We were a group of six males, three in their 20s, two in their 50s, and one 70 year old. Two of the party had never been in the BWCA before or done much camping at all. The members had varying physical strength and capability levels, but everyone had a great attitude, and gave their best effort. Nobody slacked off or complained. We traveled in three 18.5 Alumnacraft canoes, about 75 lbs. each, and our food, clothing, and gear filled six large portage packs, probably about 60 lb. average weight. The slower two portagers did not do double trips, but the rest of us did two trips on all the portages. We got our packs and canoes unloaded quickly at the landings, and were efficient in our portaging. On June 14, 2013, we left Indianapolis, IN around 6:15 a.m. EST, with four of our members, and met up with two more members in Champaign, IL at 8:30 a.m. CST. We took two vehicles from there and arrived in Ely, MN about 7:30 p.m. after a couple of short meal stops en route. We picked up our permits from Voyageur North Outfitters and then went to a United Methodist Church canoe co-op supply shack to pick out our tents, packs, canoes, canoe trailer, paddles and PFDs. The rest of the gear (dry bags, tarps, ropes, water filters, water bottles, tent floor liners, sleeping bags and pads, food, stove, fuel, cookware, Sierra cups, eating utensils, hatchet, saw, first aid kit, etc.) we brought ourselves. We spent the night in one of the nice bunkhouse apartments at Voyageur North. Before retiring for the night, we packed up six portage packs with our food and gear, all ready for loading up the next morning.