Re: [Paddlewise] August Sea Kayaker Issue

Reading this article by Matt Broze left me wondering if I will ever go 
paddling
on open waters again. These were three very experienced, strong paddlers, 
and yet the
weather was almost the end of them. It was curious that a filed float plan 
was not
followed. A difficult crossing to the Storm Islands was attempted, but those
islands supposedly offered no opportunity to camp and regroup. Hardware 
issues
with their boats seemed to be common, and were extremely serious in light of
the environment in which they were traveling. One sleeping bag was too light
for the cold conditions, which by itself could have ended the trip.

Ultimately, they were saved by the trio's collective expertise in expedition
paddling, plus the proximity of fishing boats and the Coast Guard. Less 
experienced
paddlers might not have survived, but conversely less experienced paddlers
probably would not have attempted this trip. What a delicate balance, to 
push the limits,
but not beyond one's ability to cope. It's an engrossing story, albeit 
somewhat
painful to read, but also educational if one can disassociate oneself from 
the pain
and stress they were certainly enduring. Fortunately, the story ended with
a successful rescue off the Storm Islands.

Bradford R. Crain

Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] August Sea Kayaker Issue


> Duane said:
>
>>The Storm Islands Rescue was an amazing read! It will generate
> thousands of conversations for years to come.<
>
> The three paddlers were under a lot of stress, some of which you have to
> read between the lines to catch; the environment was kicking ass majorly
> (there was complexity and chaos with critical boundaries that shouldn't 
> have
> been crossed, yes, but the armchair reader probably can't relate to just 
> how
> bad it was on many days); the higher centers of cognition were getting
> sluggish (both physical and mental abilities were dwindling); there was an
> overwhelming desire to get home to family and warm hearth (these were the
> emotional bookmarks masking the dangers when there was the sudden 
> suggestion
> of the unplanned crossing); Rob had normalized high risk paddling and
> intense adventure and kept hoping the others and their equipment were up 
> to
> the task (his meta knowledge and self-awareness based on hardcore
> solo-adventuring values where strength, skill, savvy and determination
> usually achieved all his goal-based pursuits); reason and emotion were not
> balanced on this trip with various contexted failures and in fact, these 
> men
> were probably doomed the moment they left together for Port Hardy - a
> situation which Rob knew intuitively but kept ignoring or pushing for
> resolve.
>
> However, the trip and rescue took place and now it is the sincerest hope 
> of
> Rob and Ian that others will learn from the mistakes made on this trip. 
> That
> paddlers everywhere will see the need to really develop an honest,
> individual and group-based ability to gain the correct perceptions of who
> and what, and where they are so they will truly understand what's going on
> and what's going down, and how to manage these risks with proper 
> perception
> in a changeable environment that works independently from a paddler's
> desires (and where the lack of ability to adapt and also change one's
> behaviour can have consequences for all).
>
> Doug
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