Training Log Archive: coach ld

More heavy rain overnight. Another long day, and quite wet, Rain, drizzle, fog, mist, more rain, heavier rain, dripping off the trees, bit of a break, then more rain. But no wind:)
Left Last Lake after a beautiful sunrise that hit the maples and set them on fire, It was breathtaking. Headed off east to the end of Noganosh, into very different terrain and vegetation on John Lake. Rockier, more lichen and moss, scrubbier, marshier, more lily pads, more spruce, less hardwood. And the rain started the moment we got to the end of a creek and found the start of the portage trail - in swampy squishy alders. Not a portage with yellow sign and the image of a person carrying a canoe. WE had to slog our way through swamp and try to find an opening. Luckily someone had hung flagging tape, and there were inukshuks/rock piles periodically when the direction changed so at least you could look around for flagging tape. But there was a lot of bushwhacking and stomping through tall grasses, raspberry canes, shrubs, rocks, then big hardwood forest until after more than 2 hours we were scratching our heads when the flagging tape ended at a huge grassy bog with no channel to paddle. So we tried a few directions and could see the end of the next lake but couldn't find a trail. Had to make our own and eventually got to Island Lake. We were ready for lunch. Then we paddled on to the far end of Island Lake to a find a perfect island campsite. There was actually a site at each end of the lake and it was a great spot for hanging stuff to dry since the sun came out finally and there was a steady breeze. We had a nice fire tonight and watched a magical moonrise.

Tough, wet, slightly frustrating, but very interesting