I would add that this situation was unique. We had a clear, straight shot to the landing, we were all aware that time was of the essence, and the two paddlers in question are strong, experienced paddlers. They just don't have a lot of situational awareness beyond what has their attention at the moment. I wasn't comfortable leaving ANYONE behind, and as it turns out, we really didn't. But the threat was necessary to get them moving. I'd never leave a paddler I didn't know or someone who was inexperienced behind. In fact, I'd probably paddle with them to be sure they're OK. MSN/RiDem wrote: > An interesting and fun-to-read trip report! Thanks! > > I do have a question for you and other Paddlewisers... in a "group paddle" > how do you deal with the "dawdlers', especially if it affects the safety of > the group as a whole? Obviously in a wilderness situation you do not > "abandon" the stragglers, but Wayne was describing a one-day trip. (So.. > what do you do about those who straggle by their own choice, especially if > they straggle on land shopping,sightseeing, or pubbing?). With the > approaching bad weather described in Wayne's report, it sounded as if > waiting for them (the dawdlers) might have endangered the group as a whole. > And in a group as large as mentioned, it is unlikely that everyone knows > each other well enough to feel constrained by bonds of friendship and > loyalty to friends to wait for "strangers" . (that's awkwardly phrased, but > I hope you know what I mean). > > One of MY biggest "reluctances" in going paddling with groups is my distrust > of "group leadership" (if the leader is not a trusted friend).And my feeling > of irritated inertia wait ing on other people, to get going, as conditions > change. This is in all probability due to a lack of social skills on my > part, and an excess of egotism thrown in as well. BUT..in groups of 12-18 > people as described in this trip report, what is your "comfy " level in > waiting for others? I think the use of radio communication between the trip > leaders really helped in making decisions for such a large group. But, if > canoeing on a large river, separated physically and visually from others , > what is your responsibility to the group as a whole? > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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