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pastorjsackett
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Ever done it? I'd love to hear about it.
Reason: my daughter has done many trips with me and this year is working as a counselor at Wilderness Canoe Base. She finally had phone coverage today and called to describe this most heinous portage she has ever done--and she said she did it double packed the whole way!
I've done a few long ones, but never like this one she described. I looked it up on the map....but would love to hear some first hand descriptions.
Thanks!
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Savage Voyageur
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I had to look this one up because I did not know about this one. I looks like 6 people here have done this one and left comments. From a 1-10 most rated it a10. Look in the map section, then under comments.
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Canoearoo
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Yes I have done that portage in the 90s when the old growth trees were still there. We stayed on the island on Jap lake and it was amazing. That portage was killer.. broke my husbands watch.
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Mocha
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it wouldn't be so heinous if single packing.... :)
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sinking3
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We met a youth group coming out when we went. Some of them were literally crying.
Here's probably why:
1. Quite a few elevation changes from rock to swamp - up then down, up then down
2. Length
3. Also, once your physically drained it becomes emotionally draining. When we saw the next opening ahead we thought "this has to be the lake" but then we realize it is yet another swamp with another rise. So moments of excitement were followed by crushing disappointment.
I haven't been back but I bet it would be a bit 'easier' now without #3..
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Pinetree
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You can do that portage,you can handle most portages.
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WhiteWolf
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Did it in the summer of 94 or 95'. Coming from Jap (Paulson). We had two trips. It took 45 mins to walk back for the 2nd load and we were moving. Before the fire-- large parts of it were very overgrown in low lying areas with odd smells from the vegetation-- never smelled anything like it in all my days tripping. Almost a curry or India spice like. Numerous creek crossings that were not so fun with a canoe. I don't remember it being that difficult as people say now-- but maybe its easier coming from Jap or maybe the fire made it harder. Still a solid 8 out of 10 imo on scale of toughest in the BW.
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mirth
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My understanding is that it is worth the long hike, if a site is available on the lake.
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cowdoc
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My daughter and some kids from Tusc did it back in 2009.
515
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TuscaroraBorealis
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Did it last spring. Absolutely one of the toughest maintained portaged in the BWCA, also one of the most scenicly rewarding.
I stand by the one of the toughest comment but, also bare in mind that our 3 year old was able to make it across with very little assistance. Allow yourself enough time and enjoy the experience. Sea Gull - Paulson portage
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pastorjsackett
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Crazy! Thanks for the feedback. I'm so jealous that she gets to spend her whole summer up there.
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Kiporby
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A few photos when I did the portage with my daughter back in 2010. She was 6 at the time.
Looking closer I can't believe she was wearing flip flops that day. Bad Dad! haha.
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Twins87
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Here's a report from another former Tuscarora employee (Rachel) who made the trek two summers ago.
It's A Beautiful Portage!
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shock
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pics from 1997. halfway up there was a beaver pond. pic from campsite by the portage.   
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Canoearoo
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wow the fire made it look so different
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Nordeast
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What a coincidence I used to work at WCB and was just there on Thursday to check things out after my trip. I have taken that portage numerous times and it's always a beast. From what I remember it's always hot with no tree cover after the fire, and you reach a peak and can see Seagull in the distance so you feel like you're getting close but in reality you're only about halfway there.
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Kiporby
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I've done the portage twice. Much easier going downhill from Jap to Seagull. It is long and beautiful. The scenery is fabulous. The fire cleared out all the trees and you can see for miles. On my solo trip 2 Falls ago, the portage took me 2 hours to complete double portaging. 45 minutes each trip with gear to Seagull and 30 minutes to walk back up to Jap to grab the 2nd load.
I like the portage...maybe I'm sick. :)
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Pinetree
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quote Kiporby: "I've done the portage twice. Much easier going downhill from Jap to Seagull. It is long and beautiful. The scenery is fabulous. The fire cleared out all the trees and you can see for miles. On my solo trip 2 Falls ago, the portage took me 2 hours to complete double portaging. 45 minutes each trip with gear to Seagull and 30 minutes to walk back up to Jap to grab the 2nd load.
I like the portage...maybe I'm sick. :)"
I agree,I like majority of portages. Like a hike in the park. Enjoy it and with modern equipment you can manage the loads very good.
About the only time I hate portaging is when bugs are bad and try to suck all my blood out of my system. Even tho I have type A negative they can't have it without a fight.
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Canoearoo
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I also like portaging.. it reminds me of my back packing in the mountain days
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DanCooke
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Done it twice, once with a friend who was6 months pregnant. Best to be fit and without too many toys.
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BeaV
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Oh yea, that's a fun one. Did it last year early in the morning with wet conditions and some bugs. Up and down, around and round, little creeks and/or boulder gulches to tip toe over. Came to open water and was tricked into dropping my load. Wrong just a pond. Pick up load and keep going...where's the end? I tried single portaging but at some point decided to switch to double.
I'm not going to say it's hard though, heck a 3-year old did it:)
Nice scenery when atop the ridges.
I wouldn't avoid it but like DanCooke said, "Best to be fit without too many toys".
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