Namekagon by Canoe 5/8-9

“Prosecutor got this together and has posted it on the trips page, but I didn't see a thread to help promote it, and since it is only a couple weeks away, I thought I'd get the message out.

The Namekagon was one of the first rivers to get federal Wild & Scenic designation. We'll be doing a mild, trout-filled section of the river that is easy to get to.

If you are interested in trying out canoeing, this would be a good introductory piece of river, or if just don't have a canoe/kayak, this is a good trip to consider as Prosecutor has two tandem canoes, so there are 3 chances right there, and he could use at least one more in his boat.”

“This is in Wisconsin? I'll go look at the trip page.....”

“Sass, I was wondering whether to send an e-mail to the MM group, but worried it was too far of a haul.

Yes, it's in NW Wisconsin, right about where the Birkebiner XC ski race is in the winter. Look for Hayward and Cable on the map.

It would be absolutely cool if you and birch and any of the MMers could make the long drive.

Plus you'll get to meet the mysterious reino, queen of tit4tat.net. It's her birthday weekend and getting her canoe back in the water is one way we're celebrating.

mataharihiker is on board, too.”

“That Prosecutor!!! Simer is gonna KILL HIM!!! lol... another trip he planned that's the same weekend as Simer's intended trip. (I feel for ya Simer!)

OK, I put myself down as a "maybe." It's not as far as going to Ely. And would I get to be in someone else's canoe?

Last weekend the Chicago Sierra Club people at Yellow River were talking about a canoe trip in July on the Upper Iowa (my backyard). As I said to them, I'm rotten at paddling and steering the canoe!!

(So you'd have to put me in with someone that can do those well and coach me!!! LOL!)

Could I be in a canoe with someone else?”

“Looks doable! (will have to check work schedule)

240 miles, around 5 hours, so says Mapquest (that's to Seeley)”

“lizs, you'll be able to join prosecutor in his 16-ft. tandem (plus he has another available for others). I figured it would be a fairly straight shot for you, since it's on the west side of WI. If you want me to call work with an excused absence permission, let me know. As a teacher, I know all the stories!

Snake Eyes will be off BPing with Simer, so he won't be lonely. Which is funny, since this is in Snake Eyes' backyard. I think prosecutor had already planned time at his cabin near Cable, so he's not really dodging Simer, just getting company for fun while he's up north.

All you folks who have been buying your recreational kayaks, this river is a good place to try them out.”

“I don't get it, you're all against me. I even asked prosecutor if he would like to join my trip and he said he was busy backpacking on the NCT. But I guess he was busy planning another trip to conflict with mine. If you all hate me just come out and tell me you don't have to hide it from me :P”

“simer, from my understanding, prosecutor will be up in the area of his cabin, which the NCT comes near, so his hiking plans are not suspect. The canoeing is an overnight trip while he is in the area already for a period of time. I don't think his including a paddle within a few miles of the NCT is quite the same as heading off to the Boundary Waters quite a few hours away. No disrespect was intended, I'm sure.

For myself, I wish I could have made a longer trip, such as to the BW BPing trip you are doing. But I can't wander that far the weekend before finals. However, a quick overnight jaunt that is pretty close by is another story. Settle down, don't take it personally. I'm not sure if the emoticon at the end of your posts mitigates your displeasure or not. I hope you aren't really upset.”

“LOL!

By the way, just HOW do you say the name of that river??? (so I don't sound stupid)

Also, this would be the farthest NORTH I've ever been in the Midwest... hmmm... probably the farthest north PERIOD. (Toronto is not quite that far north, I don't think...)”

“Nam (as in Viet) -- uh -- kah -- gun, accent on first syllable, lesser accent on third syllable.

Never this far north?!!? Holy smokes, I moved SOUTH when I came here to live!! Now we have to get you into the U.P., too.

Farthest north that I've been was Hudson Bay, but that was on a ride-along with the USAF for a refueling mission of patrolling SAC B-52s.”

“I'm just messin with ya's, I don't mean what i say :P

farthest north I've been is about 50 miles south of arviat nunavut.”

“Simerman, You're RIGHT! It's a nasty plot by that evil (just ask at backpacker.com) PROSECUTOR! hee hee hee!

:p is an ikon that comes up as "silly" so, I knew he was kiddin.

Lizsbaby (eh eh eh), it would be great if you could join us..and, I'm glad you're on board, Pekka (and lovely wife)..when Prosecutor emailed me about the trip I immediately suggested asking you and Reino..so, you think it'll be OK for my touring kayak? A Folbot doesn't like rocks..”

“The trip report page mentioned rapids!!”

“Although Folbot says it's a good idea to NOT routinely expose their kayak to rocks, mine has been in, on, and around rocky bottoms more often than not. Other than that little sandy bottom lake across the road I have paddled exclusively on the Namekagon and St. Croix, probably 12 to 15 times last year and, in 10 more minutes, 6 times already this year. No damage inflicted. Not even suggesting what you should do, just offering my experience. Have a great trip.”

“My Whitewater/Quietwater guide says that the worst "rapids" in this part of the Namekagon are Class 1, which is beginner, and if we start at County M, we'll miss those anyway. No sweat lizs.

mataharihiker, I would think this part of the river at this time of year will be pretty good for a Folbot.

I'll be in Marquette next weekend dropping off my daughter, so I could always bring back the Kiwi Kopapa plastic kayaks that I've stored up there. That's what reino and I used when we did a paddle/camp trip down the Namekagon to the St. Croix a few years ago.”

“So... I suppose now you will have to refer me to some www.thecanoeist.com, so I'll know how to pack for a canoe trip??


LOL”

“lizs, for gear choices, pick the same stuff as you would for a backpacking trip. I'll bring extra dry bags. I imagine prosecutor has extra PFDs, but so do I. You can also wear tennies/running shoes or rubber-bottomed "Bean" boots instead of hiking boots. But I can e-mail you with any particulars about packing.

Of course there are some advantages with food choices if you want to do campfire cookery/grilling, as canoes can carry a bit more load than your back. But I always try to keep it simple since lugging to much stuff even to and from boats isn't any fun to me, and it just weighs down the canoe or kayak. But if we want a cooler, well we can have one. From what you did on the Yellow River SF trip, I know you like a bit of luxury, lol.”

“A bump back to the top in hopes of getting a couple more TTers in the vicinity to join in the fun. Newbies to paddling would find this stretch of river a good learning environment.”

“"...find this stretch of the river a good learning environment."

Not drowning will do that for ya.

I was out again yesterday. Raced the rain for awhile, but once I got ahead of the clouds everything was great. Lots of whitetails bouncing through the woods as I rounded various bends. The Namekagon is a windy river and infinitely more surprising and exciting because of it, if you're the kind of person who wonders what's around the next corner. Straight, wide rivers are pretty boring to me, as are lakes. Don't forget to pickup the trash that the boy scouts throw in.”

“When camping on this section of the river and it's in the wee hours of the morning, you just may hear the faint sound of banjo music...but the only albino's up here are deer.”

“LOL! uh huh, SE!”

“Windy as in twisty, rather than windy as in lots of wind, which a twisty river through the trees is somewhat protected from. Ain't English fun, having the same spelling for two different ideas.

SE, that's one of the best parts about small northern rivers, the discovery aspect. Woods should be blossoming, too. I always like seeing the first wildflowers poking through the stream banks -- marsh marigold, skunk cabbage, etc.

BTW, SE, it's your job to keep simer happy and feeling loved, lol.”

“So has a specific invite been sent to the the lorax?

There might be others I could invite. Omahiker canoes (or kayaks, don't recall which) course she is even farther away.”

“By all means, lizs, invite the Lorax and others. I know prosecutor was interested in filling the other seat in his canoe (that's you!!) as well as his second tandem canoe.

As I said, I can always haul my two small solo kayaks back from Marquette to have them available, too. They can't handle large folks, but very comfortable for those up to about 5' 10" I'd guess. (I'm 5'9" and reino is 5'8").”

“goody, goody..thanks Snake Eyes..I thought my Yukon would be fine..after all, rocks are everywhere..LOL..I'll also throw my many dry bags in my poor, overloaded Saturn..and, I'm with you, Pekka, I don't like to weigh down my kayak..Lizs, I don't like wet, cold feet so used to wear Sealskins under cheap tennies or watershoes from Wallyworld to keep my feet dry..my feet get cold, ALL of me freezies..I also like gloves as I hate blisters and it's amazing how quickly they can pop up..”

“mataharihiker, I use some Neosocks with my water shoes or river sandals. If I wear my Bean boots, I just stick with Smartwools and liners. Either way, warm tootsies are a big help in early/late season paddling. Reino and I also have some neoprene gloves we can use in particularly nippy circumstances, though fleece gloves are usually enough. I've been looking into sailing gloves, the 3/4 finger style, and they may be good for paddling, too, if they aren't too grippy to let paddles rotate.

Looking forward to finally meeting ya lizs.”

“Hey Pekka, at Canoecopia I bought meself a pair of Chota mukluk lights for colder water..they are knee high, waterproof and have fairly decent soles..perfect for deep mud banks, if you can't slide down them like Prosecutor did.LOL..I also have a pair of NRS Attack shoes I bought 2 years ago at Canoecopia..and, I have Chaka sandals..even on a boat I must have a few pairs of shoes...LOL..reminder to self..don't forget the Allhearts clogs..

Years ago, I bought some neoprene paddling gloves..they have full thumbs, 3/4 fingers and are perfect..really saves my hands..”

“I'm as bad as you, mh. I've got a pair of Tevas specifically designed for sailing -- white non-marking siped soles. Stylin' with my Hawaiian shirts and my Royal Robbins Bluewater canvas sailing shorts. What are the odds that my wife thinks I'm sorta nuts about shopping for each dang sport I take up?”

“Ok, you guys are scaring me. LOL! If it's below 40, I'm a "no go."

I didn't think a person would bet cold in a canoe. Then again, guess I've only been out during summer.

WAIT! I take that back. I once went on a NICE day in December when the Upper Iowa wasn't near freezing. Don't remember the temp, but I wore SHORTS. Seems I was a wee bit cold but nothing bad. We can't have weather worse than that would be, could we??

I have -20 insulated Vasque hiking boots, which I *think* I've waterproofed... and I have the ones I usually wear, the Gore Tex Asolos.

At some point I had neoprene booties, but right now have no clue where they'd be.

Also... I'm outta here from April 28-May 2, which wasn't verified till today. I'll have to see if I can take off again the very next weekend. (prolly... but if it RAINS or is COLD!!!! phhhht!!! lol)”

“lizs, the thing we're talking about is that on a moderate day (say 50s-60s) wet feet can become cold feet. That's all. Actually, tennies with wool socks can work well, since wool still insulates when wet.

The gloves talk, etc., is just showing off that we have prepared for a variety of eventualities by buying ever more gear. It will be a fine spring weekend in the north woods for you to come up and visit. It's just like backpacking without all that walking.”

“Lizs, don't even THINK you can wimp out on us like that..you, hiking in 40F's with shorts..messing about in boats is great fun..feet mostly get wet while getting in and out of a canoe but, in a tandem, that often only happens to the more experienced canoeist who's the last to get on board (which, I suspect, won't be you, LOL)..as Pekka says, it's us wise guys showing off..still, I would consider gloves against blisters..I have a pair of fleece, 3/4 finger guys with rubber dots on the palm that I will try and remember to bring for you..one doesn't need to get tricky to be comfortable..just think, cold beer and wood without carrying! Fresh food in the woods! No pack! You'll love it and Prosecutor needs someone in front of his canoe..I'd trust him completely..fear not, Maiden of the Peeps..come up and play!”

“Lizs - It's weird being an advocate for a trip I'm not even going on, but you will have a great time. Don't worry about getting your feet wet. I've been down the river in my kayak in much colder weather then you will experience and have yet to get my feet wet. Also, you will be in one of those fat, stable boring old canoes. The only way water temperature should be a consideration is that if you do happen to fall in and drown body decomposition won't even set in until sometime in June. You should be pretty well devoured by then.”

“lol, SE. OK, time for my canoe horror story. I've probably told this before... but... just in case you HAVE NOT heard it (oh and does NOT involve me personally)>>

Some people were canoeing the Upper Iowa (a great canoeing river!) and had a cooler tied to and towed along behind a canoe. It got tangled up or something. Somebody went into the river to get it untangled and instead got the rope around his neck. Not good….

The group happened to have a nurse along. They finally got the guy out, who wasn’t breathing, so she administered CPR. And he was fine. They said the rope around his neck – while apparently not quite tight enough long enough to kill him – had kept water out of his lungs, so he didn’t drown.

Funny world, huh? Hey, do I really want to go canoeing???!? EEEEK!! I’ve tubed before, too, but I DON’T SWIM! (and am skeert o’ water, too!!!)”

“most of the time you'll be in water you can stand in..next worry?..LOL”

“No worries, maid of the prairies. We shall see to your protection on the waters of the north. Maybe we'll even float a blessing of tabacco on the river before embarking to show our respect to the great water panther.

As mataharihiker said, no wimping out ...it will be a blast.”

“People from Wisconsin would NEVER tow a cooler behind their canoe. Not that we're not dumb enough, we just don't want to be that far from our beer.”

“LOL Snake Eyes..you're so right..never heard of such a thing..”

“I've seen it done with an innertube to support the cooler. But I wouldn't call those who were doing it "paddlers" exactly. Floaters.

Of course to the harbor patrol, floaters is not a good term.”

“Yup, with my Coast Guard background I picked up (pun) on "floaters" immediately. However, with my optical background I found floaters as hard to get ahold of as the Coast Guard floaters that were always slipping through the net. In any event, we've now come full circle and are back to Lizs and the issue of rate of decomposition.”

“lizs, just think of the trip as a journalistic assignment. You must experience it to write about it. And the native guides are guaranteed to be colorful characters.”

“Native guides = out of work Norwegians. Native Americans have all the casino money. They hire Norwegians too.”

“pack the same as for a backpacking trip?!?!?!?!

you must be JOKING!!! what about the full recliner chair...tables, tikki tourches...coolers full of beer, cooler full of FOOD! and how bout them dutch ovens and cooleman double burner stoves.

I don't know what type of canoeists you all are up north, but down here in Missouri...canoeing is an "artform" where the meals are all inclusive.

I was gonna consider coming up there, but, its too far for a weekend gig and plus, you all seem like you won't have enough gear in your boats, so you'll be tipping all the time. More gear=more stable in the water...LOL

Have a great time!”

“I know you're just giving us some jive, stikmon. Though heavier is only initially more stable -- and it lowers freeboard and reduces maneuverability. My butt doesn't need to be any closer to the bottom than necessary.

Same as backpacking = same light, wicking/quick-drying layerable clothing; same sleeping bag/pad and tent (though this is a place I am more likely to go for a bit more room sometimes); same stove; same rain shell/pants; same headlamp. No need for new or special gear.

As for the luxury items, I've gone both ways, and find lighter is sometimes better even with canoes. Yes, a camp chair is nice, but I've got my same Therma-Rest chair kit as for trail use. Liquor is more efficient than beer, too, oz. for oz.!

mataharihiker and I will help lizs with all the paddling stuff she doesn't have, such as dry bags to put the above stuff in.”

“I've got a Coleman double burner stove!!!! hmmmmm???”

“This sounds like lots of fun. I wish I lived closer to Wisconsin. Someday...”

“That bugger goes in your canoe, not mine, lizs, lol.

tarabull, just get on 94 and go west to Eau Claire, then turn north. Judicious use of a radar detector should get you here and back snappy!”

“that's a loooong drive for an overnighter, pekka. tempting, tho!”

“ahhhhhhh... check the "trips" page. Ya get there Friday night, ya got a nice northwoods cabin to stay at!!!

:-)”

“hmmmm... I did remember something I could cover on Saturday, May 8. And since I have a BUNCH of people covering for me this coming weekend (a whole buncha #&%!$ turned up for what I figured to be a free weekend!), maybe it won't go over so well. Will need to check on that before becoming a "yes."”

“It's a travel piece, lizs, set in the close-by Wisconsin North Woods, a favorite haunt of thrill-seeking Minny-so-tans. Your feature on the Namekagon will bring tears to the eyes of your jaded readers who'd thought there was no beauty left to witness in their pitiful early 21st Century lives.”