It's reassuring to read this thread in that it appears most double portage, as do we.  My paddling partner and I planned a trip recently with two young friends of mine.  In meeting with them to plan the trip, they were appalled when they learned that we double packed and they insisted they were going to travel light and fast, and suggested that once on the trip, we could agree to meet on some lake further ahead.  As we talked, it was evident that our styles were so distinctly it wouldn't work.  We ended up mutually canceling the trip. 

Other than that, the only comment I'd add that is not duplicative to past posts is the value I've learned in always packing the gear in the same location in the canoe.  Occasionally over the years, as we've prepared to leave a portage, I've noticed a "hole" in the canoe and asked where a certain pack was that always went in that spot -- and in the process avoided leaving gear on the portage.

prouboy

Old Salt wrote on Apr 12^th, 2013 at 8:29pm:


There's the OS I have come to know and love  Where have you been?

It's good to know who's responsible for what on tandem trips so the last person doesn't get stuck with anything extra.

Like Joe, I proudly triple when solo. I got into the habit with a heavier canoe and have yet discovered a reason to change style/everything to double. Three ~33# carries beats two ~50# ones in my book. Two would probably be faster but I've tried timing myself many times. I always forget to look at the end or forgot what time I started so I figure it's not very important to me. The one thing I don't do is sit at one end or the other waiting for a second wind 'cause I don't need to.

In no particular order:
1- Canoe. Paddle in hand. PFD clipped around seat.
2- Water bottle goes in the day food pack which simply gets tossed on top of the food pack. Spare paddle in hand.
3- Jacket, maps, lures are in the day pack that's tossed on top of the gear pack after the tripod is strapped on top. Camera case in hand.

Things change a bit as the foodpack lightens but it's just me. Things like rainfly, hatchet find there way into the food pack plus some gas comes out of the gear pack as the trip goes on. I could probably do two trips near the end but it would be awkward.

Like Marten said about paddles, they come in handy. It's not like I use mine as walking sticks all the time but they do come in handy once in a while.

Mosquitoes aren't a bother if you can move quickly. I've not "deeted up" for a portage in years nor do I dread them like I use to plus there's less risk of serious injury.  It's just 5 nice walks in the woods.

I will sometimes have a powerbar 10 - 15 minutes before before a long portage. They always seemed to help a bit on tandem trips..

This brings to mind the whole "smell the roses" vs "charging towards goals". I think you can blend the two some. Keep moving, but slow down and take it easy. Down shift to "ambling" speed. It doesn't really slow you down as much as you think since you're overall more rested and cover more ground day after day. Stop often to look around. I think it's safer to stay comfortably within your limits, and your mind can still be engaged to the discovery of new ground.

I always carry the same things with each carry.

Usually 2 passes over a portage with guys.

Trips with gals I do 3 carries though and that's OK too. That gives them/her time to get the cameras out. But I just got a new lighter boat for when there's just us two. So I'm hoping I can carry a small guide pack with some gear while carrying the boat to lighten our other packs enough to do 2 carries each. Gals use trekking poles for safety.

Guys are stronger, but gals are tougher. But that's a story for another day. 

I have always traveled in tandem in the BW.  We always single portage.  All fishing gear, paddles, pfd's have their place in the canoe and the canoe goes first.  We then have two bags that the other paddler carries across to the other side. 

We usually, paddle for a week at a time and have learned that extra stuff, becomes just that, so we leave it at home.

This gives us more time on the water and in camp, which to me is always the best part of the trip.