The Prospecteur 17

23 May 2025Nirav N, Rogers ‘27

Ours was not an ordinary EXtenDAYS trip. Rather than canoe the entire trip and establish a campsite along the way, we had to endure the deathly hollows of portages. After canoeing for more than an hour at some points, the Prospecteur 17 had to unload barrels carrying our clothing, the entire kitchen, tents, food (christened Mr Greedy), and portage all four canoes through treacherous terrain. While most portages were between 200-900 meters, there was one that was particularly straining, aptly named “The Beast” for its 2.3 kilometers of length and the treacherous terrain that accompanied it.

Despite this, Debs, Essy, Chef, Joey, Duck, Lu, Cha-Cha, and Prez successfully overcame the Beast through blood, sweat, toil and tears – and Katy Perry.

These experiences were rewarding, serving as a memento to our grit. However, the exhaustion from the portages and a hard day’s paddling made the campsite, the food, and socializing the greatest reward.

The salmon with pesto, the spaghetti with meatballs, the eggs and hashbrowns, and the pancakes were surprisingly delectable. After eating and socializing about activities at Brentwood, we huddled in a tent or gathered on a bench to play the card game Presidents.

The grit from the portages and paddling and the delicacies that we experienced at the campsite made this an unforgettable experience for the Prospecteur 17.

To help make this possible, including Mr Norman and Mr Chalmers.

Nirav N, Rogers ‘27

Where Students Choose To Be