside your tent, and you'll never have a wet sleeping bag. Use a tumpline when portaging .... it relieves a the stress of carrying a heavy pack. Don't hang your food in a tree, unless you want a bear to to find it! Follow Cliff's tips. I've heard him speak on the subject of canoe camping several times...and he brings many years of valuable experience. I highly recommend reading this book before taking your next canoe/camping trip!

The one star reviews on this page are very misleading. Cliff Jacobson does recommend useful equipment but is hardly a shill for manufacturers -- no specific brands are mentioned, but helpful ideas and a long life as a paddler and instructor are put forward in this fine introduction to the Boundary Waters. This book is an introduction, and it is highly recommended by many outfitters in the Boundary Waters. It gives just enough information to aid in planning a trip to the area, but the expert with plenty of canoeing experience will probably want to look into Jacobson's other books, which are equally well written and researched. In planning my second trip to the Boundary Waters, I found the book helpful and useful -- it has none of the fluff intimated by some of the other reviewers on this page. I found the book a good, solid investment.

As someone who has spent many years camping, Cliff Jacobson is absolutely correct that hanging your food doesn't work because (surprise!) bears can and do climb trees to get at food packs. Better to encase it in a sturdy airtight plastic bin and hide the food away from the camp. What bears can't smell, bears won't go after. This an other good practical and effective advise on canoing and camping "up north" can be found in this book. Highly recommended.

An excellent book that touches on all aspects of canoe camping in the boundary waters. The author interjects humor throughout as he provides the reader with excellent advice. The book is filled with wonderful illustrations that show you exactly how or what to do, which text alone could not provide. The book also has great appendixes that provide checklists, equipment suppliers, a map index, and even a copy of a permit! Overall, I feel if you buy only one book for the Boundary Waters, this should be it.

An excellent book for anyone who is interested in canoeing, camping or the B.W.C.A. Timely information for the first timer in the BWCA or for those that have made many trips. Well written and illustrated. A must for the Boundary Water traveler!

This is a great book for someone who has never been to the BWCA or hasn't been there in a while and needs some reminders and pointers. The book was last updated in 2000, so some of the gear mentioned in the book is a little out of date, but the concepts still apply. Jacobson does more than simply define routes, he explains how to plan routes for yourself and then how to carry them out once you enter the park. This is overall a great book and is easy to read and understand, but most likely is not enough to get you through your first trip flawlessly. I suggest reading this as a starting point and then reading more advanced books and talking to people who have actually planned and completed trips to the BWCA.

This is a great introduction to the BWCAW. Very informative about things you may not have thought about. Good beginners guide to what you need for equipment and what to expect out on the trail. If your looking for a guide book that tells you every campsite this isn't it. It gives several differnet trips detailed out, but you'll need additional guide books if you want to plan your own trip. Other than that it is a great read.

For those of you who don't know Cliff Jacobson is a legend in the Boundary Waters area. If there is something to know this guy knows it. This book is an excellent overview of wilderness travel and camping, however, isn't it sometimes more fun to figure it out for yourself?

An excellent resource for anyone headed to BWCAW, first timer, or old pro. This book gives you all the information you could ever want or need to plan and execute a trip into the BWCAW. Cliff Jacobson knows the BWCAW well, he's a profession outfitter, and guide, and has many years of experience in the Boundary Waters.

I highly recommend this book for a first timer, that's why I bought it. There's so much information in this book, I would be here all day listing what Cliff covers inside. Do yourself a favor, if you're headed to BWCAW for the first time, buy this book, you'll be glad you did!!