By 1825, there were usually two brigades from opposite ends of the route, (Fort Vancouver in the Columbia District on the lower Columbia River and the other from York Factory on Hudson Bay), that set out in spring and passed each other in the middle of the continent. Each brigade consisted of about forty to seventy-five men and two to five specially made boats that traveled at breakneck speed (for the time). These brigades often needed help from Indians, who would help the men portage around falls and unnavigable rapids; in return, the Indians were paid with trade goods. An 1839 report cites the travel time as three months and ten days—almost 26 miles (40 km) per day on average. The brigades used boat, horseback, and backpacks to bring the supplies in and furs out to the forts and trading posts along the route.
By 1825 there were usually two brigades from opposite ends of the route (Fort Vancouver in the Columbia District on the lower Columbia River and the other from York Factory on Hudson Bay) that set out in spring and passed each other in the middle of the continent Each brigade consisted of about forty to seventy-five men and two to five specially made boats that traveled at breakneck speed (for the time) These brigades often needed help from Indians who would help the men portage around falls and unnavigable rapids; in return the Indians were paid with trade goods An 1839 report cites the travel time as three months and ten days—almost 26 miles (40 km) per day on average The brigades used boat horseback and backpacks to bring the supplies in and furs out to the forts and trading posts along the route