The Portage Lexicon

Today 18 Scouts and adults are off to our annual high adventure trip to Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park.

Canoer Chris Lawson, in writing about his Bonnechere river trip in Algonquin, has developed a lexicon for some of the conditions he encountered while portaging: The Armadillo: wherein the clear line through the bush becomes suddenly a Car Wash , the portager curls head toward chest, tucks arms in, leans forward and stomps aggressively through obstructing branches. A move heralded by judges for its audacity in placing skin preservation ahead of the need to see where you’re going. Car Wash: undergrowth along a river, either where nature is reclaiming a trail or engulfing a river tends to be strong, right to the ground.

Branches grow horizontally seeking sunlight, creating a gate effect between trees similar to what you find in a drive-through car wash, but they don’t so much buff as flagellate. The Twistoff: when carrying the canoe, the portager attempts to execute a turn only to find the bow of the canoe has gone past a tree.

Extra points if your head makes a sound when the canoe hits it. I’ll let you know if we have any additions after next week! Via Algonquin Canoe Trips