I've seen lots of people lift/put on heavy packs with varying degrees of success.

Many people stick one arm thru a pack strap and try to pull it on like a jacket, twisting as they lift, then flounder to get the other arm in.

If you have a lot of upper body strength, you might get away with it, but most people will eventually hurt themselves struggling with a heavy pack.

I've seen people stand behind pack and attempt to roll pack up and over their head and slide both hands thru shoulder straps. Works okay on areal light pack, a heavy food pack, not so much :P

When I'm with others, I like the pick up their pack by side straps as they get into shoulder straps. Much safer and easier than going it alone.

Solo, I like to use the bow of my canoe to sit pack on and then turn, squat slightly and slide into straps. A big rock/log will work too.

Canoes are where it's really about technique, not brute force. Bending your knees, keeping your back as straight as possible and as you reach across the yoke, you twist your trunk and snap your hips at the same time.

I don't claim to be an expert, I don't get enough time on the water, but people who do and know the right way to pick up a canoe or pack, make it look like child's play.

I saw a little 100# College girl at a canoe rental outfitter for Algonquin Park, pick up and portage a tandem Royalex canoe while her much larger, stronger male counterparts struggled to get it overhead.

It's all about leverage and balance. Power comes thru your hips/legs just like in baseball/football.

This explains it very well. I'd say it's as much about being flexible and proper technique than anything else.

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