BWCAW Trip Report

By Nick Pritchard

Route Map

I visited the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for the first time this spring with my father and what an experience it was! The timing was excellent because the bugs were manageable and there were not a lot of people on the water. We chose a less popular route to try and experience as much solitude as we could with our limited time there. Our lollipop shaped route took us from Morgan Lake (#45) through; Jake Lake, Horeshoe Lake, Caribou Lake, Meeds Lake, Swallow Lake, Pillsbery Lake, Henson Lake, Omega Lake, Winchell Lake, and Gaskin Lake. We camped on Caribou Lake, Henson Lake, Winchell Lake, and Horseshoe Lake. Overall we covered about 28 miles, portaged 17 times (1430 rods), and spent 4 nights in the backcountry.


Thursday, May 26th (Day 1)
After a long day of driving, we arrived at East Bearskin Campground around 7pm and quickly set up our tent and sleeping bags. As my father started working on the fire I started working on our delicious dinner of pita pizzas. After we enjoyed our canadian bacon, pepperoni, and mozzarella topped pizzas we fried up some cheesy garlic biscuits, which made for a very filling meal. Working together we quickly completed the dishes and sat down to enjoy the fire. There was not a cloud in the sky making for a chilly but beautiful night to watch the stars. We talked and enjoyed the fire for several hours before crawling into our sleeping bags and quickly falling asleep.

Friday, May 27th (Day 2)

Campsite on Caribou Lake

We awoke around 7 o'clock and enjoyed bacon, blueberry pancakes, and coffee for breakfast around the fire. After cleaning up from breakfast we began to make preparations for our first day on the water. We had not been able to get together before the trip to coordinate equipment, so that was the first thing on our agenda after packing up the sleeping gear and the tent. We went through all of the gear together and decided what could go and what needed to stay behind. We were able to fit everything we needed in two portage packs just as we had planned. Our morning gear packing session put us back quite a bit to getting an early start, but taking the time to get organized paid off throughout the rest of the trip. We left East Bearskin Campground around 11:30 and headed to our put-in at Morgan Lake. Our first (and last) portage was our longest at 310 rods, or just under a mile. We started out the portage hoping to make one trip; I had the food pack and the canoe, while my father had the other pack with the accessories (thwart bags, water bottles, etc.) strapped to it. I soon realized that my body simply could not handle the amount of weight that I was carrying, so we stopped and I set the canoe off to the side and my father left some of the accessories with the boat as well. After lightening the load we both felt much better and completed the portage without incident. Our first day of paddling took us up to Caribou Lake were we stopped at the northwestern most campsite. The majority of the site was perched on a large piece of bedrock while the edges of the site were much lower. Just as the night before my father began to work on the fire while I started working on our dinner of chicken dumpling soup. We used our days ration of cheesy biscuits to make our dumplings which turned out great! After cleaning up from dinner we set up a tarp over the benches because it looked like rain would be welcoming us in the morning. We enjoyed the fire for a short while before retiring to the tent after what had been a long day.

Saturday, May 28th (Day 3)

Taken at  our Henson Lake campsite

As predicted the rain had come in the early morning and showed no sign of letting up. Fortunately for us, there was no lightening or thunder. We enjoyed our dry benches under the tarp as we prepared another delicious breakfast of bacon, blueberry pancakes, and coffee. We broke camp in late morning and had a short paddle to our first portage of the day, which would take us into Meeds Lake. Sometime before lunch the rain decided to take a break. We stopped on a small island on Meeds Lake for a lunch of 'Everything' bagels, cheese, sausage, and Hudson Bay bars. After we began the 90 rod portage into Pillsbery Lake the rain began again, but this time our luck did not hold out and it began to storm. Not wanting to get back on the water decided to hold out and hope that the storm would pass. We tried to locate the campsite that was supposed to be right next to the portage, but we were unable to find it (turns out it is further west than the map indicated). The storm took a break about an hour after it began and so we waited to make sure that we would not get caught on the water when it started back up. After some time the storm was still holding out so we loaded up and did the quick paddle across Pillsbery Lake to the next portage. Soon the rain began again but the storm continued to hold. We  stopped at the first campsite on Henson Lake that is west of the portage. The campsite was very nice, it was located on a hillside but offered plenty of space to set up our tent and it had a beautiful view of the lake. As the sun set over the lake it made for some spectacular photos, like the one above. After getting our gear set for the next day we enjoyed a meal of fried potatoes and onions with cheesy biscuits. It was outstanding! With a full stomach and camp cleaned up we made our way to the tent after what had been a long day.

Sunday, May 29th (Day 4)

Lunch on Winchell Lake

After our routine breakfast of blueberry pancakes and coffee we set off, planning to make it to Gaskin Lake by the end of the day. The paddle across Henson brought us to a short portage into Omega Lake, which brought us into Winchell Lake. By the time we reached Winchell Lake we were both ready for lunch so we stopped at the first campsite after the portage to eat. Once we had enjoyed our lunch of bagels, sausage, and cheese we continued eastward toward Gaskin Lake. Shortly after lunch a westerly wind picked up. The wind began to take its toll and so we decided to stop at the most eastern campsite on Winchell Lake, close to Gaskin but not quite there. Again we had a great site, likely the 'best' one of the trip. It was right on the border of the blow down area but we still had plenty of trees in our site. After ending a little early and getting camp set up quickly we spent the afternoon fishing, napping, and enjoying our time in the peace and quiet that the Boundary Waters has to offer. We cooked up a delicious dinner of spaghetti with sausage and more cheesy biscuits to top it all off. Since we had both napped we stayed up and had a fire. It had been a good day.

Winchell Lake Campsite

Monday, May 30th (Day 5)

Looking east from our campsite

We awoke around 8am to some heavy winds and light rain so stayed in the tent hoping the wind would die out and sunshine would poke through. After an hour of waiting we decided it was time to get out and have a look at the conditions. The lake did not have huge waves, but the easterly wind was strong and we needed to head east. After some deliberation we decided that it would not be wise to venture out on the lake, so we fired up the stove and cooked up some pancakes with our coffee. The wind only continued to build throughout the morning, and so we sat under our tarp waiting for the wind to give. By lunch time the lake was in even worse condition and we were tired of sitting under the tarp, so we crawled back in the tent. We talked about our options and napped on and off. We decided that if the wind kept us bound over night we would get up early and get on the water before the wind picked up again. Luckily, the wind slowed to a manageable level around 4 o'clock and so we quickly broke camp and made it to Horseshoe Lake were we fired up a quick meal and prepared to leave early the next morning. We were supposed to spend the night back at East Bearskin Campground but we got one more night out on the water.

Tuesday, May 31st (Day 6)
This was an early morning, where we found ourselves on the water by 5am. We were hoping to make it to the truck by noon (we still had the mile portage out) so we had a cold breakfast of Hudson Bay bars and GORP. The paddle back through Horseshoe, Vista, Jake, and Morgan Lakes was uneventful, yet it was beautiful paddling into the sunrise. Once we arrived at our last portage we decided that we would try a new portage method to try and be most efficient. I would walk one pack about half way across, then return to get the canoe and I would carry the canoe all the way across. Meanwhile, my father would take the other pack all the way across and then come back for the pack that I had only taken half way. This system means that we each only walk the full length of the portage twice, rather than three times as you do with a traditional portage. Our system worked out great, and made the portage go much faster. We actually got back to the truck on time! After loading up the boat we headed back to Grand Marais where we got some gas and stopped at a nice little diner for some great breakfast and coffee. After eating some delicious omelets we started back towards the Twin Cities to drop off our boat and go our separate ways.

This was one of my first trips when I ate better than oatmeal, cheese, sausage, and tortillas and it showed. There was too much food. When I got back I made detailed notes about exactly what we had planned on for each meal, and what we actually ate. I will refer to these notes on future trips and keep fine tuning until I get the right rations. This was also my first trip that was flatwater exclusively, I typically stay to rivers with maybe some flatwater in between. We had the proper equipment that made the portaging manageable and we also had a route that allowed us some flexibility. I am looking forward to my next BWCAW trip or maybe I will head to a Provincial Park next time. 

Why This Is The Most Dangerous Time Of Year

By Nick Pritchard

I was fortunate enough to have the time to get out on the water in my playboat yesterday. It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining and it was about 75 degrees outside making it a great time to practice some rolls and work on my bow stall.

When I was getting ready to go out I struggled with what layer I should wear under my drytop; it was 75 degrees but I knew the water was still cold. I decided to go with my favorite winter long sleeve shirt instead of a light synthetic t-shirt and I'm glad that I did. I had started to get too warm quickly once I had geared up but my first roll quickly took care of that. Even with my helmet liner on, I still got slightly disoriented from the cold water. I was only able to do two or three rolls in a row before I would have to take a break because I was getting too dizzy.

It is so easy during this time of year to get distracted by the warm air temperatures and to forget about the cold water temperatures. Especially after a long winter and spring fever there are more and more folks getting out on the water but they aren't preparing themselves for the swim. Just this past week, on two separate occasions, I saw folks who weren't even wearing their PFDs, much less wearing any type of thermal barrier. Little did they know what type of unnecessary danger they were putting themselves in!

During the winter months we recognize the danger of cold water much better because the air is cold as well and there is snow and ice everywhere. However, once the snow melts and the ice thaws we start to forget about the dangers. We can finally go outside without a jacket and we don't realize that the water is just about as cold as during the middle of the winter.

The American Canoe Association (ACA) uses the rule that if the water temperature is under 60 degrees a wetsuit or drysuit is required or if the combined air and water temperature is under 120 degrees than a wetsuit or drysuit is required. Whichever comes first. The ACA also has this brochure available about cold water paddling.

To find out more information about the effects that cold water has on the body check out Cold Water Boot Camp. They have a lot of great videos, statistics, and information about the real effects of cold water.

Take the time to do the research and to adequately protect yourself from cold water before venturing out. Don't let the warm air temperatures sway your good judgement about wearing a wetsuit or drysuit.

As always feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Boise Brule River Overview

By Nick Pritchard

The Boise Brule River is a north woods gem that flows north for 44 miles until it reaches Lake Superior. The Brule is best known for it's abundant wildlife, trout fishing, great paddling, and it's serenity. Many presidents have also visited the Brule River including President Coolidge who spent the summer of 1928 at his lodge on the river.

The Brule River has something to offer every paddler from flat water to exciting whitewater and a breath-taking paddle out onto Lake Superior. The character of the river also varies from coniferous bog to steep clay banks lined with aspen and balsam fir.

All 44 miles of the Brule River are located in the Brule River State Forest. It has many put ins/take outs making it easy to find a section that is just right for you. There are also numerous outfitters in the area that can help you with all of your equipment/shuttle needs.

Some of the more popular day trips include:

• County S to Highway 2 
• 12 miles
• Mostly flat water with a few rapids mixed in and beautiful scenery
• Highway 2 to Pine Tree Landing
• 8 miles
• Quiet scenic flat water
• Pine Tree Landing to Highway 13
• 7.5 miles
• Offers continuous whitewater including some fun Class II ledges
• Highway 13 to Lake Superior
• 8 miles
• Characterized by easy riffles and ends with a memorable paddle out onto Lake Superior

Camping is available at Copper Range Campground and Boise Brule Campground, both are located on the river.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has put together this video with some great information about visiting the Boise Brule River State Forest.

Flambeau River Overview

By Nick Pritchard

Many folks have visited the Flambeau River and they continue to visit time and time again because it offers such a variety of paddling that there is a trip for every type of paddler. Most of the river is undeveloped making it a great location to get away from the hustle and bustle. From a lazy float down the north fork to the raging whitewater of the south fork everyone is sure to have a great trip. The Flambeau River also offers free camping along the north fork making it a great destination for a weekend getaway.

The north fork of the Flambeau twists and turns from it's headwaters at the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, but as it moves further south it's character begins to change. The first whitewater on the north fork is Porcupine Rapids, a mild section of Class I. From Porcupine Rapids on, the river is interspersed with mild whitewater which may cause problems for novice paddlers during high water. The north fork also holds the only campsites available on the river. These sites are often well maintained and most of them are designed to be used by several groups.

The south fork of the Flambeau is more well known for it's whitewater but the northern flatwater stretches can be incredibly beautiful to paddle as well, however, there is NO CAMPING available on the south fork. Some guide books indicate that there are sites available on the south fork, however, these are not legitimate sites. The DNR does check the south fork and they will likely write you a citation if they find you camping on the south fork, particularly if you are not following Leave No Trace principles.

The most popular whitewater stretch of the south fork is from County M to Skinner Creek Landing. Some highlights of this trip are Slough Gundy rapids, a fun Class II-III 3 ledge drop; Little Falls, a Class III-IV where an island splits the river and there is a 6' waterfall on river right (river left is often not runnable); and Scratch rapids, a Class II-III set which has some great play potential at higher water. Most groups will portage Little Falls on river left where there is an obvious path leading to just below the falls.

The Flambeau River has something for every paddler and is sure to go on everyone's list of favorites.

Paddle the Flambeau has a great website where you can look at the most up to date water levels, trip logs, maps, and much more. You can also order a free Flambeau River guide on their website.

Paddling Northern Wisconsin by Mike Svob also outlines each section of the Flambeau and includes maps of each section.

Winding Rivers Canoeing will be having an ACA River Canoeing course on the Flambeau River June 10th-12th, 2011. We will be camping on the river and learning a variety of new skills! Check us out for more information.

Leave No Trace

By Nick Pritchard

I hope that everyone has heard of Leave No Trace by now but when I see things like this I have doubts. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (the Center) was formed in 1994 with cooperation from numerous public and private organizations with the purpose of promoting environmental responsibility from everyone.

The Center's mission statement is "The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide."


To help promote environmental responsibility the Center developed the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

The 7 principles remain the same for all environments but the means we take to follow these principles may differ. For example, desert environments have different considerations than the Boundary Waters. The Center has developed reference cards for all of the different environments. These cards are very inexpensive and are a great thing to take into the back country with you. For a more in-depth explanation of the principles you can purchase a skills book from the Center's online store or take their free online course.

While you can learn the basics from the materials available from the Center's online store and their website there is no replacement for taking an Awareness Workshop from a certified instructor. These courses range from several hours to a full day or more and can be incorporated into almost any trip or held on their own. They are a great way to draw from the knowledge of someone who is truly passionate and these principles and environmental responsibility.

If we all take a few extra minutes to familiarize ourselves with the 7 LNT Principles and practice them religiously we can have a dramatic effect on our impact of the places that we love. 

As always feel free to ask us if you have any questions!  

Packing For A Trip

By Nick Pritchard

Spring is on its way and that means spring trips are coming up fast! It also means packing for all of those trips which can be a little tricky sometimes, particularly if you are just getting into paddling. Packing is one of the most difficult things about backcountry camping if you don't know what you need and what you don't. The best way to find out what you need and what you don't is by experience but that's not always so easy.

If you want to pack efficiently you need to know how each piece of your gear performs under a variety of conditions. If you don't have much experience with a piece of equipment go on some day trips prior to your big trip. It is best to try your gear out in both the rain/cold and sun/hot. You also need to know what you realistically use and what you can leave behind without putting you or your group in danger (ie. just because you don't use your first aid kit doesn't mean you can leave it behind!). 

I like to start packing several days to a week before I leave for my trip. This allows me to do several things; check over all of my gear, I can think about what I need throughout the week and just keep adding to the pile, and take the time to assess what I really need and what I really don't. If I can't add something to my pile right away (ie. jacket because you need it for the rest of the week) I start making a list of what I still need to get. Once I have a pretty good pile going I start to pack my gear away into the appropriate dry bags/packs. 

When I am packing up my gear I am constantly thinking about when I am going to use this piece of gear and I try to place the gear in a logical order so I don't have to dig to the bottom of my bag to get my breakfast out. I also consider what are "smellables" and keep all of those items together and separate from my other gear. 

If your gear is taking up too much space go through it again and pull out the "wants". If your gear is still not fitting talk with your other group members and see how much stuff they are taking and ask them to help you dial in your gear. Other group members can be very helpful with trimming down your equipment, however, don't let them strip you of things that you need. For example, if you are a chronically cold person make sure you have enough clothing to keep you comfortable without going overboard. Everyone should have approximately the same amount of equipment for the same trip. 

Remember that you the one that has to carry all of that gear to camp or over the portages so be safe in your packing but be realistic too!

Feel free to ask us any questions you may have!

Red Cedar River Overview

By Nick Pritchard

The Red Cedar River meanders through western Wisconsin for approximately 85 miles from Rice Lake until it reaches the Chippewa River. The Red Cedar is a great destination for both novice and experienced paddlers as it offers beautiful scenery as you twist and turn passing sandstone bluffs, unspoiled forests, and abundant wildlife. The Red Cedar is mostly flat water, with an occasional class I mixed in, making it suitable for all paddle craft.

The northern stretches of the Red Cedar are wide and shallow with many islands while south of Menomonie the river widens further and deepens until it reaches the Chippewa River. If you are paddling south of Tainter Lake it is best to paddle in spring due to the very high algae count that exists throughout the summer and fall. However, there is sufficient water all year to paddle the Red Cedar if you choose to do so. The Red Cedar has numerous boat landings making it easy to find a good section for you to paddle.

The following are the put ins/take outs south of the dam at Menomonie.

• Riverside Park (Menomonie, WI)
• Irvington Landing 
• About 3 miles from Riverside Park
• Hwy 25 (Downsville, WI)
• About 8-9 miles from Riverside Park
• Dunnville Bottoms Boat Landing
• About 15 miles from Riverside Park

Red Cedar River - Below the dam in Menomonie

Red Cedar River - In Menomonie looking south

Red Cedar River Put Ins/Take Outs South of Colfax

View Red Cedar River in a larger map

Winding Rivers Canoeing: Emergency Procedures

By Nick Pritchard

As spring rolls around and more folks are getting outside I am starting to see one thing in the news more and more, people getting lost and/or killed in the backcountry. While each case has different circumstances than the last these situations are almost always avoidable. This makes these stories even more tragic because we know that it didn't have to end up that way. With a little preparation prior to your trip you can greatly reduce the risk you take when you enjoy the outdoors.

Outfitters and guides generally have very good emergency procedures in place, as we would expect them to. They have an obligation to their clients to reduce the risk of the activity as much as reasonably possible. Not having these procedures in place would open them to law suits and would surely put them out of business quickly.

So, if the professional outdoor industry has shown us how important these procedures are, why then do so few recreational adventurers have them in place for their own trips? There may be a variety of reasons ranging from a lack of knowledge to (I hate to say it) just being lazy. In my experience, one of the biggest reasons is that there is no clearly defined leader in the group. This leaves a big gap in the risk management system because no one wants to take the responsibility of being a leader. Maybe you and your friends are just getting into paddling and no one has any more experience than the other, who should be the leader? Maybe your group has been paddling together for years and doesn't want a leader. No matter what the case, this is easily resolved.

If you and/or your group are just starting out then you should all work on developing the emergency procedures that you will have in place for your trip. This way everyone will learn how to develop these procedures and they will all be familiar with them. If you are just starting out paddling then you should consult more experienced paddlers to help you develop a solid plan. You can also contact organizations such as the American Canoe Association for some direction.

If your group is a little bit more experienced you could have one person develop the emergency procedures and then they should provide everyone in the group a copy of those procedures. If you are paddling with the same folks regularly you can switch up who is developing the procedures so that everyone stays in good practice and the same person isn't doing it every time. It is a good idea to provide everyone with a copy of the procedures a few days prior to the trip so that if someone has suggestions the plan could be revised in time.

What should these procedures actually include? What should be covered? How extensive should they be? Well, unless this is an expedition these procedures will be pretty easy to develop. Your emergency procedures should have things like:

• List of group members and relevant experience
• Expected departure/arrival time
• Vehicle information (color, make, model, license #)
• Boat information (color, make, who's boat it is)
• Location of put in/take out
• List of campsites
• Emergency equipment that will be on the trip (flares, PLB, marine radio, GPS, etc.)
• Emergency contact numbers (Police, Hospital, SAR, NPS, someone you trust, etc.)
• Contact information for local land management agencies
• Weather forecast for the trip
• Relevant maps
• Exit plans (how will you get out if something goes wrong)
• Any information relevant to your trip

While this may seem like a relatively long list it won't take that long to put together with the help of the internet. If you do one trip fairly regularly you don't have to redo the whole thing each time either, just make sure all the information is still correct (phone #s, weather, group memebers, etc.).

You should plan on leaving a copy of your emergency procedures with a trusted friend who will call the authorities if you don't return on time and with the local land management agency. There should also be at least one set with two different people on the trip. 

With a little pre-trip planning we can reduce the risk that we take when we adventure in the backcountry. If you or your group does not do this already you should start and if you do, kudos. 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions! 

Paddling With Groups: What Are We Doing?

By Nick Pritchard

While paddling solo gives you unrestricted freedom many of us enjoy sharing our outdoor experiences with others. The outdoors are a great time to get away from our busy lives with our friends or family but there are  some things to consider before going on a trip with other people. One thing that needs to be worked out is what the goal or purpose of the trip is. It is important that everyone has the same goals and mindset so that everyone has a successful trip.

If a few people in your group want to go on the trip to take photographs or go fishing and the rest of the group want to log as many miles as possible, it will be difficult to keep everyone happy. A simple difference like this can often create conflict within the group ruining everyones trip. Particularly if you are taking new folks on your trip you should sit down with them and determine what they are hoping to get out of the trip. If your goals do not match you may consider finding new group members. Otherwise, you could compromise that the group would take one rest day to be used for photography, or that fishing could be done once you got to camp but not during the day, etc. There are many different ways that a group can mesh to meet everyone's goals with a little compromise. If you are someone that likes to log miles  it may not be a good opportunity to take a few people who like photography, fishing, birdwatching, etc. They can show you some new skills while you are out there, which is never a bad idea.

If you decide that some of your group members do have different goals than you do, don't feel bad if you find new group members. It is better to be honest with everyone upfront before you are in the backcountry for several days and can't do anything about it. Nevertheless, don't be afraid to try something new, there is a lot that we can learn from others if we are open to it.

As always feel free to ask us any questions!

River Selection: Consider Your Group

By Nick Pritchard

One of the more difficult things about planning a river trip is trying to figure out how difficult of water you should paddle. There is no clear equation to try and figure this out but with good pre-trip planning you should be able to find something that will interest everyone. With experience this will start to become much easier as you paddle with more people, in more places, and under a variety of conditions. Some of the things that you should consider are:

• Your Group's Experience Level
• Are you the most experienced paddler in the group? Does everyone have about the same experience level? Are there just a few experienced folks? 
• The less collective experience that the group has the easier the river you will want to stick to. This not only reduces the chance that people will be put into a dangerous situation for which they are not prepared. An appropriate river also raises the chances that everyone will have a good time. It is difficult to have fun when you are scared or uncomfortable. 
• The Location Of The Trip
• As trips move farther and farther from civilization it is a good idea to be more conservative about the water that you will be paddling. Not only will you have more gear in your boats which make them heavier and more difficult to maneuver but the consequences also increase as your trips move farther into the backcountry. It is probably not a good idea to try a Class III for the first time when you are on a three expedition into the Canadian wilderness. You should save pushing yourself for your local river or whitewater park. 
• The Duration Of The Trip
• While typically longer trips take place in remote places they do not necessarily have to. In any case on an extended trip your boat will likely be heavy with gear. Also, the river may only be a few miles from the road but if you damage gear or persons by running advanced water that few miles may as well be 100 miles. It will be very difficult to extract yourself from that situation, particularly if you are down a canoe or someone got seriously injured. The river doesn't care how close to civilization you are, it's still the boss. 
• The Type Of Equipment You Will Be Using
• Knowing the limitations of your equipment (mainly your canoe and how it is outfitted) is an important factor when planning a trip because using the wrong equipment in the wrong manner is never a good idea. For example you probably don't want to take your Kevlar flat-water touring boat down Class III whitewater.
• The Environment You Will Be In
• If you are paddling in cold water or weather conditions you will want to take it easy and make sure that you are properly equipped (drysuits, etc.) to handle those conditions. It is no fun if someone becomes hypothermic. 

This is not an all inclusive list but it is a good place to start. When planning a trip it comes down to good planning and good judgement. Experience will ease this process but it always takes some time to figure out.

Feel free to ask us any questions you may have!

River Selection: Campsites

By Nick Pritchard

When you decide to plan a trip one of the obvious factors is where are you going to stay? While some rivers offer camping along their shores, some do not. If there is camping along the river available it may be free, it may not. This often depends on whether or not the campsite is an individual site as found on the North Fork of the Flambeau River or part of a campground as found on the Bois Brule River. If campsites are listed in the guidebook make sure that you confirm those campsites are still valid. Guidebooks have been known to indicate a campsite which is not actually permitted by the local land management agency.

If there is no camping available along the river it may difficult to do an extended trip on that river. It would likely involve re-shuttling your vehicles each day so you would have your vehicle to drive to the campground. This may not be an attractive option to some paddlers because you cannot achieve a backcountry experience if you drive to camp each day.

If there are not campsites available it is not acceptable to make your own camp unless permitted by the local land management agency. Establishing new campsites along rivers often destroy the natural beauty of the shoreline unless Leave No Trace principles are practiced to the strictest standard (make sure you know any special considerations for the environment you're visiting). Only in an emergency situation would it be acceptable to camp where it is not permitted. You should talk with the local land management agency about emergency camping so they are aware of your plan in case of an emergency.

When you are choosing a location to go on an extended paddle the campsites will be one of the most critical factors. Make sure that you do the research into them and you will likely be rewarded with a successful trip!

As always feel free to ask us if you have any questions!

River Selection: Where should I go?

By Nick Pritchard

So you've decided that you want to get away for a weekend but you're not sure where to go from there. You like your local rivers but you're hoping to try something new. This next step can often be tricky, unless you already have someplace in mind, where do you go? There are so many many options available depending on your resources (time, money, equipment, skills & knowledge, etc.).

When starting to plan a trip one of my favorite places to start is my guidebooks. Almost every region has some sort of guidebook which provide you information from a paddler's perspective. These books often provide information on water levels, put-ins/take-outs, hazards, camping, shuttles, scenery, history, maps, etc. Some of these books are offered in online versions which are typically cheaper than buying a hard copy.

If you do decide to use guidebooks you should keep the following in mind.

• Remember that they are guides.
• The information in the book may be outdated, make sure to keep that in mind
• The information may be incorrect 
• Just because a river is in the book does not mean it is a spectacular river, do more research if you're unsure
• In general it is important to verify the information that you find in the guidebook through other current sources. Campsites may have been closed/added, put-ins/take-outs moved/closed, new regulations put in place, etc. 

If you don't have a guidebook available, I would start searching the internet for the general area that you want to visit. There is often lot's of information posted on paddler friendly rivers. If there is such a river in the area you want to visit the locals will be talking about it, whether it is local outfitters, the local parks department, or a local paddling club. Talking with these folks can also provide you with knowledge that you would not be able to attain otherwise.

You may consider looking at the National Park Services website also. They manage numerous waterways that are often beautifully maintained and very paddler friendly. 

There are many resources available when you are deciding to go on a trip. Whether you decide to do a weekend paddle or three week expedition, there is always somewhere new to go. There is always that next bend in the river.

As always feel free to ask us if you have any questions!

Pre-trip Planning: Consider the Weather

By Nick Pritchard

When planning a trip the weather is obviously a critical factor in the success of your trip. When considering the weather I like to break it down into 3 steps. Each of these steps are more detailed than the last, so that when I am on the last step I have a pretty good picture of what the weather will be like.

The first step when planning out a trip is determining the general time that you would like to go on your adventure. Will it be in the spring, the fall, or will you go down south for a nice winter paddle? When thinking of the general time of year consider the weather that we associate with those times (ex. spring rains, hot summers, etc.) and determine if that is what you want to encounter on your trip. This first step will also help you determine what the water levels will be like. You can typically expect higher water with spring rains.

The second step is to select a month within that general time of year. When I am at this second step I like to check the historical averages for the area that I'm visiting. This information can help you get a feel for how much rain is typical during that month and what the average highs/lows are for that time. Don't forget to consider how bad the bugs will be during a given month either!

The third step is to select the actual days that you want to go on your adventure. This is step may seem like it does not hold much consequence but particularly in spring and fall, a couple weeks can mean a big difference between water levels, temperature, and precipitation. Look over the historical averages and talk with the local land management agencies in order to find the best time for you to go.

By carefully choosing the best time for you to go on your adventure you will greatly increase the chances that your trip is successful. As with all parts of pre-trip planning you do not want to rush through it and throw it together at the last minute.

As always feel free to ask us if you have any questions!

Pre-Trip Planning: Meet Local Land Management Agencies

By Nick Pritchard

Whether you are planning a new trip or paddling your favorite spot it is important to build a relationship with local land management agencies. These agencies have the most up to date and accurate information for your adventure. The most common agencies that you will encounter are the Department of Natural Resources or the National Park Service.

Getting to know the local land management agency also provides them with more information about you. In stead of just sending your itinerary to them and getting the necessary permits, plan on spending a little bit of time in the ranger station talking with the rangers there. During this conversation the rangers are likely to find out more about your group, skill levels, planned itinerary, and other items so that if something were to happen to you or your group they would be able to respond better.

Talking with the rangers at the station will also help you determine what resources they have available in case of emergency. You can also discuss with them what radio channels they monitor and the best way to contact them. Maybe they have a ranger doing rounds of the park every few hours that you wouldn't have known about unless you talked with them.

The local land management agencies in the places that we visit have a wealth of information that are sure to help you have a much smoother trip. Plus the rangers usually have some good stories that will likely give you a good laugh!

As always feel free to ask us if you have any questions.

Canoe Strokes: The Stern Pry

By Nick Pritchard

The stern pry is one of the most powerful strokes that the stern paddler has. The stern pry is particularly useful in moving water where you need to move the boat NOW. It can also be useful for navigating around docks or shore. The stern pry has a lot of power that will move the boat quickly so it is rarely used when paddling flat water. 

When novices learn the stern pry they often do not stop the stroke soon enough and they turn it into a brake. This is the most common mistake with the stern pry. It should not become a brake, so as you learn to do the stern pry be on the look out for that. 

To do the stern pry start out by placing the paddle so that the paddle shaft is parallel to the the gunwale and knife the blade into the water (catch). Next you will bring the grip towards your navel, prying the blade out (power) making sure not to turn the stroke into a brake. To finish the stroke you will knife the blade out of the water (recovery) and either repeat or perform your next stroke. 

As with all strokes it is best to do the stern pry slowly at first as you learn the proper technique. When doing the stern pry you should also be cautious about pry directly against the gunwale. It is a best practice to try and avoid this as it puts unnecessary wear on the canoe, particularly when paddling wooden or composite canoes. The stern pry also requires a strong paddle. I have broken several inexpensive when I tried to do a stern pry with them. 

As always feel free to ask us if you have any questions!

Canoe Strokes: The Forward Stroke

By Nick Pritchard

With there being more strokes than most of us want to keep track of, the most basic is the forward stroke. As simple as the forward stroke may seem there is technique to doing the stroke properly.

The forward stroke is the most common stroke that you will use while paddling. If it were not for the forward stroke no other strokes would matter! While on your trip you will likely be doing thousands of forward strokes so it is important to do it properly. By using the technique outlined below you will use significantly less energy than doing it improperly. Doing the forward stroke as outlined below is also easier on your joints and will leave you with more energy at the end of the day.

There are three steps to the forward stroke; catch, power, and recovery (CPR). As with any other stroke you want to have a vertical paddle shaft (your hands stacked) and you want to use your torso for power rather than your arms. So, the first step of the stroke involves placing the paddle in front of you at a comfortable distance (catch), there is no need to overextend yourself. Once you have the paddle placed in the water with a vertical paddle shaft you will start to rotate your torso (power), bringing the paddle back to your hips. Once the paddle is at your hips you will stop rotating, bring the paddle out of the water (recovery) and feather it forward for your next stroke.

When you are first learning how to do the forward stroke try and do each motion very deliberately. This will help you get the muscle memory down and then you can start to work on having better "flow". As with anything, this will take some practice but soon it will be second nature!

As always feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We are always happy to talk paddling!

Grip Style

By Nick Pritchard

When deciding on what paddle to buy another important thing to consider is the grip style of that paddle. In general there are two types of grip style; t-grip, and pear grip. Each grip has pros and cons and the type of grip that is used relates the what that particular paddle is designed for. 

A t-grip paddle will allow the paddler more control of the paddle since they can wrap their hand around the grip. This type of grip is commonly found on whitewater paddles for this reason. It also helps the paddler retain control of the paddle when making corrective strokes. A pear style grip is typically found on wooden paddles and is used in recreational or flat water paddles. This grip fits into your hand better and is more comfortable for long distance paddling. With a pear grip paddle you cannot wrap your hand around the grip so it is more difficult to hold onto the paddle if you are in swift water. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us!

Bent vs. Straight Shaft

When looking for a flat water wooden paddle you will likely find that there are bent shaft canoe paddles. (If you have not seen these look click here.) These paddles are relatively new and are almost exclusively found on wooden paddles that are designed for flat water. In some cases these paddles can be very beneficial so let's break down bent vs. straight shaft.

Bent Shaft:

Bent shaft paddles are relatively new. For flat water paddling they are more efficient than a straight shaft paddle because when you end your forward stroke with a bent shaft the blade is still perpendicular to the water, with a straight shaft the blade is pushing water up. When using a bent shaft paddle every few strokes the stern paddler calls "HUT" at which point both paddlers switch sides and continue paddling. This is used to keep the canoe on track instead of doing corrective strokes. Although bent shaft paddles are more efficient that straight shaft paddles some paddlers do not like using them. This may be true for a few reasons; they don't like switching sides all the time, they prefer doing the corrective strokes (it's weird to do them with a bent shaft), or they prefer the traditional style of paddling. 

Pros:

• More efficient for flat water paddling

Cons:

• Have to switch sides constantly
• Makes corrective strokes more difficult
• Only usable in certain venues (flat water)

Straight Shaft:

As mentioned above the straight shaft is not as efficient as the bent shaft. This is because when you end the stroke using a straight shaft the blade of the paddle is pushing water up rather than being perpendicular to the water. Although they are less efficient for long distance flat water straight shaft paddles are more versatile and you don't have to switch sides all the time. This is very attractive to some folks. Straight shaft paddles are also much easier to do your corrective strokes with. 

Pros:

• More efficient for doing corrective strokes
• You do not need to switch sides constantly
• Straight shaft paddles are more versatile

Cons:

• They are less efficient for flat water paddling

Which type of paddle is best for you really depends on preference and where you will be doing the majority of your paddling. If you are buying your first paddle I could recommend sticking with a straight shaft because of the versatility. A straight shaft will also help you perfect your corrective strokes before graduating to a bent shaft. Ideally you could own both types of paddles so that you could choose the right paddle for the right trip.

Please contact us if you have any questions! We are more than happy to assist. 

Synthetic vs. Wood Paddle

By Nick Pritchard

This week we'll be talking about paddle design. There are so many different options available that it can be difficult to choose but we'll try and break it down to one step each day.

When looking for a canoe paddle one of the first things that you'll notice is that there are composite paddles and there are wood paddles. Each of these materials have pros and cons and excel in different venues. Let's break down each one.

Wood Paddles:
Wooden canoe paddles hold a special place with many paddlers because they are what canoeing started with. Many paddlers enjoy quality wooden paddles because each one is different, you can smell the wood, and they just feel good in your hands. From a performance perspective wooden paddles have more flex than a composite paddle which is easier on your body, but it's at the sacrifice of efficiency. The flex is not so severe that you can actually see the blade flex but if you compare similar composite and wooden paddles you can likely feel the "lag" with the wood paddle. Wooden paddles have traditionally weighed more than composite paddles but they are now getting the high quality wooden paddles very light(18oz.) and they are often wrapped in fiberglass to strengthen them. Some wooden paddles also have edge protection on the blade to protect the blade from rocks (i.e Bending Branches Rockgard).

Wooden Paddle Pros:

• They are traditional
• They have some flex which is easier on your joints
• They are lightweight

Wooden Paddle Cons:

• They have some flex which cuts efficiency
• They are typically not as strong as composites
• They require more maintenance

Some paddlers use wooden paddles for all of their paddling including whitewater. I like to use wooden paddles when I am flat water paddling or paddling on slow big rivers. I enjoy the traditional aspects of them as well as the flex which is easier on my body. There is no correct answer though. They make both flat water and whitewater wooden paddles so you can pick and choose when you would like to use a wooden paddle

Composite Paddles:

Composite paddles are relatively new. The two materials that are most commonly used are fiberglass or carbon fiber. They are strong, lightweight, and rigid (don't flex) when compared to wooden paddles. These paddles are particularly well suited for moving water when you need a strong and responsive paddle. 

Composite Paddle Pros:

• They are strong 
• They are lightweight
• They are very responsive and efficient
• They require almost no maintenance

Composite Paddle Cons:

• They are rigid (harder on your body)
• They don't have the traditional aspects that you get with a wooden paddle

I prefer to use my composite paddle for moving/whitewater. I take comfort in their strength, and the responsiveness of a carbon paddle is fantastic. As with wooden paddles they make flat water and whitewater composite paddles so can choose when you would like to paddle composite. 

You may have noticed that we have not mentioned plastic/aluminum paddles. These paddles are well suited for outfitters and businesses that need affordable, durable paddles. If you are getting into paddling DO NOT cheat yourself by buying a plastic/aluminum paddle. They have significant flex, they are heavy, and many of them have questionable strength. Your paddle is one of those things where you should save up and spend a little extra. Typically you get what you pay for. Now this doesn't mean you have to buy the best paddle out there, but do some research and make the investment. 

As always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! We are more than happy to help you out.

Canoe Width (Beam)

By Nick Pritchard

Canoe width or beam can be somewhat confusing because manufacturers often supply several measurements but once you know what each number means this is invaluable information. Generally a wider canoe will be more stable while a narrower canoe will be faster and more efficient. Narrower canoes will also generally track a little better than a wider canoe.

Typically manufactures will provide the following measurements:

• Gunwale Width: 
• As you might expect this is the width of the canoe at the gunwales. This width is important because a canoe that is wide at the gunwales will be difficult to paddle particularly for smaller paddlers. 
• Widest Point/Maximum Width: 

• This is the widest point of the canoe. This will help you determine whether the canoe has tumblehome or not. Tumblehome is when the sides of the canoe go out wide but then come back in to allow for ease of paddling. Tumblehome is common on whitewater canoes. 
• Width at the 4" Waterline:
• This measurement is the most important when determining how the width will effect the performance of the canoe. This is taken when the canoe is fully loaded (sitting down 4" into the water). Typically this measurement will be less than your widest point. 

As always feel free to ask us any questions you may have!

Canoe Length

By Nick Pritchard

Canoe length is often one of the easier things to understand when it comes to canoe design. It is also one of the most important design considerations when looking into buying or renting a canoe.

There are a huge variety of lengths when it comes to canoes, from the 20'+ touring canoes down to the 10' whitewater/freestyle canoes. Generally longer boats will go faster, be more efficient, and track better than shorter canoes. Longer canoes also have more carrying capacity making them ideal for tripping or touring. Shorter canoes are often more maneuverable and responsive than a longer canoe.

When looking to purchase a canoe it is important to know what type of environment you will do most of your paddling in. For example, if you are doing an extended flat water trip a longer canoe will likely suit you best but if  you have to portage a shorter canoe will be easier to maneuver on the trail, so you need a happy medium. Longer canoes are also more susceptible to wind, so if you paddle on big water frequently this is an important consideration. With length also comes weight. By getting a one foot shorter boat you could shave off as much as 10 pounds. Shorter canoes on the other hand have less area to disperse the weight so they sit lower in the water than a longer canoe. With a shorter canoe you will also spend more time making corrective strokes than you would with a longer canoe.

So what is a good length for you? As you can see from above there is no right answer. When I go up to the Boundary Waters this spring I will be taking a 16' 6" boat. This length should provide enough efficiency and tracking while still being a manageable weight and length on the portage trails. When I paddle tandem whitewater I like the 14' 4" length (this is still short enough I can paddle it solo too).

If you have any questions feel free to contact us!

Entry Lines

By Nick Pritchard

What may seem to be a relatively subtle difference, entry lines have a large impact on the performance of a canoe. There are two basic entry line designs; sharp and blunt. There are then a large array of "mediums".

Sharp Entry Line

Sharp entry lines are just like they sound, they come to a fine point. This type of entry line provides you with good efficiency because it parts the water well. It also tracks better than a comparable boat with a blunt entry line. Sharp entry lines are most commonly found on touring boats made of a composite or wood. That is because it is difficult to get a sharp entry line when using plastic.

Blunt Entry Line

Blunt entry lines are often found on plastic boats as mentioned above. They are significantly more rounded than a sharp entry line. A blunt entry line is more maneuverable than a comparable boat with sharp entry lines because they do not "dig in" to the water as much. Blunt entry lines also provide you with more buoyancy in rough water because they do not cut through the waves like sharp lines do. Blunt entry lines are also more durable than sharp entry lines because they do not come to such a fine point. However, blunt entry lines are less efficient that sharp entry lines. Blunt entry lines are widely used on whitewater or river running boats.


If you have any questions feel free to contact us!

Hull Design

By Nick Pritchard

Trying to sort through all the different types of canoes can be overwhelming when looking to buy a canoe or even trying to choose which one is the best for you to rent. We will try and break down one aspect of canoe design each day so that you have the basic knowledge to sort through all the different options.

We will start the week off by talking about hull design the 4 general types of hulls, but first we'll introduce initial and secondary stability.

Initial Stability

Initial and secondary stability are essential factors to consider when you are looking at purchasing or renting a canoe. The initial stability is just like it sounds, when the canoe is flat in the water you are utilizing the canoes initial stability. This is helpful for flat water paddling.

Secondary Stability

Secondary stability is used when you lean the canoe. This is helpful for whitewater canoeing, or big lake paddling. This  It is difficult for a canoe to have good initial stability and secondary stability, most designs try to find a happy medium.






As mentioned above there are 4 general types of hull design; flat bottom, rounded, shallow arch, and shallow vee.

• Flat Bottom: 



Flat Bottom

• Flat bottom canoes are just like they sound, the bottom is almost flat. These boats have got good initial stability while their secondary stability is almost nonexistent. Once these boats are leaned they are likely to capsize.  
• Rounded Bottom:



Round Bottom

• Rounded bottom canoes have great secondary stability but almost no initial stability. Because of the lack of flex in the hull these boats are efficient and when combined with other design options can be very fast. 
• Shallow Arch:



Shallow Arch

• Shallow arch canoes try to find a happy medium between rounded bottom and flat bottom. They often have good initial stability and OK secondary stability. These boats also track well when combined with other design options (length, entry lines, etc.). Shallow arch boats also have a stiffer hull when compared to a flat bottom boat which makes them more efficient. Most flat water, touring, river touring, and recreational canoes use a shallow arch. 
• Shallow Vee:



Shallow Vee

• Shallow vee canoes are again a mix of round bottom and flat bottom but they come to a V at the keel line. These boats track well but they also tend to be slower because they have a much higher surface area when compared to a comparable shallow arch boat.

Some folks may notice that no where in here did we include keels. That is because keels are not widely used anymore. With modern designs keels are not necessary.

Keels were widely used in aluminum boats because the boats were built in half and then put together to form the boat. The seam between the halves was right down the center so the main purpose of the keel was to hold the two halves together and add rigidity to the flat bottom design. Nowadays with canoes being formed out of various plastics or composites and modern design they can build the canoe in one piece, eliminating the need for a keel. Some of the more economical canoes still use a keel to add rigidity to the flat bottom design.

Note - Some wooden canoes may still have a "shoe" style keel. This is characterized by a thin strip of wood running down the keel line. This is generally used to protect the hull from obstructions in the water.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us!

Winter Paddling and Hypothermia

In the last few posts we have covered "Dressing for Winter Paddling" and "Finding a Location for Winter Paddling" which should help you significantly reduce the risk of hypothermia. Nonetheless, you should be able to recognize the symptoms and hypothermia and know what to do in case you are faced with this.

A basic definition of hypothermia is when the body is losing heat faster than it can replace it, which leads to impaired motor movement, judgement, and an eventual shut down of all vital organs.

Hypothermia can be caused by any of the 5 methods of heat loss or a combination of them. It does not have to be "cold" for you to be at risk for hypothermia either. Especially as paddlers, when water is 25x more efficient than air at transferring heat, we need to be educated and aware of the risks of hypothermia.

A key thing to remember with hypothermia is that it is 100% preventable so with the proper equipment and planning hopefully you will never have to deal with it.

There are 3 stages of hypothermia; mild, moderate, and severe. While mild and moderate have many of the same symptoms there are also some key differences, and severe should be blatantly obvious.

-Mild Hypothermia:

• Symptoms:
• General feeling of being "cold"
• May be shivering
• Extremities may be numb
• Cannot steady hands
• Treatment:
• Replace wet clothing
• Add additional dry clothing
• Protect from the elements
• Give warm fluids and simple sugars
• Once they begin to warm up they can have proteins and fats

This person may take a while to warm up but should generally be able to rewarm on their own.

-Moderate Hypothermia

• Symptoms:
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Extremities are likely numb
• Likely suffering from the "umbles" (stumbles, mumbles, grumbles, and fumbles)
• Slurred speech
• Loss of judgement (may start to remove clothes because they think they are too warm)
• Irritable
• Treatment:
• All steps from Mild Hypothermia
• Hypothermia wrap
• Place warm water bottles, heat pads, etc. in the arm pits and groin (make sure it is NOT hot)

-Severe Hypothermia

• Sever hypothermia life threatening
• Symptoms:
• Shivering has stopped
• Person cannot walk or stand
• Skin is pale
• Pulse and respirations decrease
• Treatment: 
• All steps from above

There are some other general guidelines you should follow when treating someone for hypothermia. 

• If the individual needs to urinate, let them do so and help them if necessary. It takes a lot of extra heat to keep a full bladder warm so by urinating it will speed their recovery. Once they have urinated resume treatment immediately.
• Do not move an individual with severe hypothermia, any sudden movement could cause their heart to stop.
• Someone suffering from hypothermia may take many hours to fully recover, if they do. They will also likely be exhausted once they recover so it is advisable to make camp where you are if someone is suffering from moderate or severe hypothermia. 

Feel free to ask us if you have any other questions!

Note - This information is no replacement for proper training. This is not a comprehensive article on hypothermia, there is still much to be learned and much more technical information available. Please do not use this information as the absolute authority on hypothermia.

" Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and equilibrium ... I have found that people go to the wilderness for many things, but the most important of these is perspective. They may think they go for the fishing, or the scenery or companionship, but in reality it is something far deeper. They go for the wilderness for the good of their souls." - Sigurd Olson

Choosing a Location for Winter Paddling

By Nick Pritchard

In many locations finding a place to go winter paddling can be very difficult without a significant drive. The two major locations for winter paddling in Wisconsin are Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. There are also some rivers which do not freeze over, which we'll talk about shortly.

When you are looking to go winter paddling there are several things that you have to take into consideration before you depart. Whether you are paddling on a lake or on a river it is essential to consider the ice. In many cases the ice will make it much more difficult for you to get to shore in the case of an emergency. Ice chunks also pose a threat to the paddler because they can easily break equipment, capsize your boat, or surround you. If you are able to find a river that you would like to paddle you must also consider that if the river is open at the put-in/take-out it may be frozen in between. This could pose a serious risk to you if you were to capsize and get pulled under the ice.

Also, when going winter paddling, make sure that you have a place to safely park your vehicle. Many boat landings are not plowed out during the winter months, especially on rivers. The winter months can also make your shuttle significantly more difficult if you do not have two vehicles (which is advisable). Along the Red Cedar River in Menomonie we are fortunate enough to have a cross-country ski trail which follows the river so you can paddle down and ski back up.

The bottom line when winter paddling is that only experienced paddlers should do it under the proper conditions and with the proper equipment. Here is a summary of what you should be looking for when finding a venue for winter paddling:

• Ice (Will it block shore?, Could it damage my equipment?, Is it blocking the river?)
• Parking (Where will I park?, Is my vehicle capable of parking there?)
• Shuttle (How will we run it?, Should we have a vehicle at each end?)
• Other hazards (strainers, dams, etc.)
• Location of emergency services

Don't forget to leave a float plan with a trusted friend!

As always feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Dressing for Winter Paddling

By Nick Pritchard

Many folks do not often even consider winter paddling, but if done properly there can be a lot of advantages to winter paddling. Some reasons to go winter paddling include the peacefulness during the winter, the beautiful scenery, and often the crystal clear water. The scenery during the winter gives the photographer a fantastic opportunity to take one of a kind pictures.

Obviously the biggest winter paddling is the constant heat loss. You're body is fighting heat loss from five different areas; the wind (convection), contact with the water/paddle/boat (conduction), your breathing (respiration), your sweat (evaporation), and your bodies normal heat output (radiation). With the proper equipment and preparation you can lessen your heat loss so that you can enjoy all that winter paddling has to offer.

To slow heat loss through convection you should have on a windproof layer that will protect you from the wind and also enough insulation to keep you comfortably warm. If you have too many insulating layers on you will begin to sweat which will cool you down very rapidly once you take a break. So it is important to have on enough insulation to keep you warm but not too many. This is often difficult to judge especially if you are just getting into the sport so going on a few shorter trips will help you gauge what you need. Remember to take extra layers with you in case you needed to take a wet layer off or in case of emergency. Also, it is essential to have a stocking cap with you because of the significant heat loss through you're head.

To slow heat loss through conduction you should have on a full drysuit (this also acts as your windproof layer from above). Water is 25x more effective at absorbing heat when compared with air (which is why sweating during winter months is so dangerous).  A full drysuit will help protect you from the water in case of capsize. These suits are made out of a waterproof breathable fabric and should have latex wrist and neck gaskets and they often have latex socks. A drysuit is preferable to a thick wetsuit because to get the type of thermal protection you would need from a wetsuit it would be immobilizing. A drysuit offers you the ability to layer underneath the suit while still maintaining good range of motion. In addition to a drysuit you should have neoprene or waterproof paddling gloves, a neoprene hood, thick booties to keep your feet warm, and obviously you're personal flotation device (PFD). Cold is also conducted through the boat from the water so you may consider adding a piece of closed cell foam (ensolite sleeping pad) under your seat and your feet.

One of the best ways to reduce your heat/water loss from respiration is to breath through your nose. This can take a little training because most of us do not do this naturally but it can significantly reduce the amount of heat/water you lose from breathing through your mouth.

To combat heat loss through evaporation, as discussed above, you should have enough layers on to keep you warm but not too many so that you start to sweat. If you have been sweating it will start to freeze, particularly when you take a break. This further increases your heat loss, creating a bad situation. Another thing that will help you reduce the amount of sweat build up that occurs is having a drysuit that is breathable. Some suits are more breathable than others so make sure to take breathability into account when looking for a drysuit. The two most common waterproof/breathable fabrics are Gore-Tex and eVent.

By taking the above steps you will also slow heat loss from radiation. The most important consideration for heat loss from radiation is heat loss through your head. If the rest of your body is covered (drysuit, gloves, booties) and your head is left exposed you will lose a significant amount of heat through your head. If your head is not protected from the cold and you capsize you are likely to become disoriented as soon as your head is submerged.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Let Someone Know Where You Are Going

By Nick Pritchard

One of the most important steps in your pre-trip planning is to let someone know where you are going and when you should be expected back. Even if you only plan on going out for a few hours it is always a good idea to let someone know where you will be in case you don't return, they will know you're missing and where to start looking. It is important that you leave this information with someone that you trust as well, someone that won't forget that you're out there. I find that this person is often a fellow paddler.

When you are going out on a more extended trip, particularly if it's in a new area, you should leave a float plan with the local land management agency. These agencies have the resources to initiate a search and rescue operation if necessary. Also, they often have the most up to date information on the area that you are going to, which could be very useful.

So what should be included on your float plan? Well, the more information the better. In general you should provide the following:

• Trip dates
• Entrance and exit points
• Vehicle information (model, make, license plate number, color)
• Camping locations
• Number of participants
• Emergency contact for each participant

In addition to the above items it may be advisable to provide the following information:

• Type and color of boats
• Type and color of everyone's PFD
• Any relevant pre-existing medical conditions that an individual may have
• Emergency equipment that is on the trip
• Relevant training that each person has (First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, etc.)
• What the group plans to do in case of an emergency

Remember, the more information the better. It is also essential to let the person that was watching out for you know when you get off the water! More than one search and rescue mission has been initiated because someone didn't let their contact know they were OK.

As always feel free to contact us if you have any questions!