I have paddled and tripped with wood canvas canoes exclusively since the late 80's and here's a list of gear I would take on solo portage trips,
-Wood Canvas canoe, started with a 16' Chestnut Pal, went to a 15' Chestnut Chum or a 14' reproduction Chestnut Fox. My last portage trip was with the Chum.
-homemade portage pads using leftover canvas/tacks from canoe work
-2 ash beavertail paddles
-2 Duluth Packs, which vary from trip to trip, sometimes a Wanderer and Cruiser, sometimes a Day Pack for food and a #3 pack or any combination. (two small Sealine bags for food storage carried in the Duluth Pack)
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-Snow and Nealley Hudson Bay Ax
-old Maine-made Schmidt Pack Saw
-old American-made Schrade folding knife
-an old stainless 1 liter pot with a latching lid, inside fits 2 Boy Scout alum plates, matches, lighter, scouring pad, extendable fire blowing tube, salt bottle, pot grabber.
-spatula
-cold handle frying pan
-littl bug twig stove
-blue metal coffee cup
-water bottle
-Grocery store food, instant potatoes, pasta, jerky, some fresh frozen meat stored in the bottom of a pack for the first fewdays, a couple of small zucchini from the garden, fresh caught fish, pancakes, bacon, granola bars, some rum.
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-small military surplus bag with fish lures, small binocs, camera, needle nose plyers, some wire, and a small flattened roll of duct tape for repairs.
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-small first aid kit and PFD, bandana, ball cap and bigger hat, rain gear, LL Bean Boots or Muck Boots, crocks, SPOT X satellite message device, compass, maps, ample clothes for warmth.
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Old Timberline 4 Tent with an old patched GREEN Campmore tarp, sleeping bag and mattress.
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That's about it for when I used to do portage trips
Nowadays my preferred way to camp is with my wall tent, wood stove, old Byers cot, waningan, old restored wood/canvas chair, and a cooler with fresh meat out of my 16' Chestnut Cruiser. This is a non-portage trip but I have over 100 nights in the tent in paddle in campsites. I try to keep as traditional camp as possible, very comfortable.
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Love the photos Robin!