A Proper Wilderness Hatchet – Gransfors Bruks, Wetterlings and Snow & Neally Axes

September 29, 2009

Last night I was thinking about writing a how to build a fire article for the blog. Yes, I know I’m obsessed. So, I was thinking of going somewhere close like Babler or Castlewood to take photographs. Anyway, to build a proper fire you sort of need an axe. It’s real easy the way we [...]

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Tying a Decent Knot for Canoeing

September 23, 2009

I’ve seen quite a few people put a couple turns in a rope, feed the end through a loop, pull it tight and call it good. Later, while your canoe is in the water and ready to go they’re fidgeting with tangles of rope or calling for a knife. A canoe is likely your [...]

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Mosquitoes, Black Flies & Other Pernicious Winged Pests on the River

September 22, 2009

Last Sunday Cate and I took a drive though the wine country just north of the Missouri River. Some of the leaves are already changing and I’m getting excited about the fall colors and trips down deserted streams. We stopped by Montelle Winery and got a bottle of their Himmelswein to enjoy on the patio [...]

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Yeti Tundra – Best Cooler Ever

September 21, 2009

Last year, I took up paddling in earnest. I thought that I should be a bit frugal about my new pastime. While I spent a small fortune on the finest in technical outerwear, I never even thought about premium cookware or coolers.
My husband worked in a store that sold gear for years. [...]

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ReTweet to win The Complete Wilderness Paddler

September 18, 2009

Ok, we’re going to try a little experiment with Twitter. Simply Tweet this from your Twitter account and win a free copy of my new favorite paddling book.
@AdventureCanoe RT to win a copy of “The Complete Wilderness Paddler” http://bit.ly/WildPaddle
Make sure to include the @AdventureCanoe so I can track it. I’ll tally the tweets and pick [...]

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Song of the Paddle – Bill Mason

September 17, 2009

Join outdoorsman Bill Mason in this short documentary as he and his family go canoe camping in the wilderness. Gain an appreciation for the art of canoeing while watching a small group experience the sheer joy and beauty of Nature. Along the way, the Masons experience countless adventures and some breathtaking scenery, including Indian rock [...]

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Path of the Paddle: Doubles Whitewater – Bill Mason

September 11, 2009

This short film from canoeist Bill Mason shows how to read the rapids and plan a course and follow it, with complete control of the boat, using the basic paddling strokes. Running rapids will always be a calculated risk, but risk diminishes with skill and knowledge. The strokes can be used in endless combination to [...]

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Essential Items for Canoeing – A Canoe Checklist

September 11, 2009

Essential Items – Things you can’t go canoeing without

Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Boat
Paddle

Accessories – Stuff you’re probably going to wish you had brought along

First-Aid Kit
Whistle
Knife
Throw Rope
Back-up Paddle
GPS or
Map and Compass
Map Case
Dry Bags
Dry Box (for your camera)
Repair Kit or duct tape
Towel
Chacos
Hat
Bilge Pump
Bilge Sponge
Sunscreen

Getting it There – Unless you’re going to carry your canoe down the street you [...]

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Starting a Canoe Guide Service and Paddling The Huzzah Creek

September 10, 2009

Sometimes its harder than it should be for me to find a paddling companion. Cate had a friend in town from DC, my dad was working and no one else seemed at all interested in the idea. I called Ellen, my younger sister, and told her I’d be by in 45 minutes.
We headed down to [...]

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Path of the Paddle: Solo Whitewater – Bill Mason

August 13, 2009

This short film from canoeist Bill Mason explains clearly how to locate a deep water channel by reading the rapids and how to apply paddling strokes and maneuvers to steer the canoe where you want it to go. It also depicts what happens if you “wipe out” in a turbulent rapid and shows you how [...]

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