Over the years through trial and error I have come up with a variety of little “TRICKS OF THE TRADE” that help make my canoeing adventures, easier, more enjoyable, and organized. Some were born out of deep thought, others by accident, and still others from companions and counterparts. I tend to take most of them for granted. That is until someone else picks up on one and brings it to my attention. In this article I thought I would mention a couple of them.
Rubber bands. Not just plain old ordinary ones. I am talking about those nice big, red, heavy duty ones you get from the Post Office. They are really handy for a number of things. Take for example fastening an extra paddle into the canoe. The reason for carrying an extra in the first place is to replace a lost or broken one. Nothing like being up the creek without a paddle. Generally when you lose or break one it is because of rough conditions. The paddle needs to be securely fastened in to the canoe but also must be quickly and easily accessed when needed. The HP solution, fasten it in with a couple of rubber bands. It will stay put under the most severe conditions yet a good quick yank will snap the rubber band freeing it up for immediate use.
I like to seal all of my clothes in a sandwich of pillow cases and plastic bags. This system is sealed up with one of those heavy duty rubber bands. It works. I find it keeps things drier than those expensive dry bags. With enough wraps around the neck of the plastic bag even the most tenacious of water molecules will not get in. Of course if you get carried away it may take you some time to get in as well.
Keeping your maps dry is always a problem. They also tend to tear easily after they have been folded a couple hundred times. I have found that sealing them up in contact paper works quite well. They are now water proof and you can even write on them and erase it without damage. It does make them tough to fold. My solution. You guessed it. Roll them up and secure them with a rubber band. Another comment here. Roll them with the face out. They will be easier to handle when you need to look at them.
This past summer the family canoe expedition included several of my kids friends. The planned route had several portages which the guys were required to carry their gear and canoes from one lake to another. One of these ended up being a mile in length. I had taught the kids to carry the canoe in pairs, one at each end, upside down with the gunwales resting on their shoulders. They quickly decided this was not for them and figured out that by tying their life jackets to the seat and then resting it on their heads proved to be much more comfortable. On one portage we passed a commercially guided trip taking a break and resting their tired shoulders. The next time we saw them they were carrying their canoes with padded seats on top their heads.
If you have read past articles then you are most likely aware of my comical friend we call Barry. You never know what he will say or do next so on a trip a couple years ago when he put on two packs for a portage (one front and back) I wasn’t overly impressed. However, when he actually walked away I took a second look. Now why didn’t I think of that. I have been using this method ever since. Having weight in front really helps balance you out nicely. A word of caution. Be careful if you squat down you may not be able to straighten up. Until next time, HAPPY PADDLING!!! Check out past articles/posts at www.hpcanoes.com
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Think about it?
I am quite new to this blog thing and am not sure really what I am supposed to do with it. My wife said I should have one so I set one up. My interpretation is that it should be getting some feed back. So far this has not been the case. Based on what you see in the news, controversy seems to generate interest so I thought I might try and entice a little bit.
As I watch the news and just look at things in general these days it blows my mind at how naive people are about reality, at least outwardly. The economy, global warming, the oil spill in the gulf, food and water issues. To me it is quite clear, there are to many beings on the planet. Why, technology. Earth was never meant to handle this many people. In order to survive this long we have resorted to technology, and to clarify, I would specify modern technology to counteract the boundaries of our environment. Without it the world population would drop drastically. There is no way mother nature can produce naturally enough food to sustain everyone indefinitely. Without modern medical technology disease would run rampant. Disease spread around the globe to populations without natural resistance via modern transportation technology.
I find it ironic to hear that modern technology is the solution to our problems when in actuality it is the root cause of them. For example; the push now is to go green, green technologies to ween us off fossil fuels. Sounds great right? Do you realize what this involves? I am certainly not an expert but I do know it will require large amounts of “rare earth” minerals, you know, the ones on the bottom of the periodic table of elements. “Rare”, interesting term, doesn't that mean there is a limited supply of them? When you think of minerals, don't you think of mining, I do. Is this an environmentally friendly approach? What happens when they are gone? Is there enough initially to do what we need to do? What problems will we cause down the road as we exploit them?
One of the best courses I ever had the privilege of taking was a wildlife management course in high school, many, many, years ago. The teacher was a former game warden and avid outdoors man. One of the main concepts I took away from the course was that of “carrying capacity”. Basically what it means is a certain track of land has a natural capacity or volume of life it can support indefinitely and all of it is interconnected. If you fool around with the habitat/environment the capacities will change accordingly and eventually balance themselves out to a sustainable level. This is how mother nature works. The time involved is irrelevant as we know it. I say this because as humans we are incredibly inpatient, especially in today's world. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the issue. The oil spill in the gulf is a good example, better yet, how about the Valdez Spill in Alaska. While these episodes are not natural in nature, Mother Nature will and is working to correct them, balance them out so to speak. Time is irrelevant to Mother Nature, it only matters to us as we tend to be selfish.
There is an interesting term used in the engineering field know as “Unintended Consequences”. This is where, theoretically you take a look at the impact new technologies will have on the environment and society. Lets take a look at the automobile. Do you think the idea of air pollution or an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico ever was a concern for Henry Ford? I would highly doubt it. We need to take a serious look at such issues. If not Mother Nature will deal with them. Trust me, she is doing it now we are simply to naive to see it.
Happy Paddling!!!
Scott
As I watch the news and just look at things in general these days it blows my mind at how naive people are about reality, at least outwardly. The economy, global warming, the oil spill in the gulf, food and water issues. To me it is quite clear, there are to many beings on the planet. Why, technology. Earth was never meant to handle this many people. In order to survive this long we have resorted to technology, and to clarify, I would specify modern technology to counteract the boundaries of our environment. Without it the world population would drop drastically. There is no way mother nature can produce naturally enough food to sustain everyone indefinitely. Without modern medical technology disease would run rampant. Disease spread around the globe to populations without natural resistance via modern transportation technology.
I find it ironic to hear that modern technology is the solution to our problems when in actuality it is the root cause of them. For example; the push now is to go green, green technologies to ween us off fossil fuels. Sounds great right? Do you realize what this involves? I am certainly not an expert but I do know it will require large amounts of “rare earth” minerals, you know, the ones on the bottom of the periodic table of elements. “Rare”, interesting term, doesn't that mean there is a limited supply of them? When you think of minerals, don't you think of mining, I do. Is this an environmentally friendly approach? What happens when they are gone? Is there enough initially to do what we need to do? What problems will we cause down the road as we exploit them?
One of the best courses I ever had the privilege of taking was a wildlife management course in high school, many, many, years ago. The teacher was a former game warden and avid outdoors man. One of the main concepts I took away from the course was that of “carrying capacity”. Basically what it means is a certain track of land has a natural capacity or volume of life it can support indefinitely and all of it is interconnected. If you fool around with the habitat/environment the capacities will change accordingly and eventually balance themselves out to a sustainable level. This is how mother nature works. The time involved is irrelevant as we know it. I say this because as humans we are incredibly inpatient, especially in today's world. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the issue. The oil spill in the gulf is a good example, better yet, how about the Valdez Spill in Alaska. While these episodes are not natural in nature, Mother Nature will and is working to correct them, balance them out so to speak. Time is irrelevant to Mother Nature, it only matters to us as we tend to be selfish.
There is an interesting term used in the engineering field know as “Unintended Consequences”. This is where, theoretically you take a look at the impact new technologies will have on the environment and society. Lets take a look at the automobile. Do you think the idea of air pollution or an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico ever was a concern for Henry Ford? I would highly doubt it. We need to take a serious look at such issues. If not Mother Nature will deal with them. Trust me, she is doing it now we are simply to naive to see it.
Happy Paddling!!!
Scott
Monday, May 24, 2010
Paddle the Border 2010 a Day Later
I have not seen any solid numbers yet but my guess is we had well over 100 boats participating this past Sunday. What a gorgeous day, clearly the best weather we have had in the history of the spring paddle. I had the pleasure of spending the day with my dear Friend "DOM" and Willem Lange. I swear the two of them never stopped talking for the entire 12 miles. I have never heard so many stories in my life. The weather was certainly a factor in the decision for many of the participants to paddle, my wife included. I must give her credit, 12 miles for the first time in the boat for the season makes for a long day. At least she was intelligent enough to use sun screen. Unlike myself who now looks like a boiled lobster. I will learn some day.
Happy Paddling!!!
Scott
Happy Paddling!!!
Scott
Friday, May 14, 2010
PADDLE THE BORDER 2010
If you are looking to get out on the water for some spring paddling but have not quite made it yet, consider joining the "Paddle the Border" event coming up Sunday May 23rd. This will be the 7th year for this popular paddlers get together and all indications point to good weather and reasonable water conditions.
It is a day of freebies, free shuttle service and a free concert at the end of the run at Bedell Bridge State Park. The route goes from the community field in Woodsville, NH to Bedell Bridge Park again on the NH side, a distance of approx. 12 miles. There will be food for sale by the local Rotary Club at the end also which goes to support their scholarship fund. The first wave of boats is scheduled to head out around 10am. Get going early, drop your boat off at the start and then drive down to Bedell Bridge, leave your car and take the bus back to the community field. I would expect at least 50 boats participating. Definately more if it is a nice warm sunny day.
I was on the water yesterday with a crew from Channel 3 News from Plattsburg/Burlington doing an interview and photo shoot. Check out the news on channel 3 this coming Tuesday the 18th and catch a glimpse of the river and yours truly paddling the camera crew up through the narrows to the covered bridge on the Ammonoosuc River. Check out the video they put together (it's prefixed by a short ad, so hang in there).
Happy Paddling!!!
Scott
It is a day of freebies, free shuttle service and a free concert at the end of the run at Bedell Bridge State Park. The route goes from the community field in Woodsville, NH to Bedell Bridge Park again on the NH side, a distance of approx. 12 miles. There will be food for sale by the local Rotary Club at the end also which goes to support their scholarship fund. The first wave of boats is scheduled to head out around 10am. Get going early, drop your boat off at the start and then drive down to Bedell Bridge, leave your car and take the bus back to the community field. I would expect at least 50 boats participating. Definately more if it is a nice warm sunny day.
I was on the water yesterday with a crew from Channel 3 News from Plattsburg/Burlington doing an interview and photo shoot. Check out the news on channel 3 this coming Tuesday the 18th and catch a glimpse of the river and yours truly paddling the camera crew up through the narrows to the covered bridge on the Ammonoosuc River. Check out the video they put together (it's prefixed by a short ad, so hang in there).
Happy Paddling!!!
Scott
Thursday, May 6, 2010
White Water and Paddling Safety
Spring is finally here and with it comes some of the most exciting paddling of the year. WHITE WATER!!! It is hard to predict how much there will be or how long it will last, only Mother Nature knows for sure.
If you happen to live near a popular white water run you have probably seen your fair share of brightly clad, excited, crazy looking paddlers. Real diehard white water paddlers tend to be a zany crowd. Don’t be fooled. Despite their outward appearance these paddlers are actually quite serious when it comes to preparation and safety. Have you ever noticed how long it seems to take them to get geared up and on the water? Perhaps you have been stuck behind them on the road as they poke along, stopping at every set of rapids to scout it. White water is truly exhilarating, but it is also serious business that needs to be treated with respect. Moving water is tremendously powerful and in the spring, very cold. It can pin and/or wrap you and your boat around a rock or downed tree so fast it isn’t funny.
I could type pages on the subject of white water (not the infamous 1994 land deal) but that is not my intention today. What I would like to do instead is talk about paddling safety for the average spring paddler, focusing for the most part on small streams. For as far back as I can remember every year at this time I read or hear of someone drowning attempting to paddle the family canoe on the local stream at high-water. So far this year I have read several accounts of spring paddling mishaps.
Small streams at flood stage are a blast to paddle on but in my opinion are also the most dangerous, even for an experienced paddler because the obstacles you must avoid change constantly. They generally do not have large waves and people think they can simply walk to safety if they get in trouble because the streams are shallow and narrow. For this reason beginning and inexperienced paddlers alike are falsely drawn to them. They couldn’t be more wrong. Although the water may run relatively flat it is moving quickly as these streams have a steep gradient. They are filled with blind corners harboring fallen trees and a host of other obstructions. There is generally only one line to run and very little room to maneuver which allows no room for error.
Beyond the obstacles and current there is the issue of cold water. Ever been hit in the chest with a sledge hammer? This is what it feels like when you get plunged into 40 degree water. I do not care how athletic you are, the water will defeat you. The density of the water draws the heat from your body very quickly. Proper clothing is a must along with the right safety equipment and an honest evaluation of your abilities and the water you are in.
I hope I haven’t scared anyone away from running white water. It is a great sport when you have the proper skills, equipment and partners. What I did want to accomplish is to develop some respect within you for it. I certainly don’t want to be writing or reading about you next time. Until then, HAPPY PADDLING!!!
If you happen to live near a popular white water run you have probably seen your fair share of brightly clad, excited, crazy looking paddlers. Real diehard white water paddlers tend to be a zany crowd. Don’t be fooled. Despite their outward appearance these paddlers are actually quite serious when it comes to preparation and safety. Have you ever noticed how long it seems to take them to get geared up and on the water? Perhaps you have been stuck behind them on the road as they poke along, stopping at every set of rapids to scout it. White water is truly exhilarating, but it is also serious business that needs to be treated with respect. Moving water is tremendously powerful and in the spring, very cold. It can pin and/or wrap you and your boat around a rock or downed tree so fast it isn’t funny.
I could type pages on the subject of white water (not the infamous 1994 land deal) but that is not my intention today. What I would like to do instead is talk about paddling safety for the average spring paddler, focusing for the most part on small streams. For as far back as I can remember every year at this time I read or hear of someone drowning attempting to paddle the family canoe on the local stream at high-water. So far this year I have read several accounts of spring paddling mishaps.
Small streams at flood stage are a blast to paddle on but in my opinion are also the most dangerous, even for an experienced paddler because the obstacles you must avoid change constantly. They generally do not have large waves and people think they can simply walk to safety if they get in trouble because the streams are shallow and narrow. For this reason beginning and inexperienced paddlers alike are falsely drawn to them. They couldn’t be more wrong. Although the water may run relatively flat it is moving quickly as these streams have a steep gradient. They are filled with blind corners harboring fallen trees and a host of other obstructions. There is generally only one line to run and very little room to maneuver which allows no room for error.
Beyond the obstacles and current there is the issue of cold water. Ever been hit in the chest with a sledge hammer? This is what it feels like when you get plunged into 40 degree water. I do not care how athletic you are, the water will defeat you. The density of the water draws the heat from your body very quickly. Proper clothing is a must along with the right safety equipment and an honest evaluation of your abilities and the water you are in.
I hope I haven’t scared anyone away from running white water. It is a great sport when you have the proper skills, equipment and partners. What I did want to accomplish is to develop some respect within you for it. I certainly don’t want to be writing or reading about you next time. Until then, HAPPY PADDLING!!!
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