marlin55388 wrote on Jul 15^th, 2011 at 2:09pm:

Bowing the pack, never thought of that. The sharing of info always contributes to knowledge. Me I face the old pack, towards the part that rides my small back. Grasp the sides or handles and hoist to my knee. Then slip my right hand/arm into right shoulder strap. Bend ever so slightly to let the pack come to rest upon my back. Then slip the old left arm in , make some adjustments. Off I go. Its an old backpacking technique. When shouldering a boat: a little momentum generating bouncing off the thighs can help. The old bridge technique can help too, as can the deck rest...the former is how I built the strength to shoulder the Chestnut solo back in the day; I only had maybe 30-35# on that barge.

That's how I look at a pack at a portage sans some big rock. The canoe goes up with the big mussels and confidence is key.

FWIW - MT. I can't fathom where you put all your new stuff much less how you'll find it. Stuff is heavy. I'll save the joe atlas joke for another time in deference to the family.