Paddling On

Packing down camp to head back over to Mush Lake as we are being picked up tomorrow and need to be in striking position to paddle back. So much out here depends on the weather, and in particular the wind. I like that… not being in control of what’s around me causes me to appreciate just how little I am in the big picture. It also means, hopefully, a little less work for my wife Janet to keep me humble.

I engage a few more grayling and a beautiful little lake trout at the fishing hole, then portage our way back into Mush Lake. Paddling is smooth sailing until, part way across the lake, whitecaps start whipping up. Paddling through small whitecaps is not really a big deal if your paying attention, but I’m not crazy about being out there when they are because it doesn’t take a whole lot more wind at that point to make things nasty. We cut a little closer to shore, just in case, and carry on until we find ourselves back at the sand and gravel point that we rested on our first day canoeing. It will be a longer rest this time… the rough waters down the rest of the lake means that we’re pitching camp here.

A very grey evening threw the surrounding landscape into relative flatness, dulling the normally saturated colours. Though I’ve painted in all kinds of weather before, I just couldn’t settle on something to paint as I looked around. I guess I’ve just been spoiled to much on the this trip already.

One last morning here, and it’s time to leave the canoe behind. Sean Sheardown of Kluane National Park is graciously coming back tomorrow for a noon pick-up, then a barbecue at his place with his family. Some where in there will be the last re-packing of the journey as well, in preparation for rafting on the Alsek River to Lowell Lake.

It’s so nice to get back out in a canoe again, and to float through this wonderful corner of Kluane. Even without dumping the canoe, it feels like I’ve been immersed.