Saturday, March 10, 2012 High temp 55F!, Low temp 25F
Slept in a bit this morning (unintentionally). After a quick breakfast and some packing I stepped out of my tent to do some fishing. Lots of company on the lake today. Back to my favorite steep break which is now right in the midst of deep slush. Got a few more fish including my second keeper just before noon so I decided it was time to pack up and head for home.
The warm temps and SUN made breaking down camp unusually comfortable and pleasant. Packed up the toboggan, strapped on my snowshoes (crampons required for the portage) and started working back toward the trail. Spoke with a couple fishermen along the way. Everyone else seemed to be fishing shallower than I was-but they weren’t having any more success.
The portage was busy and I had to “pull over” a few times just to let sleds by. But I made it back to my car in one piece. The road and parking lot are now mud and I am guessing with the forecast warm weather the portages will soon be the same.
On my way back to Grand Marais encountered a bunch of parked vehicles, more snowmobiles, a few dog sled teams and lots of pink! Turns out the Mush for the Cure breast cancer fundraiser was finishing at the Trail Center. I had heard good things about their malts and burgers so I decided what better time to stop and see for myself. Quite the festive atmosphere and nice folks! A cool way to reassimilate into society after a couple nights of (relative) solitude.
Gear list
Black River Snowwalker Toboggan 11' DIY tank for three duffels (to be added DIY “glove box” for small item and rope storage)

Rubbermaid action packer/food box 4L Olicamp SS pot Insulated coffee mug Snowpeak 900ml titanium mug Primus butane stove and canister fuel Eating utensils Pot gripper Biodegradeable soap Hand sanitizer Nalgene growler beer 2 Nalgene 1L water bottles 2 Insulated water bottle jackets Fire starting kit Lantern AA Extra batteries Tea light candles Rope Wire Paper towels

Duffel 1 (32" Black River) Snowtrekker EXP Crew 8x10 tent 9x5 truck tarp floor Ice screws (x10)

Small Snowtrekker stove w/ nesting stove pipe false floor packed with small pieces of wood for fire starting (to be added Tee for end of stovepipe)

Duffel 2 (24" ECW) Thermarest Z-rest Exped 9 downmat Marcum LX5 Extra 12V battery Down booties

Duffel 3 (20" ECW) Western Mountaineering Big Horn -25 sleeping bag (since renamed Puma) Sea-to-Summit Event Waterproof Compression sack (size XL) Western Mountaineering down pillow Granite Gear Event rolltop dry bag (size med) for clothes: Extra clothes-underwear, long underwear, long sleeve top, socks, mitten liners

Conover pack (48") Granite Gear Event rolltop dry bag (size med) for quick access clothing: Montbell Frost Line Down Jacket, winter cap, vest Husquavarna 26" axe Irwin Marathon 15" hand saw with sheath MSR Lightning snowshoe tails Gauntlet mitts with wool liners Leather choppers with wool liners Black work gloves for fishing Fire work gloves Frabill thermal tip up 2 ice fishing rods Tackle box

Granite Gear fanny pack Emergency first starting kit Gerber multitool Compass Fishing line clipper First aid kit Sam splint Vet wrap Emergency bivy Keys

clothes worn underwear long underwear ("polar weight") long sleeve top "polar weight" fleece long sleeve tee Wool button up shirt Cotton anorak Filson Mackinaw pants and suspenders Smartwool socks-2 pairs Sorel Intrepid Explorer boots MSR Lightning Ascent 30" Snowshoes