Recent content by Packrat

That is impressive! I'll have work on that one.

At 90 I am not as flexible as I used to be but I manage to board the canoe successfully by using the "Head in the middle" as I hold the gunwales. It works fine as long as I keep low as I do it.

Have had Robins showing up and the trees are starting to show leaves. I can't wait to don my new farmer john wetsuit and hit a lake to start the new season.

I commend your attitude! All I have to do is put up with old age but you have a lot of serious compications that would excuse your giving up. Is there something in that Alaskan existence that makes you tougher?

I think I learned a lesson regarding preparting for my canoeing this season. Last year my ten or twelve one and two hour work outs just prior to the Bowron Lake outing was pretty inadequate. This year I'm already looking at starting my prep next month. No ice on the local lakes and a wet suit on...

When I paddled a sea-kayak it was usaually for day trips or short overnight trips. The good part was that it was fast and rain and rough water were not problems, nor cold weather because I always wore a dry suit. Plenty of room in boat for what gear I chose for camping. My switch to canoeing...

Go to Ross Lake Resort on the internet and it lists the options and prices for accessing Ross Lake from Diablo Lake/Hwy 20. Look at the information at "North Cascades National Park Backcountry Permits for Ross Lake rules.

Access to Ross Lake from Hozemeen is closed until further notice and has been for some time. Access from Diablo Lake requires a paid shuttle over the dam to get to the Ross Lake.

From childhood to senior age, I've always been comfortable doing things alone. Not that I am anti-social, but solo activities give me a choice of what and when to do things. Some activities I participate require a lot ot patience, like duck hunting or steelheading and I don't feel it boring...

I did the Bowron some 20 years ago in a Solitude and it worked out fine. It was a bit faster than the Packer I now own but heavier. If you don't have a cart you can rent one at Bowron Lodge or buy a nice light weight one from Suspenz online. Sometimes they have returns which is a good deal as...

When I retired at age 60 I started sea kayaking, I loved the experience. After about five years I decieded to buy a cheap canoe for duck hunting and it opened a new area of interest. Sold my sea kayak and ended up up with a Clipper Solitude whick I had until last Summer. Now I am 89 and have a...

My current solo canoe is a Clipper Packer ultralite. I am happy with the weight savings I got by trading in my Clipper Solitude even though I gave up a little speed. Good trade off and my back thanks me when it comes to lifting time.

I'm not laughing since that is my favorite also. I found that I can only eat half of the 2 portion meal at a time so I save half for breakfast and eat it cold.

I would consider doing Bowron again but I kind of have my sights on going to the Wells Gray park and paddling Murtle Lake. I'm looking at Vancouver Isalnd also. British Columbia has so many options for paddlers that it seems almost unfair. Glad I live a 1/2 mile from the border!

The "Seals" say that what doesn't kill you just makes you stronger. Only way to test that is to push the limit a little!