In another thread I alluded to the issue of single vs. double portaging, and thought it might deserve its own thread.

So....what is your practice, and why?

Not seeing this as a right/wrong issue, just curious.

Double, sometime triple. My trips are base camp trips to a single destination , with fishing being the main focus. Because I’m not moving every day, or doing long loops I want to be comfortable. I bring everything but the kitchen sink, lots of fishing gear, and way to much food , and all the creature comforts that I can think of.

walllee: "Double, sometime triple. My trips are base camp trips to a single destination , with fishing being the main focus. Because I’m not moving every day, or doing long loops I want to be comfortable. I bring everything but the kitchen sink, lots of fishing gear, and way to much food , and all the creature comforts that I can think of."

It may be time for me to reconsider. By single portaging to our basecamp we cut the time to do our 9 portages by 2/3 which gains us fishing time. But that also 'gains' us accompanying serious cases of "canoe ass" from all that extra fishing time in the canoe, a [delusional] sense of "studliness" because "hey, we only single portage", limitations on fishing tackle and amenities.

You paint an attractive alternative. Hmmmmm.

When I solo I always double portage. I’m usually out for 2 weeks. I don’t see any other way around it. When I go with 2 or more it’s single portaging. With a group it really seems how many creature comforts you want to bring along and how long you’re going to be gone. Food choices also will determine single or double portaging. If you want fresh food everyday, then plan on double portaging.

walllee: "Double, sometime triple. My trips are base camp trips to a single destination , with fishing being the main focus. Because I’m not moving every day, or doing long loops I want to be comfortable. I bring everything but the kitchen sink, lots of fishing gear, and way to much food , and all the creature comforts that I can think of."

Me too, except I bring the kitchen sink. Very handy!

Kitchen Sink

I don’t fish and travel fairly light—think “backpacking with a canoe.” I go to see as many lakes as possible. At this stage of my life I only go on 4-5 day trips,

On a 2 person trip with 2 packs and a canoe its single portage or, if long (i.e. over 200 rods), we may do the 1.5/Indian portage method. We bring Helinox chairs, a small folding table and Tundra tarp. Food is simple “add boiling water” type meals.

On a solo trip with 1 pack and 1 canoe I also single portage. My pack never touches dry ground until camp if I can help it. I clear a portage in 2-3 minutes.

Last few years our group has base camped. So we go in heavy with lots of gear. Triple portage most trips.

I double portage. I go on longer trips where food weight adds up and travel (slowly) vs. fishing/basecamping. I'm not young, I'm not strong, I'm not healthy, and I've recently given up any delusions of studliness.

From a solo week or less trips I single except a few of the short portages. If you double you can bring more "nice to have" items rather than just the basics. It's you long strange trip. Do what works for you

I solo and I have to triple portage, no other way possible for me. I'm 5'6", 150 lbs, and I'm 70 years old. I can't afford to be unbalanced, too easy to get hurt. I don't even bring a lot of extras (well, wine, flex lite chair, book to read, journal, enough clothes to ensure warmth, but these have become necessities).

Granted, some long portages can really eat up time, but I really do enjoy each walk back. I like to take time to notice things as I pass by. Peeking between the trees into the depths of the forest is almost magical, and then the wonderful smell of balsam!

As long as we respect where we are and leave no trace, we can each enjoy the wilderness in our own way. I'm headed up the Gunflint next week for a quick solo, and I will once again walk each portage five times. Can't wait!

Dave

I double portage in a group and triple portage solo. Ya'll in a hurry?

TipsyPaddler: "I don’t fish and travel fairly light—think “backpacking with a canoe.” I go to see as many lakes as possible."

We were backpackers before we were canoe trippers, so started out with a 'travel light' philosophy. My first BWCA/Q trip (1978) was through Charles L Sommers Canoe Base. Sommers crews put three people per canoe, with gear in two packs. Portages were single-walked; two people carried packs, the third carried the canoe.

When I returned to Quetico in 1979 with my wife, we used the same approach. She carried a framed pack with most of our food and gear, I carried a light pack (sleeping pads, sleeping bags, etc) and the canoe. Single-walking has worked for us for 40+ years. Our typical trip is 10 days, 100-125 miles. Advances in gear have dropped our portage weights; we're usually at 60-65 pounds each at the start of a trip.

TZ

KarlBAndersen1: "I double portage in a group and triple portage solo. Ya'll in a hurry?"

Not necessarily a "hurry" thing. Just bringing less stuff and having the ability to solo single portage. Plus nothing wrong with wanting to see more in a day.

Looking at the math for how much extra time double portaging requires is not a linear calculation. Single portaging often requires recuperative rest with such heavy loads - particularly on longer ones. Where-as, the return trip for more gear by double portaging is often recuperative enough and perhaps some would argue better than just sitting around and having to hoist a pack and canoe all over again.

You also get to "smell the roses" so to speak on those return trips!

Looking at the math for how much extra time double portaging requires is not a linear calculation. Single portaging often requires recuperative rest with such heavy loads - particularly on longer ones. Where-as, the return trip for more gear by double portaging is often recuperative enough and perhaps some would argue better than just sitting around and having to hoist a pack and canoe all over again.

You also get to "smell the roses" so to speak on those return trips!

Portaging rules can be a mood killer for a group. As long as everyone understands they carry/portage their own stuff, they can bring what they want. The last thing anyone wants is a portage/pounds nazi yelling that they can't take some comforts and everyone must do single portages.

We go to relax. That starts at the dock at the outfitter.

ockycamper: "...As long as everyone understands they carry/portage their own stuff, they can bring what they want..."

I used to think this, too. Actually, adding 'what they want' increases the overall load for the group and reduces the chance that these overpackers can or will pitch in on shouldering more of the common stuff. We tend to use playful shaming as a strategy, rather than a designated 'nazi.'

My comments of encouragement at packing time: "Try to be the guy with the least stuff." and "Pare it down... then bring half of that."

Depends...basecamping with friends/family? Probably doubling.

My Canada group of 4 has had good success with 1.5 portaging.

And when solo I am singling with a minimalist, light load.

Solo or with my 1 or 2 kids-single portage. I like to travel and see a lot. Not in a hurry, just the way I like to go. Efficient, less stuff and simple. Our extras are a hammock and a couple of books. Like Tipsy-my pack is canoe to back and back in the canoe on the other end. Same for my kid.

We may fly down some portages, but I do enjoy the view from under the yoke. When I have doubled in the past, there isn't any additional enjoyment walking the trail. That's just me. For those that do....great. Enjoy it your way.

With other families-double or whatever it takes. That is fine too:)


John

jfinn: "Solo or with 1 -single portage. I like to travel and see a lot. Not in a hurry, just the way I like to go. Efficient, less stuff and simple.
We may fly down some portages, but I do enjoy the view from under the yoke. When I have doubled in the past, there isn't any additional enjoyment walking the trail. John"

jfinn really summed it up for me, well said.
I prefer to single portage by packing only what I "need" and keeping it basic.
But, I will admit, sometimes I'm destination oriented and don't stop (or slow down) to enjoy the sights along the way.

We double. We own our own gear and none of it is ultra light. So budget plays a role.
Also, we tend to plan and eat big, fun meals that require the old two-burner coleman as well as fresh ingredients, so that adds to the cargo load. Plus we fish.

One of the great things about the BWCA is there are lots of ways to enjoy it. One of the challenges of being a human being is being open-minded enough to realize that your way might not be the "right" way.

Try it both ways, I say.

Double portage. The food and boat go over first then the pack and a ditch pack on the second trip.

We usually double portage and notice that the vast majority do this also. We go long and often far, and fish a lot. It is fun to do a single portage trip, everyone that doubles should try it at least once and vice versa. They both have their advantages to be sure. Personally, except for age or health reasons, or setting up a base camp or fish camp (wallee :) I feel that if you need to triple you are taking too much stuff. I enjoy the portage walks and see so much neat stuff along the way, isn't this one of the main reasons we go? Doubling is without question safer if you really have to strain to single. The creature comforts may not be necessary for a short 1 week trip, but on week 2,3,or 4 they really are the key to staying out there and enjoying it. On the other hand, it is amazing how much ground you can cover when you are light enough to single, and if that is your main goal, it is an excellent option.

One and a half.

For a week out with my wife, we have two packs and the canoe. With carabiners, we hook the PFDs to the packs. She carries one pack and the paddles. I carry the other pack. Then I go back for the canoe (or vice versa.)

I strive to have no loose stuff. And I don't want to have to reinvent how I tied everything in to the boat at the end of each portage. I never travel with assembled fishing poles, they are always broken down and BDBed onto the thwarts. Water bottles have a spot in the top of a pack for portaging, my thwart bag and the map stays hooked on to the boat.

When I was younger and traveled using real Duluth packs, I'd carry two...one on the front and the other on the back. Not the safest for foot placement, but that's when I was nimble. Portaging this way was easier with Duluth packs. Not really possible with the "new-"er fancier packs.

Mike

Typically double when solo paddling, I take the Canoe and my smaller pack on one load and then come back for larger pack. Breaks it up and I am not wiped out if I took it all at once. Plus I get to see the portage twice without being under the canoe.

On family trips, we aim to single portage with the option to do 1.5 portaging if someone is feeling too tired to carry a canoe and light pack together. When in a PMA, we 1.5 portaged to keep loads lighter with the horrible footing bushwhacking.

When I solo, I can usually double portage except on really long portages I might split the loads so I triple portage certain sections. But on my upcoming 1 night solo, I am traveling especially light and hope to single portage.

We’ve done plenty of single portaging but now do a weird 1.5. First thing is strapping paddles, life jackets, and maps to the canoe. Next, my wife gets going with her pack in a single trip. I put my pack on the ground and pick up the canoe. I usually catch up to her. The canoe goes in the water and her pack goes into it. She watches the canoe and keeps it out of the way of any other groups. I go back for my pack. I walk pretty fast and I don’t think we lose much time. Being organized makes a big difference and only putting one pack on the ground saves a lot of energy on days with a lot of portages. We like small lakes and so that means a lot of loading and unloading.

I enjoy the walk back and trip with just a pack for scenery. On hot days, she might take a quick swim. And I’m not beating up on my body so much.

But the main thing I’ve learned taking newbies on trips is that every group needs to figure out their way of portaging that fits with their goals, physical strengths, and what makes them happy.

Years ago we managed to single, even with a heavier alumnacraft and the bigger heavier sleeping bags.

Now we double. 2 packs, food barrel, small day pack with the canoe. We now bring Helinox chairs and a tarp. We also bring a dog, and all her food doesn't fit in her dog pack so some goes in our food pack. And we bring a short thermarest for her so she doesn't lay on top of us at night. It all takes up room.

The logistics of single portaging are daunting, and not worth it imo. I think with a group of 2-3, and one canoe, it's possible...but still not that comfortable or my preferred way of camping.

Rough guess, probably done about 15-20 trips double portaging and another 30-40 single portaging. Hands down I prefer to single portage.

I don't really find most of the criticisms to make sense for my situation. I find it easier and less burdensome to bring less stuff. I catch fish just fine with the small tackle-box I bring. I bring the food I want to eat. I take my time on the portages and see them just fine. I 100% felt more tired and more exhausted when I used to double portage.

I think the difference might be that people try to carry too much when they single portage? I carry the tent, chairs, clothes for 3 people, sleeping bags and pads, canoe and paddles about 80lbs total. My wife carries the food pack with fishing gear and poles. My daughter (6) carries the rain gear and snacks. My pack with a kevlar canoe weighs about the same as a standard Grumman canoe with the paddles wedged in front of the yoke and front seat. I am no Hercules, just take some time and bring what makes sense? Light weight and low volume is the key maybe?

Some tips: really look at the volume of all the clothing, chairs, sleeping bags, cookware, etc. Even a standard t-shirt takes up double the space of a synthetic hiking shirt. Fleece is a space hog too, bring a Dry climb or something else insulating with low volume. Rain gear can be another villain. Do a Marmot Precip or similar low volume jacket and pants. Sleeping pads and sleeping bags come in all shapes and sizes. Lots of options to cut volume and not overheat.

When I guided, people would bring 0 degree bags and then mention that they were so hot they had to sleep on top of their bag. How is that a good choice to grant that sleeping bag all that pack space when the lowest temp of the week is 50 degrees?

Blatz: "

KarlBAndersen1: "I double portage in a group and triple portage solo. Ya'll in a hurry?"

Not necessarily a "hurry" thing. Just bringing less stuff and having the ability to solo single portage. Plus nothing wrong with wanting to see more in a day."

One could argue that and say the faster you go - the less you see. You are "seeing" all day long - even if you're standing still.
I'd be happy to take a few extra light weight luxuries, even if it meant one more portage.

Single or double portaging? Yep. And for good measure, depending on the length, sometimes 1-1/2 portaging.

We've only singled portaged and enjoy not having to walk the trail more than once. In our groups, you are either carrying a canoe or food bag + your pack. We also don't care for making any lunch or fishing stops on the way out. We would rather push hard until our destination lake. Find a site early, set up camp, then relax.

To answer my own question...I've never double portaged so don't know how it would be. Typically we are out for about 5-6 nights, each person has one pack of about 50-60 lbs. Food, tents, clothes, sleeping bags, pads, fishing gear is all in the packs (except rods, see below). It's high quality lightweight gear. We take turns being the one carrying canoe/pack, about 100 lb total. Paddles and PFDs are strapped into the Kevlar canoe. The person not carrying the canoe carries a rod tube and (the last several years) the crawlers and leeches in a nifty front pack with an insulated bag inside of it.

I'm 65 years old, 5' 8" and 160, pretty fit but not unusually strong, and find all of this quite doable. BUT....it's getting harder, no doubt. We basecamp, work our butts off to get to our destination in one day (nine portages, some very short and others longer), and figure we have more time this way to fish, which is our main objective for the week.

Different strokes for different strokes! It's all good.

I was exclusively a single. My brother and I could go from Snowbank to RaveN in an easy day OR my wife and could make it to Adams/Boulder etc...on and on...those were all awesome trips. Saw a lot, great fishing and exploring. The challenge of packing perfect...I don’t know there is just a self satisfaction of getting into In a an efficient rhythm. For those trips I guess it wasn’t about going fast or being in a hurry though...single portaging was just what we did. Our first year We were outfitted by outfitters and had to double...the extra work seemed unnecessary. We soon self outfitted, refined our food/equipment and soon adopted single portaging. Maybe it was laziness :) it was just easier. Pull up to a portage Throw the packs on, throw the canoe on, portage, drop canoe, drop packs in canoe—paddle on. Nothing ever touched the ground. No unloading, setting packs off to the side, re loading, re walking the portages etc...

Then I had kids and My trips changed—we now double or triple some portages. Bring more amenities like chairs. My 13 year old is a bottomless pit while we didn’t need much food Before :) My 13 year old can finally portage similar to adult but overall my kids gears doesn’t really weigh less than an adults, 4 man canoe,fishing gear for 4 instead of two...I’d have to be Superman to single portage at this point and the trips are supposed to be fun Aren’t they? We didn’t even entertain single portaging once we started bringing the kids.

Which is better? Whichever one gets me out there...I can’t choose, depends on the trip and probably the individual but all my trips have been awesome! I’ve never been one to tell someone they are doing it wrong. All I know is when we singled I had great trips...I laughed and still do when people say slow down and smell the roses...you are still walking at probably less than 2 mph...I can see quite a bit at 2 mph :) but I also know I treasure my double portage trips more than my single trips...not because one is better than another but because of the company and gear the double allows me to bring. My 10 years old already has 5 trips under his belt and my 13 year old 7 trips.

T

Daughter is my primary tripping partner, and we're both runners and backpackers. We double portaged when she was little and switched to 1.5 portaging when she was in middle school. We single portaged on a quick trip a couple years ago, and have single portaged ever since. It makes everything so much easier not to have go back over the portage, and packing is still more generous than for true backpacking. We can see a lot more and still be in camp earlier by single portaging.

If I were into fishing I'd likely double portage, so I could bring all the things to catch and cook fresh fish - that's worth the weight. But if you're not fishing it's worth the effort to pack light enough to single portage IMO.

Whatever it takes to enjoy the trip.