7/24/06 – Sunday evening held a bit of excitement for the BWCAW. There was a large storm which lingered over us for quite some time. It was a storm, which had a lot of potential. However, this potential could have been either really good or really bad. This storm–let’s call it Albert (since hurricanes can be named, why not really big land storms?)–alright, so Albert had something I personally had never seen in a storm before. Usually, shortly after each flash of lighting there is a boom of thunder. Albert did not behave this way. He would have multiple strikes before any sound of thunder, as many as 30 large flashes before the thunder. It looked like there were many close calls. Crew members Corey, Johnny, Liz, Clare and myself went to the landing to watch the storm around midnight. At that time, Albert was hanging around Alton and Grace Lakes, but it was moving toward us. We watched the lighting for about fifteen minutes. During that time, there were several large strikes in which you could see not only what color shirt the person standing next to you was wearing, but also any dirt or smudge on it. After those strikes, there was the temporary blindness similar to the flash of a camera only feet from your face. With all the strikes, thankfully Albert did not cause any more fires than what we have already. Also, later that night he delivered a much needed downpour. Thank you, Albert!
Quick fire update (Cavity Lake Fire):
Size: 31,830 acres (aprox 50 square miles)
It has been burning for 10 days; it started July 14th.
Contained: 35%, and that number continues to rise rapidly
Total Personnel: 460
Bear update:
It is ALWAYS a good idea to hang your food in a tree. There are several ways to hang a pack so that it is unreachable by bears. If there isn’t a good spot right there at the camp ground, keep hiking back there. When picking out a campsite, good pack-hanging trees are something that I look for before taking the site. I would rather have a good bear tree than a good tent spot. Secondly, bears have been hanging around the end of portages and swiping food when people go back for a second trip. Basically, just keep someone with the pack at all times and have it in sight. If a bear does come a little too close, shoo it away firmly–you’ll both be better off. As Bill reminded me, bears want nothing to do with people, they just want food. There is more danger in a stranger’s dog than a black bear.
Carl Hansen, Pat Nash, and Homer got back from their adventure to Carl Lake. Homer is glad to be home, and happy to see Cindy and Izzy. Both Carl and Pat decided to pack light this trip–neither of them brought any rain gear…which turned out to be a mistake. Lots of rain and wetness, but overall it was a good trip.
I shall have another fishing report tomorrow after I get out there and try my luck again.
(I bought a brand new lure in town and will have to give a report.)
Over and Out
Carl Geving