Went to a slide show on Wednesday evening. Program was about a kayak trip around Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I went for the scenary and sense of adventure and exploration. What I got was a cold shock. The speaker brought his boat and all his gear. He was very meticulous, and mentioned something about BCU, but I didn't quite catch it. The emphasis on safety and preparation was extraordinary. The participants had epirbs, a sat phone, multiple marine radios, dry suits, and more repair kits than I could have imagined, including extra neck gaskets. The need for paddling skills was the central theme for the program, including the necessity for a solid roll and immersion gear. Digital photos were shown for all campsite locations and scenary traversed. They took photos of the few people encountered along the way. They had met a 60 year old man who was camped on the south side of the Brooks Peninsula and paddling solo. Saw a nice photo of this man sitting in his kayak. He looked like hundreds of other kayakers I have met and seen. He was not wearing a drysuit or wetsuit. The 60 year old man left camp and went for a paddle around the end of the Brooks. It apparently was the last photo ever taken of this man. His boat and body have never been found. The speaker thinks the man capsized and was blown out to sea. Saw a photo of a well-known northwest indian chief who has a spiritual connection to the orca known as Luna. As we know, Luna died a while back. Ironically, the chief later fell out of his canoe and drowned. Don't know the details. So twice in one evening I saw pictures of live, healthy people who are no longer with us. Both perished in cold Pacific waters. What did I learn from this program? No matter how well prepared you think you are for a trip, you can always do more. And you have to stay alert and within your abilities. If the weather conditions are not right, stay put in camp. As Clint Eastwood said, "A man's gotta know his limitations". Brad -- Bradford R. Crain *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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