Good morning! I am planning my first solo trip from EP 37 to Malberg (and beyond) in July 2024. I've trimmed my packing list to the bare bones and would like to attempt single portages to save time. If you have any advice (if I'm crazy to attempt!) your input would be valuable.

I have read several pros and cons for carrying upwards of 100 lbs, but I'd like to trim to 85-90 total portage weight, including the canoe.

Thanks!

Single carry portaging

Plenty of folks do it. But I went down this road myself a couple years ago and realized that it just isn't worth it even after spending thousands on ultralight everything. I weighed every single item and created a spreadsheet, left pretty much all luxury items at home, packed only freeze-dried food with very few snacks, and still struggled to get my pack under 40lbs for a 5 day trip. My carry weight was about 85lbs with paddles, water bottle, pack, etc. I attempted it for a few portages before I just gave up. Risk of injury greatly increases, the exhaustion and pain I felt after portaging was tough to come back from when I had to get back in the canoe and paddle and ultimately made time at camp less enjoyable because I was sore.

I really love hiking so I just learned to enjoy the portages and use the second trip for the pack to enjoy the scenery. You're going to miss all that stuff trying to huff 80-100lbs down the trail. It's a canoe trip after all, not ultralight backpacking. There's no hurry, I'll get there when I get there. So I guess if you're David Goggins or you're trying to crank out 20+ miles in a day, or you're doing the Grand Portage... maybe worth it. Otherwise I think it's a bit pointless and risky when you're alone.

Thank you for your response! I’m going to do a dry run with full load and see how it feels. The other response speaks to safety, as well so even if I’m capable, I’ll need to consider whether it’s worth the risk. Seems many solo single portage adventurers shoot for that 80lb total weight range. Appreciate your thoughts!

Get yourself a 23lb NW Solo stealth and that opens up a lot of options for you!

As a quick note on your route, if you haven't already done that route before, there's still not a ton of tall tree cover for shade since the fire, especially on the back-to-back 187 and 88 rod portages from Kawasachong to Polly. Something to consider in July heat since your body will be working a lot harder. Water and a break in-between would a good idea.

To the OP.
You didn't tell us your age, that makes a big difference.
Either way, I've been solo canoing for 30 years.

Early on in my youth I tried single portaging, and I was able to do it a few times. However, the cumulative effect of single portaging throughout the day was exhausting. Additionally, the risk of injury increases.

Even in my late 20's I had stopped such non-sense. And who can say that walking a 300 rod portage back through a forest for gear is not at the very least, an easy and scenic walk?

When you are camping in the BWCA or elsewhere, try to not have to 'save time' so much. It's all part of the experience and rushing is reserved for life outside of the woods.
Tom

All good advice. Many thanks to all who responded! I am getting the sense that slowing it down is a safer and more relaxed way to travel. To answer tumblehome, I'm 49 and need to consider things a little more closely than I used to. Having only done trips with multiple people, this is a shift in mindset for sure. I am looking forward to only having to focus on one person this time! Definitely creates a new set of decisions....but good ones that are fun to work through!

cabinsolutions: "All good advice. Many thanks to all who responded! I am getting the sense that slowing it down is a safer and more relaxed way to travel. To answer tumblehome, I'm 49 and need to consider things a little more closely than I used to. Having only done trips with multiple people, this is a shift in mindset for sure. I am looking forward to only having to focus on one person this time! Definitely creates a new set of decisions....but good ones that are fun to work through! "

Ahh, you are on the right path. Solo tripping is the ultimate freedom for some people. It is for me. I am never lonely and I love doing everything on my own time.
I'm 56 so just a little ahead of you.

At the least, you can pack for single portaging and try it. See if it works for you. Besides, solo camping requires a person to trim down everything possible to the bare essentials. I pack ultra-light but still double trip. Tackle, paddle, fanny pack, all that misc. stuff starts to add up. Have fun!
Tom

I've done it several times. The last time I was 62 years old. If your canoe has a slider seat move it all the way forward and put your pack right behind you. If you need more weight upfront I've put my food in a water proof stuff sack and stuck that up front. Then On the portage I can quickly slide the stuff sack into my portage pack. My base weight is around 14 lbs, my canoe is 33 lbs ,and my food depending on the trip will be another 12 lbs or so

On my Q solo last fall I would single portage for the first 4-4.5 hrs of travel per day then switch to double portaging for the last 3.5-4 hrs of the day as I was getting tired and recognized the safety aspect. I also limited myself to 8 hrs of travel per day.

My spring solo trip to the BW last year I double portaged most of the time but increased my travel time to 10-10.5 hrs per day for the first few days to cover some ground and relax on the back half of the trip

I don’t see an advantage of pushing for single portaging. You might “save time” but so what. Why are you in such a hurry? When you portage all your gear at once, you don’t fully enjoy each portage-you miss so much! Also much safer.

egknuti: "I don’t see an advantage of pushing for single portaging. You might “save time” but so what. Why are you in such a hurry? When you portage all your gear at once, you don’t fully enjoy each portage-you miss so much! Also much safer. "

Everyone has their own version of the BW. For me I love to paddle and travel the area. Campsites are just layover for me. Time to eat and sleep and get ready for the next day of travel. As far as portages go. I see the same things that everyone else dose. I don't get the "what's the hurry comments" It's not a hurry it's just my preferred way of travel.

When I am soloing, I single the ports, and love it that way. The day will come when I can't and then I will double. Like Tom (Hi Tom!) I'm 56 and in good shape for my age, despite a new knee.

But I have the gear dialed in to do it. I'm carrying about 60#, +/- maybe 1.5# depending on the season.

That includes Canoe, PFD, 2 paddles, food, gear, pack...absolutely everything other than the clothes I am wearing.

I would likely have to double if I was at 80-90 pounds.

When I solo, I prefer to single portage but also listening to my body on how I'm feeling versus the conditions and difficulty of the portage. On longer portages, I may start off single but don't hesitate to put the canoe down and double carry a steep/tricky segment. I also get nervous about leaving my food pack unattended for too long (yogi and critters) so will leap frog if need to double long portages by walking ~7.5 minutes, dropping the load, then going back. That way nothing is sitting unattended for more than 15 minutes.

I have about 32-35# of canoe, paddle + backup, yoke, fishing rod, and small thwart bag over my head, and then try to keep my pack starting at no more than 40#. So my carry weight is 75# or less at the start of a trip (often 6 days). But everyone needs to determine what threshold works for them...

Regardless of singling or doubling portages, having any gear well secured and balanced in the canoe while you carry goes a long way toward being able to carry more weight than if you're fighting an off-balance load or constantly readjusting on your shoulders. Before my first solo, I found it very helpful doing a couple practice runs at home/local park to see what I could carry and dial in my load/unload transition process.

At that weight and it being your first solo I would highly suggest you start by doubling and if you find later in the trip that it's pretty easy you can always switch to single. But do what's best for you. Paddle your own paddle and portage your own portage so to speak. That being said I prefer to double carry but I pack to be able to single. I feel like it gives more energy throughout the day. I have no problem doing a 9 hour day and still having plenty left in the tank when I get to camp. But sometimes I really don't feel like walking a 300 rod portage 3 times. I also trip with my dog so for a 5,6 day trip there's just too much food weight. So I have a very small day pack for her food that I will carry with the canoe. Then when the food starts dwindling I can then put that pack in my main canoe bag. I usually always single the last day because I just want to get out. No matter how you pack the biggest key is ultralight gear, kevlar canoe, and everything strapped in its place. The canoe can be the biggest challenge to get everything strapped in. I have a video on my YouTube channel on how I set up my canoe if your interested. Canoe setup for portage

I never could… but for me my limiting factor was length of trip. Less then ten days was pretty rare. But like for a couple days it seemed more doable. Longer trips I needed decent meals and won’t eat most prepackaged high sodium stuff. But there again for a couple nights no big deal… kind of depends on your nutritional needs there. I prefer to have meals easy to prepare, foods I like, and have what I need to keep me moving. I always lost weight… the other factor for me was my dog. She could get nine days in one pack. So two packs would be good for the eighteen days we shot for a lot.

I've done up to 8 days with single portaging. My pack before consumables is between 16-18 lbs. And for a week long trip, I carry about 10-12 lbs. of food and still come home with leftovers. I really like the freedom and simplicity of traveling light. You sound like you are on the right track. Make sure you weigh everything so you can make wise decisions on what to leave home. Message if you want a link to my lighterpack.com list.

Sometimes it helps to post your gear list so others can weigh in (pun intended) on what you could cut out.

I'm 76 and still single portage. I dread the day when I'll have to double. My pack is usually 40# and I have a light- weight solo canoe. I love to travel and don't consider paddling along at 4 mph and only walking at a 100 rods in 10 minutes pace, hurrying. If I wanted to amble back over the portage again I could always walk it 5 or 6 times. For me, at the end of the day I'm less tired because I've only walked 1/3 the distance. Try it, if you don't like it, quit. After all, when you're solo it's your trip.

If anyone is interested on how to really lowering the weight of your gear. Wonder over to a Bikepacking site. They have it down, mainly out of necessity due to limited space

Voyager: "I'm 76 and still single portage. I dread the day when I'll have to double. My pack is usually 40# and I have a light- weight solo canoe. I love to travel and don't consider paddling along at 4 mph and only walking at a 100 rods in 10 minutes pace, hurrying. If I wanted to amble back over the portage again I could always walk it 5 or 6 times. For me, at the end of the day I'm less tired because I've only walked 1/3 the distance. Try it, if you don't like it, quit. After all, when you're solo it's your trip.



"

+1

Voyager: "I'm 76 and still single portage. I dread the day when I'll have to double. My pack is usually 40# and I have a light- weight solo canoe. I love to travel and don't consider paddling along at 4 mph and only walking at a 100 rods in 10 minutes pace, hurrying. If I wanted to amble back over the portage again I could always walk it 5 or 6 times. For me, at the end of the day I'm less tired because I've only walked 1/3 the distance. Try it, if you don't like it, quit. After all, when you're solo it's your trip.



"

+2

Glad you can do the single portage thing. I solo quite a bit and used to single portage but both knees are shot and it is too risky and painful. The rest of me is in good shape and enjoy walking, so extra trips with lighter loads is most enjoyable. I am also a youngster at 68 and do not plan to end solo trips any time soon.