- this event is 'by invitation only' (please contact us for an invite)

- Sunday, November 1, 2020

Davenportage

meet at Étienne Brûlé Park at 11:30 am for a 12:30 pm departure
bring your own canoe or use one of ours
come alone or as a team, but let us know
wear tasteful, culturally sensitive clothing that speaks to you and your heritage or Canadiana
carry as much stuff as possible, ideally of historical significance to you or to the history of portages, or food to drop off at the Yorkville Fire Station; the heavier the better
bring a positive attitude - participating in this portage is not rational and can be very challenging, particularly if it is windy or if your canoe is waterlogged. But if you can endure some misery you will find it very rewarding.

For those of you that are unable to make sensible choices:
Meet at the Keating Channel Pub at 7:00 am and paddle your canoe 15 km to the start of Davenportage.

paddlers may bring their own canoes or request one
canoes need to equipped with mandatory safety gear including a whistle, bailer, life jacket for each paddler, extra paddle, and rope etc. (all of which we can provide). Hand sanitizer should be considered for the Don River section!
bring a positive attitude or sunscreen - this can be a very challenging, somewhat dangerous paddle to complete in the allotted time if the weather decides, or it can be a relaxing way to get a November tan. In 2016, 36% of participants ended up in the water, DNF'd, or both; intermediate canoeing skills are required
paddlers are expected to complete Davenportage

Idiot savant athletes:
For those individuals who can differentiate between wisdom and foolishness but chose foolishness, meet at the base of the communications tower on the north side of Roselawn just west of Avenue Road (near Allenby School) at 3:50 am for 15 km of running to start your 50 km day.

this was supposed to be a relatively easy 20 km in that it is mostly downhill but we decided to run the single track trails that go up and down the sides of the ravines; it would be quite scenic if it wasn't pitch black.
there are no aid stations along the route and lots of places to twist an ankle or two
head lamps are mandatory. Running without one is insane (unfortunately I say that from experience).
runners are expected to complete Davenportage
if you've read this far, you probably have a very positive attitude and are pretty much guaranteed to have a good time, even if you suffer a catastrophic injury

Particulars

FOR HISTORIAN ATHLETES AND VOYAGEUR PHILOSOPHERS

DAVENPORTAGE

Key:

green - Davenportage route: meet at Étienne Brûlé Park at

11:30 am for the 12:30 pm start of the 17 km portage

blue - Pre-Portage Paddle route: meet at the Keating Channel Pub and Grill at 7:00 am for the 15 km paddle to the start of Davenportage

yellow - Run route: meet at 3:50 am for a 20 km run through the woods to the start of the Paddle

2020 Davenportage Route(s)

Starting from Étienne Brûlé Park, you will carry heavy, historically important (to you) stuff, or food to be dropped off at the Yorkville Fire Station, and help your team carry a canoe along the Davenport Trail. The route we follow runs north along the Humber River then turns east at Lambton Park on what used to be a sand bank in Lake Iroquois. Further east the 'trail' meets the ancient shoreline of Lake Iroquois and follows it east crossing Garrison and Taddle Creeks. The trail then follows Yellow Creek down to the Brickworks.

If you are feeling more energetic, join us early at or near the Brickworks and paddle down the Don River, along Toronto's waterfront, and up the Humber River to the start of the portage.

If you really want to punish yourself, or are looking for a way to earn the Order of Canada but don't have any other realistic avenues to do so, notify your next of kin and then join us before sunrise just south of Allenby School for a run through forested ravines to the start of the paddle. You may get very wet, muddy, and stoked!