On portaging kayaks in the BWCA... Its not as easy as portaging canoes but it can be done. After a few trips there with kayaks I have to say, though, I'd rather use a canoe next time. What we did on our kayak voyages: We chose routes that had few portages and/or short portages and/or portages next to streams. On short or easy portages, two of us carried one loaded kayak at a time. If the trail was narrow (most of the time) we put it up on our shoulders (the only times I have liked my PFD with lots "stuffing" over the shoulders). If the portage was near a stream, we would line the kayaks through it (Do scout the stream first!). On long or dangerous (steep and/or rocky) portages, we would unload the boats and carry them ourselves or in pairs depending upon how strong we felt or how precarious the trail looked. >Sixth, food and gear must be stowed in small packages > in kayaks versus two or three large packs in a canoe. This means a lot > of time unpacking and repacking on each portage (I don't recommend > carrying a loaded kayak) The load/unload was a drag but lemme tell you - you can get REAL fast and efficient when the black flies are biting! We each brought a duluth pack to put all those little drybags and odds-and-ends in during the portage. Note: short, long, dangerous are all relative terms. Only you and your group can determine what they mean to you! Good luck, have fun and good job (I notice you picked a time when the frost has killed most of the bugs :-) -chris *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Jul 15 1998 - 08:46:17 PDT
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