Robert Perkins wrote: Snip My log shows 33 trips, 21 solo and 12 either with a group or a partner. Snip How many of you keep a log of your paddling and what do you record? I've been keeping a log of all my whitewater paddling for several years and find it very helpful. I keep some records of my sea kayaking but have not been as consistent. I've found the log very useful. I usually record such things as the location (put-in, take-out) the river level, the weather conditions, which boat I used, who I was with, comments about any new equipment, what I was wearing, descriptions of which route I used through certain rapids, hazards, and notes on memorable events (Such as "went swimming in Lunch Hole," "incredible surfing at Rodeo Hole," and "so-and-so discovered first hand why they call it Snow Blind.") The most useful aspect of the whitewater log is the record of the river level and descriptions of features (holes, waves, eddies, drops) at a given level. I'd find comments about whitewater, sea kayak, and canoe logs interesting. Rex *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Rex wrote: --snip-- > I'd find comments about whitewater, sea kayak, and canoe logs > interesting. --snip-- In Ontario keeping a log is required as part of the OWWA wild water instructor program, though very few instructors keep them. From a legal point of view, they are excellent, for you can document that you acted reasonably if you ever find yourself bveing sued. In the Wilderness Canoe Association they are used by trippers to form the skeleton of their Nastawgan Journal articles and Wilderness Symposium talks, and provide a wonderful resource for folks wishing to paddle in remote areas. Over the generations, logs have give us much of what we know about our north. They are invaluable historical documents in this respect. What I personally find interesting is the sorts of things which people put in their logs. For example, on my wilderness trip logs, I tend to focus on the personal relations of the participants, wereas other paddlers focus on the biology, and others focus on the topography. It can be a blast to compare several logs by different people on the same trip, or different logs by different partys covering the same territory. Richard Culpeper www.geocities.com/~culpeper *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Rex wrote: > > Robert Perkins wrote: > > How many of you keep a log of your paddling and what do you record? > > I'd find comments about whitewater, sea kayak, and canoe logs interesting. I started keeping a good log a year or two ago. It has enriched my enjoyment of trips -- both during and afterward. I don't remember details or dates as well as I used to, and the log settles arguments about when/whether we paddled to such-and-such. During a week-long trip, keeping the log really relaxes me and keeps me a little sharper on obstacles and cool spots I want to return to. Also helps in puzzling out the vantage and location of photos I take! My local paddling area is heavily influenced by tides, and many put-ins are unusable (without wading though VERY deep mud) except above certain tide levels. The log has helped me avoid the mud several times in the past year. Finally, it makes writing trip reports (for sharing with others) easier and more fun. I have been surprised how much others on this mailing list relish trip reports -- must be the armchair paddler in each of us! -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I use my Garmin GPS almost every time I paddle. I then save the log to my PC and can drop the route on Delorm's mapping program. I can mark putins and make notes as well. cya Bob Denton Vice President Undersea Breathing Systems bob_at_dnax.com http://www.dnax.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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