db wrote on Feb 27^th, 2011 at 6:15am:

I'm thinking long legs, big feet, doesn't photograph, fish or read.... Follow someone over 6'6" for a while and you'll see what I mean.

Early morning I would like to follow some broad shouldered hulk who sweeps all of the dew off of the portage trails. ;)

Seriously, what I was hoping was that we could put together the ideal paddle/ portage thoroughbred given the latest in modern equipment. Yes, I had the "La Bonga" article in mind when I thought of this and there will always be unusual exceptions to every preferred prototype. Back in the day the perfect voyageur was what 5'6" and maybe 180-200 lbs? Rarely though did they travel off trail so carrying prodigious loads was not unbelievable. What amazes me though is the diet they subsisted on during their travels. It seemed woefully inadequate for the amount of work they performed, unlike stories of the 19th century lumberjacks who were extremely well fed by comparison.