RE: [Paddlewise] Quetico Provincial Par

One of the reasons I like a carved yoke is because it has a lower
profile. (I think mine was made by an individual, so it might be
different from yours; I got it from Ketter Canoeing.) Mine is a
permanent part of my canoe, and I don't like the way pads -- at least,
the ones favored by Cliff Jacobson -- protrude. However, I did pad
mine slightly with 3/8-inch closed cell foam.

I have had some wonderful trips in the BWCAW in early October. Love
those cool, crisp, sunny days. Of course, the rain can be cold at that
time of year, too! I remember one sunny morning on Lake Insula when we
woke to find ice in the drinking water. We made pancakes for breakfast,
but they cooled off so quickly on our aluminum plates that the butter
wouldn't melt; so we sprinkled 151 proof rum over them and ignited it.
Afterwards, though, I had a headache!

Come to think of it, October would be a good time to go kayak camping
on Saganaga, Seagull, Brule, Lake One, or the Moose Lake chain -- big
lakes with road access where no portaging is required. Going through
Ely, I would probably choose the Lake One chain. I remember putting in
on the Kawishiwi River after dark one October evening, paddling through
the winding channel to Lake One in the moonlight, sleeping under the
stars on a small island, and waking to find frost on my sleeping bag. It
has been a long time since I have been to Piragi's or eaten at the
Chocolate Moose. I wonder if I could persuade Linda to go....

Chuck Holst

 -----Original Message-----
From: Bob Washburn [mailto:whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 1998 9:43 PM
To: Chuck Holst; paddlewise
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Quetico Provincial Par


Balancing a curved yoke on the pack straps sounds a lot more comfortable
than balancing it on the neck muscles.  Since I tried one of the portage
yokes with the two shoulder pads, I haven't gone back to the curved   yokes,
the difference in comfort is incredible.

I've got an early October meeting in Minneapolis and it is looking more   and
more like my after meeting trip to BWCAW will be a solo.  Piragis rents a
plastic sea kayak, which for a three day excursion is probably better   than
trying to keep a solo canoe going in a straight line.

I've taken Scout groups up two of the last three years so I'd like to see
some of the quiet BWCAW everyone keeps talking about ;)  The weather that
time of year can be real iffy, but the bugs and crowds are gone so it
should still be a great trip.

                        ,,,
                      (o o)
==================oOO--(_)--OOo==========================
                  Bob Washburn
whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com  or   rwashbu_at_siue.edu
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
=========================================================


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