I read Jimbo's fine but ultimately scary article first.  It's scary because I'm approaching 60 and really don't want to experience what Jimbo is going through with his body parts.  But, it is motivation for me to be diligent with what I eat and how I work out, so thank you Jimbo.

I've also just started where Stu (the publisher) details how his summer guiding went.  It seems Stu is really enjoying himself writing about these trips.  Funny stuff like "wishing we'd go back to prohibition but add coffee to the list." It's also ironic that his first choice campsites were all taken.  That's the karma for detailing where these great sites are located in the magazine ever year. 

I kind of wish he would visit other areas of the park instead of hitting the same lakes with the tow from Zups.  Maybe use some northern entries Stu. 

Anyway, I love the pics and so far the articles in this issue are superb.

Quote:

That's the karma for detailing where these great sites are located in the magazine ever year.

I never understood that move? I could understand if you said you stayed at a nice site in the general area of the such and such place but leave the detailed report out.

  Even on the Paddle Planner when you read the comments on 4-5 star sites you often see remarks about how overused a site is.

Yeah let the people find the sites on their own. It’s biting into his guiding now.

TomT wrote on Oct 7^th, 2018 at 1:56pm:

I read Jimbo's fine but ultimately scary article first.  It's scary because I'm approaching 60 and really don't want to experience what Jimbo is going through with his body parts.  But, it is motivation for me to be diligent with what I eat and how I work out, so thank you Jimbo.

Thanks, TomT!  I think the "scariest thing" would have been to publish a picture of my hip replacement scar.  Now THAT would have been terrifying! 

The truth is, the hip replacement has turned my entire outlook around.  Coupled with my training/therapy regimen, I have MORE than "stabilized"; I believe I have gained LOTS of additional paddling & portaging years.  I managed just fine during 4 weeks & a fair number of portages in the park this past season.  Zero limping, just some stiffness & soreness from where my hip muscles were still healing. At the time I wrote that BWJ story, however - months before my operation - my situation seemed much more problematic.

Age 60, 70 or even 75 doesn't have to be the end of all the fun if you take care of yourself.  My next big step in the right direction will be to take 20-25 lbs out of my typical portage load in future trips. It's fairly plain that's a big problem for me ("overpacking") so I'm working hard to fix it. 

Just borrowing some "magic" tricks from Magic Paddler....

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

Reducing my pack weight is one of the things that has made some of my trips still doable for me. It is difficult to decide what not to take.  Fishing tackle is one of my problems.  Looking at want I took on the last trip 80% never saw the water so I did not need it. I am getting food down to about the correct amount by preplanning what I will eat for X number of meals. I do take a tumble once and a while.  About ½ the time my knees take the punishment.  I have been wearing 511 pants with  ¼” closed cell foam in the knee pocket. This has really helped reduce knee scrapes and bruises.

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About ½ the time my knees take the punishment.  I have been wearing 511 pants with  ¼” closed cell foam in the knee pocket. This has really helped reduce knee scrapes and bruises.

I've fallen at one time or the other on EVERY outdoor trip I've EVER been on, starting in my 20's. Sooner or later you're going to slip on a wet rock, have a step crumble on an uphill or WORSE on a downhill.

I learned early on when I only backpacked that falling like a turtle IF at all possible is the safest way to land. The WORST is falling forward stretched out and trying to catch yourself with your hands/forearms. With a heavy pack, your looking to break a hand/wrist/arm sooner or later.

If I fall forward now I try to crumble to my knees then catch myself with my upper body.

I saw a couple of guys on a portage who were both wearing those tile layer knee pads like you can get at Home Depot. I thought they must both be kneeling in the canoe but they weren't.

I commented on the knee pads and they told me that they were tired of banging their knees up.

I have some 511 tactical pants too but I haven't taken them on a canoe trip yet but might after reading MP's post.

If you have pants you like but want to protect those knees, those tradesmen pads might not be a bad way to go.

For you married guys that have to BEG the little woman to take a trip, they'll make your kneeling time much more tolerable.  ;) ;D ;D

Reading more of Stu’s guiding trip reports has me fired up. The stories of fishing Lonely Ponds and Antoine are what I dream of. Exciting stuff. I had planned on checking out Lonely Ponds this September but didn’t go on the water during my layover day there bc of wind and I was just plain tired. Where does Stu get the energy?

Where is Lonely Ponds located?
Never heard that name before.

They are 2 small unnamed lakes just off the north east side of Lonely.  Stu made that name up.  He advises only fishing the further one.  The portages aren't maintained and he reports it's close to a bushwhack.

TomT wrote on Oct 8^th, 2018 at 11:36am:

They are 2 small unnamed lakes just off the north east side of Lonely.  Stu made that name up.  He advises only fishing the further one.  The portages aren't maintained and he reports it's close to a bushwhack.

Thanks, TT
I seem to remember there was someone here who once mentioned going to them but maybe they just said they would like too?

Did Stu go in via that stream or alongside it?
Looks like a day-trip if you're so inclined.

If I attempted it, I would basecamp on Lonely for a few days and mark the "portage" with squirrel tape before hauling gear across. Remove it as you leave.

He daytripped from north Sturgeon. Said he paddled the creek as far in as usual then found the trail with blowdown on it. The fishing was worth it.

TomT wrote on Oct 8^th, 2018 at 6:03pm:

He daytripped from north Sturgeon. Said he paddled the creek as far in as usual then found the trail with blowdown on it. The fishing was worth it.

Going in from Lonely Lk looks easier on the map than thru North Sturgeon?

I'll have to remember this and in the future, if I become more of a base camper, look into going in from the Lonely side?

They were camped on Sturgeon and went into Lonely then into the ponds for a day trip. Grab a copy of the journal, it’s a good one.

Hey ST,

YOU even get “referenced” in this issue re: sagely advice that you provided.   Just an FYI.

Jimbo  8-)

Jimbo wrote on Oct 8^th, 2018 at 11:31pm:

Hey ST, YOU even get “referenced” in this issue re: sagely advice that you provided.   Just an FYI. Jimbo  8-)

Even a BLIND squirrel finds a nut once in a while.  ;) ;D ;D ;D

I gave up my subscription a while back but will have to get this issue since I'm now a "SAGE".  ::) ;D ;D

Can you buy just ONE issue or Jimbo's article?

ST,

You can probably pick up a copy at Barnes and Noble. Before you do that, let me see if I can’t fix you up with what you’re looking for. I’ll shoot you a PM regarding what I can do.

Jimbo. 8-)

Jimbo wrote on Oct 7^th, 2018 at 7:48pm:

...Snip....My next big step in the right direction will be to take 20-25 lbs out of my typical portage load in future trips. It's fairly plain that's a big problem for me ("overpacking") so I'm working hard to fix it....Snip....

Jimbo, you could start by leaving the 10 lb bag of potatoes at home....After seeing your loads this past summer, you may want to consider removing 40-45 pounds from your typical portage load....then you'd be in Magic's neighborhood.... :D   ....just kidding....

I really like the bear vault 500 and an Ursack. The dog food goes in the ursack and when empty it folds up into the flap pocket on my pack. The BV doubles as a table or stool.

TomT wrote on Oct 8^th, 2018 at 12:00am:

Reading more of Stu’s guiding trip reports has me fired up. The stories of fishing Lonely Ponds and Antoine are what I dream of. Exciting stuff. I had planned on checking out Lonely Ponds this September but didn’t go on the water during my layover day there bc of wind and I was just plain tired. Where does Stu get the energy?

The unnamed lakes northeast of Lonely have been in my sights for a few years. I need to subscribe to BWJ, that article definitely would be great (and many others) to read. I imagine the "Lonely ponds" get visited very little, and I'm appealed by getting back in there, possibly more than just a day trip. Another set of unnamed lakes I've thought about venturing into are the three north of Quetico lake.

I've been to Antoine once, and the fishing definitely was good! I will say though that the portages into and out of there were quite a tough go, lots of elevation!

You can get into Antoine by taking the creek out of Sturgeon Lake.  I first took the creek in 1972 and twice since then.  The creek is a lot smaller than it was in 1972, but still passable.

Lonely Lake was the destination of my first trip into Quetico in 1969.  In those days we took 14 foot aluminum boats and 10 horse motors.  I have always wanted to return to Lonely Lake and fish the two ponds.

Westwood wrote on Oct 18^th, 2018 at 10:10pm:

You can get into Antoine by taking the creek out of Sturgeon Lake.  I first took the creek in 1972 and twice since then.  The creek is a lot smaller than it was in 1972, but still passable. Lonely Lake was the destination of my first trip into Quetico in 1969.  In those days we took 14 foot aluminum boats and 10 horse motors.  I have always wanted to return to Lonely Lake and fish the two ponds.

Wow that's awesome to know about getting into Antoine from Sturgeon. I'd presume during times of low water doing so would be questionable?

Westwood wrote on Oct 18^th, 2018 at 10:10pm:

You can get into Antoine by taking the creek out of Sturgeon Lake.  I first took the creek in 1972 and twice since then.  The creek is a lot smaller than it was in 1972, but still passable. Lonely Lake was the destination of my first trip into Quetico in 1969.  In those days we took 14 foot aluminum boats and 10 horse motors.  I have always wanted to return to Lonely Lake and fish the two ponds.

Pulled out a map, which creek are you speaking of?

solotripper wrote on Oct 8^th, 2018 at 11:44pm:

Can you buy just ONE issue or Jimbo's article?

I'm curious of that as well. Definitely sounds like an article worth reading

solotripper wrote on Oct 8^th, 2018 at 6:52pm:

TomT wrote on Oct 8th, 2018 at 6:03pm: He daytripped from north Sturgeon. Said he paddled the creek as far in as usual then found the trail with blowdown on it. The fishing was worth it. Going in from Lonely Lk looks easier on the map than thru North Sturgeon? I'll have to remember this and in the future, if I become more of a base camper, look into going in from the Lonely side?

There's actually an old portage marked on one of my maps.. Possibly from Jim Clark? Haha... From Antoine into Lonely ponds. Hard telling if this would even remotely be feasible. Looks like it follows a bit of a natural saddle..

Quetico For Life wrote on Oct 18^th, 2018 at 10:51pm:

solotripper wrote on Oct 8th, 2018 at 11:44pm: Can you buy just ONE issue or Jimbo's article? I'm curious of that as well. Definitely sounds like an article worth reading

I would order the issue directly from BWJ if you can't find it at a newstand.  Big bookstores like Barnes and Noble will usually have it.  This is a very good issue and worth the read. 

Going from antoine to Lonely ponds seems unreasonable.  Stu describes exactly what he had to do to get there.  It's mostly a bushwhack with some blowdown.  I'm game to get there.  It'll be a warm up to when I go into Pierna.  :) :)  That's my holy grail in Quetico.

The creek into Antoine is actually a creek into Ram Lake.  You would have to make a very short portage from Ram to Antoine.  The creek that flows from Ram to Sturgeon flows from the northeast side of Ram Lake.  I have taken the creek into Ram in 1972, 2004 and 2012.  Each time the creek seems to get smaller.  There isn't much elevation to the creek so if the water is low you could probably make your decision as you enter the creek.

Quetico For Life wrote on Oct 18^th, 2018 at 11:00pm:

solotripper wrote on Oct 8th, 2018 at 6:52pm: TomT wrote on Oct 8th, 2018 at 6:03pm: He daytripped from north Sturgeon. Said he paddled the creek as far in as usual then found the trail with blowdown on it. The fishing was worth it. Going in from Lonely Lk looks easier on the map than thru North Sturgeon? I'll have to remember this and in the future, if I become more of a base camper, look into going in from the Lonely side? There's actually an old portage marked on one of my maps.. Possibly from Jim Clark? Haha... From Antoine into Lonely ponds. Hard telling if this would even remotely be feasible. Looks like it follows a bit of a natural saddle..

QFL -

I had an old map showing a portage from Antoine into those Lonely Ponds, too... and, no, Jim Clark didn't draw it on the map, either!  Tried to find that portage several years back without luck.  Looked to be a bit of a slog through there so I'm not sure how feasible it might be.

There's an OLD thread on QJ where this subject came up, I'm pretty sure.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

Westwood wrote on Oct 20^th, 2018 at 1:22am:

The creek into Antoine is actually a creek into Ram Lake.  You would have to make a very short portage from Ram to Antoine.  The creek that flows from Ram to Sturgeon flows from the northeast side of Ram Lake.  I have taken the creek into Ram in 1972, 2004 and 2012.  Each time the creek seems to get smaller.  There isn't much elevation to the creek so if the water is low you could probably make your decision as you enter the creek.

Ah, that makes sense now. I've been through Ram to Antoine once, and that portage between the two isn't too bad iirc. I mainly remember the hill climb from Antoine going out to Sturgeon.

As for the the creek, right, that would be a game time decision on go or no go.

Jimbo wrote on Oct 20^th, 2018 at 1:15pm:

Quetico For Life wrote on Oct 18th, 2018 at 11:00pm: solotripper wrote on Oct 8th, 2018 at 6:52pm: TomT wrote on Oct 8th, 2018 at 6:03pm: He daytripped from north Sturgeon. Said he paddled the creek as far in as usual then found the trail with blowdown on it. The fishing was worth it. Going in from Lonely Lk looks easier on the map than thru North Sturgeon? I'll have to remember this and in the future, if I become more of a base camper, look into going in from the Lonely side? There's actually an old portage marked on one of my maps.. Possibly from Jim Clark? Haha... From Antoine into Lonely ponds. Hard telling if this would even remotely be feasible. Looks like it follows a bit of a natural saddle.. QFL - I had an old map showing a portage from Antoine into those Lonely Ponds, too... and, no, Jim Clark didn't draw it on the map, either!  Tried to find that portage several years back without luck.  Looked to be a bit of a slog through there so I'm not sure how feasible it might be. There's an OLD thread on QJ where this subject came up, I'm pretty sure. Later, Jimbo   8-)

Good info, that it wasnt just a Jim Clark marking lol. That alone would make me really question ever trying!

Yeah, I have no clue, but certainly imagine it could be extremely interesting, if not impassible, at least not without heartache and strife beyond what I would desire to get myself into. Then again who knows, could just be a bit of a bushwhack. It would be interesting if there was a report of someone going through there to see just what it was like!

Regardless, going from Lonely makes more sense, no doubt about it.

Got my Fall BWJ Monday.  Good article Jimbo.

Magicpaddler wrote on Nov 21^st, 2018 at 12:02pm:

Got my Fall BWJ Monday.  Good article Jimbo.

Geez, Magic, your mail is slow!

By the way, I'll soon be writing a BETTER story about a September 2018 trip.  It'll feature: 1) a very friendly Border Collie, and 2) some old dude with a bad case of bronchitis paddling a solo canoe.  It turns out he "dusts" two young whippersnappers aggressively paddling a tandem.  The two young bucks DARED to "race" him to a five star campsite to claim it for their own... and the ancient warrior kicked their asses!  Might make a movie script of it and ask Rocky Balboa - I'm mean Sylvester Stallone - to play the lead.  It was something to cheer about!

Fun travels.  Can hardly wait until next year....

By the way, remember those two guys we met at Sue Falls in Sept 2017?  I mentioned them in my story.  Anyway, I just heard from them last night & they pass along their regards.  You did a nice job of catching our dinner right in front of their canoe... and they definitely remembered THAT.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

Your stories are going to show a recovered tripper because you are in better shape each year.  New parts are making life better.
Some areas of the world have poor mail service do to corruption and bureaucracies. My mail is sloooow and my first BWJ got lost.  My mail goes through Krook County.
I have been doing some rout planning on PP for a possible solo next year. It going to be another long winter.

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My mail goes through Krook County.

  ;) ;D ;D ;D

I still don't have mine. They burn books in Indiana though, so it might never get here.

Forgive me for being the dull one, but I have to admit to being confused.

Are the BWJ copies you are waiting on just a single back ordered issue that includes a member's article?  Or are you still waiting on several subscription copies that have gone missing?

MossBack

Mossback,

My understanding is that they have yet to receive the issue that came out way back in September... this past September!

Jimbo   8-)

Mossback, Don't take me too seriously. I got mine, thought we were talking about a new winter issue. My fault for not keeping up with the tread. But I did miss an issue recently and had to borrowed a friends, so that''s my excuse.

Jimbo, Since I now know what's going on here, let me add. Nice job again. :thumbup :thumbup