Eastern Great Lakes Hang - Sept 28-30, 2012 - Autumn Paddle in Algonquin

**Jayson** · 09-24-2012, 19:13

Welcome aboard Chenvre! My wife has had to drop out due to a bad back so how do you feel about paddling with me? Send me a PM.

Ryvr...will be nice seeing you again!

**Chard** · 09-25-2012, 11:34

This is turning into quite a shin-dig. I'm really looking forward to getting out and seeing some familar faces and meeting some new ones.

Ok, let's get everything straightened out.

First, let's take care of the easy part. It'd be nice to register, travel to the access point as a group. I've taken wrong turns on this road before and it's a drag. Can we agree on 7am - 7:30 am rendevous at the Huntsville Tim Hortons at the northeast corner of Highway 11 and Highway 2, just below the Swiss Chalet/Harveys (Travelling north, it's the first exit after the lake (Hunter's Bay). Travelling south, it's the first exit below highway 60). Hopefully everyone will be packed and ready to head directly to Kearney. That means a long drive for some people, and it's possible we'll have stragglers and unexpected delays, so I'd ask that someone from each car send me their cell-phone numbers by PM. We should try to optimize carpooling where possible to minimize cost.

Second: So far we've got a dozen people coming out to this hang, including two solo paddlers, and a confirmed double. That leaves eight people to team up. Good. This is the second cut, so once again, feel free to throw in your ideas.

Set Team/Solo Paddlers...
Dant8ro* & Brantwing, Mongrel*, Ryvr*

Proposed Canoes...
Chard* & Bubba
Cedar328* & Jayson
Hankster* & Jiblets
Chenvre# & Kasuko (Ottawa team borrowing a canoe from Cedar328?)

**Jayson** · 09-25-2012, 11:47

Looks like good! Tracey is BUMMED out that she is missing the trip.

**Chenvre** · 09-25-2012, 15:52

Lookin good Chard!

Jayson and I may be canoeing together, pending everyone else's plans. I'm sure we can figure that out when we meet up, though, as long as i'm not swimming or bushwacking to the campsite, it's all good for me!

**keg** · 09-25-2012, 17:18

This is the second time you guys have planned a trip for the same weekend I'm up there with students. feel free to stop by Whitefish. Next time hopefully. I might even try real winter camping if that's the next do.

**Chard** · 09-25-2012, 17:47

Originally Posted by keg

This is the second time you guys have planned a trip for the same weekend I'm up there with students. feel free to stop by Whitefish. Next time hopefully. I might even try real winter camping if that's the next do.

Ah dang keg! You didn't send me the memo... Sorry. Seriously though, I'd be suprised if we didn't get out this winter for a weekend of frozen butt hanging.

Originally Posted by Chenvre

Lookin good Chard!

Jayson and I may be canoeing together, pending everyone else's plans. I'm sure we can figure that out when we meet up, though, as long as i'm not swimming or bushwacking to the campsite, it's all good for me!

Yeah, no doubt we'll definitely do a last minute shuffle. That's the fun of all this.

**Ryvr** · 09-26-2012, 08:40

Currently I am printing off Detailed laminated maps for each boat thanks to Dan of course for getting me the maps.

I am planning on following Dan and Brantwing up to the Huntsville Tim Hortons and meeting there for 7-730 should be no problem at all.

I am driving solo from the Brantford Area and leaving early so I doubt anyone will need a ride from me but I will offer all the same.

I am pretty leary of paddling solo for the first time ever so if any of the seasoned soloist have any tips or wisdom please let me know.

Ryvr

**Chard** · 09-26-2012, 10:30

Originally Posted by Ryvr

I am pretty leary of paddling solo for the first time ever so if any of the seasoned soloist have any tips or wisdom please let me know.

Ryvr, you'll definitely have a chance to get used to soloing on the first two small lakes we have to cross. By the time you get to Ralph Bice, you'll be a pro.

As for pointers beforehand, I'd suggest you bring a plastic milk crate. I like to use one when soloing because it brings me closer the centre of the canoe. We're both big guys, so maybe what's worked for me would help you. You can always leave it in the car if you don't like it. Also try to pack all of your gear into/onto one bag so that you have one heavy bag to help adjust your trim. Balance is the key in solo canoeing.

Tick tick!

**Ryvr** · 09-26-2012, 11:10

Thanks Chard I'll look for a crate or something similar. There are some tutorials online that suggest sitting backward in the bow seat of a tandem canoe to achieve the same effect as kneeling in the centre without the strain on your knees.

Any thoughts on that?

I will likely play with several techniques to see which one works for me but I like to be informed before I hit the water (literally lol)

Ryvr

**Jiblets** · 09-26-2012, 14:28

Originally Posted by Ryvr

There are some tutorials online that suggest sitting backward in the bow seat of a tandem canoe to achieve the same effect as kneeling in the centre without the strain on your knees.

Ryvr

Depends on the canoe. It doesn't work with asymetrical canoes like a Swift Kipawa. I vaguely recall you had a Kip.

I've seen someone sit on his pack saddle style with his sleeping bag (in a dry bag) strapped on top for extra height and cushion. It looked very comfortable.

Any plans for a group meal? or just fend for yourself?

I'm looking forward to this trip. 36 hrs from now I'll be on the road to Algonquin...