DAY TEN: Tuesday, September 3. North Bay, no-name creek, Burke, Bailey Bay, Inlet Bay, Sucker, Newfound, Moose. 14.5 miles, 5 portages.

Thunder and rain woke us early this morning, and I ran out of the tent to get rain gear and put the fly back up (I'd left the ridge line in place for quick setup, but dropped the fly when the wind picked up before sunset). Like most rainy days we've had this trip, we didn't need to filter water—just hold a pot or water bottle at the low corner of the fly! Day Ten was a “must travel” day, so we dropped the tent then packed gear under the fly. As we finished packing, the rain turned into mist and we headed out. We saw no one between North Bay and Prairie Portage. We ate lunch at PP and spoke with a couple groups going into Quetico, telling each that we hoped that the day's weather was the worst of their trips. One paddler was from the NC coast, which we later learned was under hurricane watch—I hope his area wasn't badly impacted by Dorian.

We made Moose Lake's public landing at 2:30 and loaded wet gear into the Outback. Stopped at the Customs & Border Patrol station and found it empty—typed our passport information into a touch-screen ROAM system and a few minutes later received an email saying my party was cleared to enter the US. Checked into our room and enjoyed hot showers, a shave, and warm clothes that didn't stink. Had a nice dinner that someone else cooked for us, then stopped at Zup's for a box of baking soda so I didn't have to smell my portage boots & socks the next two days (the sock stench overpowered the baking soda, however)!

Trip totals: 10 days, 102.5 miles, 45 portages

Gear notes for next year: Get PFDs that are more comfortable to paddle in. Get a camera that's OK in the rain.