Recent content by SouthernKevlar

The question should be: "If an item still works and is useful, is it truly obsolete?" I still carry a compass even when I have a GPS with me. I don't consider the compass obsolete, but perhaps superseded; I know the compass will not run out of power.

I've paddled a bit of the upper Broad down to just above the Ninety-nine Islands Dam area, which I really should explore more, and it is not terribly scenic. The river is mostly fairly shallow fast moving water with just enough riffles and rocky shoals to keep things interesting. Downstream...

Today I wore my North Face Down Jacket that I received as a Christmas present in 1971. My mother bought a size Large when a Medium would have fit loosely. She figured that I would grow into it, and she was right, plus our small-town hiking shop had sold the Medium that I had lusted after. As...

I hope we get some real snow soon. The "storm" dropped enough snow to make the ground white (1/8 to1/4"?) followed by sleet and freezing rain, leaving 3/4" to 1" of slick ice on the hill of my driveway. I went out and broke a couple of lanes open with a mattock, waited for a day until the...

If you would like to see what it was designed for, look up "Verlen Kruger" and his paddling over 100,000 miles in his lifetime even though he did not start paddling until he was 41 years old! That is some awesome milage, some incredible trips and why he designed the canoe.

Maybe they should call it a "Kruger Monarch" or "Savage River Monarch" to differentiate it from the "GRB Monarch" . How many Monarchs can one follow? I had a Mad River Monarch. Wonderful boat, I just didn't paddle enough big water trips to justify keeping it.

I just found this posted on "Paddlers of Millbrook Boats" Facebook page and thought that I would share the info. Anyone interested in making high quality composite whitewater boats out there? Lets hope that some talented individual picks up the line and continues these fine canoes and kayaks...

What are your canoeing plans for 2026? A new canoe, a big trip, introducing someone new to paddling or just enjoying local waters more? I still have not decided on my yearly "big trip" yet, possibly another trip to the WPSCR in Pennsylvania and then on to the Adirondacks, or if the dates work...

Paper will still be there when electricity isn't.

That looks like a great choice for a solo. it has an interesting transition into the tumblehome, or would that be called a very high chine? Good luck and I am looking forward to reading your build reports.

Oh Good. When I saw "bow pinning" I envisioned getting your bow stuck between a couple of rocks in whitewater. It is hard to do stern carve when you are in that situation! Flatwater "bow pinning" is a very different concept.

The signs were a surprise for this first timer to Sparkleberry. I think they were put up by hunters and fishers as markers, and the school bus sign marks the channel to Sparkleberry Landing. There are a number of others scattered around the swamp. We did not stop at the cabin, just paddled by...

So you can't find the river for the water? Sounds like seeing the forest for the trees. I could definitely see how higher water could add to the "Where am I" factor in a swamp. Being used to mostly whitewater and well-channeled rivers, having to find the river in all that water just strikes...

I think if you were well experienced with GPS and also had some maps of the swamp to mark, you would probably be OK if you were solo. I waited until I had a guide and in this case a group. It seems that water level can matter quite a bit. It was low on this trip and some of the planned...

Welcome to the site, Farback. My wife and I spent a bit over a month in Nova Scotia in September/October this year and are making plans to return next year. With the drought this year I didn't even take a canoe, but did rent one at Kejimkujik for a short paddle. I may have to ask you about...