15 TIPS for life as a turtle theArtof P story & photos by Kevin Callan Portaging
ortaging hurts. Whether you are hopping from one lake to another or avoiding a set of nasty rapids, each trail has some potentially painful characteristic: slippery rocks, steep inclines,
bug-infested hollows, boot-sucking mud, wrong turns. Even leg- endary canoeist Bill Mason once said, “Anyone who tells you portag- ing is fun is either a liar or crazy.” Portaging is canoe tripping’s necessary evil. Often a painful hike
through the woods with 800 pounds of gear is the only thing standing between you and absolute solitude. There are ways to ease the pain, however. These portaging tips will lessen your burden considerably.
Reduce clutter—The only thing worse than hav- ing a canoe full of loose stuff is those same items dangling from your packs on a portage. Stuff everything inside a large canoe pack.
Lessen the sagging feeling—Choose a pack with a hip belt, chest strap, and a tumpline to lessen the sagging feeling a heavy pack can give, especially while going uphill.
Test-drive your pack—Practice carrying your load around the block before attempting a real portage. If you are having problems, unpack and jettison non-essentials.
Avoid single carries—Portaging across twice obviously takes longer, but it’s better to make extra trips than to overdo it. You’ll avoid injuries and also have room to carry that extra flask of wine.
For type As—If you can’t bring yourself to do two full trips, try a trip and a half. Both canoeists head across the portage, one with packs and the other the canoe. Halfway along, the one carrying the canoe stops and returns for the second pack. The other person continues on to the end, and then returns for the canoe. If only one person is able to carry the canoe, then you can both start off with packs, and one person goes back for the canoe.
Hooked on portaging—Strap fishing rods along the inside gunwale and make sure no lures are attached. There’s nothing worse than getting fishing line tangled up in brush or having a fish- hook stuck in your gear, or worse, your arm.
Stand up and be counted—Pre-assign each group member the equipment they are responsible for carrying. This helps organize everything at the takeout and put-in, as well as assigning responsi- bility (or blame, depending on your group) if there’s something missing at the end of the day.
Money buys happiness—Splurge on either renting or buying a lightweight canoe. It’s worth it.
Independence is bliss—Learn how to solo carry rather than shoulder the canoe with your partner. It’s actually easier in the long run and fewer arguments will erupt.
Portage a half-bubble off level—Replace your cheap, factory-built yoke or thwart with a custom yoke that conforms to your own shoulders. Install the yoke yourself, placing it back a bit from centre to make the canoe slightly tail-heavy.
Fast-acting pain relief—Carrying the canoe, occasionally drop one arm to your side. Grip the opposite gunwale with the other arm, making sure its outstretched and your elbow is straight. Switch often. This technique transfers the weight from one shoulder to the other and gives you a few minutes of pain relief.
Keep a bar within reach—Placing a carrying bar or thwart in front of you, just within reach, offers more hand positions and reduces cramp- ing or simply tie a rope between the bow and stern and grasp that to keep the canoe properly balanced.
Listen to your inner tortoise—When carry- ing packs I can generally suffer for at least 40 minutes before I have to stop and rest. But with the canoe I stop every 20 minutes and rest for five minutes before continuing. Also rest at the tops of hills, so you’re on your game during a slippery, rocky descent. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
Dangle a chocolate carrot from the bow— I always make sure to pack a big bag of treats. At the end of each carry we celebrate by gorging ourselves. It’s amazing how the thought of hav- ing something sweet at the end of the carry may be the only thing that will push you to get the job done.
Oh Mickey You’re So Fine…—I pass the time on portages by singing to myself. So I make darned sure that the last song I heard on the radio before embarking on my trip was a good one—I know it will be in my head for the entire trip.
Kevin Callan is the author of eight books on canoeing in Ontario and Quebec. He lives in Peterborough, Ontario—the birthplace of the modern canoe.
Editor’s Choice—Top 5 Last Songs for the Access Road 1. “Radar Love” by Golden Earring 2. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel 3. “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett 4. “A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)” by Marty Robbins
5. “Day-O” by Harry Belafonte Bonus Canadiana Track—”Bud the Spud” by Stompin’ Tom Connors
16
www.canoeroots.ca
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68