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 near the Brickworks at                    6:30 am (or at the Keating Channel Pub and Grill at 7;00                    am depending on the water level on the Don River) for                      the 15-20 km paddle to the start of Davenportage

     yellow - Run route: meet at 3:50 am for a 15 - 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 options, 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.

Particulars

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

- Sunday, October 25, 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 or near the Evergreen Brickworks at 6:30 am, for a 7:00 am start and paddle your canoe 18 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!
  • the water level may be very low on the Don River so be prepared to have to hop out and push
  • 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 an October 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 15 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

FOR HISTORIAN ATHLETES​ AND VOYAGEUR PHILOSOPHERS