Sunday, September 20, 2009

Dogger and I left my house at 4am and couldn’t have been more excited for our first loop. This picture is from 3am and clearly I'm ready to go? One of our traditions has alway been filling a milk jug with beer but this time we choose red vino. Wind was out of the NE at 25 mph around 7am and we're to paddle up Big Sag? Cruising .3 mph past one of the outfitters opening for the day we decided to stop and hitch a ride to American Point. Sag had 2-3 foot rollers that about broke the hull of the john boat on the way out. Throttle was never past haft mast and we all got soaked. The Captain said this weather was just about his max in terms of what he was willing to go out in. Dropped off at the wind blown eastern side of the American Point and was forced by waves to portage it. After an unscheduled 2 rod portage we were gingerly paddling 7mph SW as we passed some paddlers going nowhere fast. After a large red gulp and cheersing the air I made a capping remark for thier groups day by explaining it was easier paddling downwind. One fellow looked like he would've shot me then and there but wasn't packin. Drifted to Hanson Lake early in the day, set up basecamp, then took a gander at Fish lake before sundown.

Saganaga Lake, Swamp Lake, Ottertrack Lake, Ester Lake, Hanson Lake, Link Lake, Gift Lake, Fish Lake