Looking for advice...

I’m doing a solo trip this September and I’ll be bushwhacking to a lake that is about 32 miles from my EP. I’ll have the proper maps, compass and even a GPS on this trip (Christmas present from the wife). I’d like to get within a few miles of the bushwhack lake after one day's travel, which means I need to cover 25-27 miles on day one if possible. I’ve covered 15-18 miles in around five hours, single portaging, but I’m wondering if this first day's travel may be biting off more than I should.

I only have 4-5 days for this solo trip and I want to make each day count. I’ll be on the water at first light on day one and I’ll have around 13 hours of daylight and no “big water” crossings and the portages are easily manageable (none of significant length). The lake I’m trying to get to is about a mile and a half to two miles from the lake where I’ll be starting the bushwhack. I’m not worried about finding an open campsite as they are abundant in this area, far from an EP.

What do you think? Push hard, give myself a full day to bushwhack, or shorten the distance on day one and get up early on day two to make up some distance and sacrifice a little time on the bushwhack lake?

Thanks in advance for your input and guidance. I’m looking forward to a fun trip.

Tony

I always just do what I can on any given day. Weather and your body will be the biggest dictating factors. I don't like to push too hard on day one because packs are at their heaviest and I want to feel fresh on day 2. Of course I'm not as young as I used to be.LOL

You're looking at around 8 or more hours of non stop paddling and portaging based on your previous time. Factor in some breaks than it's a long day. In my 30s I could do it but it's still a long day. Now almost 60 I'm happy with a 15 mile day. A lot depends on how strong of a paddler you are and your physical condition.That time of year it's getting darker earlier as well.

Your young , 4-5 day trip = light load, go for it. You'll want an efficient solo canoe to cover the miles in the 1st day though. Make 2 trips on the bushwhack for safety. I always flag my way in, remove them on the way out. You've got me curious about the lake.

You can't complete what you don't start.

Your trip sound challenging and there are many who would not be able, or be willing, to push hard enough to do it. Set your goal, prepare yourself to achieve it then, give it a shot.

Good Luck.

If you go that far on the first day, how will you feel the next day for the bushwhack . . .?

Thanks for all of the quick replies... I have lots to mull over.

Regarding my boat, I have a 12 foot solo canoe that paddles well with a kayak paddle and weighs only 23 pounds which makes single portaging possible. As an endurance athlete, I’m not too worried about fatigue, but the idea of slowing down a bit to take in some scenery and just enjoy the surroundings needs to be higher on my priority list. I’ve been known to get a little tunnel vision when I set a destination for a trip like this one. There’s some nice pictos just a mile or so off of my route that I should definitely check out too, I just can’t decide to do it on the way in or out.

I’ll definitely be using some bright ribbon on my bushwhack as this will be my most ambitious yet, thanks for the idea. Anybody want to venture a guess as to where I’m heading? It’s been talked about quite a bit on this forum in the past, it’s in the BWCA. The mileage is deceiving because I’m not using the entry point with the shortest route, there’s two or three much shorter routes to get there.

I’ll be writing a trip report and share a video of the trip when it’s done, next fall.

Thanks Again,

Tony

Sounds like a long day, I don't think I would go for it, but if you think you can then do it. You'll never know if you don't try.

Tony, with your background and determination, you should look into doing the MN Challenge (Kruger/Waddell)- it is 8 days of fast hard travel along the border from International Falls to Grand Portage in the middle of September. Check out Watertribe.com for more information - or send me a message.

Grandma L, thanks for the suggestion on the challenge. I have followed it the last few years in detail and it is on my to do list. BeaV has emailed me the last two years trying to coax me into it...I’m honored just to get an email from that guy! I appreciate all of the hard work you do to make that event happen as I know from reading your posts that you are up in the middle of the night tracking GPS pings! I just haven’t been able to find the time to do it. September is a tough month with three young kids (7, 5 and 2) and two birthdays. Lol. I’m lucky that I’ve been able to carve out the few days necessary for this bushwhack Trip.

What you do to physically prepare for this trip will make the difference, assuming you take care of the amount of gear, etc. Get busy on your program to strengthen your body and increase your fitness, and you will give yourself the best chance possible.

My guess is John Ek or John Elk ? lake. I took a peek part way in 1 time and said "uh-uh.

Go for it, man! May the wind be at your back both ways. I'm no endurance athlete, but you'd have to get lucky to pull that off without significant struggle.

I've done near 20 miles in a day and 23 once, but conditions were perfect. Tandem and double portage. I think you should try but simply be prepared to stop earlier. I don't plan much beyond entry day and time and a planned exit, and let the route evolve day to day. Always surprised, never disappointed. Did first trip with a planner and it just adds stress to be told the plan is to get here today.

Ill take a stab at the lake. Batista lake between boulder bay and Stuart??? If so please oh please take photos and wet a line while there. Not much to add on miles per day other than I agree its important to be able to take in the surroundings and not speed through areas.

Matt

voyager: "My guess is John Ek or John Elk ? lake. I took a peek part way in 1 time and said "uh-uh."

Voyager! You nailed it! I’m heading in Lake One and moving east all the way to John Ek Lake. I was hoping to camp on Kivaneva or somewhere in the vicinity on the first night but after all of the great advice I’ve received I think I’ll just stop wherever I feel tired and/or a spot that looks too good to pass up. I’m also hoping to glimpse the Fishdance pictos on this trip.

Thanks for playing along and for the great advice, I’m excited to let everyone know how the trip turns out.

Tony

Interesting! So much mystery, and so many rumors about that lake. You must report back to us! I dawdled in the area on a solo years ago. The port. from Pan to Kivandeba was good. They were trapping wolves there that year and a trap with rubber lined jaws was sprung right in the trail. I took the logical travel direction, up the creek ( upstream if my memory is correct) that heads, initially, NE. Reconnoitering without pack or canoe through the THICK brush, I probably only went a couple hundred yards and said ," no way". I then tried to paddle out to Kivaniva on the creek that runs S. and W. If I recall I ran into beaver dams and rough going and turned around and headed back out to Pan. Who knows, maybe if I'd have gone further upstream on my reconnoiter, it may have opened up and gotten easier. If it doesn't open up, you will work like you've never worked before. Good luck, we're counting on you to make it.

How wonderfully ambitious. I'd say go for it. And yes, stop when you have to but give it a try. My first thought was to maybe even start earlier than sunrise on day one (depends when you go too). Getting across the number lakes is pretty straight forward and could potentially be done in the dark with a decent headlamp. Have a second breakfast on Hudson or Alice then push on. If it wears you out, camp early and start early again to leave as much daylight as possible for the bushwack.

I'm already looking forward to this trip report!

Set your goal as if you will achieve it. Be ready and revise if needed and then make plan B happen.

I get a big kick out of how people use and enjoy the BWCA/Q. No way would I do 32 miles in a day. Or even half of that.

Go for it and have a blast while there!

billconner: "I don't plan much beyond entry day and time and a planned exit, and let the route evolve day to day. Always surprised, never disappointed. Did first trip with a planner and it just adds stress to be told the plan is to get here today."

AMEN! Wise words from a wise man!

I took a look on Google Earth ( I'm not very tech oriented ) and it does look promising. Looks like quite a bit is open, though the satellite pics can make it look deceivingly easy. ( it could be humpy and marshy) Lots of game trails ( moose probably) You should see or hear lots of them back in there in Sept. I always see more in remote areas. There was a moose hunters camped on Kivaniva the year I was there. He told me it took him 9 trips over the portage for his gear.

25-27 miles is doable for some people. But it is not doable on every day based on weather.

So, let me suggest an alternative. Enter EP37, much easier day to Kivaniva than from 30. Do your bushwhack. On way out go to Fishdance. If you can set up a shuttle then continue to Lake One. If not, after getting to Fishdance, backtrack toward Malberg and then exit at 37. I think 37 leaves more time and energy for your primary goal.

Or leave Fishdance for another time. I have done the quick stop thing there but better appreciate the times we hung out on the top of the cliffs or nearby campsite for lunch.

I also suggest biodegradable flagging tape just in case you miss removing one on the way out.

In 2014 the Anit-Pan portage was flooded out and involved a little bushwhacking; it will be a good prelude. We camped on Pan - a decent site.

if you've never bushwacked in the BW before, be VERY conservative estimating your ability to cover the required miles each day. The shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line. The shortest TIME between 2 points is almost never a straight line in the BW.

BobDobbs: "if you've never bushwacked in the BW before, be VERY conservative estimating your ability to cover the required miles each day. The shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line. The shortest TIME between 2 points is almost never a straight line in the BW."

Thanks BD,
I’ve done a few short bushwhacks, but nothing too extensive. That’s why I want to cover so much ground on day one, to leave lots of daylight to make this attempting day two. I’m anticipating lots of slow, slogging travel with a few paddleable sections along the way. This is really going to put my orienteering skills to the test, especially if it’s a cloudy day. Thanks for the advice.

Tony

My wife and I started at 37 at dawn in early June last year and were at the middle of Malberg by 11:30 single portaging but not in a rush. We took a day trip up to Makwa one day, took us 2 hours or little more. Cool area, Pan was busy so we pushed onto Makwa. Portage from Anit to Pan, some maps show one long one and some show 2 shorts with pond in the middle. Looks like you could do either, we took long single around the pond. Some mud but not horrible, higher water we would have paddle the pond.

If you're ever going between Pan and panhandle....landing and trail from Pan are obvious. Panhandle has 2 landings and trails, false one being in the far SE corner in that finger. Trail is very overgrown and tight, don't ask how I know...both come out at same Pan landing.

Tony, just curious if you have decided what your bushwhack route will be? More direct overland from Pan or Mackwa, or maybe go down to Kivandiba and follow that small river?

Have to say, when I first posted I missed that your are doing this in September. Given just 4-5 days and shorter daylight, I'm with AndyM thinking starting at #37 would give you a lot more time for your main bushwhack and to and to enjoy John Elk lake more.

Jaywalker: "Tony, just curious if you have decided what your bushwhack route will be? More direct overland from Pan or Mackwa, or maybe go down to Kivandiba and follow that small river?


Have to say, when I first posted I missed that your are doing this in September. Given just 4-5 days and shorter daylight, I'm with AndyM thinking starting at #37 would give you a lot more time for your main bushwhack and to and to enjoy John Elk lake more. "

I’m planning on going from Kivandeba, down the creek where it’s navigable and doing my best to get there that way. I know one of the others on this forum has gotten there using this route. I’m anticipating a lot of time spent out of the boat. I will have about 13 hours of daylight as I plan on going the 2nd week of September but the date’s not set in stone yet. If I get on the water at Lake One by 6 am (very realistic as my cabin is a few miles away), I should be able to navigate lake one in the dark and get to my first set of portages just as it gets light out. Then, as you suggested, I could eat a 2nd breakfast on Insula or Hudson which would be a great time for a rest anyway. If I’m to Alice around lunch time I have no doubt that I could make it up the Kawishiwi and to Kivaniva or Pan by dinner. Hopefully I land a site on one of these two lakes as I’ve heard the fishing is good in each of them. I get it that EP 37 would be quicker, I just know that I wouldn’t get to that EP until at least 8 or 9 am on day one. I would rather spend that time paddling the number chain in the BW then spend it driving down Tomahawk Road. Thanks for the input and the well wishes though, I will report back to this thread when I’m done and of course I’ll write up a lengthy trip report.

Tony

Sounds like a cool trip. You can do the first day no problem. Remember that when trying to push miles solo, anytime you pause to eat, filter water, navigate, etc is time the boat is not moving forward. Try not to dawdle and you’ll have plenty of time. You may want a single paddle too- for the creek.

I think it is doable... ambitious, but doable. If you are as fit as you say, and at your age, and if you strictly stick to your plan, I don't think it will be a problem to make your mileage. I say don't do side trips, and don't dilly dally. Keep your eye and mind on the prize, you can look around and smell the roses later. Have fun be safe and PLEASE report back.

Tony, i did 25 miles one day last summer solo, for me it was 10 hours+ but included 2 300 rd'ers double portaging, maybe more like 11 hours. You sound like your in better shape and i am sure your a better paddeler than me.

I'm a 50+ year old fat guy and can do 16-20 a day for a couple of days straight in a pinch with coffee and eggs for breakfast. I'm guessing you're good.

Tony what lake is John Ek? I looked at the maps and do not see one named that. I am using Google maps and the BWCA maps which is also google. I am interested in your route. Good luck seems like a very crazy hard trip but I am sure doable.

schuetpa: "Tony what lake is John Ek? I looked at the maps and do not see one named that. I am using Google maps and the BWCA maps which is also google. I am interested in your route. Good luck seems like a very crazy hard trip but I am sure doable. "

I believe it is John Elk Lake, not Ek. John Elk does come up on the Google maps.

schuetpa: "Tony what lake is John Ek? I looked at the maps and do not see one named that. I am using Google maps and the BWCA maps which is also google. I am interested in your route. Good luck seems like a very crazy hard trip but I am sure doable. "

John Ek is east of Kivandeba, just north of Kickshaw. I’m pretty certain it’s John Ek, not John Elk. I believe it’s named after a guy who had a trap line back there way back when. It’s weird that it comes up on lots of maps as John Elk, it’s been discussed on the site pretty throughly on which name is accurate. I’ll let everyone know how the trip goes, sooner than later as I had to move my dates up from September to July so I’ll have a trip report on here by the end of July.

The route is going Lake One-Insula-Alice-Kawishiwi River- Kivaneva-Pan-Kivandeba- John Ek.

Tony

North end of insula takes it out of me...sounds nuts. If I were you, I would stop on north end of insula or maybe Alice day 1 and go the rest from there.

By the way...have enjoyed your videos. As a result I recognized you on the ice at Breck about a month back! Watch out for those spitfires next time around!

gopher2307: "North end of insula takes it out of me...sounds nuts. If I were you, I would stop on north end of insula or maybe Alice day 1 and go the rest from there.


By the way...have enjoyed your videos. As a result I recognized you on the ice at Breck about a month back! Watch out for those spitfires next time around!"

Lol, that’s hilarious! If you saw the video from the Pine Lake Trip I did last year, then you’ll recognize Scotty too. He plays for the Wild in our division.

Tony

Bump.

Did you make it?

airmorse: "Bump.


Did you make it?"

No. I decided against it. Water levels were really low, I was catching fish and I just made the decision to try it some other time. Sorry to disappoint. I’m making a video trip report that’s almost done and I’ll post it sometime in the next week or so. I had a great time and found solitude, fish and fun on the whole trip. The only bother was the mosquitos, I’ve never seen them so thick up there. They weren’t bad when I went in June, but in July, they were ridiculous. One night I actually dove into my tent as fast as possible, and by the time I had the door zipped shut there were at least 40 skeeters inside the tent. Took me about 10 minutes to dispatch all of them. I woke up with dead mosquitos all over the floor. Latrine visits were fun. Lol. I liked that part of the park a lot, so I’ll be back sooner then later and I’ll try the bushwhack at that time.

Tony

you changed your user name LOL