New Trip Report posted by jwenck

Trip Name: Solo Trip: Stuart River to Moose River September 2019.

Entry Point: 19

Click Here to View Trip Report

Thanks for the report and pics. It sounds like you had the right attitude to make it an enjoyable trip in spite of rain.

BTW, do you think you can make the get together at Lake Macbride S.P. Nov. 2? It's between I.C. and C.R.

Thanks for the report.

I've never considered having my vehicle moved and then trip from one point to the others. I'm reminded of the Griner Brothers, know who that is?

Loved the photo of your gear and canoe after a rain. The water seemed dead calm. I also enjoy reading about what other people took as gear.

I've also found I'm better at using a double-bladed paddle and also like you, I know I need to improve at the single-blade.

I enjoyed your photos, videos, and post-trip analysis.

Thanks again for posting.

We met you on the portage to Stuart river. I remember that beautiful canoe! Wish we would have heard the wolves.

Thanks for sharing the trip report!

Mashuga
BTW, do you think you can make the get together at Lake Macbride S.P. Nov. 2? It's between I.C. and C.R."

Thanks, Mashuga! Can you give me more details? Is this a BWCA get together? Would love more info.

WonderMonkey: "Thanks for the report.
I've never considered having my vehicle moved and then trip from one point to the others. I'm reminded of the Griner Brothers, know who that is?
"

Thanks WM! I admit I had to look "Griner Brothers" up but now I know! I should've known it was a reference to Deliverance :-). My wife and I first used this technique when we paddled Little Indian Sioux to Moose. There's a woman who lives not far from Moose River EP who will shuttle your car for you. I've paid between $40 and $60 for this service. It seems expensive, but it's worth it to me. It's nice to take your time at the put-in and not have to worry about shuttling your car the same day. She and her daughter will move the car the next day. I just give her my 2nd key. If anyone wants her contact info, send me a private message.

T9T: "We met you on the portage to Stuart river. I remember that beautiful canoe! Wish we would have heard the wolves.


Thanks for sharing the trip report!"

Hey there! It was nice meeting you all on the portage. And, you were right!
I had Stuart all to myself. Thanks for the compliment on the Magic. It's a great boat. I'll likely keep it, but I sure want to demo the Wenonah Wilderness, and would love to try out a solo Q16 if I can find one. I either have to get more comfortable in the Magic or find a more stable solo for my size--stable in wind and waves that is. I find it very stable otherwise.

jwenck: "

Mashuga
BTW, do you think you can make the get together at Lake Macbride S.P. Nov. 2? It's between I.C. and C.R."

Thanks, Mashuga! Can you give me more details? Is this a BWCA get together? Would love more info. "

jwenck,
yes, it's a get together of folks from this forum. There is a thread on this page called Quad City area gathering that will give you details on the get together. You (and wife/others) can camp and canoe or just come for the day and sit around the fire. Hope you can make it.

Thanks for the trip report. Sounds like you made the best of a rainy trip. Did you check the trim on your canoe when you placed your packs inside? Where you place your packs makes a big difference in stability especially in windy conditions. In windy conditions I usually have a pack as far forward as possible in my Magic.

I have left stuff behind on a portage (think PFD) but I go back for my stuff. It all comes down to making sure you have a routine that you stick to when you portage. Every time I didn't clip my PFD to my pack it got left behind. Happened to me on one trip twice and I decided then and there to make a routine and stick to it.

Single portaging is an endeavor that I'm not up for but to each his own. I would much rather have comfort stuff like a chair, real food for a day or two and other niceties.

Thanks for writing about this trip. I like hearing about lessons learned since I hope to be a beginner solo paddler next summer.

I've enjoyed that same route several times. Your ability to adapt to the conditions and to stay flexible with your travel plans was huge. Great positive attitude also. Taking what the wilderness gives you. Those are difficult skills to learn and it is obvious that you have mastered those skills. I too struggled to lighten my canoe pack load. It took me years to hone that skill. One thing that helped me to lighten my pack was to frequent the numerous backpacking forums and YouTube channels. A quick Google search will blow your mind. Backpackers really know how to pack light. Backpacking is often a different philosophy than the canoe pack philosophy but I think there are many things that can be learned about packing ultra lightweight if that's something that you want to pursue. Even though I don't backpack, I've adopted some of that philosophy for my canoe packs which has greatly lightened my load. Thanks for sharing your trip with us

SevenofNine: "Thanks for the trip report. Sounds like you made the best of a rainy trip. Did you check the trim on your canoe when you placed your packs inside? Where you place your packs makes a big difference in stability especially in windy conditions. In windy conditions I usually have a pack as far forward as possible in my Magic.
"

No, I didn't really check the trim. Good suggestion. Also, it was the first time I paddled it on a lake in wind. Part of the instability maybe was in my head and due to the lack experience and trust I had in the canoe. I should take it out on a big body of water on warm, windy day here in Central Iowa where consequences are low if I capsize, and really get to know it, feel its edges and the tipping points. Thanks for the suggestion.

straighthairedcurly: "Thanks for writing about this trip. I like hearing about lessons learned since I hope to be a beginner solo paddler next summer.
"

Thanks! I plan on contributing more, giving back. I've learned so much from reading other folks reports and opinions. This site has been incredibly valuable to me.

DuluthPak: "I've enjoyed that same route several times. Your ability to adapt to the conditions and to stay flexible with your travel plans was huge. Great positive attitude also. Taking what the wilderness gives you. Those are difficult skills to learn and it is obvious that you have mastered those skills. I too struggled to lighten my canoe pack load. It took me years to hone that skill. One thing that helped me to lighten my pack was to frequent the numerous backpacking forums and YouTube channels. A quick Google search will blow your mind. Backpackers really know how to pack light. Backpacking is often a different philosophy than the canoe pack philosophy but I think there are many things that can be learned about packing ultra lightweight if that's something that you want to pursue. Even though I don't backpack, I've adopted some of that philosophy for my canoe packs which has greatly lightened my load. Thanks for sharing your trip with us
"

Thanks, DuluthPak! All in all, even though it wasn't my planned trip, I did enjoy Dahlgren River, especially the portages. Great tips on lightening my load. I don't want to always single portage, but it would be nice to try it, I think. One thing that I've learned about myself is I always am trying to do everything: relax, fish, go far/single portage, do a lot of photography, read, etc. Problem is you just can't do it all well in one trip. I think if I design my trip based on one or two desires, and pack accordingly, I might find more satisfaction.

Thanks for sharing your trip. I went in to Stuart last October 1 and got a later start, it took me 12 1/2 hours in and I came out the same way in 10 hours. Kind of makes me feel slow. Hopefully I can get back there again some day. The Dahlgren portage was beautiful, worth the trip. I had about 100 lbs of gear and used a Northstar Northwind Solo, which was very stable for me. I went around Stuart lake with an empty canoe and it seemed very stable, if you are looking for suggestions.