Paul,
Hey no worries I think the alternatives and different way of thinking about things and opinions are part of what makes this BBS so great

Truth is I always feel sort of funny suggesting anything to John Monfoe. I have been corresponding with him off board and the guy has a life time trail of do-it yourself projects and outdoor gigs that are pretty interesting. What can I add to a pile like that? In fact, I just copped a really great tip off him the other day about how to make a bait trap out of a soda bottle. Thanks John its working great In any case, I sort of feel a little foolish telling a retired pattern/dye maker how to build a water proof cylinder with a hole in it (aka kayak)

Yeah I know I am in the minority on GPS use in the BWCA. I know for a lot of folks its not just orienteering its capturing coordinates of favorite campsites and fishing spots etc. I guess for me its just a quirky things. Though I have to say I like your idea of adding speed to the dead reckoning equation. For me that is a GPS's real value. On long crossings or fog bank that in combination with a compass heading is great. I like the ones with simple map readout sometimes so I can see what headlands are island s and what is just a head land. Though you can do it with a chart. Still its a nice luxury sometimes not to have to open it up and orient it. In the end I have a bit of the Tom Brown Philosophy and the old trapper in me. Occasionally I like getting out for a few weeks chucking the digital world occasionally to practice the old arts in the old way.

My larger point was that packaging can really tear into the weight planing and portage planing. I know a lot of folks who go real heavy the first trip and on the second they are looking to drop pounds by shaving off ounces of ever little thing. I tend to be a Tom Brown go in with as little as ya can type, but I have friends who will carve on camera stuff (I go heavy here) so they can bring a gourmet outdoor kitchen. Hey I never ate so good as I did on that trip.

As for cell towers in the BWCA your right there are none in the BWCA. At least I have never found one thank goodness. Still I have had friends who have been able to use them in the lake one chain. (Where John's headed) to hit he towers that run east and south of Ely. They tell me you can't get to them from the lakes, but you can if you climb one of the small hills in that area. I'm guessing in the parks interior your not going to find a link no matter what ya climb.

To me the cell phone is the one I like. Because it allows me to go in cases I might not be able to go out in the Thules in situations in which I might not be able to. I feel silly sometimes pulling out a star-tac on an island in the BWCA or Gulf of Maine. IT sort of seems to break a taboo. Still having two young daughters who like to talk to me before bed time.... and conversely THE cell phone is a way to get my paddle time and keep my responsibilities as a parent covered to some degree while I get an over night. I guess its like anything else its a tool and it depends on how ya use it. I saw a guy on Robinson island a few years ago pull out a phone call work and start doing software engineering. From my perspective I'd have fed it to the fish, but I guess its that is the only way he could unhook long enough to get out there.... In any case marine cell coverage makes it easier for this Dad to get some paddle time.

At the same time I wish the cell phone companies would be a bit more considerate. They always seem to be asking for the vista points, and suing local officials if they don't get there way. My Dad had the gaul to ask Cellular One Inc. to camouflage a tower. So they filed suit for 5 times his total worth. Can't say I have found them to be great neighbors.

However, here is a story from my local that sort of illustrates your larger point. The value of staying found and bringing both: A couple of years ago a fella went up into the white Mts. intending to do an overnight hike up summit and back down one trail, in the middle of winter. He got all packed and prepped and as a safety precaution he tossed in a cell phone. In the middle of a real hard snow storm he called Pinkhams notch (base camp to the whites) asking for a rescue. Well, the first question from the night desk clerk was...... Well, where are you? He had wandered off the path trying to find his way and now He was lost.... That when he realized his mistake. He had brought a cell phone but no GPS and no compass and no map. In the white out there were no land marks. So he couldn't even guide the field teams into him. It ended up being quite a long search combing a wide area. But I'm told they did get him. Next time I'm guessing he brings bothIn any case,

I just want to see a picture of Johns boat splitting water on the lakes him grinning for all he's worth Hey John do ya have a tripod mount on the bow for a camera?

Ah well of to seat sanding. HAve a great day!
!RUSS