I will be 80 on my next trip this year. I have an ICD (Bi-ventricular pacemaker with defibrillator), implanted in July 2018. I had an ablation last year and will have another next month. Also, my cardiologist indicates that I have had, at least, one episode of Afib.

My last trip was in 2020 (did a trip in 2019 also) and I carried my personal gear doing a single portage and then waited for the others to finish portaging the remainder of the gear. This trip is with one other fellow (he would have to double portage or, maybe, triple portage, and I do not like for him to have to do that). This would be a five day trip with base camping on Horse. My cardiologist's response has been to do what you feel like doing, just don't overdo it.

The question I am asking is EP23 (a September trip - Mudro to Horse and back) too much for this guy to do? Are the portages too strenuous?

The two shorter portages from Mudro to Fourtown are just about the rockiest i have been on, treacherous footing. A fall at your age(or any age) can definitely be a problem. The longer portage has a reputation and honestly when I took it I didn't think it was as bad as advertised - but still plenty challenging.

So to answer your question I guess I would have to say that there are many easier, more user friendly entries that would probably be more enjoyable and less risky.

As an aside, if you are set on Mudro and have not reserved a permit yet i think you will find slim pickings, if any at all. Permit reservations opened this morning and Mudro is one of the most sought after permits. There probably aren't a lot left unless you are really flexible with dates.

Homer Lake entry could get you what you want, much less busy and easy short portages in. Good fishing and daytrips for exploration. I bet there's permits left.

Lizz Lake entry via Poplar would be another good one. Easy portages, good fishing and scenery, lots of Moose sightings. Also a pretty busy route but if you can get a nice site on Horseshoe it could be good.

John Lake entry, only one permit per day. One easy peasy portage you might not even have to take. Explore the Royal River and daytrip over to East Pike. Nice campsites.

Baker lake entry, easy short portages to Kelly, or head up to Jack. Good fishing, good likelihood of moose sightings. Long stretches of river like paddling on Kelly and Jack. Nice area. At the north end of the Kelly to Jack Lake there is a short side trail that will bring you to an old abandoned gold mine you an go in a ways, Kind of neat. Lots of artifacts lying around.

If it is Mudro or bust, good luck to you, you will likely be fine. You don't have to work that hard though.

The three portages along Mudro-Sandpit-Tin Can Mike-Horse are all well maintained. Mudro to Sandpit is downhill and of average difficulty. The other two are mostly flat/level and easy. This route is not at all difficult, I would say easy to average for the BWCA. That's the route I would take to get onto Horse, regardless of any situation or limitation. I think your partner wouldn't have any issues double or triple portaging that stretch.

Some would say this route is a highway. Most of the people taking this route are headed to Horse (base camping) or up to Lower Basswood Falls (arriving Day 1) to get onto Crooked.

If you want to get more details on each portage click on the links below:

Mudro to Sandpit portage

Sandpit to Tin Can Mike portage

Tin Can Mike to Horse portage

I agree with Plander. Can't really say much other then the portage from Sandpit to Tin Can Mike Lake used to be a railroad bed, so it is real nice and flat. The portage from Tin Can Mike to Horse is real easy and wide if I remember because of all the logging. The only problem with that route is the portage from Mudro to Sandpit. Some say it is steep, and it is, but I think that is also because of it being the first or last portage of a trip and that can skew perception to the more extreme.

I recall them as more rocky than strenuous. We are going back in that way in August, and those portages make me worry more about my ankles than my heart.

lindylair: "The two shorter portages from Mudro to Fourtown are just about the rockiest i have been on, treacherous footing. A fall at your age(or any age) can definitely be a problem. The longer portage has a reputation and honestly when I took it I didn't think it was as bad as advertised - but still plenty challenging.

If it is Mudro or bust, good luck to you, you will likely be fine. You don't have to work that hard though. "

Not necessary to hit Fourtown on your way to Horse. From Mudro, go through Sandpit and Tin Can, both are easy going. Well traveled and smaller lakes should help you with wind too. Horse would be a good pick.

We have the permit for EP23

Everyone's perception is going to be different. The first time I did this route was August 2020. I was 43 years old, and, as a egress window installer, in good shape at 5' 11" and 175#. Not an athlete by any means, but someone who works a physical job for 8-10 hours a day. I mention this because it was a kids trip, which means more gear and helping out.

On the way out it was hot and humid. The portage from Sandpit to Mudro, although short, was brutally steep to me. All three dads struggled with the canoe up the rather steep, steady incline. I did this portage in October of the same year and it was hardly a problem for any of us.

Like all wilderness trips, I think the key is flexibility. If you could plan seven days instead of five, you would not feel rushed and could stay on Sandpit or Tin Can Mike if you or your partner get tired. I would highly encourage you to take this route as Horse Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes I have stayed on.

One thing to consider is that even if you get a permit, Horse might be full, as happened to me. If you are making the push in one day and get there late with all the sites full, there aren't many good options.

In 2019, heading through Fourtown, Picket Creek was so high we put the canoes in right at the entry point. In August of 2020 we had to portage a long way, in October of 2020, we had to get out and walk the last half of the Creek. That's what makes wilderness trips so special, three different experiences in the same location.

I agree with Lindylair if you go through Fourtown to get to Horse. I did a solo last year from Mudro to Fourtown. I departed in a misty rain that made all the rocks dangerously slippery. I fell three times between Mudro and Fourtown once very dangerously down the steep and slippery face of a large rock. My legs took a severe beating (I have pictures to prove it.) Worse was how scared I felt. I became more tentative on portages which actually might have made things worse.

Anyway. Sandpit to Tin Can Mike will mediate this possibility as others have said.

Mike

There's no reason to use the Mudro-Fourtown portages. They are nasty...but you won't see them.

I think your EP23 is fine. And be glad you got one! They go fast.

As mentioned, the portages are pretty short and only one has a hill. Take your time and it'll be fine. How fit is the other guy? Take a PLB or InReach type thing (buy or rent one) and then if something disastrous happens to either of you, there is hope

I went into Mudro last June solo. After hearing the horror stories of the portage into Fourtown I just stayed on Mudro for 3 - 4 days. Having CLL and bleeding issues I felt this was the thing to do, beside my daughter builds up the guilt factor about going alone.
My choice for entry points out of Ely would be Moose up to Ensign, in September there should available campsites. I would also favor Lake One, short easy portages all the way to Lake Four. You can also go down the Kawishiwi river for a ways with short portages. I have also use Fall lake. The portages are about a 100 rods and way better than most of county road I drive in Northern MN and ND.
I have made some changes in my tripping lately. I use a whitewater helmet when portaging and when running moderate whitewater. I also use a walking sticks on the portages, may not be able to use them portaging the canoe but will reduce some of the risk. The walking sticks will also work good for poles on the low side of my bug tarp. I carry a Spot communicator which I think is necessary for someone tripping at my age.
One of the things I think about is that if something happens someone is going to have to haul me out or drag my body out or I would create a big expensive rescue mission.
Age and health changes thing. When Barbara was still living because of her health we first went on trips with several portages with then trips across the lake or around the corner and finally to a travel trailer trip to one of the National campgrounds.
I won’t quit but will just keep modify my trips to my abilities.

Wishing for you a good enjoyable safe trip!
Carl

Yes... have a great trip. I just hope I’m around in ten years to see what you ask about what a 90 year old should consider. Getting to Horse shouldn’t be too big of a problem.

My canoeing partner will be 55 and we have an In-Reach.

How would this work out: Mudro to Sandpit to Tin Can Mike to Horse? It looks like our biggest concern would be LOW water level going in.

I like the idea of trekking poles. That would give me more stability on the portages, especially, if wet. Never have taken them before, of course, never needed them.

flytyer: "How would this work out: Mudro to Sandpit to Tin Can Mike to Horse? It looks like our biggest concern would be LOW water level going in."

That's it. Picket Creek to Mudro, Sandpit, Tin Can Mike, Horse.

If you are carrying only the packs, I can see using trekking poles if that's what you use on other hikes. Carrying a canoe, they wouldn't be that easy to use. I never could get used to using them on any hike.

My wife uses one trekking pole with a big pack on her back and a daypack in her other hand. She definitely likes it and sometimes uses them on hillier hikes around here.

It is harder to see how to use a pole with a canoe but might be possible if you use a bow to stern rope to control the tilt of the canoe and then use one pole in the other hand. With that hand through the pole's strap, you could still reach up to reach the canoe if necessary.

I believe he stated in the original post he just carries his personal gear, his tripping partner will get the canoe.

I was first introduced to trekking poles on our 2012 trip with HoHo and David. I was reluctant to give in to using them, and David loaned me his, sort of "insisting" that I try them. On that trip I only carried my camera gear backpack on the portages and I used the poles for the first time. I found them to be really good for helping with balance, especially if a portage was rocky and the footing was treacherous. They were especially helpful on the biffy trails, which can often be steep and rocky. I use them to this day when I am hiking a trail that is unfamiliar, or has difficult footing.

Cannot imagine using poles when portaging a canoe, but could easily use them with one large pack on the back.

My advice would be to get a set and begin to become comfortable with them. You have to set the length and learn how to use them, not like a cane to take weight off the joints, but just as an aid to balance and stability. Mine are lightweight and they collapse into a shorter length for storage (or for sliding into the canoe.)

With your heart issues you will need to listen to your body and as your doctor said, not overdo. But carrying a small personal pack and using poles should help a great deal.

Per Spartan2 trekking poles are a great idea. I have them for thru hiking. A buddy of mine recovering from hip replacement surgery brought his in 2020 for a 5 night BWCA trip, very helpful for him (and me).

If you buy some, get a well made pair that collapses. Carbon is the preferred material for the pole. They have lots of options at REI. My personal preference is Black Diamond with cork grips. That said, rodents can chew on the cork when left out; they must like the salt/sweat that absorbs into them.

Mine are REI Traverse 7075. Carbon fiber poles, cork grips. I have really liked them. I had another pair before that had lights in the handles and they were a good pair, too, but they were stolen out of our garage. I never found the lights very useful anyway.