Single Trip Carry Portage Techniques

I rarely portage more than a mile and a half. I still prefer my traditional packs (Duluth, Frost River). I really like my FR with the calfskin padded straps. I use the tump on either. Most of my gear is on the lighter “backpacking” end of the spectrum. I use a hammock, and eat a mix of commercial freeze dried, and home dehydrated. None of my meals require more than boiling water.

Add a 33# canoe and my favorite wooden paddle, and I’m ready.

I will admit that the older I get, the more inclined I am to double carry.

My current recent C4 Adirondack 90-mile race paddling partners during the past few years tend to be a good bit younger than my now 73 years. Two fit brothers now in their early 40's have twice paddled the Yukon River 1000-mile race with me, though the years are gaining on each of us since the last time we did that. Although I own and offer to bring a set of beefy wheels each year suitable for rough Adirondack 90 miler route trails connecting waterways, they always decline their use. I am continued to be amazed to see two of them heft the 23-foot C4 upright on their shoulders at a fast jog with our hydration and food being carried in small backpacks, as I toddle alongside. Of course I jump in for short (very short) turns at a somewhat reduced pace, but the brothers plus one of their young landscape company coworkers seem happy to do it all at speed without much help from me.

Over the full three day staged 90-mile race, portages total about five miles. However, when some of us paddle the traditional route unofficial non-race all within a single day "Cannonball-90", the overland mileage total jumps to a full ten miles. I do use wheels for that since one (mostly) on road segment is almost four miles long. Single pass carry, of course.

I break my food up into two packages, that's how I fake lightening things up. One Ursack of things that don't mind getting wet goe in a day pack. As the trip goes on, I can lighten my barrel and put in the day pack, or some version of it.