Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

There will be BUGS!,... and a floatplane.
by BigPaul

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 05/24/2023
Entry Point: Little Indian Sioux River (north) (EP 14)
Exit Point: Moose/Portage River (north) (EP 16)  
Number of Days: 10
Group Size: 1
Trip Introduction:
Four of us have been traveling to and into the BWCA for the last 12 years. Scheduling conflicts precluded our usual Labor Day timeline, so I figured I'd go solo on the other end of the season (May). While I am usually loathe to use the phrase, "never again", it is most appropriate for this particular trip. Please enjoy.
Day 1 of 10
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Plan was to drop off my vehicle at EP 16 and have CCO drop me at EP 14. After a Briton's Belt-busting Breakfast, I was off. Little Indian was as remembered, smooth and still with easy portages. Nary a soul until the portage into Shell, then very crowded. The beaver dam midway looks to be under construction again, but there's a very large berm to the north that keeps your feet dry. I triple portaged this one, 2.5 hrs... never again.   Shell was easy-peasy with just a light ripple. I had experimented with moving the packs (ALICE for chow and my Granite for other accoutrements) ,the rented Prism tracked and rode well.    Little Shell, my first choice, was occupied so onto Lynx. All full save the western most site near the Heritage portage. Not too bad. Exposed, with lots of wind which would prove to be a blessing as the sun set.    Put my hammock up using a method borrowed from this forum, i.e. prussik knots and little beaners... pretty sweet. Got out my stove, sent my girl the requisite text via the Garmin and got myself ready to enjoy my attempt at food dehydration. Tonight is the chili!