Chest Loads

[Black_Fly]

Last trip I double portaged rather than triple portaging. I’m hoping to do that again. Adjustments include adding chest loads. I’m not 100% sure I can do it, but the plan is to use a large fanny pack as a sling pack on my chest along with my camp pack and the canoe. This will contain my fishing gear.

With the 60L barrel, I plan to carry a 24L pack in front. Hand loads will be minimal. Fishing pole and extra paddle attached to canoe. I’m considering making some loads and walking the neighborhood to see if I can hack the weight on flat ground.

Another change is water. I’m not carrying full water bottles to start. I’ll have to pump water enroute and fill them all just before landing in camp.

This is all basic stuff but if I’m going to reach my destination in Quetico or get deeper in the BWCA, I’ve got to accommodate this old bag of busted bones. Triple portaging is not only slow, it wears me out. I can always turn the 24L around and use it with the canoe to triple portage if it’s too much strain.

Other plans to maximize my 68 year old body are:
•primary reliance on freeze dried meals
•no hatchet
•less fishing tackle
•ditching the bear vault for Bogan’s food for something else (??)
•minimal clothing.

My new policy of not moving 2 days consecutively will be in force. I’ve found that too aggressive of an itinerary is to be avoided. Any thoughts or hints would be appreciated.

 

[jdeerfoot]

I remember trying a chest load on a BWCA trip long ago when I was still agile. I learned then that I needed to see where a placed my feet. So, given my current and permanent lack of agility, it is not for me anymore.

 

[BWCA66]

I use Ursacks vs a bear vault, they are lighter and pack down as they are being emptied. Don't think I've ever triple portaged but I do usually double pack, I find a pack on front actually balances things out.

 

[Gamma1214]

I've never tried a chest pack but it would definitely limit your ability to see your feet so I'd probably pass.

It makes sense that the way your load is balanced is probably more critical than the total weight. I'd also agree that (slightly) more weight on a carry would be less tiring than an extra trip across but that could be very situational so I'd like to have a way to break it down into smaller loads easily (and it sounds like you'll have that ability).

I certainly agree with empty water bottles when portaging. I like having a filter in the 1st and last loads across the portage so that you can rehydrate as needed at either end.

Can dog food fit in your food barrel? That could cut the weight of the bear vault. If not, you could probably hang the dog food (and yours for that matter) instead of carrying extra (or any?) containers. Bear bags are (IMO) more bear-proof than any container if they're done properly but suitable trees are harder to find in some areas and many people don't know how to hang properly (with nothing tied to any tree)

Fishing tackle seems to take up more space than it adds weight but you still shouldn't need anything more than the bare basics up there.

Less aggressive schedules are also wise, especially at the beginning of a trip when we tend to be a little rusty and less efficient in our movements and routines. I'm not sure I could do "move every other day" as you propose but overworking yourself one day typically leads to longer recovery times and prolonged misery.

Given the injuries of the past few years, I'm glad that you're still able to get out there. Just remember that slow and steady often wins the race.

 

[lowangle al]

I'm not a fan of carrying a pack on your chest. I don't think Bill Mason was either. On the one trip I was on with a guy who did it, he tripped and hurt his knee. We never made it to our destination.

You may not have a problem with the fanny pack as long as you can see well enough.

 

[PortageW/Cerberus]

As I get older my approach to getting deeper into Quetico, WCPP, etc is to go light. This may not fit how you like to trip, and I don't mean to proselytize. If this is a rabbit-hole of interest, the best resource I have seen is the lightweight tripping forum over at bwca.com.

Like you, I like to mix in layover days at the same camp at least a couple of times in a 7-14 night trip.

 

[Mason]

I've used chest loads a fair bit. My solo trips, up to two weeks, are boat, day pack, and main pack. I don't like anything extra with the boat (regardless of how light they are, they're still too heavy--heavy packs I can manage). I hike my pack with paddles in each hand for added stability. Sometimes I have my day pack on front, other times I just throw it on top of my main pack, depending on how well each setup stays put. You have to look down to see your feet, but it's not been a problem even on technical sections. You can always move the pack to one side for additional visibility. For me, the main issue is the pack staying where I put it--they're easy to slip off your shoulders--I guess you could rig up something attaching to your shoulder straps. When I was photographing a lot, I put some clips on my shoulder straps on which I attached my 20# Pelican case--it worked really well. On longer (4-6 week) northern trips with 50-85 pounds of food, I have two big packs, my day pack and the canoe (tandem), with three trips. Whenever I use my day pack on front, I have my paddles in my hands for added stability (think hiking poles). The paddles are there when I need them--I use a light touch to stabilize, not to catch myself. And yes I use carbon paddles, to no detriment.