|
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: More than I can chew?
|
| Author | Message Text | ||
| mr.barley |
|
||
| ducks |
quote outsidej: "I ended up having to call SR to try and locate a Q16. They connected me with Hungry Jack. Is that the outfitter you knew about, ducks? ... Thanks for the well wishes, Hans. It's been a decade since I've done that route from Gabi to Round. I remember the stretch between Gillis and Round as long and muddy. I'm definitely leaning towards backtracking, especially considering the length of the trip. ... Thanks again to everybody for their insight." Yep, that's the one. I've only heard good things about them as an outfitter. They have it listed on their website as a tandem price for renting it which is quite a bit more than the price for renting a solo. I may contact them to see if they charge less if using it as a solo. As of now I'm thinking of entering in the Sawbill area because Sawbill rents the SR Q16 for over $10 less a day. Have a great trip! |
||
| ducks |
|
||
| ozarkpaddler |
quote outsidej: "I ended up having to call SR to try and locate a Q16. They connected me with Hungry Jack. Is that the outfitter you knew about, ducks? ... Thanks for the well wishes, Hans. It's been a decade since I've done that route from Gabi to Round. I remember the stretch between Gillis and Round as long and muddy. I'm definitely leaning towards backtracking, especially considering the length of the trip. ... Thanks again to everybody for their insight." As For HJO and the Q-16, both good. I haven't had need of an outfitter for years, but Dave and Nancy at HJO are great folks and their gear and food top notch; the best outfitters I've used. I used to own a Q-16. Paddled it solo almost as much as tandem. By paddling with the canoe turned around from the bow seat, and putting most of your gear up front you'll have no trouble trimming your canoe. Personally, if I'm day tripping away from camp, I put the food pack in. Make sure you have some weight in the front to give you some ballast when not fully loaded. |
||
| billconner |
But the Q16 is very stabile - keep load weight low and be extra smart and don't give into a I have to get to moment at the wrong time. |
||
| ducks |
|
||
| outsidej |
|
||
| yellowcanoe |
May is wind time. I am not necessarily a fan of long skinny wind funnelling lakes, but big ones are not a good idea either. I prefer ones with islands (aka hidey places). I live on a long skinny lake between two hills and the wind funnels something fierce when its windless elsewhere. My ruling monarch is that little voice in my head. On a solo you can obey its honesty. |
||
| SourisMan |
|
||
| outsidej |
|
||
| HansSolo |
quote outsidej: "Hans, the initial idea was to backtrack, and I'm guessing that's what I'll stick to. But have toyed with the idea of the loop. I know from first-hand experience that Gillis can be a bear, too." You are correct Sir! Although the portages between Gillis Lake and Brandt Lake are not that long, they can be can be steep and slippery in places. Plus, most of those lakes are not particularly attractive either. If I remember correctly, Gotter Lake was voted the "ugliest" lake in the BWCAW recently. Regardless of what you ultimately decide to do, have a safe and enjoyable trip and I hope your stringer is filled with Trout! :-) Hans Solo |
||
| Mort |
You might want to check out my trip report at: Mort "Off my Bucket List" 08/29/2012 52 - Brant Lake |
||
| outsidej |
|
||
| SevenofNine |
|
||
| kanoes |
|
||
| outsidej |
|
||
| HansSolo |
quote kanoes: "huge lakes are fine, you just have to be sensible." Agreed! As big lakes go, Tuscarora Lake is not THAT big. That being said, there's still potential for sizable waves and whitecaps on Tuscarora Lake. Been there, done that! Due to the fact you're going in May, the water and air temps are a concern, especially the way this spring is going. At least you'll be portaging into a fairly protected bay. There's a campsite, (#542), a short distance from the end of the portage'. Making camp at campsite #542 will spare you from heading out into the main body of the lake if wind and wave conditions are less than favorable. The 366 rod Portage' from Missing Link to Tuscarora Lake is not that bad, just longer than most. At least you'll be portaging in the "easy" direction. The last 100 rods or so is gradually downhill, when coming from Missing Link Lake. So that begs the question, are you backtracking from Tuscarora Lake, or will you be doing a loop back through Crooked-Gillis-Gotter-Brandt, and then back to Round Lake? Hans Solo |
||
| BearBrown |
I wouldnt worry about the portage too much. I did a 280 rod and a 310 rod portage nearly back to back on my solo last fall. Just take your time. I liked leapfrogging my gear on the long portages. i would go about 100 rods, drop my gear, then go 150 rods, drop my stuff and go back and did it this way. That way I was never more than about 100 rods away from my gear or food pack and it gave me more short breaks. |
||
| outsidej |
|
||
| luft |
quote BearBrown: "Make sure to bring some dry bags to fill with water to put in your canoe when you are out fishing in that big boat. A larger boat like that will be more susceptible to being blown around without your gear in the boat after you set up camp. It wouldnt be a bad idea to take your food pack with you when you go fishing as well. it'll be safe from bears and will help give you better control of your boat.... I liked leapfrogging my gear on the long portages. i would go about 100 rods, drop my gear, then go 150 rods, drop my stuff and go back and did it this way. That way I was never more than about 100 rods away from my gear or food pack and it gave me more short breaks. " All good advice. I really like the idea of leapfrogging packs as you aren't leaving your packs unattended at the portage ends for bears (or people) to pick up and walk off with. Seems like some bears have become conditioned to portage ends as much as the good hanging spots in some camps. |
||
| amhacker22 |
The waves do pick up, but they never got too bad when I was there. |