I've put hundreds of teenagers through wilderness trips. Some of them even enjoyed it. The thing is, it is now a sport for the financially well off, not for a young couple just starting off and wanting to add to humanity with a litter of future tax payers. Look at the price of swift canoes....it's enough to gag a maggot. But everyone wants a featherweight canoe. I remember when I started out, the 17 foot Grumman white water special, 87 pounds, saw hundreds of miles of trips. Seems like newbies are more technically savvy now, and not willing to put in that initial suffering.
Esquif is coming in at a more reasonable rate, but even still, 3000 bucks for a canoe, 500 for a tent, a few hundred for packs, roof racks for the vehicle, finding the time in busy schedules.....it's a dedicated sport, not for the weekend warrior. Where I live, most young people will buy at 14 or 16 foot tin boat with a motor for under 2500 bucks and call it a day. If they camp, there will be no portaging involved, but they will be very well lubricated internally with a multitude of liquor. I'm not judging, I do that sometimes too.
My buddy chainsaw Rob and I were discussing the future of canoe routes up here last weekend. My portage clearing days are finished, his are coming to a close. There is no one waiting in the wings. The ten or more routes that we kept open will probably fade back into obscurity, ports will disappear..........in a few years, only the dedicated masochists will venture into our neck of the woods.
I am working on a couple of young fellas though.......
Esquif is coming in at a more reasonable rate, but even still, 3000 bucks for a canoe, 500 for a tent, a few hundred for packs, roof racks for the vehicle, finding the time in busy schedules.....it's a dedicated sport, not for the weekend warrior. Where I live, most young people will buy at 14 or 16 foot tin boat with a motor for under 2500 bucks and call it a day. If they camp, there will be no portaging involved, but they will be very well lubricated internally with a multitude of liquor. I'm not judging, I do that sometimes too.
My buddy chainsaw Rob and I were discussing the future of canoe routes up here last weekend. My portage clearing days are finished, his are coming to a close. There is no one waiting in the wings. The ten or more routes that we kept open will probably fade back into obscurity, ports will disappear..........in a few years, only the dedicated masochists will venture into our neck of the woods.
I am working on a couple of young fellas though.......
