Training Log Archive: JayXC

As we approach the summit we get an excellent nighttime view of the area and a cool breeze on Burnt Hills’ bald summit. We check in with the manned CP and discuss the approach to the summit of Sugarloaf Mtn. There are 2 options: 1- Bushwhack across the ridgeline to the ski trails and climb 1000’ to the summit or, 2- descend 1000’ down the hiking trail to a creek and then bushwhack to the ski trails and climb 2000’ to the summit. We make an attempt to try the ridge route but memories of the Bosebuck ridge trek from the 2010 UNE stop us 10m into the thick vegetation and we opt for the safer descend route. When we arrive at the manned (Sony of AP fame) summit CP we’re informed that Squarepants had used the ridge route and found a trail for a portion of it. I’ve now chose the wrong route 2x now…

The descent down from the summit is very steep and I’m happy to have my trekking poles. We arrive at the TA , eat and find a place for some sleep which ends up being only 1:20 worth and marginal in quality.

We leave the TA and pick up the next CP on our way to the Poplar Hut for the O-relay. When new arrive we realize our next mistake. The hut is very nice and has bunk houses for sleeping. Since we would be going out one at a time on the relay each of us would have some significant time on our hands while waiting for the others. Unfortunately the Frappacino I had drank at the last TA would prevent any sleeping here. Our initial impression was that we would be out in the middle of some bug-infested nowhere, not the Taj Mahal. Dave and Erik both struggled with a common point on the Long and Hard and Short and Hard maps that was off (Hilltop, #40 I think) as did S. Pleban, BMeyer and just about everyone else I talked to. Michele and I were pretty clean on the courses we ran. I heard that Dan from the YS took 2:45 to complete his leg, ouch.
Once done with the relay we took off on an out and back for the next CP and then a road ride to the paddle put-in, stopping at a gas station along the way for some cool drinks and AC. Very refreshing.

Long and Easy leg of O-relay.

From Stratton we paddled a series of lakes and channels until we were back on Flagstaff Lake, picking up a number of CPs along the way. I struggled early with drowsiness but another Frappacino brought me back around. As we crossed Flagstaff heading north we noted that the wind was very favorable for sailing and it just so happened we had our sail. We punched a CP just off shore and returned to the boat to find that the wind had died and we were on our own. Quite a letdown actually, especially since I would be holding the sail . We caught and passed the 2nd Danish team just prior to our portage option. They sat and watched our progress for awhile and even paddled to the beginning of the mat walk. Not sure if they followed further.
The portage would cut off a 7k paddle back to the east. Unfortunately the small cove we were going to approach it from was filled with drift wood which collects there with the prevailing west wind. There did appear to be one option which was on the edge of the cove and somewhat sheltered from the debris. Unfortunately it was too shallow to paddle so we had to walk the boats 400-500m in the knee deep water on the floating moss pad below us. Every step was slightly concerning as you never knew when you’d just drop through a “trap door” in the mat and we joked about never being seen again. A slight confidence boost was the fact that we were following in someone else’s path and they seemed to make it through apparently. Once on land it was a short bushwhack with the boats to a road and then about a 750m carry to the opposite side of the peninsula. FYI- It takes a strong will not to just drop a canoe and swat at the swarm of mosquitoes around your head…

The rest of the paddle in the dark was again very enjoyable on glass-like conditions with a ton of stars. We took out at Long Falls Dam and prepared for the last packraft/trek section to the finish not knowing what really awaited us since the points on the Dead River would be given out at the Grand Falls Hut. We did know that we would need about 12 hours of food from here and warm clothes given we’d be in whitewater with our packrafts.