Alan, there is a trick to picking the caber. Rather than trying to muscle the weight yourself, you let the caber's own weight lift itself, using your shoulder as a fulcrum.

Get yourself as low as possible, interlock your fingers and force yourself down til your fingers are just at the bottom edge of the caber, with the knife edge of your palms against the very bottom side of the caber.

The caber should be balanced, but not completely upright. You actually want it leaning back about five degrees, just enough to keep some pressure on your shoulder.

Stand upright and lift at the same time, letting the weight of the upper end of the caber "pull" the bottom off the ground, with your hands controlling and guiding it.

Now this is the tricky part, you have to slip your hands under the caber at the same time as all this is happening.

Hold the caber with your elbows bent, and your torso leaning forward, the caber balanced upright against your shoulder. Your hands should be just about sternum level as you carry it.

Now the key to a good turn is not to throw too late. Most people make the mistake of waiting until the caber is too far forward. Really, unless the caber is very light you have to toss it before it passes forward of your ear.

Get a nice little run up going, "pop" to a stop and as soon as the caber comes off your shoulder, immediately HEAVE it with everything you have, from your arms, shoulders, back, hips, and legs. You should end throw bent backwards in a "C" with your arms in the air above you, and HOPEFULLY a perfect "12" on your throw.