Thursday, May 11th: Travel Day Back To White Partridge
This was our travel day, back to White Partridge Lake for two nights. The temperature was at 14°C by 8:00 am. The clouds were starting to get darker. I was up walking around early, so as to take in some extra views before we departed.
Inukshuk on our Island
Everyone was busy packing-up tents and stuffing their backpacks. By 9:00 am we were departing our island home for the past 4 nights. The hated 2685m portage to Sundassa awaited us. This time though, we had some lighter packs, with less food. I had a canoe pack and a large food barrel, so I transferred some stuff into the barrel. When we all got to the first portage, we wasted no time. I tied the paddles, life jackets and fishing rod into the canoe. I put on my lighter canoe pack, still not light enough though! I put my canoe on my shoulders and looked up at the trail, in hope we'd do it faster then before. I looked at my watch and took off. At about the half way mark on the trail (before the beaver dam), was a canoe rest. I stopped there for a quick 3-4 minute water-break.
Canoe rest near the beaver dam.
I felt great! I grabbed my Swift and took off again. I stopped again in twenty minutes for another quick break and then took off to the finish at Sundassa. I know it was not a race or anything, but this is what I enjoy to do. I’m sad! I do enjoy surroundings…but not like most I suppose.
View from the driver’s seat!
Moose poop. Sorry!, lots on the portages.
As I approached the lake, the wind whipped the canoe about on my shoulders….”Oh no, a bad northeastern wind!” I wondered how White Partridge would be for waves! I put the canoe down carefully and looked at my watch. “Wow”, I thought. I'd completed the portage in 54 minutes! I went back to help the others carry gear. I passed Markus carrying Bo’s canoe with my heavy barrel! I'd transferred gear into the barrel earlier in the morning! Sorry Markus. I didn't think you'd take it.
Markus and Bo’s canoe.
On the way back, I jogged in sections and as I approached Bo, he looked at me funny. I am sure he thought I had way too much energy! I grabbed another pack and returned to Sundassa. Preacher and Dogbyte were taking turns with the canoe and Sheila was making way. We all soon paddled across Sundassa and crossed the last 915 meter portage into White Partridge. As expected, the waves were getting bad. Markus and I had gotten across the portage first at around 1:00 pm. We had a quick snack and discussed our plans to paddle across.
Canoe at rest on White Partridge.
Having a quick snack, before we headed out across.
We needed to go north across the lake. However, the wind was coming across the lake at an angle. Breaking waves along the shore were bad. We went back for the rest of our gear and I mentioned the waves to Bo. When Markus and I returned, I suggested that we cross the lake against the wind and waves, bringing us farther east of the meadows. Once safe across, we could safely paddle along the shore to the meadows. Markus agreed with me.
With life jackets on, we put the canoe in the water. It was hard trying to keep the canoe from bouncing on the rocks. I was holding the canoe away from the shore as best as I could. My canoe has war wounds now. To this day, I can point out the rock scratches from White Partridge. Once loaded, we got in and aimed straight into the waves. At times the waves came up to the gunnels. My canoe handled the waves with no problem. I did have to paddle hard. When I felt the canoe going off course, I had to react quickly in the stern.
I looked back a few times, to see if the others were coming across also. I couldn't see any canoes in the water. Bo was talking about following the shore, but the waves were too bad to do that. Dogbyte and Preacher’s canoe was only a 14 footer and I wouldn't have taken there’s across either. Maybe Markus and I should have stayed put, but I felt confident in our abilities to cross. After twenty minutes of hard paddling, we were across and in safe water along the northeast shore. What a relief it was. I looked again to see any action from the others, but there was no movement. The rest of the gang had decided to wait it out at the landing until the wind died down.
Wind-whipped island pines near the meadows.
By 2:00 pm, we landed at the meadow where we'd stayed our first night. Markus and I celebrated. We sat near the lean-to and enjoyed some snacks. We decided to set up our tent under some tarps for the coming rain and also made room for Derek’s tent. Bo was going to set his tent up under a different lean-to across the meadow. Ours was closer to shore. Markus lit a fire as it was approaching 5:00 pm. Firewood was no problem , as other fisherman that came here to fish, had left lots of wood.
Fire time.
At 5:15 pm, we could see the rest of the group approaching shore, as the wind letup some. I was relieved they'd crossed safely. They'd just hung-loose, rested and waited for the wind and waves to die down.
The gang approaching safely.
With the rest of the gang all settled in, we made some supper and relaxed by the fire. The temperature was still warm at 13°c. The rain started to come in. At 8:00 pm we got a special treat. Bo brought out his guitar and said he had a song to sing to us. He made a song just about us, called "Algonquin Friends". We had him sing it to us a few times. How great was that! Markus got it on video also. With the weather being wet, we didn't stay up too late. It was so very quiet. We were all alone.
Bo, singing his song about us.