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Our last niight on the Y1K, I was looking over the map for a good place ahead to camp before our 6 hour rules required not later than 11PM mandatory rest stop time for the remainder of the short "night". The map showed a very likely landing spot along the muddy shore ahead that we aimed for...

I don't paddle with any known cigarette smokers, but with the rare exception of during heavy bug season, one or two companions may light up stinky cigars. I stay well clear of them, preferring to endure and smell like smashed bugs rather than tobacco smoke. I have read that French-Canadian...

During the Yukon River canoe races (440 mile Yukon River Quest (YRQ) and the 1000 mile (Y1K)), we see many moose and bears (both black and grizzly, and also wolves) along the river bank. Several nights of random location riverside camping is necessary during the Y1K. Someone from another team...

I have camped in places with my Hennessey where I could never set up to camp in a tent. Over thick damp moss in wet spruce swamps, on steep slopes, over trashy blowdown broken branches, including previous derecho blown lands with downed tree trunks piled high, sharp stony rocky ground, or with...

Watch this and other videos by racer Kevin Olson, at about the 8:30 point he talks about leg position and push.

Speaking from a racing point of view, and I am not a frequent solo canoe racer, those in solo race boats do hit and switch about every 4-6 strokes and can't help but to heel at least somewhat on the paddle side which does help to carve to counteract paddle induced yaw. There must be some...

My Adirondack backcountry expeditions have by far been mostly solo. I often alter my route somewhat when I am out there, sometimes due to terrain or blowdown or having other interests along the way. I do leave a generalized itinerary with my wife, but she knows it is generalized and she has a...

Be sure on the catch that as the blade breaks the surface on the way down that you allow for matching the relative reward apeed of water diue to to your canoe's forward movement.

I've heard Charlie Wilson many times declare that a heel to the offside presents a 'banana shape” of the hull to the water, thus partially countering the effect of turning away from the paddling side. I'm sure that depends on the amount of rocker as well as other hull shape factors. In my new...

My favorite fine finish wood paddle maker suggests using 10% Blo mixed with 90% good marine varnish on wood paddle blades. From the throat up to the grip use 90% BLO mixed with 10% varnish. Seems to hold up well, weathes nice and feels right on hands on the shaft and grip.

Having relied on my father's hand in beginning my wilderness travel navigation instruction in heavily wooded Adirondack topography well off any marked trails, hunting in areas with him that became quite familiar to me. I followed him in the woods long before I was old enough to hunt myself as he...

Years ago, I was a member of the American Canoe Association (ACA). Membership included receiving their periodical magazine, and maybe a small break on race entry fees. It was OK for a while, but after a couple of years I couldn't stand it anymore. Nothing but high-test articles about kayakers...

I have liked and worn Merrell shoes for many years. There was a heavier water shoe available that I bought for hopping out of the canoe in the water and for heavy portaging while canoe racing. It still has Yukon silt embedded in it. Two other lighter pair types I use for the Adirodack races and...

Wow, $30.86 +T for a pair at Amazon!!! Harbor Freight has the same yellow raquettes for Less than $5.00 each, often found on sale there with a $1-2.00 off coupon.

At my lake cottage, I and several of my neighbors like to hike the paved road onto the neary dirt roads. From late May through July we wave at each other with those electronic swatters. I also have the kind that plugs into AC with its longwave UV light as it sits upright in a stand in my...

A dear now passed camping companion of mine and I knew each other for more than 30 years as we shared experiences as permanent National Camping School staff insturctors for BSA high adventure Adirondack wilderness guide trek leaders as well as on many personal wilderness hikes, canoe trips, and...

I'd say it is personal choice, depending on how strongly chemical adverse you are. In my case it is doubtful that I actually dilute all the way down to the recommended 0.5%, but I make sure my clothing is completely dry before wearing.

Noseeums (Punkies) when present always seem to find their way in the tent with you. The prime way they do that is to attach to your clothing and enter with you. Once in, they happily feed on you all night. Best is to treat your clothing with permethrin at home before you leave. Second best is...

When I travel solo, I am rarely if ever at a designated site with either an outhouse, or even a thunder box privy. Most times my boot heel suffices, along with a stick in more compacted ground. I have one of those orange plasstic trowels and slso the metal variety I carry when with others, such...

I grew up in northern NY State, and have returned in retirement to live there, on the edge of the Adirondacks. Much is wong with NY, but my rural community feels relatively safe. I went to college on Long Island, which required me to drive though NYC freeways to get there. Always an eye...