Tuesday, September 06, 2022 Left White Bear Lake at 9:15. Arrived at Cloquet Walmart at 11 am. Lots of cars with canoes coming home. Hope that’s a good sign. Talked to Steve on the way to review equipment choices. Made it to Fall Lake Campground at 2 pm. Set up my tent. Got the same campsite we had with the boys 6 years ago. And it was the last site available. Weird. Checked in with outfitter Voyageurs North (also same as 2016). Very helpful but left a lot of what they offered behind. Too heavy.

Light dinner in camp. Went down to the lake to watch the sunset and smoke a cigar. Also enjoyed a Guinness in a bottle. Cigar was Connecticut NUB. Flavor came out at the end, which is different. Or it could be that I started eating peanut butter M&Ms with the cigar. Good combo.

Day One Woke at 6 am. Cleared camp by 7:10. Met the outfitter, ride to entry point at 8 am. Shoved off at 8:15. Felt hurried by the guy giving me a ride, even though he was nice as can be. Seems like he wanted to wait until I shoved off. I should have let him go and regrouped. Once I left the dock, I realized my cell phone was in my pocket and nothing was tied down. Even my wallet was still in my pocket. Paddling on the biggest lake, worried I would tip and the whole trip would end right there.

Paddled across Snowbank. Got lost a couple times but hugged the shore and found the portage to Disappointment. Was able to rework the equipment on dry land. I had a large Granite Gear Pack and a small bear barrel from Voyagers North for my food. First run hard on my neck. It was shorter than expected (good). I carried both packs together with the barrel on my front and the pack on my back. Next time I’ll just make three trips.

Pushed off into Disappointment at 10:30.

One hour paddle, got lost twice. Found a great campsite. Think I’ll stay here for two days. They even left wood for me. Great fireplace sheltered from the wind off the lake.

Good thing I took that site as three more groups came behind me eyeballing the site. Very busy up here.

Started a fire at 4 pm to get some hot coals for cooking my steak. The wood left from the last group was too green and did not burn very well. I found enough small stuff to keep the fire going for a couple hours. Steak and mashed potatoes pretty good meal for the BWCA.

I would not have an outfitter do my meals again. They gave me way too much food and too much cooking equipment. I could have easily packed some light dry food like beef jerky, cheese and crackers and been just as happy. And way less to carry.

One of my lunches was supposed to be peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They packed a whole loaf of bread, a small jar of peanut butter and a full plastic bottle of jelly. Each lunch had a full tube of Pringles potato chips. For one guy!

Hit the sack early. The night started hot but got cold eventually. Woke up at midnight and put the hoodie back on. Woke up at 3 am and out pants on. This is the last time I’m using a sleeping “bag.” They are really hard to sleep in. Can’t move around, spread your legs. Have to research other solutions. My friend Mike has something he sewed together. Might be heavier but worth it.