Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - Froze our butt off last night. Cold, Cold, Cold. Wrapped head in sleeping bag. Woke up sun had already melted frost and everything was warm. Packed camp up and headed out for Ensign Lake. Traveled south arm of Knife and went by Thunderpoint and Isle of Pines then came to the first portage to Vera Lake (200 rods, rod = 16.5 feet) roughly 3300 ft. or just over .6 of a mile up a big hill. Jake got on his hands and knees to get up one stretch . Not sure how we got the canoe and 100+ lb. pack through. Luckily got it done on 2 trips. Black flies were out of control. Couldn’t take a break after portage because flies were so bad. Got into middle of lake and wind picked up getting rid of the flies for a while. Portage took a lot out of all of us. 30 minutes later we had another portage to Ensign. Although not as difficult as the prior portage, a little shorter, but just as back breaking. Finally at Ensign. Paddled to a campsite on east end of lake. Whole trip took 6.5 hours w/no breaks. Could barely move but some how managed to set up camp, make dinner and fish from shore. I missed one. Actually stayed up til midnight trying to keep warm and discussing fishing locations for tomorrow. Reminisced on the tough portages.