Canoe Trails Training Manual

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Cruising (cont.) stroke, the stern man should follow it, except in an emergency. Portaging Packing canoes and packs across a half mile carry can be a nightmare or only plain hard work, lightened by unexpected scenery and wild life. 5. The rules of the portage are: 1.Unload all duffle from the canoe directly to a point where it can be picked up for the carry. Don't pick things up and set them down three or four times. 2. Have the minimum number of separate items. Put small articles in a musette bag or pack. Lash fishing rods and extra paddle to canoe. 3. Plan the loads for the carry. Take everything in one trip. 4. Take an easy pace. Rest when you get winded or tired by leaning your load on a rock, a stub or a fallen tree. Don't step on an obstruction when you can step over it. 5. Carry your load to a point where it can be handled directly into the canoe. 6. Load the canoe, checking as you do to be sure every item has been brought over. 7.On the next carry, change the loads so each member of the group takes his turn on the more difficult items. 8. Make sure no litter has been left on the portage. A good idea is to have one canoe as clean-up.
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