TT Kayaking Club

“Two brothers complete canoe trip across Canada
Associated Press


ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Two St. Cloud natives survived wood ticks, pounding rain and more than 100 days away from home to complete a 2,700-mile canoe trip across Canada.

Peter and Andrew Marshall finished their 122-day trek last month, conquering 10 major bodies of water along the way.

"It was awesome," said Andrew Marshall, 25, who lives in Portland, Ore. "It was truly an amazing experience."

The Marshalls have taken several canoe trips, and they have long talked about going on a major expedition.

"It's possible to do it," said Peter Marshall, 23, of Minneapolis. "We both love canoeing. This is probably one of the biggest challenges of our lives."

The brothers mapped out their route, starting in Lake of the Woods in far Northern Minnesota and finishing in Kugluktuk, in northwestern Canada. They left in May and returned in September. Along the way, they canoed the Winnipeg River, Lake Winnipeg, the Yellowknife River and the Arctic Ocean.

Their mother, Becky Van Ness of St. Cloud, said she was worried about the trip.

"It sounded pretty scary for their safety," she said. "There were only two of them in the canoe."

Packing and carrying supplies was difficult. Peter Marshall sent food packs to different points along the route. Meals consisted of spaghetti, rice, macaroni, couscous, dehydrated burger, chicken, ham, dehydrated sauces, vegetables and power bars.

Their load also included two spare paddles, clothing, sleeping bags, pots, pans and a rain tarp.

The brothers got along well throughout the four months, Peter Marshall said.

"We still talk to each other," he said. "Our mother was worried we'd kill each other."”

“Cumberland Island yak trip in March 17-19, 2006

March 17-19, it's a go
“*StoveStomper*
*lizs*
Sass
Birch
dayhiker
wife?
Gemini
Kid?
treebait
HPM
*SuperTroll*
cyndeee
surfergirl
*arclite*

* - Four confirmed (including lizs as an 'extra')


From lizs:
March 17-19. Booked one campsite -- including up to 6 people -- for March 17, 18 and 19. In retrospect, I suppose we could ditch the 19??


From lizs:
KAYAKER RESERVATIONS:
For up to six people both Friday, March 16, and Saturday, March 17 at Sea Camp. The campsite can hold from 3 to 4 tents, Tonya said, depending on tent size. (don't bring the car camping tent!!!) (I may sneak in Friday night... will see... but I am not included in the six for either night)


Looks doable. We might need to double up in the tents. Small footprints please.

How we gonna get included on your reservation lizs?
You gonna pay for us, if you go in solo early Thursday backcountry?”
StoveStomper
9:49:54 AM
11/08/05

See this link for info:
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/41032,3.php”

“March 17 is my graduation. You guys have fun!”

“Went for a New Years Day kayak out at Jamacia Bay Wildlife sanctuary. Check out a few pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/537201017BSMYjZ”

“really slcik boat. http://www.pogies.com/kayakpro/wwwhtml/contents/struerhtm.htm”

“Bump for photoguy190”

“Reading this thread makes me want to go paddling!! The ice has broken up on alot of local lakes....”

“Who all are sea kayakers now?
We need an updated list so we can kick the season in gear!”

“SuperTroll, you have mail you have not answered.”

“Does the use of a Hammock qualify as a tent?

I'll bring a solo tent if I have to, but being off the ground might make room fer one more tent...”

“Posted this thirty minutes ago and I'm still on top? Slow day posting to TT or what?”

“Do you have to kayak in the sea to qualify?

Both Birch and I have sea kayaks. Closest thing to sea they've seen yet is Lake Erie and the Detroit river.”

“any of you making it to canoecopia?”

“I wish.”

“Should be a blast with a large group TT'ers there”

“I bet. It's just too far to go (all the way around lake MI one way or another). Maybe another year.”

“went to a slide show and talk tonight about kayaking. The whole show was dedicated to 37 rivers/streams in and around Nashville.
Looks like I am going to have to get a smaller kayak (8'-9' long). My Carolina is to big for most of the rivers”

“I'm doing fine here in Alabama Ewker....

I can take my Carolina anywhere a Canoe of the same length can go....”

“I got a QCC XL400...can I play?”

“That's a nice yak, Capt. Dan.

Ever take it in salt water?
Want to?

I have an email I'll send to your profile address this evening.”

“It can go....it is a fun yak...I need to get in the water here soon”

“Super Troll, some of the rivers/streams aren't very wide. A small one like Div has would work nicely plus it is lightweight. It is just more gear to buy. REI has the Perception Swifty 9.5' for 330.00 I am looking for a used one first. I have a while till the water gets warm”

“Ewk, I think you might be surprised how maneuverable the carolina is in narrow creeks. I'd give it a try before plunking down $400 on a boat that's three feet shorter.

Birch and I have paddled upstream in our 16 foot boats in a creek that narrowed to about 7 feet across. It had it's share of twists and turns. The only problem we had was turning around, lol.”

“You can always just go backwards to get out of a stream that gets too narrow.”

“SS, that would be ok but I prefer not to paddle backwards for 3-4 miles ;)

Sass, that is the problem some are that narrow”

“I just got out and lifted the boat up to turn around, when I found a nice shallow part.”

“that will work.

Still it would be nice to have a small yak for those streams.”

“I am thinking about getting a wetsuit from REI using my dividends and 20% off coupon. Has anyone bought one of their wetsuits before.
Can anyone recommend a good brand other than what REI has.”

“I have a Body Glove shorty.

One tip....middleaged men do not look very good in those things. LOL

Another thing....those pictures of the guys in the mags wearing them must have very tiny 'privates' because everyone can see just how large your 'package' is while you are wearing a wetsuit. It molds to you. LOL
last edited: 3/09/06 11:03:11 AM”

“SS, what is a body glove shorty?

nevermind I found one
last edited: 3/09/06 11:14:01 AM”

“IMHO....depending on your yak it is a good deal...I use a touring yak. honestly if I am yakking (even down to 50ish) I have found a wet suit or other stuff to be too darn hot”

“I didn't say I used mine.
I just have one for if I need it.
LOL”

“XL, I hope you talking air temp and not water temp?
At this time of yr the air temp can be nice but the water temp is still cold if you happen to flip.”

“Don't flip.”

“From what I was told a wetsuit makes you colder once you're back upright. A drysuit is better for keeping you warm. But that's just what I was told (by two different kayaking instructors). I have a drysuit and I stay warm. I've never had a wetsuit. I do kayak in cold temps and very cold water temps.
You'd have to have a seizure or something to flip a carolina anyways, lol.”

“You'd have to have a seizure or something to flip a carolina anyways, lol.”
Sassafras
1:56:44 PM

I was trying to be nice and not state that fact, Sass. ;-)
We all have that same boat. Rock steady. Only a real duffus would flip a Carolina.
LOL”

“Birch flipped his. (snicker) Just once.”

“It's a good idea to wear a wetsuit and a drysuit so you know you're covered no matter what.”

“I will say, do not run your bow way up onto land and then try to step out of the yak.
The bow being held up makes the yak highly unstable and can throw you into the mud as you try to get out.
Not saying this has happened to me personally, LOL.”

“this talks a little about a wetsuit vs a drysuit


Water draws heat from the body 25 times faster than air. Like windchill, the effects of cold water increase when the current is fast. Sudden immersion in snowmelt or spring runoff is extremely debilitating, causing a substantial loss of strength, coordination, and judgment rather quickly. All cold-weather paddlers should select the gear needed for the insulation required to stay warm.

Drysuits and wetsuits both work effectively in cold water. In a wetsuit, air is trapped inside the neoprene material, and the suit fits snugly enough to keep most cold water out. What little water gets inside is quickly warmed by the user's body heat. Drysuits create an actual barrier between the environment and the paddler, eliminating that initial “cold-water shock.” Paddling drysuits are made of a waterproof material with latex seals at the neck, wrists, and ankles. The paddler regulates the inside temperature by adding or removing layers of insulation, such as pile or polypropylene. In milder weather, a water-proof shell top or paddle jacket can be combined with pile clothing or a wetsuit for comfort.

The first goal is to protect the torso, which shelters the "core" of the body. The greatest heat loss occurs in the armpits and crotch. Next, pay special attention to the extremities. The head radiates a surprising amount of heat. If the helmet alone is not warm enough, pile or neoprene liners can be worn inside. Neoprene booties cover the paddler's feet, and if the sole is thick enough they can be used alone. Another alternative is to wear lightweight neoprene socks inside sneakers. In cold weather a boater's hands quickly lose the strength and sensitivity needed for effective paddling. Neoprene gloves or mittens are one answer; mittens are warmer than gloves, but more awkward and harder to find. Pogies (mittens that cover both the hand and the paddle) permit direct hand-to-paddle contact for maximum control with a kayak paddle. In borderline weather, carry hand protection along for possible use later in the day.”

“I had mine flip on my first river trip. I didn't read the current right and it drove me into a tree along the shore and bam I was under water =(
There was a full moon that afternoon..lol”

“That will teach you not to kayak naked.”

“So the shorts were ripped right off your body?! Man, what a current! =D”

“I had hoped to be out in my boat today. The air is positively balmy. The darn lakes are still frozen, grrrr. Soon, very soon.”

“lol, nope not on that trip. It was a Thanksgiving weekend in Missouri, rainy and cold. Luckily Divinity missed the whole thing.
Only thing I lost was my sealskin gloves =(
last edited: 3/09/06 2:24:44 PM”

“I have an extra pair of sealskin socks I could lend you. They might be a little bit awkward on your hands but they'd stay dry (maybe).”

“LOL
I'm sure divinity would have laughed her butt off.”

“Stove, I have no doubts about that”

“AND the MOON...I'm still trying to get my Eyes to focus correctly.....”

“Great minds DO indeed think alike....I also have a Body Glove Shorty.....but don't think I'll ever need it...Imagine the Carolina WITH outriggers...I can't turn it over even when I'm TRYING to.”