portaging with pack

Wilderness Tripping
#1

Hey,

I’m headed to Quetico in June. I’d like to use my packframe to portage the Minnisota ll that I’ll be renting. I’m considering attaching a bar to the top of the pack to keep the thwart from interfering with the top of the pack. Any experience with such an arrangement? Any suggestions on alternatives. Thanks Roger.

#2

here’s one and thoughts
Here’s one http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,61.html



Also, why not portage with “normal” portage pads or even with just the twart on your shoulders?

#3

portaging
Hey thanks for the help. My frame pack sticks up above my shoulders and interferes with the portage thwart.I guess I can always do a two carry system,but was seeking to avoid the extra trips. Thanks again,Roger.

#4

portaging
Hey thanks for the help. My frame pack sticks up above my shoulders and interferes with the portage thwart.I guess I can always do a two carry system,but was seeking to avoid the extra trips. Thanks again,Roger.

#5

These might give you some ideas …
http://www.knupac.com/index.html

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=209

http://www.crca.ca/kanawa/fall.php

http://www.portagebuddy.com/id25.htm

#6

Portaging with pack
What you would need to do is modify your frame by adding some brackets that would be higher than your pack - something similar to the Knupack. I have used two different packframes, with two differnt modifications. One has “U” shaped yokes that fit into the tubing on the uprights of the frame. The other has brackets attached to the uprights, which form a hook to cradle the thwart in - but these might not work for your frame, since I can’t see what it looks like.

You can make brackets with flat bar stock, or maybe some shelf brackets - bend them into a shape that goes up-out-up. Kind of like going North 3 blocks, East two bloks, and back North 2 blocks, if that helps to “see” how thwy look. Then pop-rivet, epoxy or however, fasten them to the tops of the uprights of your frame. If you go this route, you really need to know the dimensions of the thwart, so that you can build the brackets to the correct size, and a fairly snug fit. You would also want to make some “stops” on the thwart, at the outside distance between the brackets you made. Just wrap electrical tape around the thwart, till you build up to a 1/4" or so thick. This is to keep the canoe from sliding sideways. Tie a rope bow to stern, of a length that would dangle down by your side once you have the canoe up on your back.Pull back on the rope to lower the bow, pull forward to raise the bow. It is difficult to load the canoe onto the yokes on your packframe by yourself, especially with the bag on the frame - it isn’t hard if you have a partner hold the canoe up as high as they can from the front, so you can walk under it to hook on. My guess is that you would be better off just using the portage yoke that comes with the canoe, and double trip the portage - especially if you are renting a kevlar canoe.

#7

portaging
Hey,

thanks for the links. The systems are all pretty pricey,but the knupac offers a conversion kit for a Kelty frame. I’m expect I’ll go with that. Thanks agian,Roger.

#8

portaging with pack
That portagebuddy looks good. Another thing that I have done, that might help you, is to not use the bag that came with the frame. Buy a cheap light duffel bag from Campmnor that would be of the appropriate length, so that it does not stick up too high after you have strapped/tied it onto the frame. A bit of experimenting, and you should come up with a quick and easy way of attaching the duffle to the frame.

#9

I may be crazy
but I enjoy the return trip. Many portages in the BWCA are quite scenic and since they often are going around falls and rapids, it is epecially nice to make the return trip. Its hard to enjoy the portage from under a double load. Many portages are pretty rugged, too. Not your average footpath. I think you are at a higher risk for injury double load portaging. There are very few real long portages in the BWCA so it doesn’t take that long to make two trips. Just an old timers opinion. I know lots of folks do it.

#10

Your not crazy…
I’m not an old timer and had big ideas of single portaging on or first BWCA trip. I think I could have single portaged if I needed to, but it turned out the walk back empty became a very enjoyable part of the trip. You get to see and feel so much more without a canoe for a hat. Sure there’s some satisfaction to the efficency of a single portage, but there can be reward in doubling up too.



Mike

#11

portaging
Thanks for the input. Must admit I hadn’t considered the value of the walk back. Much to be said for slowing down. I raced canoes for years and one race we ran the portage around a falls.Twenty years later I skied into the falls to see what I’d missed.

Thanks again,

Roger.