Journal Entries

Loving our 2 person Tarp Tent which we updated this summer with a new model to replace our previously worn out tent that we used on the whole AT and backpacking/camping since then.

I love maps and navigation. This map isn’t holding up very well to all the folding and unfolding. Next time we’ll try to secure a map ahead of time (bought this at the office when we arrived to the park) and waterproof it/reinforce it ahead of time.

For now I will fix it with Tenacious Tape.

We’re on circuit 33 on the right hand side of the map.

 One of the things I love about canoe camping is the extra gear you bring :)

Thankfully as backpackers we’ve got a good lightweight philosophy to keep things manageable (though we still have to dial in our portaging “carries”).

One of the things we carried this trip and will take probably on all canoe camping trips (with portages) is this Silky Big Boy saw. To use in the case of blowdowns & obstructions on the portages, it also comes I handy for cutting firewood!

I haven’t had the energy or desire (with the heat) to make a fire at the last 2 camps but today is cooler and we have lots of time. So it’s campfire afternoon. And I got to use the saw for the first time.

3 hours later we’ve arrived at our campsite 33-71, after some confusion en route with regards to bays and inlets. Thankfully campsite and portages are clearly marked.

The photos just never share the full beauty.

Today’s paddle was on Lac Byrd and into Baie McLaurin for camping. The lake is dotted with islands and the shoreline is full of bays and inlets. The rocky shores are my favorite. And I especially love large slabs of rock or cliffs. Saw some both today.

Paddles some riffles the beginning part but most of the paddling was really calm.

And we’re pushing off from campsite 16-11

Eating breakfast and leaving campsite 2.

We’ve decided to do an easy paddling distance today to give @toesalad’s foot a chance to heal.

Yesterday during one of the portages something irritated the skin of his inner foot, just above the arch. As he walked, his shoe rubbed the irritation and it became more inflamed.

As it happened we had 5 portages yesterday and every time we had to walk the area became more inflamed.

So we’re taking a rest day today, planning to paddle for a couple hours to the last designated campsite before the largest portage of the trip.

We’re hoping a day of very little irritation, keeping the foot clean and dry will heal it sufficiently for the big portage tomorrow.

 End of the day beauty. 2 beautiful sunsets in a row.

 At 4:30pm we arrived at our campsite, site 16-11

Today’s paddle was about 19.5 kms including over 1.5 kms portages total.

We were tired but the campsite is lovely and after supper and cleaning up we’re looking forward to a good rest!

 Starting the portage feeling rather jaunty. I also carried paddles and the guitar.

I didn’t last longer than 150 metres with these 2 bags. By the end of the portage @toesalad was carrying both these bags, they were approx. 18-20 lbs each, plus the canoe.

I ended the portage with the duffle bag, paddles and guitar.