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 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum Finn Lake to Long Island Lake Reply
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| Previous Messages: | |
| Author | Message Text |
| 1313 |
01/29/2008 01:24PM Alright, I got a new keyboard. In august 2006 I was on a 10 day solo trip and I tried to go down Finn Creek to Long Island Lake. There was a giant tangle of downed trees at the outlet of the lake (at the western end). I tried to skirt this mess, but to get to the creek, I had to carry my canoe and gear through it. This was my first bushwhack, so I wasn't sure if I was trying something crazy, or if this was par for the course. It was treacherous, I was walking across a field of 5" diameter downed trees that were stacked so high, I couldn't tell how far I was above the ground. I remember thinking that this obstacle would dwarf a football field. The trees were partially decomposed, so occasionally I would snap the one I was on and fall down to the next level. One time I found myself up to my armpits in trees, with a canoe on my shoulders. It must have taken me at least 2 hours and 3 trips to get all my gear through. I don't think I managed to take the same path twice. It took so long I thought I should turn back, but I was afraid that would take too long so I went onward. I put into the creek in a grassy area, and I paddled down a very beautiful stretch that wound through the open bottom of a narrow valley. After a while (40 min?) I pulled over a small beaver dam, and I immediately realized that the creek was losing elevation in a hurry. No rapids, it just sorta disappeared into/under the rocks that traced a gully down a steep hillside. I remember thinking that a team of Marines might be able to traverse this if they had a block & tackle. Maybe. It was getting dark. I was tired. I turned back. It took less time to get back out. I was in panic mode working on pure adrenaline. I was literally throwing my gear (and canoe) as I struggled to get through to Finn Lake. I finally made it back to a campsite on Omega lake about 40 minutes after the last traces of light had left the sky (new moon). I was dehydrated, hungry, scraped-up, and exhausted. I had broken my water filter in the tangle, but I tried to fix it with duct tape. I gulped down 32 oz of water, and threw it up 5 minutes later. I managed to keep down a little food & water, and I fell asleep by the fire. I lounged around camp all the next day. It was a humbling experience, but its an experience I'm glad I had. I learned a lot. I'd like to know what someone with some bushwhacking experience would think about this area. I don't know if I was a wimp for turning back, or if I was crazy to think it could be done. |
| 1313 |
01/24/2008 12:12PM Not`when`I`tried.Sorry,keyboard`broke.Ill`tell`more`later. |
| Maddog |
01/14/2008 09:46PM Is Finn Creek navigable from Finn Lake to Long Island Lake? Thanks. |
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