3 guys and myself made this very trip last September. I was a great trip. Unlike you guys we didn't capsize. My question you is Why did you take four canoes? We took 2 canoes (1 a 13' and the other 14.5") and each of us had our own personal pack, a 100+ lb. food pack and a gear pack (tent, cooking kit, 20x40 tarp and other misc equipment). We for the most single portaged all this to the next lake. We find it easier that way but it can be very trying (especially on me since I'm the oldest (66) and the others 62, 60 and 57). In your video of day 2, I think that is the same campsite on Basswood. This year are tripping to Malberg going in at Entry #37. Days 1 &2 on Polly, days 3 & 4 on Malberg then back to to Polly for days 5 & 6 then out on day 7. This year we will be using a 17' & 20' Kevlar canoes that we purchased used from Sawbill Outfitters earlier this year. It should made a portaging a little easier since they weigh about 15lb lighter than the ones used last year. As I said earlier, we like tripping this way but it is a little trying. I hope your next trip turns out better than this one. Like I always "Once you have been by the Boundary Waters bug you will return again and again.  Oh, I forgot the mention I LOVED your videos very much.