To those of you who single portage - the true masters of saving weight and maximizing pack storage..

I was wondering if one / any of you would be willing to provide a packing list in particular, but any tips and tricks of the trade would be appreciated.

Leave the chair at home. :-)

If you search the forums there are lots of packing lists and tips.

No real magic here. Mostly involves leaving things you don't need to be safe and reasonably comfortable at home. Extra's ounces have away of adding up to pounds in a hurry if your not careful. Anyway, I posted this list from a 3 day trip I took back in 2015. I'm reposting it now, because I'm lazy and don't want to type up a new list, but my list today is not much different. My base weight (pack weight without food, water and fuel) varies from trip to trip. It's generally around 8 to 8 1/2 pound, sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less. I have some relatively low weight items, but the real point is not buying new light "stuff", but rather the importance of leaving the excess gear at home if your primary interest is going lighter. Water adds about 2 pounds to my list and I find I usually end up with about 1.25 to 1.5 pounds of food per day. Some people take a little more, some a little less. If your walking out of the woods at the end of the trip with stuff you did not use and food you did not eat you might want to make adjustments next trip. Most important it to be safe and have fun! If you need more stuff to have fun, then you should take it. This is just the way I do it. Lots of other alternatives that work too.

I should also point out that I'm also a backpacker and use much of the same stuff for both canoeing and hiking. Sometimes I go a little lighter than this list and sometimes a little heavier. Just depends on my mood and obviously weather plays a role. I've used this list down to about 16 degrees F, but that's starting push it. Should really have a warmer sleeping pad for those temperatures.

Anyway here is a pretty typical list for a BWCA solo trip for me in either May or Septmember/October. Again, the list does not include food or water.
Also does not include canoe, paddles, yoke or clothing worn. Again, this was a short three day trip, but a longer trip would not see this list change much.

Clothing Carried
Stoic Down Jacket 6.50
Zpacks Rain Kilt 1.90
OR Rain Jacket 5.13
Terra Mar Silk Long Underwear 3.50
Liner gloves 1.00
Ice Breaker Socks 2.50
Mtn Hardware Beanie 0.75
Zpacks Dry Sack for Clothing 0.88
Camp Shoes (New balance Minimus) 8.90

Sub Total
21.28 oz.
1.33 lbs.
0.60 kg

Shelter
Zpacks Hexamid Solo Plus with Pole and 10 Ti Stakes 19.25
and Polycro Ground Sheet
Hammock Gear 20* Quilt 21.00 (3 oz over stuff)
Zpacks Dry Sack for Quilt 0.88
Thermarest Neoair Short 9.00




Sub Total
50.13 oz.
3.13 lbs.
1.42 kg

Packing
Granite Gear 3.5 Portage 18.00

Gossamer Gear Pack Liner 1.28

Sub Total
19.28 oz.
1.20 lbs.
0.55 kg

Misc
Compass Suunto M2 1.25
Mackenzie Maps – 2 3.00
Toilet Paper 0.75
Zebra Light H51 w/ AA Battery 3.00
First Aid Kit 2.00
Toiletries 3.50
Fire Kit Matches, Fire Starter, Mini Bic Lighter 1.50
3 one quart zip lock freezer bags 0.75
PLB 5.13
Sub Total
15.75 oz.
0.98 lbs.
0.45 kg

Kitchen
Two Water Bottles ½ Liter 1.75 (Recycled bottles)
Evernew 640 L with Fissure Stove with Esbit burner 5.75
Zpacks Food Bag 1.40
Sara's Food Cozy 1.13
Sea to Summit Long Ti Spoon 0.38
Aqua Mira and Pre Mix Bottle 1.88
Lite Load Towel 0.63
Pocket Knife 0.50
2 one gallon zip lock bags, one to hold kitchen misc and one for trash 0.75
Sub Total
13.40 oz.
0.84 lbs.
0.38 kg

Total Base Weight:

Total
119.83 oz.
7.49 lbs.
3.40 kg

I took my first canoe trip in Sept of 2015 in the BWCA, fully outfitted solo, and since that trip I have been buying my own gear with single portaging as a goal.
The conclusion that I have come to, for me, is that if I want to do a trip with fishing and hanging out at the same site for a few days, I will be double portaging. I just don't want to leave stuff behind that makes the trip more enjoyable to me. The good news is, this has resulted in 2 relatively light packs for me.
I have future trips in my mind where covering miles might be more important than fishing and longing in my chair around camp, and I hope to still attain the single portage on a trip like that.

Whoa........solo singling! That seems like it would be a tough road to hoe. I am currently engrossed on how to insure that I am only tripling ;-)

quote GoSpursGo: "To those of you who single portage - the true masters of saving weight and maximizing pack storage..

"

sorry, but your assumption is wrong

first you have to ask why you are single portaging, if it is to save time it will not always save time, it depends on the portage, nor do people who double portage necessarily do so because their packs are heavier

experience - the most valuable gear

really depends on your age, strength, physical condition, and real desire to single portage.
i have spent years loading packs, 37 to be exact, trying to figure how i could single portage. i gave up, even when i was younger.
there are too many comforts i enjoy on a canoe trip. risking injury was something i did not want to do.
the portage to me is such a big part of the trip. i enjoy the walk, as i spend so much time sitting , paddling.
this may , or not pertain to your question, but i challenge you to slow down, enjoy the view.
life is so much hustle, why rush a canoe trip? my thoughts.
oh, i have 2 packs and double portage, and love it!

I also figured out some time ago that double portaging wasn't feasible for me, but still have spent time and money reducing pack weight over the last 10 years and like gymcoachdon I now have lighter, smaller packs and an easier double portage even though I'm doing longer trips with 3x as many days of food.

I'd say that first you have to figure out what's the maximum load you can safely carry without increasing your risk of injury. Then you have to know what weight you're at now, so you know the amount of weight you have to drop. Is it feasible?

As stated, the obvious thing - the quickest and cheapest too - is simply to leave behind the things you don't really need. For example, I don't take a chair, a saw, an axe, a lantern, solar shower, etc. I dropped 5-6 pounds not fishing and leaving that gear behind. I dropped weight in camera gear and cases by getting a waterproof P&S that I carry in my pocket (attached to a lanyard around my neck since it doesn't float). I take a lot more pictures, too, since it's handier.

Beware of too much redundancy.

Food weight adds up on a 12-day trip. I saved a lot of weight by changing my food and cooking style. I take dehydrated breakfasts and dinners in minimal packaging that only need to have water added. Most of the breakfasts I eat now are cold breakfasts, so I need even less fuel. VIA coffee. Lunches are ProBar Meal bars and snacks are calorie-dense nuts. I now pretty well know the amounts I need to pack and come out with very little uneaten food. This should be your goal as already mentioned.

I eat the meals out of the bag, so there's nothing to clean but a spoon - licked clean and sanitized with a drop of hand sanitizer. Besides the spoon my "kitchen" consists of a food cozy, a mug for coffee, a small stove and pot (JetBoil Sol), and a small amount of fuel. I like the simplicity of my stove system, but there are even lighter ways of doing it.

I also saved weight and space by switching to Ursacks for food storage.

Leaving things behind and reducing food and "kitchen" will save you a lot of weight and pack space without costing much, if anything. Also take the smallest amount of sunscreen, bug repellent, etc. that is necessary in an appropriately sized container.

You can also save space by using compression stuff sacks for clothes and sleeping bag.

Now you're at the point where you begin to look at getting lighter things and the cost vs. benefit. How much weight can you save on shelter, sleeping bag, pad? Pack? Clothing items? As I've replaced these over the years, I've probably dropped 10-12 pounds.

I don't carry liters of water any more - just a Sawyer water filter bottle and Sawyer mini or squeeze system.

There are lots of even lighter ways of doing things - check out ultralight hiking blogs like Andrew Skurka's or Adventure Alan.

Good luck.

HappyHuskies, that is a very precise list of gear and weight! Well done.
I have given up on solo single portaging, although might still do so on an occasional very short flat portage.
About 5 years ago, fairly late in the fall, I fell up on a portage near Hurlburt Lake in the Quetico while single portaging. It was because I was taken with the beauty of the spot I was walking through--ended up looking at the scenery and not at the portage. But since I had not seen a soul for several days and I was not expecting to it got my attention.
Now I realize I am just not strong enough anymore to do it. It takes longer to double but it sure is a lot easier. Of course, I don't bring much.

There is also the point of trimming a solo canoe with a single pack. If you can carry a smaller pack within your main pack, and remove it to help with trim, then you are adding one more step to the portage process at each end.

If you look at the ultralight backpackers weights, I am sure that all of us would be capable of safely carrying that pack and our canoes in one trip. Most of them are only carrying a few days of food though, and have re-supply points on longer trips.

The fact that most of the trip the canoe is doing the carrying, I am ok carrying my 4-5 pounds of fishing gear, and my Helinox chair, etc., and double portaging.

It is the 1 mile plus portages, or the days with a dozen portages, that make me try for the single portage.

quote gymcoachdon: "There is also the point of trimming a solo canoe with a single pack. If you can carry a smaller pack within your main pack, and remove it to help with trim, then you are adding one more step to the portage process at each end.


If you look at the ultralight backpackers weights, I am sure that all of us would be capable of safely carrying that pack and our canoes in one trip. Most of them are only carrying a few days of food though, and have re-supply points on longer trips.


The fact that most of the trip the canoe is doing the carrying, I am ok carrying my 4-5 pounds of fishing gear, and my Helinox chair, etc., and double portaging.


It is the 1 mile plus portages, or the days with a dozen portages, that make me try for the single portage. "

gymcoachdon,

I wholeheartedly agree that most can single portage with ultralight pack load out. Not sure what you mean by only a few days worth of food though. I do not take month long trips in the BW, so if that is what you mean, then yes I agree with a month of food I'd need to double portage.

The longest solo trip I did last year was 10 days and my pack weight including food, fuel and water at the start was 24 pounds. A pretty reasonable weight to single portage with a lightweight canoe. I'm neither young or particularly fit and find that 14 days worth of food is about as much as I want to single portage. With a pack, canoe, 2 paddles, PFD, and yoke I'm at about 61 pound total with 14 days of food. Much more weight than that and it stops being fun.

Trimming the boat with a light pack is really easy with a sliding seat. No need for a second pack for counter balance in my experience.

Again, not trying to convince anyone they should single portage. Just responding to the OP that if a person wants to do it, it does not have to be either difficult or painful.

Not sure why I got a double post. My appologies.

I like to single portage when doing a day trip. I don't ever see me doing it otherwise. Not with my current 48 Lb. solo boat anyway.

quote TomT: "I like to single portage when doing a day trip. I don't ever see me doing it otherwise. Not with my current 48 Lb. solo boat anyway.


"

I agree. Day trip single portaging is what I do, but travel days I don't mind double portaging. It's still a canoe trip rather then a hiking trip in my opinion and why not take a bit more to make yourself comfortable. Again in my opinion if you push yourself and carry too much at once and take less things then, me personally, I'm not going to enjoy the trip as much. I've never done a solo yet (doing it in May) but trips in the past with brother in law this is what we do or even triple portage, but triple portages aren't as fun :-)
Mike

My full load for 2015 Quetico 10 day trip. total weight for both packs and contents 44 pounds with food, fuel, 3 quarts of water. Volume less than 5000 CI. Definitely not ultra or real lite gear, just careful choices. Some luxuries include Crazy Creek Hex chair, star charts, books, radio, and an MSR Dragonfly with 20 oz. of fuel.
I could do a single, and loose 4 pounds going to 1 pack. But will always double, that is my speed.

butthead

As well as battling weight one must battle bulk. Compression sacks (love the water proof compression sacks from Sea to Summit) for sleeping bag and clothes. Small light tent. My carry weight is probably on the high side; 80# + to start for seven days in the Q (including boat, paddles etc.

That being said I had some knee issues last summer and on my second Q trip I opted for putting about 20# into a CCS ruck sack for carrying with the canoe and toting two light loads. I have to say that I'd rather skip across the portage three times (twice with gear once without) than trudge once.

A week's worth of gear in the Q.

5 days on a backpacking trip is a shade over 30 lbs. For some reason, I can't get my canoe trip packs down to that weight. There's always too much fishing gear to take, I guess.

quote butthead: "
My full load for 2015 Quetico 10 day trip. total weight for both packs and contents 44 pounds with food, fuel, 3 quarts of water. Volume less than 5000 CI. Definitely not ultra or real lite gear, just careful choices. Some luxuries include Crazy Creek Hex chair, star charts, books, radio, and an MSR Dragonfly with 20 oz. of fuel.
I could do a single, and loose 4 pounds going to 1 pack. But will always double, that is my speed.


butthead"

hi ken, is the green pack an internal frame hiking pack. i have one as well, but it sit's higher on my shoulders when i carry my prism. i like it thought due to the extra storage.

quote HappyHuskies: "

quote gymcoachdon: "There is also the point of trimming a solo canoe with a single pack. If you can carry a smaller pack within your main pack, and remove it to help with trim, then you are adding one more step to the portage process at each end.



If you look at the ultralight backpackers weights, I am sure that all of us would be capable of safely carrying that pack and our canoes in one trip. Most of them are only carrying a few days of food though, and have re-supply points on longer trips.



The fact that most of the trip the canoe is doing the carrying, I am ok carrying my 4-5 pounds of fishing gear, and my Helinox chair, etc., and double portaging.



It is the 1 mile plus portages, or the days with a dozen portages, that make me try for the single portage. "

gymcoachdon,


I wholeheartedly agree that most can single portage with ultralight pack load out. Not sure what you mean by only a few days worth of food though. I do not take month long trips in the BW, so if that is what you mean, then yes I agree with a month of food I'd need to double portage.


The longest solo trip I did last year was 10 days and my pack weight including food, fuel and water at the start was 24 pounds. A pretty reasonable weight to single portage with a lightweight canoe. I'm neither young or particularly fit and find that 14 days worth of food is about as much as I want to single portage. With a pack, canoe, 2 paddles, PFD, and yoke I'm at about 61 pound total with 14 days of food. Much more weight than that and it stops being fun.


Trimming the boat with a light pack is really easy with a sliding seat. No need for a second pack for counter balance in my experience.


Again, not trying to convince anyone they should single portage. Just responding to the OP that if a person wants to do it, it does not have to be either difficult or painful.





"

Thanks for the additional information, HappyHuskies. I may never single portage, but lightening the load is a good thing given my current age and condition, coupled with the fact that I like to take longer trips (12 +/- days) where food weight is an issue. Late Sept/early Oct is my time frame.

I'm wondering what you're wearing/carrying during that same time period that's not included in the base weight list? I see you list a rain jacket and a rain kilt, but no rain pants . . . ? The weight for the rain jacket is very light - what model is it?

Do you wet foot or dry foot landings?

I'm also curious about stove fuel. You list the Fissure stove with Esbit burner, but no separate fuel weight - do you use wood?

Thanks.

quote bwcasolo: "hi ken, is the green pack an internal frame hiking pack. i have one as well, but it sit's higher on my shoulders when i carry my prism. i like it thought due to the extra storage."

Green is a Granite Gear Nimbus Trace 62, I have no intention of carrying a canoe with this pack. The rust colored pack, GG Nimbus Core is the pack I carry the canoe with, no height conflict.

butthead

quote butthead: "

quote bwcasolo: "hi ken, is the green pack an internal frame hiking pack. i have one as well, but it sit's higher on my shoulders when i carry my prism. i like it thought due to the extra storage."

Green is a Granite Gear Nimbus Trace 62, I have no intention of carrying a canoe with this pack. The rust colored pack, GG Nimbus Core is the pack I carry the canoe with, no height conflict.


butthead"

yep, i figured that. it's what i do as well, i like the way my kelty pawnee carries all my food, kitchen gear and misc. gear.
my canoe goes with my ggear quetico packed with sleeping gear.
enjoying a winter day going thru gear. enjoy.

when I first started tripping the guys I went with single portaged, two alumicrap canoes, a 80-90 pound food/cook/equipment pack, and a 60 pound personal gear pack. We rotated who the poor SOB was that had to carry the big pack. I swear I shrunk an inch every time I carried that pack and my back hurt and it usually took an hour or so before I could paddle normally again.
Why did we do it?
Because we thought you were supposed to. That's the way it is done. Double portaging was just wrong, if CJ didn't write it in his book, we didn't do it. Who were we to argue, and being in our 20's we could handle it. It wasn't until I started soloing that it occurred to me that you don't have to do a portage in one trip.

Generally I don't aim to single portage when traveling solo as I just find the added weight (of at least the older tandems I travel with weighing in the mid 50s) are just too heavy combined with my pack weight to be safe, comfortable or fun. I did try and did a few 1.5 trips on the longer portages (450, 290 rods) and did a few singles on 100 or less rods on the last day when food weight was down, but it wasn't the most enjoyable experience and a few creek crossings I had to do would have been dangerous, I think, trying them with a ~ 120 lb load. If you really want to do it a few tips I would suggest would be:

1) Try carrying everything at home to see what it feels like before loading up in the field
2) Don't hesitate to drop the pack and come back for it if it's too much. If you're wiped when you reach the end you'll spend just as much time resting as it would take you to go back for the pack
3) Food weight quickly adds up. Freeze dried food is a friend to your back-- though perhaps not to your gut, but hey, it's a solo trip
4) Next time I'm leaving the fishing gear at home. Fishing solo in a Canoe can be more of a chore than it's worth and fishing from shore sucks
5) Going solo means freedom to do what you like when you like, but also means doing all the camp chores. I'm generally, in a good way, exhausted by the end of the day as I like to move every day when I'm on my own. Hence it's important to me to have some creature comforts like my camp chair
6) Get as light of equipment as you can afford and/or upgrade to lighter gear when you can. Ounces do turn into pounds!

Here's pictures of what I took along on my aforementioned trip with a link to the trip report if you're interested.

Fall 2016 Solo

Quote " Thanks for the additional information, HappyHuskies. I may never single portage, but lightening the load is a good thing given my current age and condition, coupled with the fact that I like to take longer trips (12 +/- days) where food weight is an issue. Late Sept/early Oct is my time frame.

I'm wondering what you're wearing/carrying during that same time period that's not included in the base weight list? I see you list a rain jacket and a rain kilt, but no rain pants . . . ? The weight for the rain jacket is very light - what model is it?

Do you wet foot or dry foot landings?

I'm also curious about stove fuel. You list the Fissure stove with Esbit burner, but no separate fuel weight - do you use wood? "

Boonie,

Happy to answer a few question, but want to emphasize the what works for me may not work for others. Experience really is the best way to find this out. I posted my list only because the OP was curious what others pack and I had this list handy. It's also might be worth noting that I'm not a kid anymore. I'll turn 60 this year and find that weight makes more difference to me, particularly on long days with lots of portaging than when I was younger.

I take most of my trips in May and Sept/Oct (and early November if the weather allows). I live in the are, so don't have to plan to far ahead for my trips and don't have to drive far so short trips are often easiest for me to work in. Like I said in a previous post my longest trip last year was 10 days and I did several shorter trips. I've never done a trip longer than 3 week and I did double portage that time. I won't single portage when it's not (relatively) comfortable.

The rain jacket listed is a Rab Pulse Pull-on. It's a Pertex Shield+ 2.5 layer rain top that I've been using for 3 seasons now. Biggest drawback is that it is what I'd call a European cut, meaning its pretty form fitting. I'm not very big, so I can get a couple of layers under it, but I think someone stockier than I am might find the fit too tight.

When I take the rain kilt I don't take rain pants and when I take rain pants I don't take the kilt. The kilt is Cuben, very light and packs compactly, but only provides coverage to just below the knee. Most of the time I don't find this a problem as I wet foot when the water is not too cold. What is too cold. Well right after ice out is too cold for me to stand in the water with wet feet. Most of the year I use a pair of Teva Churns, Kind of like trail runners that drain quickly. I like them, but foot gear is a really personal choice.

When I want to keep my feet dry I use either muck boots that run to just below my knee or an old pair of Mukluks. I really prefer the Teva Churns though.

The Esbit burner I use now is a Brian Green Esbit Tray that I fabricated following his instructions. Really light at 1 gram and works better than the Gram Cracker Esbit tray I was using before (it weighed 3 grams). The weight difference is negligible, but the Brian Green Esbit Tray is more efficient allowing me to boil more water for the same amount of fuel.

Esbit weighs approximately 14 grams per cube. One cube is enough for me to rehydrate a meal and have a hot cup of coffee. I usually use one cube at breakfast and another at dinner. I sometime take a few 4 gram cubes too. They are not enough to boil water, but I can get a cup of water to just below a boil for a quick cup of coffee or hot chocolate between meals or for an extra cup with meals.

Esbit is probably not something I'd recommend to others. I have a love/hate relationship with it. Love the weight for short trips and the fact that their are no empty fuel bottles or canisters to carry out, but find it tricky to light in very windy conditions and it does leave a nasty residue on your pots. If weight is not important, it's a longer trip or I want less fiddle factor, I usually take a Micro Rocket canister stove.

I don't take wood burning stoves. I have a twig stove and have tried it, but it's not for me. After long day, when I'm tired it's just more fiddly than I care for. I know others swear by them and that's great, but it does not fit my personality.

This is getting pretty long winded, but I'll finish up with what I generally wear. I already mentioned the Teva Churns. I usually wear Darn Touch Micro Crews under them. Sometimes I'll use Drymax Lite 1/4 crew trail running socks instead. They're lighter, dry faster, but I don't find them as warm when wet.
If it's a cold trip I'll either wear a light pair of merino wool long johns or micro polyester long johns. I like the performance of merino, but the price polyester. Pants are usually Prana Zions and usually use a nylon web belt to hold them up.
My base layer top is usually merino blend. I like Kokatat rash guards, but other basic merino wool long sleeve crew neck t-shirts work for me too. If I expect warm temperatures I use a short sleeve merino t-shirt instead or even one of polyester. Over that I usually add a lightweight fleece. Hat of choice is a Headsweats ballcap. With the puffy in my pack this usually works for me down to about 20 degrees or even a little lower. I'll also sometimes throw in a wind shirt. Very light and breathes better than rain gear. Adds a lot a warmth when it's breezy for only another 4 ounces or so.

Again this is what works for me. You've been paddling a long time and know what works for you and the kind of trips you take. I do like to see what others are using and like trying a new technique or piece of gear that others have had good luck with.

The place I could still trim some weight that would really make a difference would be lighter paddles. My paddles are not junk, but date from the 80's and are wood. Some of the current light composites look very, very tempting. If I buy any gear this year that is what I'll be looking into. Any suggestions?

HH

Happy Huskies, not able to recommend a specific paddle as there are too many variables, but going to a lighter paddle is really a great investment. Think not only weight, but repetition.
I will probably stay with the double portage other than day trips. Dropping weight has been a focus and threads like this help me look at other ways. Food and cooking drops have been significant, but I still like a couple comfort items so likely never will get to potential. It is vacation anyway, not some competition anymore.

quote bhouse46: "Happy Huskies, not able to recommend a specific paddle as there are too many variables, but going to a lighter paddle is really a great investment. Think not only weight, but repetition.
I will probably stay with the double portage other than day trips. Dropping weight has been a focus and threads like this help me look at other ways. Food and cooking drops have been significant, but I still like a couple comfort items so likely never will get to potential. It is vacation anyway, not some competition anymore. "

Thanks. I understand the issues with recommending a specific paddle. I have used an Epic carbon fiber kayak paddle for the last 10 years, so understand the advantages a lighter paddle makes at the end of the day. Only use it for my kayak though. Would be looking for a bent shaft canoe paddle for the Magic. So many choices though that it is confusing and they're spendy enough that I don't want to make too many mistakes ;) I have made plenty of mistakes over the years and it shows in the amount of equipment gathering dust on the shelf!

I agree whole heartedly about it not being a competition. We go to have fun and that should remain the bottom line.

quote HappyHuskies: "Quote "
The place I could still trim some weight that would really make a difference would be lighter paddles. My paddles are not junk, but date from the 80's and are wood. Some of the current light composites look very, very tempting. If I buy any gear this year that is what I'll be looking into. Any suggestions?
HH"

I used wood from '82 to 2015. I bought a Zaveral Rec carbon bent shaft for my 2016 solo and was amazed at the difference. It was pure pleasure to paddle for hours and hours. I would switch to my Bending Branches straight shaft wood paddle for small streams where I would be poling and the difference in weight was just so apparent. The wood felt like a war club and I kicked myself for not making the change years ago.

At about $225 it's not cheap but I will only be using the wood for poling from now on. Best investment I've made in a long time.

There have been books written on the subject of lightening the pack load. Look to the through-hikers and the backpacking world for insight. When I solo, I pack to single portage but I only single portage about 30 percent of my portages. It depends on the portage difficulty and length and conditions. What I'm saying is even if you're capable of single protaging, it isn't always the smartest move. With that disclaimer, the single biggest change I made to lighten the load was to switch to an alcohol stove and ultralight foods.

I enjoy single portaging. It is not necessary, nor is it for everybody or every kind of trip. But when soloing I like the efficiency of travel, and the simplicity of just not carrying that much stuff. It can be a fun challenge to try a solo single portage, and it can be very different if you are used to heavier trips.

One thing I find helpful is to stow canoe-specific items on the canoe itself instead of in the pack. Fishing pole/painter lines/pfd/seat/mapcase/compass/paddle/spare paddle ALL have a place on/in the canoe. (also sometimes have my raingear/sweater/tackle in a stuff sack beneath the seat). It adds ~8 lbs to the boat weight, which ultimately is carried on your shoulders, but it is helpful to manage some of the bulk/loose items that are nice to have quick at hand while in the boat. The other caveat is that you need to securely fasten things so they don't fall off or snag on trees.

As for a specific pack list, I can offer a screenshot of a spreadsheet I made for a fall solo.

Pack lists are going to be highly tailored to the individual, but I think the exercise of weighing absolutely everything on a scale and listing it out really helps teach you where the weight is and where you can get lighter.

quote TomT:
I used wood from '82 to 2015. I bought a Zaveral Rec carbon bent shaft for my 2016 solo and was amazed at the difference. It was pure pleasure to paddle for hours and hours. I would switch to my Bending Branches straight shaft wood paddle for small streams where I would be poling and the difference in weight was just so apparent. The wood felt like a war club and I kicked myself for not making the change years ago.


At about $225 it's not cheap but I will only be using the wood for poling from now on. Best investment I've made in a long time.
"

TomT,

Thanks for the recommendation. I've seen a lot of nice comments on Zaveral paddles, but have not really looked at them closely. Went over to their website after seeing your post and they look very nice. It says on their site that Red Rock is a dealer. Hmm, they're in the neighborhood ... might have to check them out.

Anyway, noticed they make a dizzying array of paddles. Some at prices to rich for me, but others that I would consider. So, I know you have the Rec paddle. Any idea how it compares to the Medium Flatwater paddle? The price is not too much different if comparing to the Rec paddle with Carbon Grips. Do you or someone else know where they get too light to be practical for touring, i.e. to fragile for touring? Still window shopping right now, but thinking this would be a really nice change to make this year. Saving weight on the one item that spends the most time in my hands seems to make a lot of sense.

Thanks again.

HH

Muddy Feet,

Nice list! A lot of comfort for a very reasonable pack size and weight. Well done!

quote HappyHuskies: "

quote TomT:
I used wood from '82 to 2015. I bought a Zaveral Rec carbon bent shaft for my 2016 solo and was amazed at the difference. It was pure pleasure to paddle for hours and hours. I would switch to my Bending Branches straight shaft wood paddle for small streams where I would be poling and the difference in weight was just so apparent. The wood felt like a war club and I kicked myself for not making the change years ago.



At about $225 it's not cheap but I will only be using the wood for poling from now on. Best investment I've made in a long time.
"

TomT,


Thanks for the recommendation. I've seen a lot of nice comments on Zaveral paddles, but have not really looked at them closely. Went over to their website after seeing your post and they look very nice. It says on their site that Red Rock is a dealer. Hmm, they're in the neighborhood ... might have to check them out.


Anyway, noticed they make a dizzying array of paddles. Some at prices to rich for me, but others that I would consider. So, I know you have the Rec paddle. Any idea how it compares to the Medium Flatwater paddle? The price is not too much different if comparing to the Rec paddle with Carbon Grips. Do you or someone else know where they get too light to be practical for touring, i.e. to fragile for touring? Still window shopping right now, but thinking this would be a really nice change to make this year. Saving weight on the one item that spends the most time in my hands seems to make a lot of sense.
Thanks again.
HH"

There are many more people here with experience using Zav paddles. I'm a newbie in the carbon paddle area. Banksiana is a guy to talk with among others. Maybe start a new thread?

I bought a "Power Surge Light" (12.5 degree bent) in 2012 (8oz). I have had no problems with durability and I use it a great deal (3-5 q trips a year and constant day paddles in and around the b-dub- home is on the Echo Trail). I bought another in 2013 because I took my brother on a trip and didn't think I could bear the grief I would get if he felt the difference between the Zav and my previously prized wooden war-club. I would claim that the 8oz ZRE paddle is the single best piece of gear (and best investment dollar for dollar) I've purchased. Not only does it reduce fatigue and increase efficiency in paddling, the feedback it provides has made me a much better paddler. Saved a few bucks buying "blemished" units, though I could not find the mark.

quote HappyHuskies: "Muddy Feet,


Nice list! A lot of comfort for a very reasonable pack size and weight. Well done!"

Thanks. Preferred weight seems to be a pretty individual thing, I guess. My limit for a single portage is about 75lbs. (Everything). Any heavier and it is not fun/worth it for me. Depending on trip length (food/fuel requirements) ill fill the pack with additional creature comforts to total weight about 60-65lbs. That seems to be the sweet spot for me!

When i'm able to drop weight from the list I tend backfill it with other things, though. For instance: I changed to a sawyer squeeze filter and light Gatorade bottle for water; So then I can bring a UCO candle lantern and a few extra oz of rye! BAM- the trip just got that much better, but portage weight stays the same.

Banksiana and TomT,

First, I'll take TomT's suggestion and make this my last post on this thread on paddles. It really is off topic and a hijack of the OP's thread, so I'll stop here.

Thank you both for sharing your experiences with Zaveral paddles. In reading your replies and searching for other posts on the topic, it seems that almost everyone has positive things to say about these paddles. Given Banksiana's experience with an 8 oz paddle I'm no longer worried about them being too fragile if used as a paddle and not a pry bar. Now I just have to decide how light I'm willing to pay for:).

Thanks again.

HH

HH the pain of paying $300 for a paddle dissipates rapidly on the water!

the straight is under 10oz. Z Lites.

butthead

My secret to solo single portaging is being 21 years old!

quote BlueSkiesWI: "My secret to solo single portaging is being 21 years old! "

Yep, that is clearly the number one reason to single portage!
Now at 65 that is the number one reason to double....................
Regardless of age, the lesson is just keep on going. I remember 30-40 years ago somewhere in the middle of the Quetico we ran across what at the time seemed to be a very ancient couple. We chatted for just a few minutes as we passed their campsite. They said they made four trips across each portage, each carrying small loads. I remember the guy said as we paddled off "it is hard but it is worth it." Funny, all these years later I remember his wisdom.

quote GraniteCliffs: "

quote BlueSkiesWI: "My secret to solo single portaging is being 21 years old! "

Yep, that is clearly the number one reason to single portage!
Now at 65 that is the number one reason to double....................
Regardless of age, the lesson is just keep on going. I remember 30-40 years ago somewhere in the middle of the Quetico we ran across what at the time seemed to be a very ancient couple. We chatted for just a few minutes as we passed their campsite. They said they made four trips across each portage, each carrying small loads. I remember the guy said as we paddled off "it is hard but it is worth it." Funny, all these years later I remember his wisdom."

I'm with you there, Granite Cliffs. I'm 66 and I triple portage (okay, so I bring boxed wine - I really like it at the end of the day!) I just move slowly and get 'er done. When I was a Boy Scout back in the 60's we single portaged (Grumman canoes and heavy stuff) but I remember not being overly fond of it back then, even with a young body.

I guess we all do what works for the same end result - enjoying the fabulous wilderness!

Dave

I've been using these unique portage goats on my travels in Ak.
When I return to MN I would be willing to lend them to anyone if the need arises.
My number is 8675-309 ;-)

Yeah, just based on the thread title; Don't do it!

i'm sure it is possible to do,not sure i would want to single portage on most portages. they aren't that bad usually.
in algonquin . the bonfield dixon portage is 3.5 miles one way.

if you plan no extra on your meals.
plan that last portage at the end of your trip.
drop your tent in favor of a hammock and tarp or just a solo size tent and no tarp
minimal bear rope.
go with a 200 gram isotype stove, no extra/ then use a fire , when possible.
iodine tabs instead of a filter.
swiss pocket knife.
mostly dried meals at the end.
titanium 700-900 ML pot.
strip your cook kit all the way down.
the best ultra lite canoe.
granite gear bag.
o fishing kit
1 pair of shoes on your feet , w/ 1 change of socks and as long as its short s and t shirts.

months of strength conditioning and distance hiking.

i am positive you could do it. i have seen guys do this portage solo. it may take you awhile. but you can do it.

when in doubt toss it out and it helps to be a seasoned camper/paddler.

I just did my first solo and single portages. For me, the trick is to take the things you must have and leave everything else. I just got back from a 5 day solo and my pack weighed 50 lbs at the start, seems heavy, but my canoe only weighs 25 lbs. It was not difficult at all hauling that weight over portages around a mile with a short break in the middle. I don't regret it at all.

2 person tent w/ innie
Sleeping bag and pad
Camp chair
Water filter
Fishing kit (pack rod and small tackle bag)
Clothes
3 Nalgene bottles
Emergency/fire/rope bag
Food barrel
Cook kit/utensils/fuel
Mess kit (plate,bowl/cup)
Saw?- I didn't use mine
Hat/sunglasses/multitool- on person
TP/bug juice/sunscreen
Rain gear
Extra shoes

Paddle
Yoke
PFD

That's all I brought. Single portaged easy. Had some stuff in a big stuff sack inside the pack just in case I needed to put something in the bow to trim the canoe, but I ended up not needing it. Hope this helps.

Remember, everyone's preferences are different and the beauty of soloing (amongst other things) is that you don't have to take anyone else's preferences into consideration. Comparison is the thief of joy. Paddle on!

Nice list, Anthony. That's about what I bring, give or take. I also single portage on (almost) all my trips--both solo and tandems--and I never want for gear.

Mind if I ask why three Nalgenes? I've started using the Sawyer 64 oz. "squeezable pouches," and they work fantastic. Or do you just fill two with whiskey? :)

I have never made a portage in less than two trips. However there may be something I have over looked.