Training Log Archive: Bash

Dog hike in Kolapore. We met our neighbours and had a nice catch-up. Spring is starting to turn into summer. (Elapsed time was longer.)

'Bent and I devoted most of our efforts today to fighting the robins who have been attacking our Kolapore chalet for more than a month. Amongst other things, we now have a plastic owl hanging from our eaves and a bunch of balloons blowing in the breeze. I found a YouTube video entitled "Owl Calls to Scare Away Birds". I hope they find it as annoying as we do.

'Bent, AdventureDog and I took out his new Slingshot 222 canoe on the Beaver River with Goose and Coach LD. After paddling and portaging for 10 hours on Thursday, I just wanted an easy cruise to get the boat wet, see how it felt to paddle and figure out what work we'll need to do on it. For example, the bow and stern seats slide but there is no way to hold them in position.

We both liked the canoe. I think it's the most stable canoe we own, which is unexpected. When paddling at a recreational pace, which is mostly how it will be used, I don't think it's any faster than our 40-year-old Sawyer Cruiser but it has the potential to be faster if it's paddled in a marathon canoe racing style. It's also designed as a practical tripping canoe, which appealed to us. Because of its asymmetric hull, we learned that it's best if the dog sits behind the bow paddler where the boat is narrower and harder to tip.

We saw a bald eagle, lots of swimming muskrats and oodles of egrets.

*See entry below for the super-secret GPS track, which can now be shared. Time was 9 hrs 55 mins. Distance was 46.82 km. Elevation gain: 137 m.*

Wilderness Traverse course testing with Hammer and Bob. Amazing, fun, scenic day. It’s going to hurt tomorrow!

We paddled.



We portaged.



We navigated.



Hammer enthused about vegetation around wetlands.



And did yoga.



Bob stayed in touch with WT head office.



There were mosquitoes.



I found a sign that spoke to me.

*See entry below for the super-secret GPS track, which can now be shared. Time was 4 hrs 6 mins. Distance was 14.9 km. Elevation gain: 166 m.*

Wilderness Traverse course testing with Bob and Hammer. Pretty forest! For the people who read my log for the bug forecasts, I’m pleased to inform you that the black flies have gone back to sleep temporarily, maybe because it’s much cooler now.