Customer Reviews

Canoe Country Camping: Wilderness Skills for the Boundary Waters and Quetico

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

 

 

I found that the book was directed more toward complete novices. The book was overly detailed for a person with even limited experience. The book also addressed specific types and brand names of equipment that the author used, while only brielfy touching on other options available. A novice wishing to follow the equipment recommendations to the letter should be aware that his choices were also very expensive, particularly for people who may only make one trip a summer. I much preferred Cliff Jacobson's "Boundary Waters, Canoe Camping with Style". Jacobson offers route recommendations, excellent illustrations, recipes and a miriad of equipment choices. He also provides a list of manufacturers in the appendix.

Having read lots of other books on this subject, I have to say that this title is the only one that meshes with my experience. His recommendations are absolutely on the money due to a paring away of hype surrounding the gear you should use when canoe camping. A great book for the novice canoe-camper and one with opinions which happen to be borne out by the experience of others.

Furtman has vast experience in the canoe country of northern Minnesota and southern Canada. Through his writing he empowers the reader to make wise choices with regards to trip planing, packing, camping, canoeing and cooking. The book is well worth reading for anyone contemplating a trip to Canoe Country in the future. It even makes great reading for those of us who have experienced this great adventure. I found myself saying, "why didn't I think of that", time and time again.

This book changed the way I canoe in the BWCA. The author gives you the exact information you need to plan and pack for a wilderness trip. More specifically, he clearly explains how to single portage on overnight canoe trips. Single portaging has become my preferred way to go on trips less than 8 days.

Some canoeist and authors subscribe to the "I want maximum creature comforts", which is fine, except that means carrying more gear/weight between lakes or rivers.

I have read over 15 canoeing books by other authors, most of which were very good. This book should not be look at as a complete encyclopedia addressing every aspect of paddling, portaging, and camping. This is one the few books though, that clearly illustrates how you actually pack the essential items into a canoe pack and in what order.

If you you are going on a Boundary Waters trip, this is a great resource to help build up your canoe camping skills.

I bought this book when my brother and I first started discussing a trip to the BWCA. This will be my first "real" camping trip, until now I've only been "car camping". I'm glad that I bought and read this book, the author recommends specifics where his experience has determined that one specific piece of equipment works best, but also explains why and tells you the features to look for as you purchase gear for your trip. The book also covers other basics and tips to keep in mind while on your trip. I learned a lot and now feel much more comfortable in the decisions for gear and our plans. I know that lots of people go to the BWCA completely unprepared and don't listen to even the advice of their outfitters, myself, I would rather educate myself before going so that I've done all I can to make the trip a pleasurable one. Learning good habits from the start is better than changing bad ones after learning the hard way.

So if you appreciate the advice of a well experienced camper then this is the one book I would recommend to read before you go.