Portaging

"Portaging" refers to carrying your canoe around obstacles or over stretches of land between waterways. It is a common part of many paddle camping journeys.

Portaging efficiently takes some practice and some planning. To do it well, you'll need to know:

Where the portages are located along your route
How to carry your canoe safely from one place to another
How to transport your gear efficiently from one place to another

Knowing Where Portages are Located

In popular paddling areas, portages are usually well-marked—either with a sign, a blazed tree, a cairn (small pile of rocks) or a small clearing in the woods. But in more remote paddling areas, they can be difficult to spot. So be prepared before you hit the water.

Begin planning for portages when you first start researching your route. Use the resources you have (topographic maps, paddling experts, rangers) to identify all established portage trails. Also search for additional obstacles that might require extra portages. Mark these spots clearly on you trip maps.

Once you're out on the water, check your maps frequently so you know when portages are coming up. Start looking for portage trails early, and (on river routes) remember to check both shorelines.

NOTE: Most portage trails are as short as possible. They tend to begin just before the obstacle they are built to circumvent.

Knowing How to Carry Your Canoe

Canoes are typically carried by both paddlers during short portages. But on longer routes, it's often easier for a single person to carry the boat.

When a single paddler carries a canoe, the second paddler should walk in front, scouting for obstacles and resting spots. Popular paddling areas often have specially-made resting bars along their portage trails where paddlers can prop up their canoe for a short rest without having to lay it down and pick it back up again.

No matter how you carry your canoe, make sure you're comfortable when you do so. Pad your carrying yoke (or yokes) to protect your shoulders, either with a specially-made portage pad or with your PFD in a pinch.

Knowing How To Transport Your Equipment

The best way to get your paddling and camping gear from one end of a portage to the other is with an established plan. If everyone simply hops out of their boats, grabs a bag and takes off down the trail, all kinds of things can get lost—bags, boats and paddlers included!

A good portage plan always involves these two important steps:

The route check—Scout your portage trail before you use it, to verify that it leads where you think it does and that it's free of obstacles that might cause problems (like low-hanging branches or trail wash-outs).

In popular paddling areas (where trails are usually well-maintained and well marked), take a load of gear with you when you scout (to save a trip if the path checks out). On rough, hard-to-follow trails, leave your gear in the boat until you know you're headed in the right direction.
The packing check—Take a moment to check how your boat is organized before you unpack it for a portage. This will help you repack quickly once you arrive at your destination. It will also help you avoid leaving things behind.

Portage Etiquette

When leaving a canoe at the beginning of a portage trail to scout ahead, pull it to one side so that other paddlers can land.
If a portage trailhead is busy, stay offshore and wait your turn.
Make sure you store all trash items in secure trash bags (for later disposal). And help keep portage trails clean by picking up extra trash left behind by other paddlers.
Do your share of the work at every portage. Divide your equipment load evenly and make sure that everyone does their part.