RE: [Paddlewise] Labeling Yer Gear

> [Original Message]
> From: Derek 
> Subject: [Paddlewise] Labeling Yer Gear

> I am just wondering what techniques people use to
> label their gear.  When paddling in groups, there is
> the possibility that gear could get mixed between
> people.  
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
	First of all, labelling works!  A friend left a paddle behind on a NWT
river a couple of years ago, and she got it at home in NJ a few days after
she returned!
	Someone else mentioned electrical tape.  This is often used by climbers on
carabiners and other gear which is often pooled for a climb.  They're
usuallyunique color combinations of 2-3 tapes.  It seems to work well in
order to identify what belongs to who.  
	For more informative labels (I would like to get this item back if I lost
it...)  I originally did the sharpie bit, but as mentioned it doesn't
always last.  Nowadays I go a little more high-tech.  I print my name and
phone# on clear address labels on my computer. That is put onto a
relatively abrasion-free portion of whatever I'm labeling -- say the area
on a paddle shoulder near the shaft. In the inner curve there it is more
protected than on the blade itself.  That's really not enough protection so
I coat it with a good clear nail polish.  Sally Hansen "Hard as Nails"
works particularly well.  I have had some of these attached for five years
now and they are still fine.  If I'm putting it onto something dark, like a
black plastic blade, I'll paint on a layer of white nail polish first.

Joe P.
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