MAIL BAG
A FAMILY AFFAIR
YOUR BEST LETTERS TO CANOEROOTS
“I just received your new Canoeroots magazine today…it seems a small oversight has appeared. It looks as if the picture on your table of contents shows an overly confident paddler sitting on his life jacket instead of wearing it. It must have been an illusion. This could not be so.”
Robin Draper, Prince George, B.C., volume 5, issue 2
“Thank you for a true canoe magazine. I have waited for a long time. Kayaks are okay, but a canoe is poetry and beauty. Thanks again, from a canoe snob.”
Edward Stoyer, Sterling, Illinois, volume 5, issue 3
“Today I received your summer issue and couldn’t wait for my kids to get home from school. But, OH MY G**. One of your coverlines reads, CANOE SEX. Now I can add your magazine to the pile of inappropriate-for-families magazines.”
Paula Stellato, Etobicoke, Ontario, volume 7, issue 3
“I’ve always been told that a sentence should never start with the word, And. I still enjoy the magazine, in spite of how you start your sentences, or how complete they are.”
Paul Deveau, Cornwall, Ontario, volume 9, issue 1
“I’ve subscribed to most of the canoeing magazines at different times. They’ve all changed hands, experienced business problems, or de-emphasized canoeing… If you can keep it up, Canoeroots may accomplish something that’s never been done before.”
Frank Richards, Vassalboro, Maine, volume 6, issue 2
For many, canoeing is as much about family as it is about nature. In 2006, when Canoeroots moved from an annual buyer’s guide to a quarterly, we also added the Family Camping supplement. In his Basecamp column, publisher Scott MacGregor often muses about the risks and rewards of exposing his family to wilderness adventure. Over the years, he’s shared his opinion on disapproving fellow whitewater paddlers, the perils of banning pocketknives from schools and teaching his kids to swim in a lake without life jackets. “For my family,” wrote MacGregor, “the benefits of being outside and canoeing, hiking and camping far outweigh the risks—so long as, of course, those risks are well managed.”
IT’S A HARD JOB BUT SOMEONE’S
In the Pack
T IMEX Adventure Tech Altimeter Watch
If you’ve fi nally admitted that no amount of squinting will allow you to tell the time from the position of the sun, feast your eyes on the expansive screen of the waterproof Timex Adventure Tech Altimeter Watch. A stopwatch, countdown timer and alarm round out the time-management functions. And if you are driven by a curiosity that knows no temporal bounds, this watch-sized computer will also tell you how high above sea level you are as you
drop down a river, what the temperature is, what barometric changes have occurred over the past 12 hours and what weather is coming your way. IM
$100 U.S. •
www.timex.com
GOTTA DO IT In the Canoeroots editorial offices we jump on any opportunity to get outside and play. We see a lot of gear cross our desks and we’re quick to drop everything and give it a test. Some memorable reviews include the Backpacker Guitar (2005), Te Marshmallow Fun Company Blaster (2008) and Mad River Canoe’s Hemp Malecite touring boat (2010). 2006 stands out as a particularly good year—we reviewed both the Nova Craft Canoe sofa and French Rabbit Tetra Pak wine, a decidedly wonderful pairing.
F R E NCH R ABBI T Tetra Pak Wines
From the Pays d’Oc of southern France comes a chardonnay with a citrusy aroma that’s distinctly peachy on the palate. Its fruity taste lingers—strong yet well bal- anced—right to the fi nish. Speaking of the fi nish, after you’ve drained it just fold the carton fl at and pack it out. T e twist-cap, Tetra Pak carton may elicit snooty snorts from wine snobs, but it’s the answer for
any canoeist who has worried about leaky bagged wines or breaking park bottle bans. French Rabbit recommends serving this pale yellow chardonnay with grilled fi sh, but we also found it a worthy companion to macaroni. A merlot and cabernet sauvignon are also available, if one would better suit your day-seven dinner. CM
BR UN T O N Glorb LED
$13 Cdn • $10 U.S.
www.frenchrabbit.com
T e Brunton Glorb LED compact lantern may lack the aromatic eff ect of a candle in your tent, but also ab- sent will be the simmering anxieties of burning yourself and turning your tent into a fi reball. T e 225-gram, 15-cm-high lantern kicks out 360 degrees of white light. Choose between the power-saving one-LED out- put level or the full-force four-LED mode, which still allows for 250 hours of burn time from four AA batteries. IM
$35 Cdn • $30 US
www.brunton.com
K A T A D Y N Base Camp
With the release of the Katadyn Base Camp filter comes hopes that the two warring factions of canoe trip- pers—the pumpers and the treaters—may find common ground to camp on. Tose well-muscled types, who purify their water
L O TU S DE SI GN S StraitJacket
While whitewater and sea kayaking PFD designs have evolved into art forms, less-expensive PFDs marketed specifi cally to canoeists are often bulky, boxy eyesores, barely a genera- tion up from the canvas-covered foam keyholes we left in the bottom of the canoe as kids. Enter the Lotus Designs StraitJacket. It features a stylish and unobtrusive low cut that’s easily snugged up to the torso with cinch straps. What’s more, it has two pockets, the larger of which fi ts a four-pack of chocolate bars. In the water, more than 7.5 kilograms of buoyancy keep you at the surface,
making it a great choice for whitewater canoe tripping. CM
$150 U.S.
www.lotusdesigns.com
by pumping, and the more pa- tient, who prefer to sit back and wait while chemicals do the job, will both appreciate this gravity- powered filter that effortlessly treats chemical-free water at a rate of a litre every two minutes. Fill the 10-litre bag up, hang it from a tree with the outlet hose in a waiting vessel and watch, if you must, while clean water dribbles forth. Te cartridge is good for 750
litres, depending on water turbid- ity, a lifespan extended by the re- movable and washable protector screen. Te three-micron pleated glass-fibre filter effectively re- moves bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella and protozoan cysts like Giardia, while the activated carbon core removes chemicals and foul tastes. At 370 grams, it weighs less than most hand-held pumps. IM
$89 Cdn
www.katadyn.ca 40 ■ CANOEROOTS summer 2006 Nova Craft Canoe & Kayak ad:Layout 1 2/4/10 10:17 AM Page 1 CAMPSITE APTITUDE
Nova Craft’s New Rob Roy
The Legendary
John MacGregor
CAMPCRAFT | EXPERT TIP | TECHNIQUE | FOOD | GEAR Know How
Tere are some skills all trippers need to know, many of which are based on centuries-old campcraft. But back in 2002, we recognized that even the basics are evolving and committed Canoeroots to covering the most essential skills from all angles. We delved into the ethics of the outdoor dump, shared proper tarp anchoring technique, secured your canoe atop your car, perfected the one-match fire and animal-proofed campsites. Send any canoeist on trip with a set of skills and they’ll come back with evolved tips and tricks in their back pocket every time.
— Rob Roy —
Inspi red by John MacGregor’s Original Design
Nova Craft’s latest addition, the Rob Roy 3.9, is the perfect vessel for solo paddlers. It combines the enjoyment of canoe
tripping with the versatility of a kayak. The Rob Roy 3.9 is small, light, easy to portage, has great load capacity, and is highly maneuverable with impressive performance. 866-88 CANOE
[ CamPCraFt ] Without a Trowel THE ART AND ETHICS OF THE OUTDOOR DUMP Prototype shown above
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION It’s important to get at least 60 metres (200 feet) from the water so that you don’t contaminate it with harmful bacteria. Sixty metres is often further than you think, so count your steps—a metre is about one big step. When you decide to stop, take a quick look around. Poison ivy, stinging nettles and wasps’ nests are good things to avoid!
IN THE BAG It’s easiest if your toilet kit is all together and handy to access. A stuff sack with toilet paper, a metal trowel, a couple of Ziploc bags for the used toilet paper and some hand sanitizer will do the job nicely.
r o b r o y c a n o e . c o m
www.canoerootsmag.com 23
HERE KITTY, KITTY A good cat hole should be dug about 15 centimetres (six inches) in circumference and 15 centimetres deep, where waste can most easily break down in the soil. Try to pick an area away from rocks and roots if you can—hard digging may break a plastic trowel.
PREPARE FOR LANDING Make sure your clothes are well out of the way once you are in position. You can brace yourself on the ground or against a tree. Fallen logs make nice seats.
PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT Don’t leave toilet paper fl owers! Ziploc bags make good storage for the used toilet paper.
Animals can dig it up if you leave it behind. Never burn it on site—there is just too much risk involved. Take it home and give it a fl ush. Consider a natural wipe, like a rock or a soft pine cone. Stay away from leafy vegetation unless you know exactly what it is, or more importantly, what it isn’t.
WORK IT IN Grab a stick and stir the dirt into your deposit as you fi ll the hole. This helps your waste break down more quickly.
WHAT HOLE? Make an eff ort to camoufl age the hole. A few leaves and sticks scattered around will do wonders.
WASH UP Hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol has been shown to be eff ective and should be used in addition to, but not as a replacement for, good old-fashioned hand washing. Remember to wash 60 metres from water sources, using clean water.
COMPLETE RETREAT Before you leave the area, check that you haven’t left any of your toilet kit behind. Since you’ve done such a good job covering your tracks, it would be diffi cult to fi nd the trowel if you had to come back.
MIKE ALLEN is a Leave No Trace instructor who actually enjoys doing his business in the woods.
Up the Creek A FAMILIAR SPIRIT Weighing the Risks
AS PARENTS WE WALK THE TIGHTROPE, balancing potential risks and benefits all the time. If I let my daughter stick a screw- driver in the electrical socket, the benefit of improving fine mo- tor control would be zapped by the risk of being electrocuted. Whereas falling off a bicycle on a soft lawn is worth the risk of a stained knee for the benefits of learning to balance and enjoying childhood freedom. As parents we make these kinds of decisions all the time. Learning to cut paper versus losing a finger. Having fun fishing versus getting hooked in the scalp. Exercise and ad- venture from hiking versus getting lost or poison ivy. In the world of outdoor recreation and education this is called risk management. My friend Matt Cruchet runs Direct Bearing Risk Management Consulting, a very successful business helping organizations manage risk in their adventure programs. Unfortu- nately, our society is quick to point fingers at the risks involved with outdoor activities, making educators and some parents scared to take kids outside—especially with the ever-looming threat of legal action. Matt works with schools, camps and or- ganizations like the Girl Guides of Canada to help quantify the benefits, identify the hazards and minimize the risks involved in their outdoor programs. As camping parents we know that summertime is perfect for being outside and being active with our kids. This Canada Day long weekend I took my two-year-old son Dougie on our first fa- ther-son whitewater canoe trip. The reaction of other canoeists fell into two camps: one group, “I wish I’d started paddling that young”; and the other group, “What in God’s name do you think you’re doing with a baby in the rapids?” One couple actually pad- dled over and asked me this…it turns out they are teachers. My friend Matt uses a diagram to help his clients think about
risk. One axis is the likelihood of something bad happening, and the other axis is the severity of the consequences. Mosquito bites, for example, are very likely but result in only minor bumps
or itching; the chance of getting struck by lightning is quite low but the consequences are severe. The worst kinds of risk are the ones that are very likely to happen and have severe consequenc- es. And in the first quadrant is where Dougie and I paddle the Madawaska River—the chances of us flipping are quite low, as are the consequences with warm, low water, helmets and PFDs. In March, a Commons health committee report concluded that 26 per cent of Canadians between the ages of two and 17 are over- weight or obese. Overfeeding and lack of exercise increase the risks of preventable life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Watching Dougie playing in the sand, scram- bling over rocks, swimming in the shallow eddies and climbing into his sleeping bag at 7:30, I’m sure I’ve found the cure. For my family, the benefits of being outside and canoeing, hiking (see this issue’s hiking feature) and camping far outweigh the risks—so long, of course, that those risks are well managed. By noon on our second day Dougie and I had caught up to the teachers. They were scouting Raquette Rapids, a 100-metre-long class II that flows over some shallow ledges and between two rock islands. I’ve run this rapid a hundred times. Dougie and I drifted into the current chatting about sitting still and pointing out rocks to avoid. I could feel glares of disapproval burning through the foam of my lifejacket as we floated past the teachers and down the last little chute into the lakewater pool. A perfect run. A few minutes later, whistle blasts chirped to get our attention.
Guess who was in the water? Their canoe was upside down and their gear was strewn around the rapid like a yard sale hit by a tornado. I’d normally have jumped up from our lunch spot on the rocks and helped them, but I couldn’t leave poor little Dougie on these dangerous rocks by himself. What kind of irresponsible par- ent would that make me? So I sat there spreading cream cheese on my “baby’s” bagel, wondering if they now think they should have started paddling when they were two. —Scott MacGregor
FAMILY CAMPING 3
BASE CAMP
Ready to fight heart disease. PHOTO: SCOTT AND DOUGIE MACGREGOR
ON THE BACK In the Pack
H EA DS T R O N G Barrel Harness
When barrel packs first started rolling around in the bottom of canoes they an- nounced a new standard for secure water- proofness, not to mention slipped discs, sore necks, and wobbly walking. Te truth is, many barrel harnesses do a mediocre job of attaching a barrel securely to your back. Among the harness systems that do the job well, Headstrong’s is the best. Owner and designer Bob Barkley is also an engineer and he’s applied a few well-placed vectors to the task of keeping a hefty food barrel close to your spine. Te five Velcro-tightened straps support loads in a self-tightening grip to clutch 30- or 60-litre barrels. A tumpline is
available for the 60-litre model. IM 60-litre harness: $124 Cdn, $110 U.S. 30-litre: $96 Cdn, $90 U.S.
www.headstrongpacks.com
OS T R O M Algonquin
Substituting capacity and durability for gimmicks and frills, Ostrom’s 106- to 121-litre Algonquin canoe pack will carry whatever you need for as long as you need it. In business since 1987, Ostrom has never had a pack come back for warranty repair. Two internal aluminum stays keep the pack in shape and four compression straps down each side will take up excess volume toward the end of your trip. Te frame, shoulder harness and hip belt are all available in three sizes. A tumpline is included and a waterproof liner is available as an option. Your grandchildren will be glad you bought it. IM
$378 Cdn • $322 U.S.
www.ostrompacks.com
EUR EK A Canoepak SS 115
Practicality is the guiding design principle backing up Eureka’s 115-litre Canoepak SS. Welded seams and attachments are kept to a minimum. Roll down the top watertight closure, drop it into the canoe and forget any worries about its contents getting wet thanks to rain or a leaky canoe. Portages are shortened by the contoured shoulder straps and padded hip belt. Also available in a 75-litre version. IM
$149 Cdn
www.eurekatentscanada.com CANOEROOTS n 41
LEARN FROM THE PROS «»
CANOEROOTSMAG.COM
At 76, inspirational canoeist Herb Pohl had spent 28 years exploring many of the continent’s remotest canoe routes, often solo. In 2006, he drowned off the northeastern shore of Lake Superior after braving fog and meter-high swells during an unseasonably rough summer. “So rare among us,” wrote Brian Shields, “he wandered alone, simply because, as he often wrote from even wilder places, it made him feel euphoric.” Canoeists everywhere can relate to Pohl’s longing for the places only canoes can reach.
Herb Pohl paddling toward the Michipicoten River, two days before his overturned canoe was recovered. PHOTO: LARRY RICKER
32 n C ANOE ROOT S spring 2007 38 EARLY SUMMER 2011
Journey’s End
WHEN HERB POHL DIED LAST SUMMER ON LAKE SUPERIOR, canoeing lost an icon, and one man lost a hero.
DATE: JULY 17, 2006. TIME: APPROX. 3 p.m.
LOCATION: MOUTH OF THE MICHIPICOTEN RIVER, LAKE SUPERIOR.
STEEP AND BREAKING WAVES AT THE river ’s mouth capsize a voyageur canoe.
Rescuers arrive on the scene and discover a second capsized canoe floating nearby.
The owner of the canoe cannot be located. Soon after, the Ontario Provincial Police, the U.S. Coast Guard and the
Canadian Rescue Control Centre commence an air, water and
land search for the missing paddler. C ANOEROOT S n 33
Here at Canoeroots we honor tradition but also embrace technology. Every issue of Canoeroots is now available online at
www.canoerootsmag.com and on your mobile devices using our new Canoeroots Magazine App, available in the Apple App Store and the Android Market.
PHOTO: JONATHAN PRATT
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