The Kayak Chronicles

Surefire G2 LED Review: Long Term Report

2009-04-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official, I'm in love with an inanimate object. I have found myself to be almost inseparable from this flashlight. I take it with me EVERYWHERE! It's brightness never ceases to amaze me and it has survived several close encounters with concrete and come away with only some minor cosmetic damage.

I am really beginning to recognize the usefulness of having a powerful yet compact flashlight lying around. In situations where I used to sneer in frustration over not having sufficient light, I am now dutifully equipped with a superior piece of gear. The G2 has accompanied me on countless night hikes, low-light paddles, and after-dark shooting sessions. It even helped me when I had a mechanical emergency on a local highway at dusk. As the temperature dropped below freezing, the light provided some much-needed illumination to the damaged undercarriage of my vehicle while the tow-truck driver was attempting to load and secure it on his flatbed hauler (you'd think a tow-truck driver would have a good flashlight!). Needless to say, my initial interest in an recreational light for kayaking has evolved into a broader fascination with performance LED devices.

Stay tuned for more reviews and information about flashlights and other gear for kayakers. I have a lot more in works.

Surefire G2 LED Review: Preview and Initial Field Report

2008-12-21T23:36:00.000-08:00

The Surefire Revolution

In years past, I have seen Surefire flashlights in the hands of many police, military, fire, and medical professionals who have repeatedly extolled the countless virtues of these devices. Often noted was their ability to perform under the most adverse conditions as well as an overall attention to quality in both the design, and the manufacturing process. Even though they already sported a stellar reputation, I still often wondered what these lights had to offer that others could not. I have also been curious as to how useful they would be for the average kayaker, particularly in a touring/expedition scenario. Well, the nice folks at Surefire kindly sent me a test subject in order to help determine the potential of their products in this constantly evolving sport.

Construction:

The G2 LED flashlight is composed of a heavy-duty Nitrolon polymer body with a removable aluminum bezel/lamp housing. It is powered by two lithium CR123 batteries which are accessed through a threaded, push-button tailcap that provides momentary-on, or may be twisted clockwise to provide constant light. Both the bezel and tailcap are sealed with lubricated O-rings for water-resistance. My initial impression of the light when I first pulled it from it's package was that it was very well made. There was nothing out of place or unfinished which would indicate poor craftsmanship or quality control. Everything about it exuded perfection.

Performance:

This little powerhouse, as with many of Surefire's products, is deceptively small considering the overwhelming amount of output it can produce. LED technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, and the G2 LED is an excellent example of what you get when this exponential growth is harnessed in a durable, waterproof housing. At 80 lumens, the G2 LED is actually brighter than its incandescent counterpart and predecessor, the G2. The beam cast by the LED, however, is noticeably more diffused (as is typically the nature of LED lights) than the crisp punch of a Xenon bulb. Overall, however, I found the beam size and throw to be absolutely ideal for my needs.

Field Testing:

During a recent backpacking trip, on a moonless, mist-soaked night along the Northern California coast, the G2 pierced through the moisture surprisingly well to illuminate a pair of foxes playing in a ravine about 30 yards below our campsite. They actually seemed a bit distracted by how bright the light was that shined down upon them. Impressive, to say the least. Thus far the light output has been exceptionally bright and useful.

After proving itself in the brightness category, the robustness and waterproof integrity of the housing also needed to be taken into consideration. Now, as some of you may know, I am a big fan of things that are not only water resistant, but are capable of being submerged, without any ill effects. I have tested many "waterproof" items and found that some manufacturers are a bit optimistic when it comes to their product's ability to survive underwater environments. To see how it would hold up, I turned the light on, and tossed it from a standing position into a small stream where it bounced off a few rocks and landed in about 6 inches of water. After inspecting it for any damage, I did it again. It didn't even flinch. There weren't even any noticeable scratches or dings. I must admit that my test pales in comparison to those which I have seen on Youtube where they blow one up with several pounds of C-4. Needless to say I am satisfied in knowing that the G2 is both durable and waterproof.

For me, perhaps the biggest bonus of this light is the runtime: up to 12 hours on one set of batteries! The fact that it uses lithium 123a batteries is icing on the proverbial cake, as it also means less power drainage from extreme temperature fluctuations and a long-term shelf storage capability that is far superior to that of alkaline batteries. After about 2 hours of continuous use, there was a very perceptible drop in brightness. The light output decreased quite noticeably, to a level that was still useful, but only about half the intensity as before. This is to be expected with many regulated LED lights and is designed to provide predictable performance (versus a steady decline with unregulated LED's or incandescent bulbs) as the batteries are slowly discharged. It was a bit of disappointment, however, that I was no longer able to turn night into day with the simple press of a button.

Practicality:

OK, so we've pretty much established the reliability and performance of Surfire products, now comes the final question: Is this light useful for kayaking and kayak touring? Well, it's difficult for most handheld flashlights to compete with the versatility of a good headlamp. However, there is really no substitute for the power offered in a small package, such as the G2 LED, when it comes to the ability to illuminate things that are too far away to be reached with a conventional headlamp. Or the ability to signal other watercraft (or even aircraft in a rescue situation) when visibility is hampered by foul weather. Accordingly, I see considerable potential for this sort of tool when it comes to multi-day tours and expeditions. For me, it's reliability alone makes a convincing enough case to consider Surefire a mandatory piece of adventure equipment. Unreliable lighting products are responsible for taking large portions of my sanity in years past.

Unfortunately, thus far I have not had the opportunity to test this light on a multi-day tour. I have several trips planned over the winter, about which I will certainly write on this blog. Be sure to check back and look for updates on new product evaluations in upcoming articles.

Final Notes:

As with most quality outdoor gear, the payoff is really in the long-term viability of these lights. Beyond the initial investment, they will pay for themselves quickly as you find yourself going for months or even years without buying new batteries. Also, it's quite a comfort to know that you won't be stuck trying to change a bulb in the dark (try it sometime, you'll see what I mean). In addition, I think it would be wise to invest in the lanyard system (available as an accessory) as an extra measure of convenience and safety if you plan to take any handheld flashlight on the water.

I'd really like to get some feedback from anyone out there on Surefire products and whether or not you'd be interested in these lights for yourself. Please use the comment feature at the bottom of this post, or the store contact email on our website: http://www.penguinpaddlers.com/ and let me know your thoughts.

See you on the water!

Our New Home!

2008-10-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

We are finally moved into our new location, just a few hundred yards from our original store, and we couldn't be happier! Thanks to all who joined us for our "march of the penguins" last Saturday and helped us move the last of our stuff. We enjoyed your company, and your participation, immensly.

Penguin Paddlers is officially open for business and we have a very good selection of kayaks in stock right now. The holiday season is quickly approaching and we are gearing up to provide everyone with not only the best boats and gear, but also to get everyone connected with the paddling community. We've made some significant changes to our website including: Clinics, Tours, and Club Information. And we have LOTS of events and club activites coming up in the next 3 months. Take a look at the calendar:

http://ical.mac.com/WebObjects/iCal.woa/wa/default?d=1&u=penguinpaddlers&v=1&y=2008&m=9&n=Penguin%20Paddlers%20Group%20Schedule.ics

as often as possible so you can stay up-to-date as new events are posted.

Thanks again for all of your support and we look forward to paddling with you soon! See you on the water!

Kayak Clothing Clinic (with perks!)

2008-09-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Just wanted to let you know about a little shindig we're having at the Redding store this Thursday the 11th, @ 6:30 pm. We'll have some of our good friends here from the outdoor clothing industry to teach us about layering techniques, performance fabric properties, and everything else you ever wanted to know about dressing for success in the great outdoors. I recommend bringing a notepad and pen because this is going to be the best information available from the people who manufacture and wear this stuff every day. We will be offering special promotions on some of our new clothing lines so be sure to sign up as seating is limited. See you there!

Preview: Eureka Backcountry 1 Tent

2008-07-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

This tent was designed as a lightweight, free-standing, solo with a small footprint and minimal rain fly. Compared to a bivy, it has a very generous amount of headroom plus a bit of additional floor space for gear.

Initial Impressions:

What I like:

1) Very compact

2) Factory stakes are very light

3) Fast set-up and takedown

4) Small footprint

5) Free-Standing (my old solo tent was not)

6) Pleasant color (light green)

Possible Drawbacks:

1) No vestibule (though it would not be difficult to rig one with a small Silnylon tarp)

2) No storm flap on door

I just spent my first bag-night in this tent on a short backpacking trip and I can truly say that I have never slept better in the outdoors, EVER! I hit the hay around 9:30pm, and aside from a bit of tossing and turning, I slept for a solid 9 hours! In all honesty, I cannot attribute this restful night completely to my tent, but it is a very promising sign of things to come. Temperatures made it down to perhaps the upper 40's. I kept the tent sealed up tight the whole night, but there was not a hint of condensation in the morning.

I'll have a more comprehensive review on the Backcountry 1 after I've had the chance to really put it through its paces.

Mirazyme: Fighting the world's stink problem one dirty flop at a time

2008-06-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

I've already sent this review to many of you penguins out there via e-mail. For anyone who may have missed it, I'm reposting it here for easy access. I am currently working on several more gear reviews and I will publish them here as soon as I can. Enjoy!

"Do people flee in terror, holding their noses when you enter the room wearing your favorite paddling jacket? Does the thought of pulling out your old, moldy spray-skirt for the winter turn your stomach? Well, there may be a solution. Literally, a "solution". I have recently discovered a product called Mirazyme that was designed to eliminate odors caused by mold, mildew, and bacteria with an ingenious mixture of enzymes and microbes.

Naturally, the first thing I thought was "This stuff would make a great personal deodorant!" After reading the instructions more carefully, I realized that it is not intended to be used directly on people. Most everything else, however, is fair game.

To test the effectiveness of this stuff I went for the stinkyest thing I could think of: my flip flops. They smelled more like a botched science project than footwear. I sincerely believed that there was no hope for them and that they were destined to offend every nostril they encountered for the rest of their life here on earth. They were especially gamey in the summer months when sweat and grime would build up very quickly. As socially crippling as they were, I just couldn't bring myself to throw them away. Enter Mirazyme.

I am happy to report that the infamous flops are now stench-free. I know, it surprised the heck out of me too! The impossible is now possible! Since all my sandals are now essentially retired for the season in favor of more well-insulated footwear, I cannot yet report on the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. However, we here at Penguin Paddlers have an abundance of smelly paddling gear waiting to be "de-stinkified". We invite you to bring in your own gear as well if you want to try it out. Boats are no exception. A rancid cockpit can be the difference between a pleasant paddling experience and your boat being mistaken for road kill.

A few tips: There are two ways in which one may dilute Mirazyme in preparation for use. You may mix it with a container of water and dip the offending items for a short period then allow them to air-dry, or you may mix a slightly more concentrated solution in a spray bottle. In the testing I have conducted thus far, the "spray" method seems to be the most efficient. For the best results, be sure to thoroughly saturate the item being deodorized and allow it dry completely before using."

Still Alive

2008-05-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone. I know I haven't been updating much lately. I also had to take down my Englebright Trip report post because something went awry with pictures (they were working fine when I posted it, strange). Anyway, I'm still working on several product reviews, a trip report, and some tutorials, I just haven't had the time to finish them. Even though my young son is now 5 1/2 months old and should (according to the "professionals") be sleeping through the night, apparently nobody has informed him of this reality as he continues to wake up every couple of hours. Things are, in fact, getting better though. I must say that I am very thankful to have such a healthy child. Please be patient, new content is not far away.

Englebright

2008-04-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

I know its a bit late, but I wanted to give a brief trip report on our February outing this year for all of those who missed out.

I really wish I had had more time to explore! This place is a treasure trove of coves, inlets, rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife. Unfortunately, I didn't make it out on the lake until late Sunday morning, so I missed out on a good full day of paddling on Saturday. After meeting Charlie and Steve at camp on Boston Bar, we paddled up to Point Defiance where the south fork of the Yuba River joins the main body of the reservoir.

The north end of the lake is a beautiful canyon; a stark contrast to the south end that is rather mundane with its grassy hills and sparse oak trees. At the mouth of the South Fork the water is very shallow and it is easy to get stuck. I actually kind of enjoyed the challenge. Paddling up the current in the main channel in about 6" of water was quite fun. This area is also a "no-wake" zone making it very kayak-friendly.

The campsites at this lake were surprisingly well-maintained and very picturesque. All were equipped with generous tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits and had easy access to the water. The weather was perfect! Temperatures dropped into the upper 30's at night, but as soon as the sun came up it was very pleasant (upper 60's).

This is definitely a place that I would like to visit again. From what I understand, the lake gets overrun with tourists (speedboats & PWC) in the summer. I think early spring and late fall will be our best options in the future. Sorry about the lack of pictures, for some reason they refuse to upload. I'll get some more next time I visit this hidden California gem.

Deep See Bomber Boot: Preview

2008-04-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

Initial Impressions:

Call me shallow, but the first thing that appealed to me about these boots was the overall asthetics of the design. I found it reminiscent of the "flats wading boot" that has gained such popularity with the fly fishing crowd in recent years. Of course, what I consider asthetically pleasing is primarily determined by the practical aspects of the item at hand, and not necessarily current trends. The characteristics that most appealed to my senses were:

(1) A thick outsole which appears to be well vulcanized to the neoprene upper and sports an unusually aggressive tread pattern, combined with a reassuringly soft rubber compound (soft generally denotes good wet traction when properly manufactured)
(2) Generous rubber toe and heel caps which I suspect will provide effective protection from my careless and abusive attitude towards paddling gear
(3) Stitching that is very well thought-out (i.e. no annoying seam up the center of the heel, and a double-stitched gusset and zipper trim)

Despite the fact that the weather is warming up at the moment, I know of plenty of cold-water environments in which I can test the insulative capabilities of these booties well into the summer. Though I normally wear a size 9 1/2 shoe, typically with neoprene footwear that I intend to wear without socks I opt for a size 9, as it is likely that the neoprene will stretch to some degree during use. I found the fit of this pair to be perfect so far (in and out of the water).

Maiden Voyage:

So far, so good. These boots are proving to be very comfortable and warm. When inside my boat, I don't even notice them. On a recent trip to a cold stream I got out and walked around on the slick, rocky bottom to see just what I could get away with. The traction was very predictable and protected me well from the cold, hard reality outside. I stood in the icy water for several minutes just to push my luck. I was rewarded with warm toes and a renewed sense of freedom.

Kuhl Stuff

2008-03-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

I'm the first one to admit that people who insist on buying outdoor clothing based on the latest fashion trends tend to irritate me. Well I am also open-minded enough to know when performance apparel is not only tip-top in design and function, but it also possesses the rare quality of looking REALLY GOOD. We here at Penguin Paddlers are big fans of Kuhl products and I would like to tell you my honest opinion about a few of their goodies that I have tried so far.

Skull cap

No ordinary beanie, the skull cap is, without a doubt, the most comfortable and functional cold weather hat that I have ever used. I have tried somewhere in the neighorhood of 20 or so beanies over the past 15 years and have been consistently disappointed with each and every one. Why has this been such a difficult thing for the outdoor industry to perfect? I suppose people just don't typically put a lot of thought into this type of headwear. The most common problem I've had to deal with the fact that I have sensitive skin on my forehead, and the materials that all my hats were made of would make my forehead itch like crazy! Manufacturers would make all kinds of claims about the comfort of their materials, but none were even close to satisfactory. Proper fit was another issue that seemed to elude every design. Some beanies would fit like the Pope's hat, towering above my head in a comical waste of material, while others would barely cover my ears. Alas, the whining and complaining is finally over. I have found true hat-love and I shall search no more. I'll let you know if I find any drawbacks to this cap, but don't hold your breath.

Stovepipe Sweater

Once again, I am surprised by the comfort and functionality of a relatively simple design. The first thing I noticed about this fleece was how warm it is. Granted, it's no full-blown windstopper, but I have found it to be a very effective midlayer when used with almost any shell, (as well as a dang fine looking sweater to wear around town!). It recently accompanied me on a February kayak-camping trip where, under a lightweight rain shell, it kept me quite comfortable on a 38 degree morning. The only area where I see room for improvement would be a full circumferential stitch where the collar trim material is fastened on the inside of neck (it has a tendency to fold upward when pulling the garment over my fat head). Definitely, though, my new favorite piece of cold-weather gear! If you see me in the shop this winter/spring, chances are I'll be wearing it (incidentally, I'm wearing it right now!).

Hike Short (Now called the "Treck" Short)

I bought these last summer and I must say that, once again, I am impressed by the practical simplicity of the design. A very low-profile layout in conjunction with a quick-drying (and VERY durable) fabric makes for a winning combination. I found the inseam length to be just right, which is a constant battle for me and my freakishly long legs. And although I must wear a belt with the size medium waist (I'm about a 31"-32"), they appear to run true-to-size. I really tried to destroy these on a little trip last fall in which I waded through endless seas of blackberry vines, manzanita, sharp rocks, and poison oak. The shorts held up just fine through Mother Nature's torture chamber. My lower legs, on the other hand, did not fair so well. They have also seen heavy use at work, as well as numerous, not-so-gentle, walk/wade fly fishing excursions into the brush-choked canyon of a local stream. My one complaint about this garment is the rather noisy zipper-pulls on the lower pockets that jingle and jangle whenever I take a step. The good news is that the new style "Treck" shorts have eliminated this problem by placing a cover flap over the zippers.

I'm am very anxious to try Kuhl's Convertible Guide Pants this season. I have always been a fan of convertible pants for use in all of my outdoor pursuits, but have yet to find one that really stands out from the rest. I'll post a review as soon as I feel that they have been sufficiently used and abused to prove themselves worthy.

If you want to see this stuff for yourself, check out:

Kuhl Clothing

Spring Kayak Swap!

2008-03-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't heard yet, we have a BIG new/used boat and equipment sale coming up at the Redding Penguin Paddlers store on Saturday, March 15th from 9am-6pm. Trust me when I say this is one worth coming to, regardless of what you might be looking for. Also, if you've got any stuff you'd like to sell, be sure to get it registered today or tomorrow.

If you have been considering trying canoeing or kayaking lately, this is the absolute best way to get out on the water ASAP with the right boat and gear. We will have a bunch of volunteers to help you with any questions you may have as well as free hot dogs and drinks. I may be busy, but I invite you to find me and say hello if you decide to drop in this weekend. See you then.

The ugly side of kayaking

2008-01-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

Kayaking can be dangerously addictive. Here are a few warning signs that you or someone you love may be trapped in the vicious cycle of kayak addiction:

-You often find yourself, in the middle of the night, sitting in the bathtub with your PFD on, clutching your paddle tightly, and whispering "Just a little bit further..." while you rock back an forth in a trance-like state.

-You feel like no matter how much conditioner you use, your hair still has the texture of kelp.

-You often climb out the side window of the vehicle in which you are traveling and attempt to enter the cockpit of your kayak miles before your reach your launch point "Just in case".

-Everything in your briefcase or purse is stowed in a dry bag.

-The trunk of your car smells like the lower decks of an old fishing trawler.

-You look at puddles that form during heavy rains and think to yourself "That's got potential".

-In your medicine cabinet is a smorgasbord of pill bottles...filled with seawater.

Almost there...

2008-01-11T22:18:00.001-08:00

These guys are barely a stone's throw from New Zealand after making the harrowing trip across the Tasman Sea from Australia- A trip that took the life of famous expedition kayaker Andrew McAuley just last year. This photo of their custom built "kayak" was taken at their official departure. I am very curious to see how it has held up, not to mention how the paddlers have held up! Check it out: http://www.crossingtheditch.com.au/

Happy New Year!

2007-12-30T23:35:00.000-08:00

2007 was a fun year, but also a challenging one. This next year, I have some rather lofty plans and ideas. Some of them may not come to fruition, but I want to be committed to staying active in my outdoor pursuits none-the-less. As you already know (if you've kept up with my blog), I have an increasingly energetic, newborn son. He is an unmeasurable blessing upon our family and my priorities will be continually focused on...teaching him to paddle, of course! But, seriously, my time for these "outdoor pursuits" I speak of will be more limited than I might have preferred. I would, however, for the benefit of my friends and faithful readers, like to set forth a few goals for the new year:

*Post more pictures of me and my fellow Penguins kayaking- There are several reasons that I have not posted many "kayak pictures" so far. (1) I don't have a waterproof camera yet (and my wife would murder me, stuff my lifeless body into my kayak, and set me adrift on the nearest body of water if I ruined our only digital camera). (2) I don't usually like having my picture taken (that is, unless I'm being paid large sums of money). (3) That's all the excuses I've got, but they're pretty good, right?

*Post more multi-Day trip reports- What really got me interested in kayaking!

*Develop a standard format for Gear Reviews- This should make it a little easier to find the information you're looking for amidst my ramblings.

*Post contact info- I'd really like to meet all of you in person, but in the mean time I want to provide a way for you to get in touch with me. I'll have a dedicated e-mail address on my blog soon, and you can always call me at the Redding store if you so desire.

*Assemble a comprehensive assortment of resources- Links, tutorials, gear lists, techniques and maybe even a few guest articles if I can swing it.

These are just a few things that I've come up with so far. As I slowly regain some of my sanity, I hope to offer even more. This blog is about helping all of you have fun, and I never want to lose sight of that goal.

See you on the water!

Sleep on it...

2007-12-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

My favorite pad next to my favorite sleeping bag. Truly a match made in heaven.

Anyone else out there have a tough time getting a good night's sleep in the outdoors? Well, you're definitely not alone. When I was younger (those were the days!) I could get away with a military surplus sleeping bag and a 1/2" thick closed-cell foam pad. That stuff just won't cut it anymore. I need support and comfort if I want to avoid bitter regret at the end of a multi-day trip. For years I used the venerable Therma-Rest by Cascade Designs with great success, but even that mattress has reached obsolescence. The only pad I use now is made by Pacific Outdoor Equipment. Formerly known as the "Max Thermo" (which it was called when I bought it), it is now called the "Ether" series, which has changed imperceptibly from the original design.

I have used this pad from just above sea level, to around 10,000 feet in elevation, in temperatures near freezing (I haven't actually had frost on my bag...yet). Used in conjunction with my Big Agnes "Zirkel" sleeping bag (which was designed for just such a pad), I've logged over 20 restful nights in the outdoors. Not to mention its second function as a "crash pad", that is, my go-to pad for overnight stays while traveling. No punctures, blowouts, or cold spots to report.

Normally, an inflatable mattress, such as the one you might find at the dollar store, has no inherent insulating qualities to speak of. That's because the air inside the mattress is free to move about unimpeded. Through this convection process, body heat is quickly dissipated, especially if the mattress is exposed directly to the cold outside air or ground. This pad utilizes bats of synthetic insulation (similar to that used in sleeping bags) inside each air chamber of the mattress to inhibit this air circulation and promote heat retention. The result is a sleeping pad that is not only soft, but warm as well. It achieves its compact size from the compressible properties of P.O.E's proprietary synthetic-fiber insulation (verses the open-cell foam used in most self-inflators).

Here's a little size comparison with a 16.4 oz. propane canister on the left and a standard, run-of-the-mill, 2 liter soda bottle on the right. The stuff-sack is actually a bit too big for the pad which, when necessary, can be compressed to about 2/3 the size seen here.

Another thing worth mentioning is the robustness of the shell material. It is a high-denier (that means tough), polyurethane-coated, rip-stop nylon material that is welded at the seams. Should you somehow manage to puncture the pad in the field, it comes with a repair kit that can be used just about anywhere (except perhaps underwater, though, truthfully, I have never tried).

Keep in mind that this product can only perform to its fullest when used with a quality sleeping bag. Although I have used it in some adverse conditions, it has always been with a well-designed bag, intended for the temperatures and environment in which they were used. A top-quality sleeping pad, combined with a cheap 50-degree sleeping bag in sub-freezing conditions, is a recipe for disaster. You could end up miserable and hypothermic...if you're lucky. A good sleep system not only ensures comfort, but safety as well.

Perhaps the only disadvantage to this pad is that it is not "self-inflating" like many others on the market today, such as the Therma-Rests. By sacrificing a bit of convenience, the Ether more than makes up for it with compact, lightweight, comfortable, thermally efficient, and comparatively inexpensive design features.

The tech specs (as tested):

Dimensions (inflated) : 20"x 78" x 2.5"

Dimensions (stowed) : approx. 11" x 5.5"

Weight: 24 oz.

Mini Me

2007-12-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

Here's a future kayaker if I ever saw one. Everyone, meet Henry. Henry, meet everyone. 8 pounds, 13 ounces of pure wriggly goodness. He's been quite the poop-factory so far, though I hear that's a good thing. Thanks to all who have been praying for us out there. We needed it, and we still do.

I miss that one thing...what's it called? Sleep? What's that like? I hear it's nice.

A few more pictures...

2007-11-19T22:43:00.000-08:00

A small waterfall on a tributary of the Mccloud River Arm. This is a popular swimming hole and unfortunately it is often overrun with people up to no good (as evidenced by the mountains of trash in the vicinity).

We made some new friends while looking for a serviceable launching site. The funny thing is I didn't even know there were two skunks (instead of one) until I downloaded the pictures a few days later. These little guys were hanging out with a rather large group of feral cats that someone had been leaving food and water for. We counted at least 10 cats.

This crankshaft was probably around 4 feet long. I can't even imagine the size of the engine it belonged to. Looks like a great boat anchor to me.

One of the mysterious steel structures. These must have been used as protection from alien attacks.

One of the many wood stoves we found, complete with bullet holes. The wood in the background is the ruins of an old building, probably living quarters of some sort.

A little bit about me...

2007-11-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hi there everyone. I'd like to tell you a little bit about who I am and why I decided to establish this blog. For the better part of my adult life, my career goals have had something to do with the outdoors. Nature, its preservation, and its exploration, have always been some of my greatest passions. Earlier this year, I was blessed with the opportunity to work for a family-owned business that specializes in getting people outside and enjoying life to its fullest. The business is a kayak pro-shop called Penguin Paddlers, located in Redding, California (with a sister store in Rocklin, CA) and with easy access to some of the best kayaking and canoeing waters that North America has to offer. The owner is a very intelligent and motivated man with enough experience, knowlege, and expertise to put most others in the industry to shame. It's difficult to imagine a more rewarding job than what I have now, and the prospect of a future in the kayak industry is positively thrilling. I must admit that I still consider myself an amateur kayaker. However, working in an environment involving constant exposure to some of the most skilled paddlers in the world (who are always willing to share what they have learned) has drastically improved the learning curve. One of the greatest things about this sport is that you don't have to be a professional to enjoy it. It is good clean fun for anyone willing to give it a try.

This blog was designed to be a resource for those who may like to try kayaking or canoeing, particularly for the purposes of exploring and adventure seeking. But, it was also designed to help those who already enjoy the sport to learn more and have a good time during this learning process. What you will find here is a tasty blend of trip reports, gear reviews, personal anectdotes, cheesy jokes, and occasional rants about environmental and social issues. You'll discover, at times, that I very much like to joke and poke fun. While there is a time and place for humor, it is sometimes necessary to approach certain topics with the utmost sincerity and caution. I am not the ultimate authority on anything, just a fellow and finite human being with a little experience under my belt. So, please, understand that what I provide here is merely personal opinion, and not certified professional instruction.

With all that being said, I hope that what I have to offer brings a smile to your face, a chuckle to your belly, and another good reason to get outside and have fun!

Trip Report: Search for the "lost" cave

2007-11-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

This adventurous exploratory day-paddle was painstakingly researched, but hastily planned. I, along with a friend of mine, had recently visited a limestone cave located on the Mccloud arm of Shasta Lake known locally as Samwel Cave. Only a relatively small portion of the cavern is accessable to the general public, but the experience was enough to re-ignite our interest in the prospect of finding another cave further south on the lake that we had both read about some time ago. We found very little online information about the cave, however, we were able to find some scans of old books and research journals from around the turn of the century which gave some rather vague clues as to its whereabouts. Forest Service information centers were about as helpful as a bag of rocks, with the general response to inquiries being a blank stare. Despite this lack of detailed information and the likelyhood that the cave was sealed off to keep intrepid explorers (such as ourselves) from even peeking inside, we were determined to try our best. In respect of the historical significance of this area, we were also commited to leaving as little evidence of our travels as possible.

Our mini-expedition began with a mid-morning search for a suitable launching point. With the water level on Lake Shasta being so low, their was really no "good" choice. My Honda Accord's lack of four-wheel drive capability certainly wasn't helping the situation. We settled on the day-use access at Turntable Bay which earned us about a 100-yard walk/shuffle (with kayaks) down a steep, normally submerged, road-cut. The government employees at the Turntable docks were probably chuckling to themselves as they watched us huff and puff down the hill to the water. What can I say? I was born to entertain. One thing that struck me about Shasta on this particular trip was how much garbage had accumulated over the years. We passed concrete blocks, extension ladders, lawn furniture, thousands of beer cans, and even a discarded portable toilet. It would take a garbage barge the size of an oil tanker just to clean up this one lousy cove. Quite a depressing sign of the times, but certainly not enough to dissuade us from our mission. After a quick gear check and a very messy (muddy) launch, we were off and chugging across the lake.

We had spotted our desired destination (or so we thought) from our parking spot, and struck out in that direction. As luck would have it (and contrary to the local forecast), the wind was gusting across our route at around 15-25 mph creating some rather interesting wind waves and even a few whitecaps. It's a reassuring feeling to have a solid and capable boat in these circumstances. Our brief apprehension soon turned satisfaction as we made a brief foray into rough-water kayaking. A short time later we rounded a small island and entered the sheltered cove. The first landing zone was even muddier than the launch (and stiiiiiiiiiinky!). A rather harsh departure from the pleasantness of cruising across the (conspicuously less stinky) open water. We stashed our kayaks, dawned our daypacks, and headed up the canyon towards our goal. After copius amounts of scrambling and bushwhacking, we emerged onto a ridgetop to find...nothing. No limestone, no cave. We moved along the ridge a bit further to get a better view of the landscape. As we climbed higher, we soon came to a small plateau where we began to stumble upon some rusted-out mining equipment. We had found an old iron mine!

The condition of many of the items scattered about the site was suprisingly good. Among other things, we found ore carts, flywheels, oil pans, mysterious steel structures, several old stoves, and some gigantic crank shafts. With the exception of a few bullet holes, the stoves looked like they could easily be pressed back into service. As we continued to explore, we also came across a large collapsed building along with several more stoves and, of course, more bullet holes. Is the urge to shoot artifacts really that strong? Probably the most interesting thing we found was random auger/drill shafts protruding from the rock face. It appeared that when the device got stuck, they simply abandoned the whole shaft (no doubt to trip the occasional visitor 60 years later). It was very clear why the area was chosen to prospect for iron: Every piece of rock we found had a distinctive metallic sheen and a reddish/rust coloration indicating a high iron content. The mine turned out to be a great place for a snack break with a comfortable cushion of pine needles to sit on and plenty of shade, courtesy of a thick pine canopy. I took the opportunity to hone my amateur photography skills into razor-sharp mediocrity. Actually, the pictures didn't turn out that bad.

The bad news was that the presence of the iron mine meant we were in the wrong place. We carefully examined the map and decided that we had paddled into the wrong inlet. An innocent mistake, and not surprising considering the drastically low water level. We made our way back to the shore and launched again in search of the correct destination. By this time (late-afternoon) the sun was approaching the horizon and the winds had died down to near non-existent levels, making this leg very peaceful and relaxing. We couldn't have asked for better conditions. After perhaps another half-hour of studying the shoreline as we paddled along, we found some exposed limestone formations that looked promising.

One more muddy landing, ugh! As we secured our boats, my cohort discovered something interesting in the soft clay nearby. Bear tracks! .Perhaps a day or two old. We followed the tracks for a short distance and came across something rather unexpected. Criss crossing the larger tracks were two sets of much smaller tracks. It was a mom with two cubs! I guess we were a few days too late for a spectacular photo op. Oh well. It still gave me that warm and fuzzy "wildlife documentary filmmaker" feeling.

We filled up our water bottles near an interesting rock formation in the streambed (see photo) and again ventured up into a rugged canyon. This route was even more overgrown than the first, and deceptively beautiful considering the hardship that lied ahead. Blackberry vines tore at our skin and clothing as we struggled along. We came across several impassable sections which forced us further up the rather steep canyon wall. We expected to find the cave entrance at any moment, but were consistently thwarted. The limestone was extremely and unexpectedly sharp; like walking on knifepoints in some places. Clambering around on that stuff began to take its toll on my sanity. It was then that I stopped to rest and turned around to take in my surroundings. I was rewarded with a spectacular view of the valley with the lake in the background. Pictures could not do it justice. The shoreline had turned a deep red in the slowly fading sunlight. We finally decided to call it a day and descended back down to the bottom of the ravine. Hoping the south side of the gully might be a little easier going, we crossed over the creek and followed an old logging road downstream. It turned out to be completely brush-choked and covered in poison oak. Too late to turn back now. We pressed on stubbornly to freedom.

We arrived back at landing zone #2 and casted off one last time just as the sun dissappeared behind the mountains. The paddle back to our starting point was very quiet. There were no motorized craft to disturb us and we also got quite the acrobatic display from the fish jumping all around us. That was the easy part. We thought the walk down to the lake was challenging, but the walk back up to the car was positively exhausting. With my lungs burning and my shoulders aching I felt like I was training for a serious adventure race. We took a well-deserved break at the car before loading the boats up. I finished picking the hitchhikers out of my leg hair and downed a bottled water as we contemplated our next excursion. Although we hadn't technically accomplished our goal this time around, we concluded that the trip was a spectacular success. We got to kayak, hike, explore a historical site, take some great pictures, and have a bungload of fun!

Some extra tidbits if you should decide to go exploring this area for yourself: I was able to maintain cell phone reception throughout the whole day as well as maintain visibility of our landing sites and prominent land marks while exploring most of these spots. I reccommend a good topographic map, a reliable compass, and a pair of binoculars to help pinpoint locations, and a GPS wouldn't hurt either. Even though most of the poison oak we encountered was leafless, we both got it. Shower as best you can as soon as you can if you are allergic.