5/3/2002 - Kawishiwi River (pictures)

I had originally planned on making this a two night trip. I put in at Lake One and planned on coming out at Gabbro. On the second day I awoke to a cold rain and nausea, so I decided to come out early via the N. Kawishiwi entry point since I camped on an island near it. It was still a really nice trip, and a really easy one for folks who don't dig on portages. The river is gorgeous and the rapids especially are beautiful. I went early in the season, so I didn't see anyone else, though I'm sure that in July it wouldn't be quite so peaceful.

I learned a lot on this trip.

1) Don't drink the water. I don't know for sure if drinking the water without filtering it is what made me sick, but it's certainly possible. I've done it 100 times before and never gotten sick, but after lying in the tent cold and weak, and wishing I were dead, I've decided that it's just not worth it. Take the 5 minutes and filter the water.

2) The importance of proper layering. On the second day it was quite rainy and cold, so I had on long underwear, sweatpants, a cotton shirt, fleece, a jacket, and then rain pants and a rain jacket. About 50 rods into the 190 rod portage between the river and Triangle Lake, I got so hot that I had to immediately throw down the canoe and pack and rip off my outer layers. After finishing the portage with just a t-shirt, the cool breeze from the lake showed me how damp with sweat my shirt had become.

3) My new Marmot hip-pack is invaluable. It's big enough to hold all of the little things that used to float around loose in my canoe. It also holds a small nalgene bottle, and is very comfortable to wear. Highly recommended!

4) Paddling an 18 foot Sundowner solo in a strong head wind is an exercise in frustration.

5) The concept of a tail wind is a myth. They simply don't exist. No matter which way you go, you'll be going into the wind.

6) Cherry Pop Tarts with frosting are too sweet for anyone to eat.

7) Early in the season, the portage between the Kawishiwi River and Triangle Lake is simply a third branch of the river.

8) Weather changes quickly in the BWCA, and so can your mood. When I woke up feeling sick and shivering, I thought to myself "I'm never doing this again." 2 hours later, when I'd actually gotten out on the water and the sun began peeking out and a pair of loons were swiming around my canoe, I thought to myself, "I'm never going to leave."