If you are solo, you can take whatever you want.

If you are going with a partner, that should require some teamwork as to how much you want to bring combined - if you each have a "personal" pack that you alone are responsible for carrying across the portage, pack whatever - but if your personal stuff winds up in a group pack that you may take turns carrying, then you should coordinate what you bring (big difference in what a 5'4" 140 pounder can carry comfortable vs a 6'2" 180 pound weightlifter).   Likewise, if you go with two canoes, and you bring twice as much gear as the other group, and take twice as long to portage, then you will be screwing that other group - so you need to know what "the plan" is - should you be planning to single carry all the portages ?  make two trips ? 3 or more, who cares, we've got all the time in the world?

I bring a small shirt pocket size camera.  Never bring binocs.

db wrote on Sep 6^th, 2010 at 8:17am:



Thanks DB,  I've wanted to join for quite some time but I always find reason not so spend money because of financial issues... but for me right now, this is an investment... I've got a problem (pinched nerve) in my cervical spine and am seeing a chiropractor which is helping... my hope is that by next spring i can get in my canoe and paddle, carry a backpack, and fish.  This is really killing me because i'm much too young to be having difficulties like this.  So reading these posts are really giving me hope and inspiring me go swimming and workout, do the therapy.  I had planned to go to Trout Lake (above Vermillion) last month and rent a boat, not take the canoe.. but even that was canceled because of my neck issue.  So now it's wait till next year.

In my experience, the Inuks who donate to return the favor tend to be more satisfied than those who donated with specific expectations. You can access far more posts etc., and there is a semi recent post about pricing with variables that affect perception but your investment won't change the price. I just wanted to be clear on that.

Awe crap, too late. Hey, welcome aboard!

I shall become an Insulant, I mean Inukshuk.   

thanks,  I would like to read more in depth and see what is going on there in Quetico.   They've really made it too expensive for most people.

Quote:

Well, on this site, an inukshuk is a monetary contributor.  (The amount of money is modest, but does help to defray the cost of keeping this site operational.)  But relative to OS's statement, there is a current thread running in the Inukshuk Forum (which you can't see unless you are an Inukshuk) about potential changes in Quetico operations based on their currently circulating management plan proposal.

There are a variety of other benefits of being an inukshuk ... but that's another story.  You can learn more by following (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) link.

dd

Old Salt wrote on Sep 5^th, 2010 at 12:06am:


What the heck is an inukshuk?  Are these guys that sneak in, paddle for days, camp, fish, and get to enjoy without shelling out the big bucks?

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Become an inukshuk and see a new world.

I think when I am ready to go, I'll try to hook up with another tandem of experienced fishermen and I won't need the binocs for navigating because they'll already know the portages and how to find them.  I remember well how we searched for portages after being wind-blown around the lake and how I disliked all the unnecessary paddling.  Sometimes you just want to get to the portage as expediently as possible.

I am a bit bummed about how much it costs now to go into Quetico.  Really excessive fees IMO.  Maybe there is a thread somewhere on this.  I'd like to see how others weigh in.  Kenny

I leave the glass at home now too, sometimes that is hard because I am a birder...but more often than not I can deal with it cuz it exercises the "birding by ear". Have used them to scope the campsite situation in the high season on a busy route, but gear colors are pretty bright now. DB's advice is sound.

If you expect you'll use something, and it fits in the canoe, why not take it and leave the guilt at home instead?

My photo stuff is 13 - 14 pounds incl. tripod and that's historically pretty minimal for me. Carrying water is what I'll grumble most about but it's nice to have after lugging all that [stuff] around for a while.

FWIW - three loaded portage trips, 30 - 50 pounds each is easier/safer when solo and turns two not real enjoyable trudges into a continuous pleasurable walk in the woods and you can take whatever fits in the canoe.

Even with plenty of room leftover, I don't take binocs or even a monocular anymore simply because I rarely use it and it always seems to be packed a zipper or two deep because I normally allow myself only so much stuff out at one time. It's great when someone else brings a nice pair and/or you already know where the portages are though.