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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.

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


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   

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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. 

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

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


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.