BWCA Death March Portages Condition? Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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07/19/2018 02:14PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
We're planning our August/September 10-day trip with Kashhahpiwi entry point. Haven't done the Death Marches between Delahey and Conmee Lakes in many years. The portage maintenance link shows that the Death March Portages were maintained in July of 2017, but a single storm can quickly change postage conditions. If you've done the Death Marches this year, I'd appreciate your comments...
Thanks!

 
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Minnesotian
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07/19/2018 09:39PM  

Did them solo last fall September. And they were smooth sailing for the most part. There wasn’t anything down that I remember, just a long, long walk theough the woods.

However, there is one tricky, and very memoriable spot (lots of cursing). It happens on the western end of the long middle portage.

Coming from the west, the trail will be clearly seen, then it dips to the right, going down a steep embankment into a creek of an area. The creek wasn’t wide enough to set the canoe down, but I tested it with a paddle and it was very deep. I ended up hugging the shore to my left, and got through. Then it was another climb up an embankment and all smooth sailing after that. What was hard was that there wasn’t a lot of places to step, there were lots of scrubby trees pulling the canoe off your head, and at any second I could slip off into the deep creek water. But the tricky part is only about 30 yards or so. Then you are good to go.
mastertangler
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07/20/2018 08:55AM  
I remember walking the Death March and thinking it was more or less a piece of cake. But I walked it under perfect conditions.......if it was exceptionally hot or wet I think it could be a tough slog.

Case in point.......in WCPP I walked the Knox Bog Trot under good conditions. While the occasional knee deep plunge happened I didn't think it was nearly as bad as advertised.

However, on the return trip the route had been subject to 2 days of rain. Thigh deep plunges became more the norm and a very tough struggle ensued. I remember muttering "this is the real deal". With no one around to get me out I was very careful.

Conditions change, often in just a matter of days. A big storm could easily throw several trees across. As for me I would likely have a silky saw along just for that scenario.
 
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