Just got back from Tom Thompson and timed our runs, 3 hours got us close to the portage (our site was 15 minutes from portage) and then 3 hours to get back out today. We walked the 2.3k portage and unloaded it is 40 minutes one way, if you double carry that is 120 minutes minimum unloaded ..... given I would need breaks I am allow 3 hours, for me, to cover the portage (2 hours just to walk, the extra hour for being slowed by packs etc and the need to take a few breaks)
We also had either no wind or a following wind, which likely helped out times, otherwise wind can be a pita on that stretch of water .... so for me at least, 5 - 5.5 hours wouldn't likely see me to the end of the 2.3 k portage, luckily the fabled Chicamoula is only another hour or so (4 km) from the portage. Personally, I would try and hit the portage as early as possible, it is not something to try and rush through ..... I am contemplating coming in Sunday and I will be stripping my pack of anything that isn't absolutely necessary. The mud pits aren't that easy to just walk around, so plan on mucky/wet feet or have some sort of water proof boots.
The trail maintenance crew was in yesterday, so all the blow downs are clear, we counted 4 .... the mud pits are intact, we counted 7 ..... of the 4 foot bridges, the last bridge through the swamp is still wet in the last 30 meters or so and the mud pit directly in front of that bridge is also intact.
In our 5 days we were inundated with mosquitos, managing to kill a whopping 2, which means you can thank Bob and I for clearing the menace from the region. As you paddle along the river above the dam portage, there are still a few significant patches of ice on the side cliff faces.
Still thinking about trying to come in on Sunday, but haven't got all the logistics worked out yet.
Brian
I'm planning on hitting the water on Friday by about 9am. I'm going to take some extra time on that portage.
Hanging in the woods, paddlin and catching trout- My kind of living...
Friday at 9am sounds good but could be pushed out to 10am if necessary. For what it's worth, it'd be nice if everyone heading in had a buddy boat for safety's sake.
Thanks for the recon Cruiser. Very helpful info.
Survival is about getting out alive, Bushcraft is about going in to live - Chard (aka Forest-Hobo)
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I will be there Friday morning at 9.
I'll join the Friday 9-10 flotilla.
I'm on the road at 0400 tomorrow ... fingers crossed for Chicamoula. See you all in a few days!
Got a message from KeewayKeno around 6pm saying he scooped the island spot on McIntosh.
Jordan and I are heading up tomorrow after work to avoid the early morning drive. We're staying at Mew Lake for the night, then heading to Canoe Lake access point in the morning.
If anyone wants to crash with us, I can send the site info. We're packing solo tents as we don't know how hammock friendly the Mew site is.
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