New Trip Report posted by TomT

Trip Name: Crab Lake two guys and two dogs.

Entry Point: 4

Click Here to View Trip Report

Really enjoyed that, thanks. I can't take my goofball dogs because they can't be trusted to stay close but I have always enjoyed the canine companions my trip partners have brought along. The connection you both have to your dogs is a great one that I envy and admire.

Great pics and I love your frequent eggs breakfast menu!

Lovely trip report. You really captured the essence of the experience. I have been wanting to explore that area in depth ever since we did a little short trip from the Trout Lake direction. We couldn't do any further exploring that time since I was nursing a broken ankle on the mend. But it seemed like an area worth doing to get away from some crowds. Thanks for the write up.

Great report. I loved the dogs. Lots of great photos but the last one on the final day is my favorite. True unconditional love. Thanks for the awesome report.

Great report, thanks for posting and taking us along with you!

Thanks for the nice comments everyone! Gotta love dogs. :)

Great report! Camped on or checked out a few of those same sites. That first one on Crab is great, same for Cummings. Had heard good things about Buck but didn't go that way.
Cool trip!

HowardSprague: "Great report! Camped on or checked out a few of those same sites. That first one on Crab is great, same for Cummings. Had heard good things about Buck but didn't go that way.
Cool trip!"

Cummings has a few real nice sites. Buck is that rare lake that has 3 different portages going in and out but no matter which direction you come from you have to earn it! It's not easy looping through Buck but it's worth it. There's only 2 campsites with the southern one seeing more use. I'd recommend where we stayed on the north side if you have 2 tents or less. Great for a small group and would be a 5 star for a person solo.

I was impressed with the fishing the two of you put together. It's not easy at that time of year and you were able to land enough for fish dinners!

I enjoyed reading your report, and the photos are wonderful.

Thanks for sharing. It is a place we have never been, and won't get to now.

We were on the Gunflint in a cabin September 6-12, so I can appreciate your comments about the cold weather--especially that Wednesday!

Great report!! Love the pics. Having your pup up there is the best.

Spartan2, would you go trip again if you had help? Portaging your gear?

Excellent report with great photos. Especially enjoyed the dogs' participation!

TZ

What an excellent write up of our trip Tom!!!

Tom and I calculated our portage miles and it totaled about 20 with the double carry's. This was a great trip ... but it was pretty physical for us. The winds were fierce nearly the entire time, we paddled against strong winds and occasionally 2 foot plus waves. I lost over nine pounds on this trip ... including our meal when first out of the bush to DQ., my total came to 20 bucks (unadulterated gluttony!)

Tom calls me a traditionalist hybrid ... that is a pretty good observation. I am paddling a Kevlar canoe as I my knees just will not tolerate paddling my wood canvas anymore. So, as I age and my body starts failing, I have to adapt, albeit slowly to newer ideas so I can continue to travel the back country. Tom on the other hand is tougher than wood pecker lips ... nothing seems to slow him down. I do not know how he does it.

He is a great tripping partner as is Luna, man she is a terrific dog, and so good to have in camp and on the trail. I almost always go solo, but traveling with Tom and Luna seemed so natural. They are great tripping partners. I admit I get lonesome for the back country of the Quetico some times, but I love the buck lake area and this trip - even with the wind and the cold - did not disappoint.

Exploring the back country with Jake ( my best friend ) is one of the most satisfying things I can do in life ... Exploring with Jake, Luna and Tom is pretty good too. Reading Tom's report, while finishing my coffee this morning ... typing in front of my wood stove as the excitement and busyness of Christmas subsides helps me to relax a bit and dream of plans for next year ... where will I explore the freedom of the wilderness next?

Great Report Tom, reading it brought back so many great memories.

Bob.

couple more pics from our trip ...


Jake relaxing on Buck.


Jake looking for more Red Squirrels to tree.

Thanks for the comments Bob! Yeah at Dairy Queen when we got out my bill was around $20 bucks too. I got double AND triple cheeseburgers with a chocolate shake. :) We sure did burn some calories on this trip.

I also didn't mention in the report that I contracted Giardia about a week after coming out. It's my fault for being careless and not stopping to use my Steripen on the trail from Buck to Crab. All we had to drink from on that route was shallow lakes like Schlamm and Lunetta. I was skimming off the top and drinking while paddling the middle. I was more concerned with dehydration so really took in a lot from those lakes. Meanwhile my steripen could have been in my pocket instead of a pack. It's a mistake I'll never make again and I'm telling this story so others can learn from me. Getting giardia was terrible.

About Jake - my lasting impression is how friendly he is and also his dedication to reducing the red squirrel and mice population. :) You guys were great company.

Really enjoyed reading the report on your trip. This is one of my favorite photos from your trip, and I have a bit of a strange question....what do you call that "pullover" that you're wearing with the belt, and where can a guy get one? It looks so warm and comfortable and perfect and I'd like to look into adding one to my "wardrobe". Thanks

Thanks! That’s Bob in the pic. I’ll let him know about your question. I don’t know where he got that from.

SkiYee,

You have an email

Bob.

SkiYee,

You have an email

Bob.

Thanks for writing this up. Lots of good pictures of nice camp sites.

I think you may have caught one of the world's most aggressive bluegill on that lure. Looked like it was hooked in the lip to me.

Edited to add: How do you transport your eggs? Seems like you portaged many miles and didn't break any. I am pretty sure you weren't using a plastic egg container.