JULY/AUGUST 2019
40 BACKPACKER.COM LINKED RING PHOTOGRAPHYSkill Set
ADVENTURE U
Por tage trails link lakes
and skirt obstacles like
rapids or dams. They’re
usually marked on maps
and by signs on the bank.Your pack or PFD can
provide padding where the
weight rests on your
shoulders.To put the boat down,
gently toss it up so your
head clears the portage
yoke, and lower it to your
side with control.1) PLAN A REASONABLE ROUTE.
Efficient paddlers can expect to travel at
least 10 miles a day on f latwater and 12 to 15
miles in a gentle downstream current. A
headwind can significantly slow your pace,
though, so beginners should pick routes
with abundant camping options.2) PACK FOR A CAPSIZE.
Stow your tent, sleeping bag, and clothes in
watertight drybags—ones with shoulder
straps and hipbelts make portaging a cinch.
Leave a small air pocket in your bag before
sealing to increase buoyancy. Keep small
essentials like your camera and sunscreen
accessible in a small drybag lashed to the
canoe. Secure loose items like water bottles
for rapids, and always bring an extra paddle.3) CHECK SEASONAL CONDITIONS.
Water levels can change quickly due to
snowmelt, precipitation, and dam releases.
Speak with local outfitters or rangers to
ensure your route is safe and passable
before heading out, and always use the most
current information to mark portages,
rapids, a nd ca mpsites on your map.4) BALANCE YOUR BOAT.
Keep weight as even as possible ( both left to
right and front to back) to ensure your
canoe is stable and tracks straight. Place
heavy items in the center, between the yoke
and thwart (the wooden brace secured
between the gunwales at the canoe’s
middle). Maintain a low center of gravity by
keeping gear tucked below the gunwales.5) KNOW WHAT’S AHEAD.
Keep your map accessible at all times (store
it in a transparent case or zip-top bag). You
can sometimes scout minor rapids from the
boat, but should always pull over to check
out whitewater class II or higher—or any
place where obstacles and currents are
unknown. A loaded canoe is slow to
maneuver, so react early to hazards. Or, run
tricky sections with an empty boat (portage
your gea r) for ea sier steer ing.6) PADDLE EFFICIENTLY.
Sit up comfortably and paddle on the
opposite side of your partner. The person in
the stern ( back) steers, while the bow
paddler acts as the motor and makes quick
adjustments in fast water. Hold the paddle’s
T-grip so that your four fingers wrap over
the top and your thumb wraps underneath.
Gra sp t he sha f t w it h your bot tom ha nd a s
you would hold an ice cream cone. Keep the
paddle nearly vertical as you hinge at the
waist to draw the blade back (see right for
more paddling tips).Canoe Camp
Grab a paddle to access quiet coves, mirror lakes, or exhilarating rapids this summer.
Best part: You can pack like you’re car camping when you trade boots for a boat.
By Zoe GatesGrasp the gunwales as
shown or brace your
arms out in front of you
for balance. Allow the
weight of the boat to
drop in the back so you
can see.