One of members for our mid August trip just found out  his achilles surgery did not "take". I do not know the medical details all I know is that he limps and is back to wearing his boot. (He originally had surgery in March and the Dr though that he would be recovered enough to make the trip)

As a group we have made about 9 trips to Quetico but all of our entry Points have been at Northern Points mostly Nym and Beaverhouse. This year we are entering through Prarie with hopes of the Brent area loop. The surgery is set for later in August and he is considering attempting the trip. We understand that on the portages his job would be to get himself over while the rest lugged the gear and canoes etc. He has also told us that he would step aside if someone else to go could be found. (Not likely since we leave in little over a month)

The question is how do the portages in the Southern portion of the park compare to the Northern? He is basing his decision on his experience in the northern part of the park and the fact the nothern portages on a whole seem longer than the southern. (Although there are more) He is also wondering since the southern portion of the park gets more traffic if the portages are some what easier to traverse.

What route have you planned to run from PP to Brent?

With a few notable exceptions, you'd likely not see significant differences between the portages north to south.  Once your are on Sarah (assuming you'd go that way), I'd have to classify most of the portages as "easy."

Have you checked into the possibility of changing permits/EP's.  It might be time to do a French/Pickerel Lake trip where you can do more paddling and less portaging this year and save the Brent trip for another time.  You might still foray into Sturgeon via Dore/Twin/Deux Rivieres where the portages are mostly flat, wide and with relatively few obstructions.

dd

Our route as planned at this moment was to go through Shade, Yum Yum, Kash, Joyce, Suzanette, leaving our options for our eventual exit through I believe Basswood lake. (Not sure I do not have the maps our outfitter provided in front of me. I just know we are meeting somewhere in that vicinity) We do have some flexibility in our route that can be made to accomadate him. (For what it's worth we have  a Kash Permit)

Another factor working for him is that he would be the 6th member of a  group that travels by my definition light. Who know if that is light for everyone else, but we have managed to single portage on previous years. So there should be someone available to walk with him.

Who knows this may all be for naught he does have to get an MRI sometime next week to determine just how much damage he still has in the ankle.

The climb out of Kash is steep heading toward Joyce, the rest of the way is rough in spots and muddy too.
The Brent area has some rough patches as well. I think considering he doesn't need anymore stress on his injured ankle, I would opt for 2 walking sticks with the carbide tips for traction up/down the steep areas.
With the wrist straps, he would have  better grip than with paddles IF he stumbled. CAMPMOR sells their own brand, for about $50 a set. You could use for other outdoor activities and might be worth a look.

While I think using walking sticks with carbide tips is a good idea (I typically use a pair when hiking in the rockies), I'd be cautious about using the wrist straps unless you have some experience.  On the rare occasion where you go down and your walking stick doesn't, the wrist strap could make the fall worse ... think sitting on the ground with your arm(s) fully extended above your head and locked in position by the wrist strap's tension.

The route into Brent that you have selected is not the easiest.  Getting to Shade will not be an issue, but crossing into Yum Yum or Yum Yum to Kash might be an issue.  Then, as mentioned, the climb out of Kash is not going to be a snap.  You will have a choice of 3 portages to enter Burt via Marj ... but the one that is a single portage (may not be marked on your maps) ends over a rock face with a steep down angle toward the water.  If it is wet, someone is going to wind up in the lake.

dd