MooseWhizzer Dave wrote:

A titanium rod should act as a decent reminder.   

Thought I would update.  The fibula is coming along pretty well.  Five months later, keeping up with the physical therapy (now every other week) and the associated exercises/stretches.  I think both ankles/lower legs are stronger than they've ever been.  The PT now focuses on strength and stability more than flexibility.  Still hurts to do the exercises, that's just kind of the way it goes. This injury doesn't heal without pain. You get used to it.  Normal walking I'm fine, though after awhile it'll start to hurt a bit.  Have even been on snowshoes a few times briefly this winter.  I am targeting March 14th to stop wearing the compression socks, that'll be 6 months since injury.  Swelling is about 90-95% gone at this point.  I was told the swelling would be the last thing to go, and that stairs would be the last thing to feel comfortable with.  True in both cases.

I should be good to go for an ice out trip, and again, I thank everyone for the suggested routes.  I'm just a little nervous about it, need to keep it simple, and I think each step I take, each day there, and completing the trip....I'll feel a lot better about it.  

A word about compression socks.  If you have to wear them, some Gold Bond in there can help with the itching.  Didn't wear a normal sock over the compression sock until winter came and I kind of had to.  That's like wearing double compression socks.  Most of the time it is ok, but late at night, sometimes the itching is incredible, I succumb to temptation, and just fingernail scratch the ever-living H out of my lower leg.  It is at once incredibly satisfying...and intensely unsatisfying...because no amount of scratching will make that itching go away. Believe me, I have tried.  I scratch like there is no tomorrow, almost to the point of tears because it just keeps itching.  I can't believe I've never drawn blood, but it isn't for lack of effort.  Anyway, Gold Bond or something along those lines is more helpful than you'd think.  Taking the blasted sock off and scratching at it like a madman helps in a way, there is a certain satisfaction to that, but Gold Bond or your skin moisturizer of choice is probably the wiser course of action.  Sorry, didn't mean to drone on and on about compression socks.  I can't wait to stop using them....
 

Scoutergriz, Yikes!!!  Glad you are able to do as much as you are.  Hopefully you can keep it up for a long time.

A guy I know broke his back snowmobiling.  After wiping out, he insisted that his friend help him get back on the snowmobile, and he just flopped right over at the waist because of the broken back.  Surgery followed, it was pretty touch and go if he'd ever walk again, but he got through and then to physical therapy.  He said in the first session they worked on transferring in and out of bed.  He decided that wasn't sufficient for him, so he stopped going to PT and went back to work a week later.  Six months or so later, he sees the surgeon somewhere, and the surgeon says hey, you're doing really well, I guess the PT worked out.  Guy says he only went to one session then went back to work.  Surgeon asks what do you do for a living?  "I'm a roofer."  And he IS.  He's going my roof this spring.  Roofers are made of different stuff than the rest of us.

Doh! Just checked in to the WIA thread and saw that you're already familiar with the Whitebirch/Club area...

A few thoughts…some reprising things already mentioned.


(1) Tim to Rosebary is not difficult EXCEPT there is one steep & often muddy slippery portage.  I’d say that seems like an unwise choice.  But agree with others that it is otherwise a great rash going way to get out there & I love Rosebary.

(2) Rock-Penn came to my mind immediately… someone else mentioned it.  Like many others I mostly avoid the HWY60 corridor because I want peace and campsites not frequented by inexperienced/careless campers
Long narrow north-south lakes for covering distance without as much risk of winds… portage Rock to Penn is quite flat (in my memory, very easy.  Even on to Clydegale might be fine - I remember that portage also being quite short and flat(ish).  Great daytrip options from Clydegale ….. even from Penn… I love the stretch of Galipo - you would probably be fine to daytrip to Welcome — one short (granted not super easy footing) portage… then park canoe and just walk the 2km to Welcome.  Lovely huge beach right at the end of the portage so no need to lug the canoe.

(3) base-camping is my usual way — a long-as-possible paddle in and then parking my butt for a few days of daytrips.  This seems like a good strategy to mitigate the risks in your situation. 

(4) I assume/hope that you carry a Zoleo or other such gadget.  I fought this like a demented Luddite but now swear by mine.  Mid-fifties, clumbsy, always solo or only my young daughter with me and do most of my trips in the off-season and deliberately during the week,
(I also refused a smartphone for ages and now cannot understand why -although at least this stubbornness didn’t put me in
danger.

(5) don’t forget access road issues in the spring before getting your heart totally set on a plan when you have specific needs.  This would be another great reason for Rock/Penn.

(6) as others have suggested — Cedar or Kiosk have options.  Someone mentioned Cedar to Cauchon…. I’ve turned south on this route to go to Carl Wilson.  I remember this portage as being 1km
and fairly easy going …but it’s been at least 5-6 years and dozens of trips since then.

..and one more thought-

I lug a pair of hiking boots as my dry shoes.  If a portage is remotely difficult - rocky or steep or very long - I sacrifice time drying feet, putting on socks, lacing up boots…. 
I am clumsy… many many times, that ankle support has saved me from twisting an ankle and falling.  The hard-core traction of the boots also helps