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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: First Across
 
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Minnesotian
01/04/2015 10:39PM
 
quote Banksiana:


I'll try and put a gear list together in the next couple of days and post. In the thick of work so it might be a while.



As for trimming the canoe I put the pack right behind the seat- in most situations the Advantage handles better a little stern heavy. If I need to trim forward I use the slider and move the object of greatest mass (myself). I've never found myself in a situation where I needed more forward weight than the slider allows (most of my travel is with the seat pushed toward the stern about 2/3's of the way). I have had occasion (strong cross wind) where I've had to shove the pack as far to the stern as it would go. "



Good to know. Thank you. I travel with a Vagabond, 2' shorter then an Advantage. However, I think I can do what you do and cut down to one pack.
 
sunnybear09
01/05/2015 07:01AM
 
quote Alan Gage: "I like a gear first carry so I can see the portage trail and then I have a better idea of what I'm in for when carrying the canoe when I can't see as good. Especially steep or wet areas where footing needs to be planned ahead of time.



Alan"



Always the way Alan does it--the canoe is a less stable load and so many portages have serious wet holes and steep spots with dubious footing. Also I like to have that unobstructed view of the portage area going thru the first time just to enjoy the view--a pack is easier to stop with and "smell the roses".
 
OldGreyGoose
01/03/2015 02:24PM
 
Canoe, with weight away from my body is my hardest portage, so I never take it first if uncertain of the trail. (And I think Banksiana should start a thread about his week solo pack.) --Goose
 
Tony
01/03/2015 06:00PM
 
I will generally take the canoe and a small day pack on the first trip across a portage. I find it easier to lift the canoe to my shoulders when I'm standing in the water.


tony
 
Minnesotian
01/03/2015 08:20PM
 
quote Jaywalker: "quote OldGreyGoose: " (And I think Banksiana should start a thread about his week solo pack.) --Goose"
+2
"



I usually go across the portage with the packs first to scout for the canoe.


My question for Banksiana is how he trims the canoe with the only one pack.
 
bhouse46
01/02/2015 04:10PM
 
I generally tie off the canoe slightly away from the portage and carry the larger pack load over the first trip. It allows me better maneuverability than carrying the canoe. I go back for the canoe and small pack that is picked up in the water and set back into the water at the other side. If windy or unfavorable I will carry the canoe away from the portage entrance and set it down then get the larger pack that was set aside at the entrance.
 
bwcasolo
01/02/2015 06:05PM
 
pack first then canoe. gives me a chance to scout.
 
boonie
01/02/2015 08:46PM
 
It varies, but I usually take the canoe first. I've found it's less work than picking things up multiple times. It does add up in time and effort over the course of day, especially with many portages. Some portages I'll opt to scout first with just a pack.
 
Banksiana
01/03/2015 09:04PM
 
quote Minnesotian: "quote Jaywalker: "quote OldGreyGoose: " (And I think Banksiana should start a thread about his week solo pack.) --Goose"
+2
"




I usually go across the portage with the packs first to scout for the canoe.



My question for Banksiana is how he trims the canoe with the only one pack. "



I'll try and put a gear list together in the next couple of days and post. In the thick of work so it might be a while.


As for trimming the canoe I put the pack right behind the seat- in most situations the Advantage handles better a little stern heavy. If I need to trim forward I use the slider and move the object of greatest mass (myself). I've never found myself in a situation where I needed more forward weight than the slider allows (most of my travel is with the seat pushed toward the stern about 2/3's of the way). I have had occasion (strong cross wind) where I've had to shove the pack as far to the stern as it would go.

If the carrying gets tough or the portage long I drop the canoe and continue with just the pack. I'm not hellbent on making it in one trip. I like to cover ground and I like to hang in camp during the morning- More than a few years ago I decided to trim away at my load until I could comfortably single trip. It was not that difficult and I can't think of anything I really miss that I've cut out.
 
butthead
01/02/2015 01:40PM
 
I normally I take my pack first, particularly if I am not familiar with the portage. Age and trifocals make seeing the trail hard. I also never rush a portage.


butthead
 
mooseplums
01/02/2015 02:01PM
 
Canoe and a small pack go first
 
housty9
01/02/2015 05:36PM
 
Depends on the portage, if it's one I know or not super long canoe 1st, if it's longer and I haven't been on it backpack 1st.
 
Jaywalker
01/03/2015 06:10PM
 
Years back I came upon a bull moose just off the trail about mid portage. Since then I start with packs, including camera bag, in case I come across cool wildlife. With the canoe on top first, I fear I would miss it.
 
Jaywalker
01/03/2015 06:12PM
 
quote OldGreyGoose: " (And I think Banksiana should start a thread about his week solo pack.) --Goose"
+2

 
hobbydog
01/03/2015 08:58PM
 
I go both ways. It depends on the length of the portage, difficulty of the landing and how I am feeling at that point in time.
 
MacCamper
01/02/2015 01:12PM
 
Typically I unload my canoe in the water, then pull it out and throw it upon my shoulders for portaging. It just seems intuitive that as long as it was the last thing I touched, I might as well make one motion instead of two. My first trip this spring is from Brule to Davis, up and around Kis, dropping through Winchell and back to the east end of Brule. I'm trying something different...a slower paced and shorter distance trip over five days.

In my research, reports indicate a couple of semi clear portages into and out of Davis. This got me thinking that maybe I will pack my pack first followed by the canoe second as the trail seems to disappear on occasion.

What do my experienced solo friends do? What is your "first across"? Thanks.

Mac
 
Banksiana
01/02/2015 04:37PM
 
I strap in the gear, attach the yoke, put the pack on my back followed by the canoe on my shoulders and off we go.


Canoe and gear for a week.
 
SteveF
01/03/2015 07:08AM
 
Banksiana I would love to see your gear list. I did my first solo in early October. I thought i was traveling light but I'm sure I brought twice as much as you do. I want to take at least one solo every year and I want to travel as light as I can.
 
HansSolo
01/03/2015 10:55AM
 

quote SteveF: "Banksiana I would love to see your gear list."

I'd like to see Banksiana's gear list too.

I know I don't pack light, but I'd love to improve on my standard cargo load somewhat. My "standard" cargo is a large Grade VI pack, which holds my sleeping bag, clothes, camp shoes, GPS, additional maps, and Medical Kit. When not in use, a pack rain cover is stuffed in the zippered top pocket of the Grade VI pack.

I then have my tent, tarp, cook kit, saw, hatchet and some other miscellaneous hardware, (i.e., batteries, Swiss Army knife, etc.), in a NRS 1.2 "Bill's Bag". I carry the "Bill's Bag" horizontally across the top of my Grade VI pack, as pictured in my initial reply to this thread.

I then carry my solo canoe and a 30L Blue Barrel in the CCS "Quad Pocket" Blue Barrel Pack. The 30L barrel contains my food, two Nalgene water bottles and my Katadyn water filter.

The 30L Quad Pocket Blue Barrel pack is in the bow, and the Grade VI pack and "Bill's Bag" ride in the stern, as pictured below. I can envision Banksiana shaking his head in disgust as he is reading this reply. :-)

Although I've been canoe tripping since the age of ten, I always find it difficult to be a minimalist. Nevertheless, I still like to see Banksiana's gear list to see if it could aid in reducing my gear list somehow.

Hans Solo



 
nctry
01/03/2015 11:39AM
 
I take the pack first so if I need to clear something I don't have to pick up the canoe twice or more. Moving the canoe from water to out of the way is no different than placing packs out of the way. I'd never put it in the water and then head back for my packs. Reason two: :) Is when with someone they usually carry their canoe first and two or more boats can choke off a landing pretty good sometimes.
 
HansSolo
01/02/2015 06:05PM
 

quote bhouse46: "I generally tie off the canoe slightly away from the portage and carry the larger pack load over the first trip. It allows me better maneuverability than carrying the canoe. I go back for the canoe and small pack that is picked up in the water and set back into the water at the other side. If windy or unfavorable I will carry the canoe away from the portage entrance and set it down then get the larger pack that was set aside at the entrance. "

I generally follow the same method as bhouse46.

But as housty9 mentioned, if it's a familiar portage or a short portage, I'll sometimes grab the solo canoe and the smaller and/or lighter pack for the first crossing.

Hans Solo



 
luft
01/19/2015 08:16PM
 
quote Banksiana: "quote Minnesotian: "quote Jaywalker: "quote OldGreyGoose: " (And I think Banksiana should start a thread about his week solo pack.) --Goose"
+2
"





I usually go across the portage with the packs first to scout for the canoe.




My question for Banksiana is how he trims the canoe with the only one pack. "




I'll try and put a gear list together in the next couple of days and post. In the thick of work so it might be a while.



More than a few years ago I decided to trim away at my load until I could comfortably single trip. It was not that difficult and I can't think of anything I really miss that I've cut out."



I second a request for a gear list of what you bring, Banksiana. While I am sure our skill sets and tripping style may differ I think it would be incredibly helpful to see what you bring to give me ideas as to what I might be persuaded to leave behind. I swear I have trimmed my items down to the bare necessities but in reality know that there is room for more elimination.
 
DanCooke
01/19/2015 09:31PM
 
The portages from the Cones through Davis To Kiskadina are not that bad. I usually take the canoe across first with a Rucksack with the food/ stove, then return for the Explorer or Pioneer Pack. My Paddles are in the canoe in a fleece paddle bag(Typically a Quimby straight and a bent carbon fiber Zav., Kokatak PFD under flap on the Hybrid pack.
If I put the canoe down for obstacle or whatever, then I go back and get the left behind load to shuttle to the drop point, and may continue with the Hybrid pack to the end. I hate loose stuff.
 
wetcanoedog
01/20/2015 01:07AM
 
i triple portage,the gear pack because it's lighter for scouting the trail.even a well used one can have new blow downs to find a way around and the hand ax and saw are in that pack.the grub bag next because it's heavy and then the canoe because it's a lighter but more awkward load.the canoe go's in the water and the waiting packs are loaded.
so far all my trips have been long,two weeks,so a light load is hard to work up.
 
KevinL
01/20/2015 04:53PM
 
Most of the time it's the Rockstar and CCS Ruck that I use as a food pack and then back for the CCS Explorer gear pack.
 
TomT
01/02/2015 01:54PM
 
I'll go canoe and small pack first so then I can set it in the water and when I return with the main pack just drop it in. Less handling of the gear. The only exception would be a bushwhack or very difficult portage. Then I'll definitely want to scout it out with the pack on first.
 
Alan Gage
01/02/2015 02:10PM
 
I like a gear first carry so I can see the portage trail and then I have a better idea of what I'm in for when carrying the canoe when I can't see as good. Especially steep or wet areas where footing needs to be planned ahead of time.


Alan
 
ducks
01/20/2015 01:58PM
 
I'm definitely not an expert. Rookie soloer here. On my only solo so far I did it both ways depending on the portage length. For short portages I tied up the canoe and I brought the big pack across first and set it close to the water. Then I went back for the small pack and canoe and after bringing them across the portage I set the canoe down in the water, put both packs in, dog in, and then off we went. For longer portages I carried the big pack up the portage around 40 rods and set it off to the side of the trail. Then I carried the small pack and canoe all of the way across before going back for the big pack.
 
OldFingers57
01/20/2015 03:58PM
 
My canoe and a day pack on first trip, then pack on 2nd trip. That way I can put it right in the canoe.