On River-On Line - Questions

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Please keep your questions short and to the point and please do not expect answers to every question sent in, due to the limitations of time and technology. Thanks.

Send questions to dbell@canoe.ca

Aug 16

Congrats on a trip well complete! And thanks for sharing it.
My question is concerning how to get sponsorship for a trip. Where do you start? How is the response?
i have often considered this. Any reponse would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill

ANSWER BILL, GETTING SPONSORSHIP IS ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT WE GET ASKED A LOT--THE FACT IS THAT WITHOUT SPONSORS, MANY OF OUR TRIPS WOULD BE BEYOND THE FINANCIAL ABILITIES OF MOST OF OUR MEMBERS. THE PERSON BEHIND THE SPONSORSHIP IS OUR HUMBLE GOVERNOR, MICHAEL, WHO WORKS TIRELESSLY IN FINDING SPONSORS, WORKING WITH THEM BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER A TRIP.
THIS HAS TAKEN US MANY YEARS TO ACHIEVE. CLEARLY, DOING AN ONLINE TRIP WHERE THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUT OF MEDIA INTEREST HELPS ATTRACT SPONSORS, NOT TO MENTION HAVING THE SERVICES OF TWO PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS ON THE TRIP.
THE EASIEST SPONSORSHIP TO GET IS WHEN COMPANIES GIVE YOU MERCHANDISE TO TEST WHILE ON THE TRIP. THE HARDEST TO GET IS, SURPRISE, $$$.
RESPONSE CAN VARY, BUT BE PREPARED TO HAVE A THICK SKIN FOR ALL THE LILKELY REJECTIONS YOU WILL GET.
SUCH IS THE WORLD OF CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

I recently took a journey through the Pipestone and Winisk rivers.
Intrestingly enough, you guys were about 4 days behind us (we were at Tashka on the 30th and in Peawanuk by the 5th).
I was wondering what you though of Tashka Rapids and what would happen had a person been swept down. We had a little run in with a small ledge about 2 km south of Tashka, and were almost swept down.
I would love to have someone else's opinion of the severity of our near-disaster.
Heidi
PS - For anyone planning on visiting Peawanuk, Mike Hunter in the Polar Bear Provincial Park office is extremely wonderful to talk with.

ANSWER HEIDI, LEDGES AND WATERFALLS CAN POSE THE MOST DANGEROUS THREAT ON A RIVER BECAUSE THEY CAN SNEAK UP ON YOU WITHOUT WARNING, AS YOU FOUND OUT.
I REMEMBER ONE SUCH RAPID ON THE POVUNGNITUK RIVER IN NORTHERN QUEBEC. WE CAME AROUND A TIGHT BEND IN THE RIVER, AND THERE, WITHOUT WARNING, WAS A SUBSTANTIAL FALLS THAT WAS TOTALLY UNRUNNABLE.
BY CHANCE WE JUST HAPPENED TO BE CLOSE TO SHORE, AND EASILY PULLED OUT ONTO SHORE. HAD WE BEEN PADDLING RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER OF THE RIVER, THINGS MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. THE RIVER BELOW CHURNED THROUGH A TIGHT ROCKY GORGE THAT WOULD HAVE KILLED US--AN INCREDIBLY UNEXPECTED AND DANGEROUS SITUATION.
SO THE MOTTO IS, NEVER FALL ASLEEP WHEN YOU'RE NOT SURE WHAT'S AROUND THE BEND!!

Aug 13

Geoff, Congratulations and a hearty Hip, Hip, Hooray! to you and all your companions on a job(?) well done. I trust you ARE reading this and have not been eaten by polar bears.
Did you finally see some big-time wild life? Speaking of bears, see www.duluthnews.com for stories about a black bear attacking a Boy Scout in NW Wisconsin, Monday.
The bear dragged away the scout and his tent before being chased off. The scout is recovering. The bear was later destroyed.
In regard to your twelfth night celebration, I suppose it was the Voyageur spirit that caused you to consume so many French sounding delicacies (except the cigars which I wouldn't recommend eating even if they are some good Cubans).
Did you need to pack all that stuff in a cooler of some sort? Or at least a hard pack for the bottles (champagne and cognac in Nalgene bottles?) If so, what did you use and how did you pack it?
I've never taken a cooler on a long canoe trip, so I'm curious. Also, did you do most of the cooking over stoves(what type) or wood fires? This is the kind of stuff all of us dreamers want to know when you guys write your book (Wilderness Paddler for the New Millenium?).
Finally, how about a review of the Daggers? How did they compare to the Trippers? Enjoy the trip home and the new house!
Thanks for allowing us to come along for the ride! Take care and God Bless! Keep in touch!
Cheers,
Keith

ANSWER KEITH, GLAD TO HEAR YOU'RE STILL ON BOARD FOR THE RIDE. WE BRING NO COOLERS WITH US--ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS THAT WE HAVE EVERY OTHER POSSIBLE ITEM YOU COULD TAKE ON A TRIP.
DAVID STOWED THE CHAMPAGNE IN HIS DITTY BAG UNTIL WE NEEDED IT--WHICH EXPLAINS WHY HE WOULD NEVER LET US HANDLE IT.
WE BROUGHT ABOUT 2 GAL. OF FUEL AND PRETTY WELL USED IT ALL UP. WE DIDN'T HAVE FIRES UNTIL THE LAST WEEK WHEN WE REALIZED THAT WE WOULD RUN OUT OF FUEL. FIRES ARE GENERALLY USED FOR DINNERS ONLY.
AS FOR A COMPARISON OF THE DAGGERS TO THE TRIPPERS, WE FOUND THAT THEY HANDLE WELL IN THE WHITEWATER, AND ARE ACTUALLY LIGHTER THAN THE TRIPPERS, ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO TEST THEM ON THE PORTAGE TRAIL ON THIS TRIP.
THEY ALSO TRACK WELL ON LAKES BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS ROCKER.
THIS IS AT THE EXPENSE OF MANOEVERABILITY IN RAPIDS. THE ONE POINT WHERE THE TRIPPERS DEFINITELY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE IS IN RELATIVE STABILITY. TRIPPERS ARE A BROADER BOAT, AND HAVE MORE TUMBLEHOME, WHICH GIVES THEM GREATER SIDE-TO-SIDE STABILITY.
GLAD YOU ENJOYED FOLLOWING OUR LITTLE ADVENTURE.

My husband and I were fascinated by your trip! We are planning a 3 week canoe/fishing trip and I need some help regarding instruction for proper body mechanics when paddling to keep the strain on my back and shoulders at a minimum. I can't find any information on the web.
Any suggestions??
Kudos to all for sharing your incredible journey!!!
Don Duquette

Aug 11

We were just reading the web page today, and were wondering about your food supplies and if you carried all your needs or you had or if you had depots or if you got supplies dropped off?
A book we read "Kabloona" in the Yellow Kayak" about a woman's Arctic Journey. She had listed all the supplies and items that she took with her and required some supply despots so we were wondering what your crew did.
From Leslie and James Tomatuk
Moose Factory Ontario
If you're ever this way look us up.

Peter:
Enjoying reading the Logs and pictures, I hope the weather improves.
Question...what are your canoes made of, and how much do they weigh.
Garnet Matthews

Hello Guys: Most fascinating account of your trip. I throughly enjoy canoe tripping and have travelled through some of the spots you have been to over the years.
Out of curiosity have you seen any sturgeon on your trip? Many years ago on the Missinaibi we saw a few including some fairly large ones on a gravel shoal. Any caribou in this part of the world?
On the Missinaibi you go from shield country with rapids to the lowlands where the rapids are a little more forgiving. How is the Winisk for rapids?
One year I visited Webequie. The lake was frozen. People were snowmobiling and the temperature was about 75 degrees in May.
Cheers and safe travels.
Ken McCleary

Aug 10

I've been following you guys all along (my husband and some friends of mine are following you down the river -- about 6 days behind), and I noted with great interest your reference to your famous fish chowder.
You mentioned that if someone would ask nicely, you might share the recipe.
...Please?...Would you share?...I'm always in search of great camp cuisine -- especially the kind that benefits from fresh caught fish.
Thanks, and I hope your trip continues to be a great (safe) adventure!
-- Wendi Strong

Hello
I am a small canoe outfitter in a "remote" part of north Florida. I have been following your trip with great interest. Our canoe season is year-round here.
When does the season begin there and what is the latest you can canoe the Winisk?
Jim Wagner
Pinetta, Fl 32350
http://users.digitalexp.com/~users/canoeguy/default.htm

You guys are having a great paddle....keep it up. Is your sole fisher still catching fish?...What kind and how big?
trick-a-trout,
T.Trout
TU

Aug 9

Hi Guys
Just received my copy of Che-Mun and learned you were doing the Winisk. My husband and I did the Pipestone/Winisk two years ago. I lost a camera along the way. Either at the last or second last major drop on the Winisk before it flattens out and begins its long fast run to the Bay. Did you happen to find It????
Hope you enjoy your stay in Peawanuk as much as we did. We had the pleasure of being "weathered In" for several days after our arrival. Please say hello to Maurice Mack if you see him. His son Fletcher escorted us to the mouth of the Winisk and onto the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Don't even try canoeing it if the water is low. It was a challenge coming upstream even in a motor boat.
Make sure you see the Hudsonian Godwits on their breeding grounds ( There and Churchill are the two spots to catch them and worth the paddle!!)
If you can make contact with Louis(can't remember his last name) do so. He has a million stories to tell. Please give him regards from the "old couple" in the "Pungeez kee-waj-quay" canoe and thank him again for the bannock, it hasn't been forgotten.
Mike Hunter, the park superintendent, is most hospitable. He and his son are a fountain of information.
Fear my camera and the film that was with it are long gone but not the memories of the trip.
Good luck, enjoy. Robin Dawes
Eagle River N.W. Ontario
rdawes@moosenet.net

Gentlemen
Great journal!
Jill and I are trying to get up to the Winisk next summer. My questions are as follows:
1. Best time (ie. water levels, bugs, temp etc.)
2. Duration
It seems that you are making very good time. Is this expected or are there reasons for this? Assuming the daily paddle that you started out with, what is the minimum duration? (It is our hopes to do the whole trip within 2 weeks).
3. Contacts
As it is our intention to fly to Webequi from Toronto, can you refer us to any outfitters in town who could supply us with a boat, paddles, jackets and return flight to Webequie from the end of the river? We have the balance of the gear and want to avoid the long train ride.
Anyway, keep up the great work and we look forward to reading the rest of the adventure.
Safe return.
Rick Aucoin and Jill Turner

Aug 8

Geoff - Greetings again.
I'm curious about something. I just re-watched the AW BWCAW/Superior program again (my KIDS like to watch it! They call it "the canoe show"). Do you still carry your guitar on trips? Is it with you on this one? Besides engaging in high stakes debates, Peter fishing, cooking (and EATING), and dinking around on the Mac (please, hold out batteries!), what are the more favored pursuits of team members during slacktime in camp? Also, what are some contingency plans in case of an emergency? Obviously with satcom you've got an edge on your forebears, but what if the hi-tech failed, you still had your medical kit and a real life or death came up? For instance, Lewis and Clark lost one man on their whole trip - likely to peritonitis from a burst appendix.
What happens if it gets that bad out in the bush? How are you prepared? Finally, I say AMEN to quiet contemplation while underway. My wife can't understand why, whenever two guys are working on something or bound together for a period of time (like in a canoe) they rarely talk and yet still feel fulfilled at the end of the day without ceaseless conversation. Words have their place often enough, but Ahhh! the sounds of silence beckon (particularly if you have four children!).
Good Paddling and God keep you safe. Cheers,
Keith

ANSWER:HELLO AGAIN KEITH. GLAD YOUR KIDS ENJOY WATCHING THE ANYPLACE WILD SHOW. MY KIDS HAVE SEEN IT A ZILLION TIMES TOO. ALTHOUGH MY GUITAR USED TO BE A FAITHFUL COMPANION ON ALL THE EARLIER TRIPS, I HAVE NOT BROUGHT IT ON THESE HIGH TECH TRIPS FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT THE AMOUNT OF TIME AVAILABLE TO PLAY IT WOULD NOT JUSTIFY BRINGING IT ALONG. AS FOR SLACK TIME, GENERALLY WE READ OR PLAY CARDS. NEITHER DAVID NOR BREWSTER HAVE ANY INTEREST IN CARDS, SO TOM, P. SCOTT, MIKE AND I PLAY EUCHRE. WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A TOURNAMENT RIGHT NOW, AND MIKE AND I ARE KICKING TOM AND PETER'S BEHIND (8 TO 4). IN AN EMERGENCY, AND IN THE ABSENCE OF A SATPHONE, WE HAVE AN EPIRB THAT WE WOULD ENGAGE IF WE NEEDED TO BE EVACUATED IMMEDIATLY. SO FAR, KNOCK ON WOOD, WE HAVE HAD NO OCCASION TO DO THAT. AS FOR THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE, AMEN TO WHAT YOU SAY, BROTHER. I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY A "MALE" THING, ALTHOUGH I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM MY WIFE TODAY THAT SAID SHE WOULD LOVE SOME OF THAT SILENCE RIGHT NOW AFTER LOOKING AFTER OUR TWO KIDS ALONE FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

Hi guys,
Love the photography and journals. I want to know if you have an hourly ritual where you raft the boats and drift for about tem minutes or so. We always do this and it helps us recharge our batteries with a small snack.
On our last trip, with 4 boats , each person had to bring a variety of jerky, made from beef or good old moose and share their treasures with all the party members. It amazing how addictive jerky can be if prepared and stored properly.
PS Really liked the old man's beard photo.
Phil Power
Newfoundland Liquor Corporation
P.O. Box 8750
St. John's, Nfld
A1B 3V1
Ph: (709)724-1176
ppower@nfliquor.com

ANSWER:PHIL, WE'LL ONLY ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IF YOU'LL SEND US A CASE OF SCREECH, OR RUM....JUST KIDDING! (ALTHOUGH WE'LL STILL TAKE THE RUM) WE DO TAKE AN HOURLY BREAK. THE VOYAGEURS WOULD CALL THESE BREAKS "PIPES" (PEEPS) WHEN THEY'D GET A SMOKE BREAK. BEING A VEGETARIAN, THE IDEA OF MOOSE AND BEEF JERKY DOES NOT GET MY MOUTH WATERING, BUT THE REST OF THE CREW SAYS TO SEND SOME OF IT ALONG WHEN YOU SEND THE SCREECH!

Greetings gentlemen, I am sure you are having a wonderful time and thanks for bringing us along via the web.
It is the next best thing to actually doing that dream trip. I am familiar with those montonous clay and gravel banks having spent a summer in the James Bay Lowlands on the lower reaches of the Albany,
Attiwapiskat and Ekwen rivers doing stream sampling for a mining company. I even got to fly across the lower portion of Polar Bear Provincal Park, but missed on making it to NWT off the coast of Attiwapiskat.
Geoff when you get your trip log finalized after the trip could you please post route information to Richard Munn's Ontario Canoe Routes webpage (www.webpan.com/canoeroutes) for myself and other paddlers considerng this trip?
Keep your paddles wet and bottoms down unless you and your paddle partner can roll and open tandem.

Steve Sharpe
Durham Ontario
ANSWER:GOOD IDEA, STEVE. MICHAEL SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE WINISK ON THAT SITE. SOON THERE WILL BE!

Aug 6

Hey guys,
Heard the interview this morning on CBC. Sounds like a wonderful adventure. Was disappointed though not to see all of you in deerskins and fur hats, and travelling in a birchbark canoe. What kind of coureur-de-bois(s) are you anyway?!
So what kind of wildlife are you seeing up there? Birds? And what are you eating, besides fish, that is? Did you pack a bunch of Kraft dinner and hotdogs, or what? (I'm picturing all the essential bachelor gourmet foodstuffs.)
And by the way, exactly what brand of beer does a sensitive-90's-renaissance-man-coureur-de-bois bring on his voyages these days? And where do you drop off the empties? Looking forward to watching your progress.
Best regards,
Kathleen Shea
Revolution Artist Management
416 406 0990 - Voice
416 406 0610 - Fax
revolution@goodmedia.com

ANSWER:WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HAVING A VERY VARIED MENU--NO KRAFT DINNER HERE. I BAKE BREAD AND CINNAMON BUNS, WE HAVE FISH CHOWDERS, MEXICAN BURRITOS, CHOW MEIN WITH VEGGIES, BASMATI RICE WITH DRIED VEGGIES AND CHEESE (TONIGHTS DINNER). I EVEN MAKE THE OCCASIONAL APPLE CRISP. AND WE DON'T BRING BEER BUT OVERPROOF RUM, WHICH IS VERY STRONG AND LIGHTER THAN CARRYING ALL THAT BEER--PLUS ITS STRONGER!!

Hi, I worked at Webeque (as we spelled it) in 1964 doing a survey of Winisk Lake for Lands & Forests. My partner and I were there for 2 1/2 months. It was a wonderful summer job! I can see that the village has changed a lot in the past 35 years. I always wanted to paddle the Winisk River and just may try it next summer. What are the logistics? What company do you get to fly you in from Pickle-Crow? And how do you get back from Hudson Bay? Jack Harvey

ANSWER:JACK, THE PEOPLE WHO FLEW US IN FROM PICKLE-CROW, CANOE FRONTIER, ARE YOUR BEST CONTACT FOR GETTING IN AND OUT ON THE WINISK. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN WEBSITE--CHECK IT OUT!

Dear Canoers,
I heard the tail-end of an interview about your trip along the Winisk River on CBC, and I wonder if you're aware that, just as Leopard Frogs declined precipitously in the late 1970's in the Canadian Prairies, they also apparently disappeard from many localities in northern Ontario about the same time?
And that our knowledge of the northernmost distribution of this species is based on one specimen taken by Arthur Clarke, while collecting Molluscs, about 10 km upstream of Winisk in the mid 1960's? If you encounter Leopard Frogs in the course of your trip, I urge you to photgraph them, and let me, or Mike Oldham or Wayne Weller of the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary, know.
Finding Leopard Frogs along the Winisk River would mean that they had survived this apparent decline at the northern extent of their range, and might suggest that the declines in the more settled parts of northern Ontario had been influenced by human activities.
Fred Schueler,
Curator, Eastern Ontario Biodiversity Museum
Grenville Co, Ontario, Canada
(RR#2 Oxford Station, K0G 1T0) (613)258-3107
bckcdb@istar.ca

ANSWER: WE'LL KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THOSE LITTLE LEOPARD FROGS

Isn't it a contradiction in a way going out there back to nature and taking the high tech stuff with you?
Im just trying to grasp the point of your trip in that perspective.
your friend Joe
digitrunner@home.com

What is highest class of rapid on the river and and did you run it ? Thanks, Ken (Waterloo, Ontario)
khilderley@telelinecanada.com

ANSWER: I'D SAY THE HIGHEST CLASS WOULD BE A 4 OR 5--WE WERE ABLE TO LINE OR LIFT OVER ALONG THE SHORE ON ALL THE WORST RAPIDS

Aug 5

I've been dive-bombed by blackflies in Timmins before.....how are they way up there? Don Anthony
LaSalle, Ontario

ANSWER: HARDLY ANY BLACKFLIES UP HERE NOW, AND WITH THE COOL WEATHER WE'VE BEEN HAVING, THE BUGS HAVE BEEN QUITE REASONABLE--MUCH BETTER THAN WE USUALLY HAVE UP IN THE TERRITORIES

Greetings Paddlers,
I just want to say that this is a great visual treat for an office boy.
I wish I was with you . Perhaps next year you will do the Churchill River (Labrador not Manitoba). Great trip, sandy beaches and island campsites - ten day journey from Churchill Falls to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Rapids from R1 to R4 with the falls at R6.
This river's morphology might change forever if the Lower Churchill project proceeds.
Phil Power
Newfoundland Liquor Corporation
P.O. Box 8750
St. John's, Nfld
A1B 3V1
Ph: (709)724-1176
ppower@nfliquor.com

ANSWER: THANKS PHIL--WE WERE PRETTY CLOSE TO THERE WHEN WE DID OUR GEORGE RIVER TRIP IN 97--IN FACT WE PASSED BY THE ROAD TO THE FALLS WHEN WE TOOK THE TRAIN TO SCHEFFERVILLE. WE KNOW SOMEONE WHO PADDLED THE CHURCHILL BEFORE THE DAM WAS DONE IN THE 60'S, AND HIS SHOTS OF THE FALLS WERE INCREDIBLE

I am wondering if you switch sides often when paddling as competitive distance paddlers do?
Wish I was with you. Have a good trip.
Diane L

ANSWER: WELL DIANE, WE GENERALLY PADDLE ON THE SAME SIDE FOR ANYWHERE FROM 5 MINUTES UP TO AN HOUR. WE ARE NOT PADDLING AS HARD AS MARATHON PADDLERS DO, AND BASICALLY WE SWITCH WHEN WE GET TIRED ON THAT SIDE. I CAN PADDLE ALL DAY ON THE SAME SIDE IF NEED BE.

Dear Sir.
In the summer of 97 I and 9 others navigated the George River. Our pick up point was just above Helen's Falls. On the big lake above the falls was a cabin on the right side. I was wondering if you found this cabin. On the center post was a brief description of our "exploits" and the names of the members of our group.
I noticed from your pictures that you seem to have all the stops we made on the journey down the river, therefore, I was thinking of the cabin which was owned by a John Snow of new york. Good luck with your journey.
PS: This intrepid group also navigated the Churchill River from the Churchill dam to Muskrat Falls. As well rappelled off a 550 cliff in the Churchill Falls area. Our next journey will be in Tibet or Nepal next spring.
--
Joey O'Brien
Ski Martock
www.martock.com

ANSWER: WE DID PASS BY THAT CABIN, BUT WE DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT. ON OUR PREVIOUS TRIP WE STAYED IN IT, AND WE DECIDED WE WANTED TO CAMP RIGHT BY HELEN FALLS, WHICH PROVED TO BE ONE OF THE BEST SITES OF THE TRIP. SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS ARE HARDCORE--HAVE FUN IN TIBET!!

How have you found negotiating the rapids particularly when the wind picks up? We were in temagami and had to go with the current flow as the wind pounded us from the rear. When do you have quiet time?
Is there any?
Glen Rubinoff & Rona Sherebrin

ANSWER:WE'VE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE NOT RUN RAIDS YET IN REALLY WINDY CONDITIONS, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, RUNNING RAPIDS WITH STRONG WINDS IS VERY FRUSTRATING, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS (ESPECIALLY AROUND WATERFALLS) OUR QUIET TIME IS USUALLY THE FIRST HOUR AFTER WE GET INTO CAMP, ONCE THE TENTS ARE SET UP. WE USUALLY PUT A BREW ON AND HAVE A SNACK.

Do you guys have fishing equipment? if so are you catching anything to suppliment your diet?
trick-a-trout,
T.TROUT

ANSWER: READ PETER BREWSTER'S COLUMNS AND YOU'LL READ ALL ABOUT THE FISH WE'VE CAUGHT, AND CHECK TO PHOTO GALLERY

Aug 4

Hi: I'd be interested in any comments you all might have about the rapids. My wife and I are experienced canoists over many years, but we canoe alone (i.e. 1 canoe). We did the Missinabi with no problems but we are nervous about anything much bigger.
Are all the rapids say of class 3 or higher portagable or linable? We've dreamed for years about the Winisk!
Thanks
Spencer Bloch
(bloch@math.uchicago.edu)

ANSWER: WELL SPENCER, MOST OF THE RAIDS ON THE WINISK ARE CONCENTRATED IN ABOUT THE FIRST 60 MILES OF RIVER. IN THE WATER LEVEL WE HAD (HIGH) WE HAVE MANAGED TO AVOID DOING A FULL PORTAGE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ABOUT 3 OR 4 RAPIDS YOU'D FIND YOU'D NEED TO LINE OR HAUL OVER. NONE OF THE RAPIDS ARE ABOVE GRADE III, AND WE DON'T HAVE SPRAY COVERS.

Have you been catching any fish ? Like maybe some nice Trout?
Frank.

ANSWER: READ PETER BREWSTER'S COLUMNS AND YOU'LL READ ALL ABOUT THE FISH WE'VE CAUGHT, AND CHECK TO PHOTO GALLERY

Geoff,
Good show on the first half! I've very much enjoyed following along. Peter and you continue to do a super job communicating your experiences and all of us back here in town thank you for that. How much sleep do you guys get anyway? Certainly playing with a satphone at 1 am is not conducive to an early rising. While on the subject of sleep, who snores the loudest and what does his tentmate do for defense? As for Thoreau, desperation, quiet or overt, is only the result of a lack of truth.
For "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" - Jesus of Nazareth. Looking forward to the next reports! Godspeed to you all! Cheers,
Keith

ANSWER: WELL I (GEOFF) GET A LOT LESS SLEEP THAN THE OTHERS BECAUSE I LIKE TO WRITE AFTER EVERYONE IS IN BED, PLUS I SEND THE DAYS PICTURES AND STORIES OUT AS WELL. THIS PROCESS CAN TAKE ME TWO HOURS FROM START TO FINISH. THE ACTUAL UPLOADING TAKES ABOUT 20 MINUTES. AS FOR SNORING, ITPIS A TIE BETWEEN DAVID AND MIKE FOR THE LOUDEST. DAVID IS THE MOST CONSISTANT, BUT MIKE HAS MORE VOLUME. SOME OF US SAVED THE EARPLUGS FROM THE PLANE RIDE AND HAVE USED THEM TO GOOD EFFECT IN THIS MATTER.

I'm an outdoorsman and i would like to know what type of animals you are seeing on your trip eg deer,moose,cariboue etc...thank you
Rob Wiersma

ANSWER: ROB, SO FAR WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING BEYOND BIRDS. ONE OF THE REALITIES OF BEING ON A LARGE AND FAST RIVER IS THAT YOU MISS A LOT OF WILDLIFE. ALSO, A LOT OF THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE ALONG THE RIVER ARE USED TO BEING HUNTED BY CREE AND OJIBWAY FROM WEBEQUIE AND PEAWANUCK, SO THEY AREN'T ALWAYS TOO INTERESTED IN MORE HUMAN CONTACT. THERE ARE MOOSE AND WOODLAND CARIBOU AROUND SOMEWHERE, PLUS WE SAW SOME WOLF SCAT IN OUR CAMPSITE AT GNEISS RAPIDS A FEW DAYS AGO.

Aug 3

I will be lucky enough to paddle the Winisk starting Friday this week.
I am curious about any fishing. I look forward to the brookies.
What tackle, bait etc. should be used. Any fishin' hints would be appreciated (our meals depend on it).
Thanks, have fun
Rob Gruhl

Are you planning to use spray cover on this trip?
If l remembered well they we're of great help on the George?
David Lefrancois
Montreal

ANSWER: WE DON'T HAVE SPRAY COVERS.

Peter (Scott), we just checked out the web site.
It's truly amazing! I'm going to skim some of the info and publish it Wednesday as an update. How's the fishing?
We just survived the Canal Days festivities. Now I know why you fled to the Winisk!
Take care and good paddling!
Doug Todd

Greetings Michael and the HACC What a marvelous electronic age we live in, messages across Canada and the United States!
It's been great following your adventure online in full colour, you must be having a wonderful time.
All of the questions I had planned on asking seem to have been answered already; how's the water level? are the bugs bad? what's the weather like? Our group will be following your journey up until the day we leave, and look forward to the daily updates.
Only a few days left until our journey begins and the excitement is building fast. We are all anticipating meeting the Canoe Frontier staff in person after so much electronic communication. It looks like another party will be overtaking us (someone from Dallas?); I figure about Tuesday the 10th; we plan on taking a full fifteen days for the trip.
Anything to look out for, any suggestions? Have a great trip; hope the rest is as memorable as the beginning.

P.S. Margaret has told me that one of your group (no names mentioned here) is notorious for leaving various belongings on the river. Anything to watch for so far?
Paul Elson

Hey guys! Looks like you're having a blast.
You recently met my girlfriend, Tammy Decaire. She is a nurse at the Webequie nursing station and I haven't seen her in months!
I was wondering if you could paste any pictures of her or her colleagues onto your website.
I'd love to see her/them in their working environment.
Thanks a million and best of luck!
Gideon Cohen, MD
Toronto, Ontario

July 31

Can you ask those rugged Peake Men and Friends have they gone swimming yet and what's the water like?
Yours truly --
Maggie McNair Peake

ANSWER: NO SWIMMING YET. WE LIKE TO GIVE OUR BODIES A FEW DAYS TO RIPEN BEFORE WE WASH THEM.

July 30

Why didn't you start at Toronto and follow the river highway the explorers used into Hudson Bay?
Gordon King

ANSWER: WE WANTED TO BE PADDLING ON THE WINISK BEFORE THE END OF THIS MILLENIUM

July 30

Congrats on your adventure! With the little rain we have had this Spring/Summer how are the water levels?
Don Grant
Barrie Ont.

ANSWER: UNLIKE 'DOWN SOUTH' THE WATER IS QUITE HIGH HERE (SEE JOURNAL FOR AUG. 1) WHICH IS GREAT FOR PADDLING DOWNSTREAM

July 30

Hi, I wanted to know with what material ('Royalex - Keflar - or ?) your canoes are made.
Thanks and have fun !
Ralph Wolfgang Ortlieb

ANSWER: THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY PLASTIC BOATS, SIMILAR TO ROYALEX

July 30

How are you guys doing? How are the flies? Is it HOT up there?
It was 102*F here in South Bend Indiana today (maybe hotter!). As a former Sault-ite and avid Hunter-Fisherman I am well aware of how the mosquitoes and black flies can be...
Keep yer paddles in the water
Harley Bull

ANSWER: HASN'T BEEN HOT YET, AND THE BUGS HAVE BEEN UNUSUALLY ABSENT, ALTHOUGH THIS ALWAYS HAVE A WAY OF CHANGING

July 29

Just read about the trip and that great Union Station portage. Is there any historical significance to the trip and the river chosen? Good luck!
Adrian Thatcher

ANSWER: UNLIKE MOST OF OUR TRIPS, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF HISTORY ON THE WINISK BEYOND THE FACT THAT IT WAS USED AS A RIVER HIGHWAY BY THE CREE AND OJIBWAY, AND USED TO TRANSPORT FURS TO THE BAY.

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