Monday, October 01, 2012
Day Five: (Monday, Monday) Lakes: Misquah, Little Trout, Rum, Kroft, Ram. 5 portages.
3 miles paddled
517 rods portaged.
It was 7 am before I stole out of my hammock, wishing I had another few days or so in front of me. It was clear, a dry and easy start to the day. Still, I was not all that eager to be on the move. I took my time with breakfast – and packed up. My food bag was empty save for the one just in case meal and a few snack items. All the alcohol was gone – both for fuel and fun – and my pack was now a good few lbs lighter than it was at the start of my trip. This would be good news soon enough.
After a last linger and look around camp to make sure I hadn’t left any of the various pieces of jewelry I normally trip with, I was off like an old shoe and at the start of the 230 rod Misquah Hills portage within a few minutes. The portage is not that long, nor that steep in its two uphill portions, but it is a bit in want of good footing. My lightened load was welcome. In spite of being careful, I did manage to slip on the downhill portion just toward the end but as luck would have it, there was a nice rock to break my fall as my ass hit the ground and my legs splayed out in front of me. It was as if I’d suddenly decided to sit in front of the TV and fold some laundry. The canoe stayed on my shoulders, my hands stayed on the canoe, my bones stayed in my body and after a choice word or two I stood up and got back on my way, shaking my head at myself.


The next three portages were about as rocky but shorter, and the lakes were all nicely done up in the glint of the morning sun which glared at me like a scar in the cool morning. I saw paddlers across the way on Ram, and someone’s gear at the take out. The final portage to the parking lot is actually pleasant – the crest of the hill affords a beautiful view across the Misquah Hills – which shimmered in yellows and golds. It looked like god kept her autumn home just there. I regretted packing my camera so deep in my pack.
I left my pack and canoe at the end of the portage and walked the mile or so to my vehicle at the Bower Trout entry. I changed out of my paddling clothes, into the clean clothes I’d left in the car and drove back to Ram to load up and be on my way. I was nearly finished loading when Dennis from NW Canoe made his way off the portage. We had a quick chat, he went back to collect his wife and gear and I was on my way. I drove slowly along the forest road on my way to the Gunflint – it always takes me a while to get back to driving speed after savoring paddle speed during a trip. I had music on in the car, didn’t stop in Grand Marais, nor Duluth but in Moose Lake for gas, a soda and a sandwich. I arrived home just as the family was finishing dinner and gave them all whiskery hugs and kisses. After some time giving them the quick report on my trip, I went out to unload, clean and hang the canoe, unpack and hang gear to be cleaned and dried, packed a few things away, tossed the trash, got the clothes into the wash. I showered, shaved, drank two beers and went to bed next to my wife, feeling strange to be inside. I thought about my next trip, whenever that may be.

Silly Data that some might enjoy: Pack weight at end: 26lbs Canoe: 32lbs + paddles, yoke, pfd etc. = approx 68 total weight at end
Total Miles paddled: 52 miles est. Total rods portaged: 2,314
Casualties of the Trip: 1 lost Hat 1 broken strap on my floatie for my sunglasses 2 sporks
Things that worked well: Trangia Stove - Ursack (lighter than the bear vault) Hammock and UQ Reflectix Tuna in the foil packet
Things that didn’t work as well: Some slipping and sliding.