**Just cutting and pasting my own OT post in a previous thread here**

Hey folks,

Just thought I'd update you on my trip -- I'm out early--- couldn't get through the southern portage out of Murdoch. Portage was completely gone (matchstick blowdowns, obscured trail by thickets, etc.)

Had an interesting conversation with Harlan when I got out.

We scratched our heads looking at the map and talked through my attempts to wade the creek/bog trot into the bushes, scramble over the blowdowns, etc. but finally we got the definitive word from a pilot (Viking air) who wondered into the shop. The park had just sent out a crew that was cutting the 575m portage out of Murdoch that day (Tuesday).

I actually passed this tandem on the Bloodvein between Murdoch and Knox on my way back out.

While I'm thinking of it, the Knox portage is one to be avoided. The bog/mud pits that make up the first 1/3 of the trail are lined on both sides by thick forest impenetrable undergrowth and stunted pine. It's a back-breaking, ankle-twisting canoe-drag at the moment. Taking a portage pack across it is an ankle-breaking hop or knee-deep posthole that is exhausting. I think that stretch took me 2 hours to get through while the rest of the 1500m trail (about 1000m) took me 15 minutes to finish each carry.

I was throwing branches down and dragging cut logs out of the forest just to have some semblance of corduroy stepping logs for foot placement.

Anyway, everyone was probably already of this but just thought I'd let you all know...I have pics :)

After fighting the mud section with my food pack I left my tent pack in the canoe a drug it through there with my painter rope. Worked well. I think the portage out of Lund is longer than the 2/3rds of a mile listed. When I go back I think it will be through Onnie.

Our experience with the Knox portage last July was let's call it...difficult. We made it but it was mentally tough and physically tough. We had to double portage too and that was definitely tough and a long morning. It was basically a swamp up to my thighs. The upside to the portage is that anything else seems POSSIBLE! :)