Spring Kayak Swap!

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.

Almost there...

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 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...

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

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...

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...

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

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.