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      Trip Report - How to Destroy an Aluminum Canoe
 
  Last Visit: 05/18/2024 01:54AM

Entry Point 32 - South Kawishiwi River

South Kawishiwi River entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 21 miles. Access is a 140-rod portage to the river.

Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1201 feet
Latitude: 47.8419
Longitude: -91.6632
Author Message Text
BigOarDeal
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
05/21/2018 05:05PM
 
New Trip Report posted by BigOarDeal

Trip Name: How to Destroy an Aluminum Canoe.

Entry Point: 32

Click Here to View Trip Report
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mirth
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05/21/2018 05:25PM
 
Wow, glad everyone made it out safely.

When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known. - Sigurd F. Olson, "The Singing Wilderness"
boonie
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05/21/2018 06:01PM
 
mirth: "Wow, glad everyone made it out safely."



+1, a lesson learned and nobody hurt! Good thing you were nearly out and not days away from exit, too.
mjmkjun
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05/21/2018 06:02PM
 
No one hurt. That's good! You will likely not be so impulsive and daring again but what a memory and a laugh.

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Sir Isaac Newton
airmorse
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05/21/2018 07:43PM
 
An English wheel will fix that right up.


Glad no one got hurt!

"In wilderness is the salvation of mankind." Thoreau.
rdgbwca
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/22/2018 01:43PM
 
Documentary proof that aluminum canoes are not indestructible.


Whatever became of the canoe? Worst case you could sell it off for scrap. Or does it have sentimental value now?


I am also glad to hear everyone made it out safely.
OneMatch
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/22/2018 09:01PM
 
Great report. I've done sections of that route and it's one of my favorites.


I've always said that there's a reason for a portage trail around rapids. My rule is use it. I came to that conclusion doing exactly what you did (but in Quetico). Rammed the aluminum canoe up against a boulder and got it out just like you. Mine wasn't quite as damaged but it now has a constant desire to veer to the left all the tie. Wore my shoulders out.


Have you guys been back since this trip?


We all have to believe in something. I believe I'll go paddle.
hwdhusky
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/23/2018 12:00PM
 
Thanks for the report... very exciting... Thanks for the detailed maps, I like to see the exact routes.
BigOarDeal
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
05/25/2018 09:49AM
 
Yes, you are all right! We were happy to get out safely and will not make that mistake again!


airmorse: "An English wheel will fix that right up"


Thanks for the idea, I'll have to look into that!


rdgbwca: "Whatever became of the canoe? Worst case you could sell it off for scrap. Or does it have sentimental value now?"


Still sitting underneath my deck. We were going to make a pair of bookcases out of them, but never got to it. It definitely has sentimental value! But I am definitely considering seeing if someone can fix it up into a functioning canoe again!


OneMatch: "I've always said that there's a reason for a portage trail around rapids. My rule is use it. I came to that conclusion doing exactly what you did (but in Quetico). Rammed the aluminum canoe up against a boulder and got it out just like you. Mine wasn't quite as damaged but it now has a constant desire to veer to the left all the tie. Wore my shoulders out.


Have you guys been back since this trip?"



Yes, that is definitely my viewpoint now too! A few extra minutes is well worth it for avoiding the risk of a wreck. Hmmm I was wondering if a damaged canoe could really ever be fixed up to original performing condition.


I have been back with the other guy in the report. We did much better that time--no crashes! Hoping to type up a report for that one too. Can't wait for our trip this summer: heading to Sawbill in August!
ozarkpaddler
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05/26/2018 10:37AM
 
Enjoyable report! Too bad about the canoe, maybe you could make it into a "Planter?"

"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain
PaddleAway
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05/26/2018 11:27PM
 
Nice trip report, glad nothing worse than a hit to the bank account came out of it.


And honestly, I suspect a lot of us in our BWCA infancy have run rapids in the BWCA we shouldn't have. Definitely a learning experience!
Kelso
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05/31/2018 06:35PM
 
Glad you're ok! Looks all too familiar. I did the exact same thing to an aluminum canoe in May 2013 on the Pigeon River, wrapping it around a rock with the full force of the current pressing against it. Like you, we got creative and dragged it out of the BWCA. I managed to hammer the keel straight again and patch it up with lots of rivets, fiberglass, JB-Weld, and patience. I still have the canoe and it doesn't leak a drop! Took it on a 50 mile trip just a couple weeks ago. :)
bfurlow
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05/31/2018 11:30PM
 
Glad you made it out OK. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip report. Looks like some awesome weather and a good time other than the crash. Thanks for sharing!!
nlong
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/16/2018 10:09PM
 
I remember making the route mistake you did on day 1. I waded up that long stretch of rapids to get into Little Gabro. It would have been better doing my route in reverse.


Glad you safely made it through your ordeal on the last day. Made for an amusing read!

“There is no greater fan of fly fishing then the worm.” -Patrick F. McManus
CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:52AM
 
Go Cyclones!

Illegitimi non carborundum
CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:52AM
 
Go Cyclones!

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CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:52AM
 
Go Cyclones!

Illegitimi non carborundum
CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:52AM
 
Go Cyclones!

Illegitimi non carborundum
CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:52AM
 
Go Cyclones!

Illegitimi non carborundum
CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:52AM
 
Go Cyclones!

Illegitimi non carborundum
CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:52AM
 
Go Cyclones!

Illegitimi non carborundum
CoachBigD
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09/12/2019 05:58AM
 
Go Cyclones!

Illegitimi non carborundum
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