Spring is Coming! - Canoecopia

Paddling Makes the Rash go Away
KEVIN CALLAN
few years back my father found
A himself in a coma, which caused a
great deal of stress to the family.
Individuals react to stress in various
ways. With me, a massive rash formed
all over my body. Of course, I went to the
doctor, who then informed me that when
the stress went away, so would the rash.
So off I went on a canoe trip in Quetico
for twenty-eight days. Three days into
the trip the rash disappeared. More mindblowing,
however, was a half-hour in on
the return trip home, the rash came back.
And you wonder why I smirk at people
who can’t fully understand why paddling
is so important?
My father understood. I left for my trip
the day he awoke – and he knew why.
My daughter, now five, has understood
the passion for wilderness paddling
from the age of six-months – when she
completed her first canoe trip, and loved
it so much that she’s constantly asking
when our next trip is.
My wife, Alana, understands. She
insists our marriage has flourished
because of our canoe trips together, but
also never questions the times I head out
alone.
My friends understand as well. That’s
how they’ve become lifelong friends –
we go on canoe trips together. All of us,
every culture on this planet, are born
from wilderness; and when we return
to the familiar, our senses peak and all
the ills of society fade away. The rash
disappears.
My life encompasses anything that
has to do with wilderness travel, which
is why I have ventured to Canoecopia
year after year. To me, this is a time of
celebration and reflection. It’s a time to
reminisce on past trips and grow excited
for the next to come. And it’s a darn good
time to buy all the gadgets.
Here’s a list of what I added to my gear
list last season – and a look for this year.
Nova Craft’s Canadian Flag Canoe.
Nova Craft gives you the freedom to
choose your favorite canoe pattern. They
will bond a patterned fabric between the
clear gel outer layer and Kevlar or Kevlar/
Spectra inner layers in the canoe of your
choice. The Canadian Company laminated
a flowing maple leaf design into my boat
to celebrate Canada’s first annual National
Canoe Day. Cool!
I switched to the new MSR
SimmerLite Liquid Fuel Stove from
the Whisperlite Dragonfly. Both are light
weight, have good simmer control and
bring water to a boil very quickly. Why
did I switch? Because the Dragonfly
sounds like a jet taking off and there’s
no way I’ll ever hear the bear sneak into
camp while the burner is going.
The Gravity Filter by Platapus is a
somewhat new water system idea that
saves you the hassle of pumping the filter,
working on gravity instead. I purchased
it for my large-group trips where we
planned to have six or more at camp and
it was pure bliss having everyone fill their
water bottles up with ease. This thing
filters four liters of water in just two-anda-half
minutes.
The moment I saw Nova Craft’s new
Rob Roy Canoe design, I made my
order. Maybe because I’m half Scottish
or maybe because I’m a bit of a history
buff ... whatever the reason, I can’t wait to
give it a go. My Scottish cousins sent me
the appropriate kilt to wear for the maiden
voyage – which will be the Northern
Forest Water Trail in June – and I’m just
hoping black flies and mosquitoes don’t
fly up my bloody skirt on the portages.
novacraft.com
kevincallan.com
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