River Styx

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August 12, 2014

It was on a whim that Maxi Kniewasser and Simon Rutherford climbed into a floatplane that landed them at the put in for the Upper Nass River.

A far northern trip had them exploring the Sacred Headwaters, a basin that serves as the source of three wild rivers: the Nass, Skeena and Stikine. Known as a wild salmon habitat and home to caribou, grizzly bears, wolves and other wildlife, the Sacred Headwaters is an enchanted landscape of mountains and canyons, cut by the curvature of free-flowing rivers.

The 125-mile descent was an exploration, as their spontaneity left no time for Google Earth investigation or advice from veterans of the river.

So it was a surprise on the third day when they rounded a bend in a tight canyon and came face to face with a towering river-wide logjam, with water rushing under and through it.

“We instantly started back paddling to slow down and managed to get out on the logs,” says Kniewasser. “We were a bit in disbelief.”

A quick scout left them with no option but to portage through the beastly tangle of trees. “It was a pain in the ass,” says Kniewasser, since the wet and slippery logs made the portage a slow moving, hour-long scramble.

They balanced along branches and passed their boats through the trees, strategically picking their route, often confused with which direction to take.

Logjams are an expected obstacle for those who do some pre-trip research, a somewhat permanent fixture on the Nass. They’re not the kind of blockage that’ll just wash away one day, says Kniewasser, “unless there’s some kind of biblical flood to break it up.”

Part way through the trek, Kniewasser stopped to pull out “old faithful,” a Nikon B700 with a 24-70 lens. Perched on a pile of branches with his kayak in tow, Kniewasser pointed his camera ahead to capture this image of Rutherford picking his way through, over and under the massive tower of timber.

This article first appeared in the Summer/Fall 2014 issue of Rapid Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

Tumblehome: Into the Deep

By

James Raffan

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August 11, 2014

My first real rain suit came from the sports section of a discount department store. It was heavy, made of a rubberized cotton-nylon blend and camo-colored for stealth in the deep woods. Just 10 years old, I wore it proudly—around the house, in the shower and prancing in my sunny backyard, sweating like a pig and wishing for rain.

Back in those days, a rectangle of that same material served as a groundsheet. When laid inside a floorless Egyptian cotton tent, it was all that was between the dirt and me during overnight outings on the land and water trails of my youth.

The following morning, everything I owned—the Gordie Howe autographed sleeping bag from the Eaton’s catalogue, extra socks and underwear—was rolled up. It was tied with the greatest of care inside that same groundsheet in what my Boy Scout leader optimistically called a waterproofed camp kit.

By comparison, nowadays I’m camping in luxury. My über expensive, Fairy Breath Blue designer rain gear weighs less than the little pouch my childhood suit of armor came in. Stuff sacks and sealed river bags and backpacks ensure everything else stays dry. There’s a fat foam camp bed between me and the cold, hard ground. Maps and compasses used to dictate navigation; now I have photovoltaic blankets covering my loaded canoe, charging the gizmos that keep me on course as I paddle.

Wilderness gear has changed a lot in the last 50 years, and even more in the 50 years before that. Our camp kits look nothing like those of the original adventurers, the Voyageurs, who ventured forth with just the clothes on their backs, canvas tarps and tumplines. They used packs without straps, let alone suspension systems, and traveled hundreds of miles with hand-drawn maps, if they had maps at all. Imagine that!

Of course, Mackenzie basin explorer George Douglas had far more advanced gear than the Voyageurs when he was exploring in the early 20th century. My dad’s generation had even more than him and, like his dad before him, my dad would look at my Scout’s gear and scoff—“That’s not real camping!”

But I disagree. As a kid, wearing that rubber rain suit and smelling like a wet dog in neoprene, I ventured into the depths of the forests and river routes near my home. I imagined I was John Rae, Edmund Hillary, Roald Amundsen or Robert Falcon Scott, exploring the wilds, climbing the peaks and racing toward the poles.

It wasn’t my ragamuffin kit that connected me to these timeless adventurers—though I imagine theirs must have smelled similarly— it was the act of exploration and discovery, full of real route finding, real risk and real adventure. In this sense, nothing has changed. Whether navigating by starlight, compass or GPS, we’re all explorers here.

I went to the woods, even in the very early days, to feel the rain on my face and to see if I had what was needed to meet the challenges the trip might present. And what I learned on the trail—about myself and others, about life and the natural world—through triumph and the occasional disaster, was something I could bring home and apply to the challenges of everyday life.

That desire has always led us into the woods, throughout the ages, in spite of what we own.

Columnist James Raffan is the Director of Development at the Canadian Canoe Museum.

Get the full article in the digital edition of Canoeroots and Family Camping, Summer/Fall 2014. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

BioLogic Dry Bag For Smartphone

Gear

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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August 11, 2014

Photo: Kaydi Pyette — BioLogic Dry Bag For Smartphone

Dirt broke but own an iPhone? Save a buck by caring for the gear you already have. After simulating whitewater in the kitchen sink, we’ve deemed this mini drybag trustworthy, but won’t be counting on the snap tabs to attach it to anything. It closes with a simple sliding clip and has a headphone connector and thin window for waterproof touch screen use.

www.thinkbiologic.com | $20

Click here to find great new gear under $100 in the free online edition of Rapid, Early Summer 2014 or download our free app for Apple or Android.

Sneak Peek: New Performance Footwear

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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August 8, 2014

Photos: Emma Drudge — Sneak Peek: New Performance Footwear

Often overlooked but crucially important, a good water shoe is the unsung hero of many river trips. They help keep you safe and comfortable. When it comes to some of the best water shoes for paddlers, there are no shortage of options.

Astral

Astral is adding to their footwear collection this year, and our favorite of their new shoes is the 2015 Loyak. The Loyak is a super low, lightweight shoe that’s slim enough to jam into a kayak without compromising durability and grip. We plan to wear these minimalist moccasins on the river and around town.

NRS

The Crush from NRS is a versatile new option. You can pull them on and tie them up or just step on the heel to wear as a slip on without damaging the structure of the shoe. They have a smooth interior for comfortable barefoot use and a solid sole for good traction on shore. They’re available in different colors and sizes for men and women. Stay tuned for a post about the expedition-worthy Velocity, another new NRS offering.

Chaco

Chaco’s new Outcross Evo line has three different options depending on your type of activity. The Evo 1 is a lightweight version with a crushable heel so it can be slipped on and off easily. The Evo 2 is a slightly heavier-duty option with a bit more support and stability for trail use, but still has great drainage for use in the water. The third and burliest Evo 3 is a more trail-focused design with great support for the portage trail.

Sperry Top-Sider

Sperry’s ultimate water shoe, the H20 Escape, is being updated for 2015 with a whole bunch of new colors and the same reliable design. Its footbed is full of tiny holes to let water run through so the shoes drain unwanted water quickly and dry in no time after they’re wet. They’re made with Sperry’s signature sole for great traction.

KEEN

In addition to their classic designs, KEEN is beefing up their line of performance shoes for 2015. The new Zambezi is made for kayakers and rafters. It has a high-traction sole for grip on wet rocks. The webbing strap does up with a single clip—adjust the fit the first time you wear them and then just clip them on and off. The Gorgeous, another new shoe from KEEN, has a similar build but with an integrated 2mm neoprene bootie so you don’t need a separate sock for insulation.

Great New Gear

Gear

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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August 7, 2014

Scroll down to see the new NRS Siren. Photos: Emma Drudge — Great New Gear

Here are some canoeing and camping products on display at Outdoor Retailer:

Frost River

Frost River is displaying their beautiful canoe packs in the pavilions at Outdoor Retailer. Their portage-style packs are heavy water resistant waxed canvas, have solid brass buckles, harness leather reinforcements, a durable double bottom and tumplines and adjustable backpack straps. All of Frost River’s products are made in Duluth, Minnesota.

Sierra Designs

Ultra-light is an understatement when it comes to the new tent from Sierra Designs. Weighing in at two pounds, nine ounces, the Tensegrity is a non-freestanding design that relies on trekking poles or sticks to stand in place. It’s a rethink of tent design altogether: the tent is wider up top to give extra shoulder and head room; it has a giant vestibule that can be adjusted down for a classic gear storage vestibule or pulled up to create a tarp-style living and cooking space. The silicone fabric is tear-resistant despite its paper-thin weight.

L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean’s new products integrate new, fast drying, lightweight synthetics without compromising the classic look and feel of their clothing. The Polartec Thermal Pro Sport Jac is a throwback style with a cottony feel that’s great for both the backcountry and bar.

Goal Zero

The new Venture 30 is a battery that can handle the elements. Charge it using the small built-in USB cord and then bring it into the backcoutry to keep your headlamp, camera, smartphone or tablet powered up. Pair it with one of Goal Zero’s solar panels to stay charged while you’re off the grid. Stop worrying about babying your electronics—the Venture 30 won’t be harmed by splashing or sand.

NRS

The Siren PFD from NRS is a new version of their basic Vapour PFD with a women’s specific cut and a few added features. It has a big front pocket for easily-accessible storage and a hand warming pocket for even more all-day comfort. It trims all extra weight and bulk by sticking to the basic essential features and combining them into a slim, sleek design. The Siren will be available in Spring 2015.

Outdoor Retailer-Day 2

Gear

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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August 7, 2014

Keep track of your heart rate, route, the weather...and the time. Photos: Ben Duchesney — Keep track of your heart rate, route, the weather...and the time.

Suunto

The Ambit3 series (above) of GPS watches from Suunto are perfect for paddlers who like to keep track of everything. The Peak model, not only keeps track of heart rate, has weather functions and is bluetooth compatible with Suunto’s new, Movescount mobile app. The app lets you decide which features are shown on the face of the watch and allows the watch to display notifications while you’re on the go.

The Movescount app works with the watch to help you create The Suunto Movie. This feature visualizes your route on a 3D map, which includes key metrics, and you can add photos from your adventure to tell the whole story. The Peak model will be available this September, starting at $500.

Level Six

Level Six redesigned their popular Superior paddling jacket to make it more comfortable and efficient. The Superior 2.0 features a new Sidewinder zipper ensures neck comfort and a venting collar system keeps breathing heavily in the really rough weather comfortable.

A tuck away hood system has vents in the back so heavy winds can travel through the hood instead of being blown off your head. Fleece lined hand warmer pockets keep you toasty at the launch and the Dual Fabric construction lightens the jacket and keeps it more breathable in key areas.

ExtraSport

Using Extrasport’s new Bump Foam comfort system, their latest PFD, the Eon, is designed for ultimate comfort and gear storage. A mesh Baja back nests above kayak seats to deliver all day comfort. Pleated top load, fleece lined Kangaroo hand warmer pockets and multiple safety features round out the package.

Pyranha

A new Fusion sit-on-top from Pyranha lests paddlers get a whitewater hull and features in a recreational kayak package. Unlike most sit-on-tops the new Fusion has a skeg to assist with tracking. Leg straps allow paddlers to tilt and carve the boat, while the open deck prevents them from feeling trapped. The hull is wider to increase stability for beginner paddlers.

Goal Zero

Keep your phones, tablets, cameras and other important devices charged and ready with the new Venture 30 from Goal Zero. Charge your smartphone 2-3 times or your tablet once at camp after charging the Venture via solar panels. The unit starts at $99 without the solar panels, or $169 paired with the Nomad 7 panel.

The charger is weatherproof, which means “you could take a shower with it, but not a bath,” said Lisa Janssen of Goal Zero. A USB cable and micro sd cable are both built in so you never have to worry about forgetting to pack cords. There are 2 USB ports as well, and the Venture can charge two phones at 2.4 amps, at the same time, without losing ampage once the second is plugged in. The Venture will also talk with your device to deliver the ampage at a speed that won’t overcharge it.

Stellar Kayaks

Stellar Kayaks has released a new 14 ft surfski, the S14S, designed for the recreational paddler looking for racing style. The steering system on the boat is similiar to Stellar’s other racing style systems, and the short length and low weight (starting at 26.9lbs), make carrying the boat to and from water a breeze. There are four grades available in the series, Ultra, Excel, Advantage and Sport, starting at $1,950 with the Sport.

Stay tuned for more of the greatest new products from Outdoor Retailer. Be sure to follow along with Adventure Kayak on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Kayakers Lose Control in Drainage Ditch

Videos

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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August 6, 2014

River Roots GoPro footage of Ben Marr and Rush Sturges losing control at 72 KMH (45MPH) down a drainage ditch near Vancouver, British Columbia.

From Rush Sturges.

New Canoeing and Camping Gear

Gear

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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August 5, 2014

Outdoor Retailer’s 2014 Summer Market kicked off with an Open Air Demo Day, where hundreds of brands shared their latest and greatest in boat design and new gear—some of our favorite finds are listed below. Stay tuned to Canoeroots all week as we cover everything Outdoor Retailer has to offer.

Old Town Canoes and Kayaks

Old Town Canoes and Kayaks made a splash today with the introduction of the NEXT, a brand new canoe that joins their lineup as an accessible, entry-level design seeking to draw new paddlers into the sport and make canoeing more convenient for those who are already committed. The NEXT is lightweight, stable and very easy to maneuver with a double bladed paddle—traditionalists will enjoy it with a single blade as well.

It accelerates quickly, can carry gear and is a breeze to load on the car for spontaneous paddle sessions. Stay tuned for more on the NEXT at Canoerootsmag.com.

GoPro

Canoeroots and Family Camping got a sneak peek at the Fetch today, a new dog harness camera mount from GoPro that is yet to be released. After years of seeing customers strap human harnesses to their furry friends, GoPro responded with a dog-specific harness that fits animals of all sizes. The harness has a chest mount and reversible back mount for GoPro cameras.

Sony

The AS100 is the new addition to Sony’s lineup of action cams. The new model has a bigger and better sensor for higher image quality. The splash proof camera can handle some moisture without any housing, and can be totally waterproofed with plastic housing for full submersion. The AS100 has streaming capability and fits in the palm of your hand.

Chapul Cricket Energy Bars

Chapul Cricket Energy Bars are new, packable snack or meal replacement bars that come from a sustainable protein source. As Chapul describes it: “Insects require less land resources, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and have a much smaller water demand than livestock and animal substitute such as soy, corn and rice.” Bonus: They’re delicious.

Primus

Primus is building on its already-excellent lineup of stoves by adding one handy new feature: a way to attach the pot you’re cooking in to the stove you’re cooking on. The two pieces are built to fit together and connect and detach easily so hot pots can’t slide around while you’re cooking. Additional screws help you attach other cookware to the Primus stoves.

How The River Gives Us Things Money Can’t Buy

By

Jeff Jackson

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August 5, 2014

After delivering a keynote address on risk and choice at a Laurentian University kinesiology conference, my host walked out to join me on stage and presented me with a penny. Standing center stage in front of an audience of professors and practitioners, I found myself completely confused.

person uses a rope and knife to rescue a whitewater kayaker who is trapped

Why You Should Always Carry A Rope And Knife On The Water

He promptly asked for the penny back and, in return, gave me an elegant, custom-built, long-bladed knife wrapped in a handmade birch bark sheath. The gift was beautiful. The penny exchange was very strange.

I learned later that in many cultures around the world there is a tradition, or superstition, about the giving and receiving of knives.

A knife as a gift brings with it the symbolic risk of severing a friendship on the knife’s sharp edge. The same tradition says trading as little as a penny for a knife brings good luck and assures one will never cut oneself on the blade.

How the river gives us things money can’t buy

For paddlers, knives can be a key piece of personal protective equipment and guides who spend long seasons out on the river know it’s a certainty that at some point their knife will be dropped and lost forever.

What is less certain is what the river will offer in exchange.

A friendship never to sever. | Feature photo: Ryan Creary

I lost one knife at the tail of Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River as I was rigging an outboard motor to plow our raft barge across Lake Powell. Adjusting the idle screw on the waterlogged outboard motor, my knife slipped from my black oily fingers and sunk out of sight. The engine fired to life the very next pull and the trip proceeded as planned.

In my first season as a raft guide, I got my feet tangled in my flipped raft’s bowline. I impressed myself by calmly unzipping a pocket, flipping open a hinge-blade and sawing my feet free of the rope, all while underwater and being dragged downstream. When I surfaced, I had to decide between climbing aboard the overturned raft and keeping my knife in my hand.

“The truth I’ve realized is that rivers are true to tradition—my knives were not lost but accepted in an exchange.”

Another knife of mine plopped into the Middle Fork of the Salmon as the rookie guide who borrowed it to adjust his oars at the put-in gapped the hand-off. Mortified, he turned pale as we watched the knife flutter in the swift current, then bounce along the bottom and out of sight in the crystal clear mountain stream. I laughed. We became fast friends and worked together for the next three years.

[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: View all knives & tools ]

A penny for a knife; a knife for a richer life

In total, I’ve lost six knives to the river, each time cursing an unholy sentiment while calculating how much of my daily wage would go towards replacing it. The truth I’ve realized is that rivers are true to tradition—my knives were not lost but accepted in an exchange.

In return, the river has given me things that coins cannot buy. My knives were traded for good fortune, for friendships and for life itself.

male kayaker stands on river shore wearing rescue PFD and holding paddle and throw bag

River Safety & Rescue Gear: Your Head-To-Toe Guide

Cover of the Summer/Fall 2014 issue of Rapid magazine This article was first published in the Summer/Fall 2014 issue of Rapid Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

A friendship never to sever. | Feature photo: Ryan Creary

Call of the Wireless: Why Technology Is The End Of Camping As We Know It

By

Kevin Callan

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August 4, 2014

Should campers be able to get online from the comfort of the fire pit? I recently spent three days debating this question on national media. The media frenzy was stirred up by Parks Canada announcing a plan to provide WiFi at as many as 150 national parks and landmarks over the next three years. The digital world and natural world are colliding. It was only when Toronto mayor Rob Ford checked himself into rehab that the media moved on and my life returned to normal.

Even after the dust settled, I couldn’t get the WiFi issue out of my head. I’m fascinated by the strong reactions it stirred. Again and again, I heard campers and paddlers say that is was the beginning of the end; this will be remembered as the moment when true wilderness values were lost forever.

Parks Canada’s decision isn’t without precedent. A 2013 pilot project in the United States saw a handful of national parks offer up free WiFi services. The project received outcry from backcountry users and some environmental groups, but the hotspots were a hit with campers.

Parks Canada is losing customers at an alarming rate. WiFi makes good business sense it seems. The number one complaint from visitors over the last few years was not being able to get online.

Blanketing swaths of wilderness with Internet access isn’t up for discussion—that’s way too expensive. WiFi will only be provided in limited areas, such as visitor centers and gatehouses—the same as it is in some American parks. It reminds me a little of the good old days when we used to walk to the campground phone booth to call home.

With RVs sporting satellite dishes the norm in most car campgrounds, I find it hard to get riled up about an unobtrusive, invisible signal in the air—so long as it stays out of the backcountry.

That’s the heart of the matter. People are afraid of technology invading the one sacred place we can escape from the modern world. Of course, it’s a particular type of technology that makes paddlers wary—we’re big fans of cooking on tiny camp stoves and portaging lightweight Kevlar canoes, less so of a Blackberry ping interrupting the call of a loon or photos from LOLCats.com passed around the fire.

When we head into the woods, we’re looking to make more of a natural connection. Like with other addictions though, we crave our next hit, which is why we’re often found glancing at our screens when we could be present in the moment.

The core of this debate isn’t whether natural spaces and technology should mix, it’s that we don’t trust ourselves to mix them.

If we all had the self-control to simply turn off our devices—to stop checking email, updating Facebook or getting tomorrow’s weather forecast, even in the face of a five-bar-strong connection—and just immerse ourselves in the outdoors, there wouldn’t be anything to get riled up about.

The old idiom is true: If you stand in the way of progress you’ll just get run over. So why fight it? What’s wrong with eventually being able to read Aldo Leopold on your tablet, Google a rare bird species, or watch a John Denver special on Netflix at your secluded island campsite, if that’s what you want? To each and every camper, the choice may soon be in your hands.

Kevin Callan plans to keep his hands firmly wrapped around a dog-eared copy of the Sibley Field Guide to Birds of North America. www. kevincallan.com.

Get the full article in the digital edition of Canoeroots and Family Camping, Summer/Fall 2014.Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.