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My wife, father-in-law and I just returned from two nights and 35 miles on the Allegheny River from Franklin to Emlenton. It was a perfect weekend to canoe. We drove out to Emlenton after work Friday, November 3, and left our shuttle vehicle at the parking lot for the Allegheny Trail, a rail...

My wife and I eloped and hitched things up in Vancouver. We did the deed at sunrise so we could make all the ferries to desolation sound for a 6 night sea kayaking trip. It was spectacular. Highly recommended.

That’s wonderful of you to offer and we shall keep it in mind. We’d be coming from Cleveland, so most certainly an overnight trip.

Thanks for the report. I may use it for a future trip!

My dad was a skilled canoe paddler and water reader, as was my grandpa. I can’t remember a day when I wasn’t paddling down (and up!) rivers. This included plenty of nighttime frog hunting forays. One day, when I was very young (maybe 7), dad turned me around in the bow of the canoe and he sat...

Nothing here, particularly below 3.5’ on the gauge, a novice paddler should be concerned with. You should be more concerned with ENOUGH water this time of year. 2.5 is going to be slow going and may even require some walking.

I can’t believe it’s taken me as long as it has to see this. I used Barry’s Whitney wilderness report to plan my own trip there. Wish I could have met him, but happy I was able to know him via this forum. RIP.

This river can easily provide a three night trip by beginning in the Allegheny national forest well upstream of where we started this one. That trip will require some more advanced paddle skills; particularly in higher water.

At the water level we paddled the river last weekend, those 13 miles would have added another night. The river was at 3.2’ on the gauge at Cooksburg as we started our trip. We typically overnight that stretch of river with plenty of time and not many forward strokes at about 4.5’ on that...

Yesterday, my wife, father in law and I completed a weekend trip of 27 miles on the Clarion river in Pennsylvania. It’s a wonderful river to paddle with great scenery, wildlife viewing camping and decent fishing. We typically try to do this trip in April for higher water levels and less river...

My first canoe, acquired when I was 17, was a 13’ aluminum boat some previous owner had painted yellow. It developed a deserved reputation for instability; particularly when loaded with two young men (who may have been a bit overloaded themselves) and a cooler also loaded with various beverages...

My wife and I are obsessed with being outside. Year round backpacking, trail running, sea kayaking on Lake Erie, maintaining an old house and garden work well for keeping us in shape. I take inspiration from 3 people, however. My grandfather took his final overnight canoe trip with me when he...

Big Agnes copper spur hv ul 2.

Big Agnes copper spur hv up 3 and Kelty Noah’s tarp 14.

There are lots of differences, particularly with how you care for anything that could freeze. As a contact lens wearer, for example, I have to ensure my saline is thawed when ready for it. We have to be careful with water, etc. I use my phone for photos and, often now, navigation with the Gaia...

For years, I’ve backpacked in trail runners in all weather save deep snow. They’ve become my paddle shoe of choice as well. They work well for me for portages, remain comfortable when wet and dry quickly. I wear a simple smart wool sock with them that insulates even while wet. In camp, I wear...

Following this thread reminds me of that ancient truism: there is no wrong weather, only the wrong gear.

Some notes on additional gear for winter backcountry travel and camping: 1. We add a foam pad under our therma rests for additional insulation from the ground. 2. We always carry a white gas stove when temps are below freezing for reliability and efficiency. I carry the MSR Dragonfly. 3. I...

Some recent winter backpacking photos. 1. Lean to in PA - 25 degrees 2. Lean to in PA - 2 degree morning 3. Pulling the pulk 4. Gathering firewood is a great way to stay warm - 12 degrees 5. Tarp camping - Accumulated about 2" additional snow on the tarp tonight - 8 degrees