I’ve been lured into canoeing winter rivers in sub zero weather. Sometimes the slow places, or ponds in the river, are frozen. Once, it started to freeze up mid trip. First the beautiful crystal islands floated along with me, then they joined together, all happily crackling as I passed through them. Eventually the ice thickened to the stage of being a problem. Oh, the canoe could still break it but the effect on the gelcoat was that of a thousand knives steadily chipping away, chipping away, chipping…. Then water. Lots of water! A shifting of weight to the stern and mad dash toward shore allowed me to exit the canoe into shallow water and pull it ashore. Lesson learned. You cannot use a canoe as an icebreaker! Not even on thin, thin ice. I always wore a drysuit too so a swim would not have been an emergency. The walk out was long…. Nice video.
Thats a great story... and I enjoyed reading it. Winter paddling is certainly beautiful... but can be deadly. Thank you for watching... I am glad you enjoyed it.
I would think some creative boat builder would have a solution to this i.e. the big Arctic / Antarctic Icebreakers use a design called a 'spoon bow' with an 'ice knife' below it . Something similar in a thick fibreglass or composite metal material could be designed to mount to the kayak or canoe bow. Sure it would be a very specialized product that wont make anyone rich due to a narrow user group but well there's 'ice in' your solution !
There is a raw and deep appreciation of being in the outdoors in the winter time. The cold and wind remind of us the life within us. The fire provides and community of those cold nights.
I laughed when I saw the Starbucks instant after the 11 minute mark. Has also become my go to for quick strong coffee in the woods cold or warm. Great video man. The silent paddling is nice. There is not enough time in one’s life to stop and drift and float all of the spots that you passed. Multiply that times the world and that’s what keeps us paddling. Keep it up and stay safe
Thanks Steve. I appreciate the nice comment. Yes... those Starbuck pouches are super convenient. I enjoy making the silent videos most... I find them relaxing. Have a great holiday season.
Hey Thank you for such a nice comment. My apologies for not replying sooner... somehow I missed your comment. I just started checking out your channel :-)
I have been wanting to do this for many years, I am finally at a point where I'm starting to acquire gear for a trip like this. Very amazing video, love the scenery. Thank you
It's an excellent time of year to get out there. Very peaceful for sure. It comes with its dangers of course. Thanks for watching and the nice comment. Have a great holiday season.
Beautiful work. Very serene setting. I also appreciated the lack for mindless blah, blah, blah you sometimes hear on some people's outdoor videos. The quiet makes it so much more enjoyable to watch. Bravo. And thank you for clarifying the location you were canoeing: "somewhere cold". I think I've been to that place ! 😁😁
Thank you Canoeman. I really enjoyed this trip. It came at a time when I needed to get away from humanity and clear my head. I look forward to checking out your channel.
For sure. From time to time I have to travel to NYC.... all that concrete, steel, and traffic can wear you down. Pretty nice to have such a beautiful escape so close to the city.
Thanks Maverick. There were some spots more sheltered from the wind.... but I just didn't want to pass up the view of where the creek meets the pond. I'll keep that patio umbrella idea in mind 🙂 Thanks again.
@@CanoeCampClimb Always great info about camping spots. I want to do a solo trip after ice out for pike. Fishing out of a Vibe Yellow Fin kayak, Long Lake seems like my spot?
@@maverick120adventures8 Long Lake would be a great spot. There are a few other Adirondack channels I like that have some nice fishing content... you might want to check them out if you haven't already. They are NatureintoAction, Daxwoods Wanderer, ADK Addicts, and Alan's Outdoor Adventures.
Thanks Joe. It was very peaceful. Just the wind whispering through the trees (well screaming sometimes. Lol).... and the crackle of the fire. Actually the loudest thing on this trip was the snow shedding off my tent overnight.
I’ve snowmobiled a variety of areas and been on ski mountains snowboarding in the north east. This was a unique perspective on the beauty of winter. Thanks and great trip, style and technique.
Great filming Butch. You are a bit crazy though in those weather conditions. I understand this was when Buffalo, Watertown, Adirondacks got all that snow. Never to cold to drink a craft beer. Enjoy watching your paddling adventures.
Hi Michelle. Thank you. Yes... this was during that big storm that hit Buffalo and Watertown. Where I paddled didn't get hit nearly that bad... but left a nice coat of snow on the trees.
it was quite a fun experience. It was so amazingly quiet. Overnight it snowed pretty heavy... so the snow sliding off my tent in mini avalanches sounded like a bear charge every time. Lol. Merry Christmas to you and the ADK Addicts crew.
Thanks a lot Matt. It was definitely the most peaceful trip I took this year. I'm looking forward to doing more winter camping in the coming months. On this trip I tested out a new Big Agnes 0° Anvil Horn sleeping bag and it performed excellent.
@@MrCabinboy11 it is a Big Agnes Anvil Horn 0° Down sleeping bag. Super warm and lightweight and very packable (in canoe camping terms). I absolutely love it. It comes in regular, long, and wide/long as well as left or right zipper preference. With the Big Agnes system you also need an insulated air mattress that inserts into the sleeping bag sleeve. My air mattress was the insulated air core ultra.
Love this snow trip. Fantastic job of filming and editing. You've made a very tough little video look surprisingly easy. I'm so glad Kasey Pelrah sent me this link. Timdad
I have never even considered canoeing in the frosty weather but it is Soo beautiful! I think camping and canoeing in the winter is a bit above me but what a lovely sight!
Thank you. Winter camping is so peaceful. And if you go right after a storm the snow covered landscape is so beautiful. You could always start small by camping near home... or even in your back yard.
So am a camper guy and use to enjoy kayaking when I had one this brings back memories of being out on the lake so beautiful what amazing video of nature I have to appreciate talent with the camera you get all the amazing shots cheers from your new friend 🎉
Thanks a ton. I appreciate the nice words. My wife and I used to have kayaks (65lbs each) but switched over to pack canoes several years ago.... they weigh between 22-26 lbs... and have been a game changer for getting deeper into the backcountry.
Thank you Kyle. That was corned beef hash. I like to do my potatoes that way... whether it is hash browns or corned beef hash. Easy transport and cleanup.
For this video it was 90% Apple Iphone 13 Pro and 10% GoPro 10. Whatever camera I use the most important thing is where I point the camera in relation to the sun. Thanks for the compliment.
Thanks James. On this trip I didn't have any portages so I could really load up the boat. All of my gear is ultralight... so most of the weight was the hardwood firewood I brought in. I usually process my own wood from deadfall but decided to pack it in for a few reasons. I'd estimate between gear/food/beer/firewood I had 90-100lbs. I weigh 225... so the boat can handle a lot. It paddles amazing loaded up. Here is a link to the website that show dimensions etc. placidboatworks.com/our-boats/rapidfire/
I would never wear a membrane jacket next to a fire like that, small holes in seconds, destroyed jacket. G1000 jacket is a must for occasions like that ❤❤❤
That is the Big Agnes Box Canyon Bedroll. I only bring it along for the coldest of trips... but I love it. The Anvil is an amazing bag. I researched the heck out of it and was very happy that I settled on it. I needed a zero degree bag and this came through with flying colors. I have 20 and 40 degree bags from Big Agnes that I have ben super happy with as well. Using a high quality air mattress like the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra is very important. I also used the Nemo Switchback ground pad on this trip. It got down to 16 degrees fahrenheit in this trip and I wasn't the least bit cold. I hope this helps.
You are amazing! I cannot tell you how long I have wanted to do a trip like this, but I never manage to make it up there in the shoulder seasons. Did you wear a dry suit while paddling?
Hey Russell. Thanks for the nice compliment. I really enjoyed this trip... it was incredibly peaceful. I did not have a dry suit for this trip. I did take several precautions though in case I did get submerged. I know it can get dicey very quick. A dry suit is in my future... I've ben keeping my eye out for deals.
I noticed that you seem not to use specialized drysuits/wetsuits in favor of clothes that can be used for other outdoor activities. I like that idea and wonder how it works for you. I am getting into cold weather canoeing and would like to be able to use a rain coat/pants and fleeces I have already. The only downside is what happens if you take an unintended swim.
Hi James. As you know cold weather paddling can be deadly. On this particular trip I knew the route very well.... and stayed close to shore in the shallows and had an emergency dry bag with a quick change of clothes, a tech towel, a bunch of hand warmers and fire making materials at the ready. That being said I would highly suggest a drysuit for cold water paddling... especially if it is something you plan on doing regularly. The clothing I am wearing in this video is a mix of water proof, water resistant, and all quick drying. Definitely no cotton. It worked well for me in this particular situation... which was early winter... but a dry suit is in my future.
Regrading your wife's Oseetah, can you/she share some paddling experiences with her Oseetah? From a paddling comparison, is the Oseetah faster than the Rapidfire? Does the Oseetah have the same, less or more stability than the Rapidfire? Thanks!
It's hard to say which one is faster. Since the Rapidfire is a foot longer it would be (theoretically) slightly faster on open water.. the longer the boat the better it tracks. But for the most part I don't see a noticeable speed difference between them. I'd say the main reason to choose one over the other would be gear load capacity. The Rapid is perfect for canoe camping.. it holds a lot of gear, wood, dog, etc. The Oseetah holds a lot too... just not as much. I'd say the Oseetah's advantage is that it turns on a dime in tight twisty waters... and being a foot shorter it can squeeze into some slightly tighter spots. At my size (6'3" 225lb) the Rapid feels more stable than the Oseetah. But I sure do love paddling the Oseetah too. Either boat is a dream to paddle. If you have the chance I suggest taking a test paddle at Placid Boatworks. Or you can rent them at Saint Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake.... or Frisky Otter Tours in Inlet (4th lake area). If you want to share your height weight I can also guide you on one over the other.
I am 6'4" but only about 160lbs. I am sure that I can easily fit into the Oseetah, and Joe said that they can easily move the thwart forward if necessary to accommodate my knees. He's been fantastic to work with. My wife will definitely get the Oseetah. It's the ideal fit for her. I am hoping to get an Oseetah as well. We do a lot of canoe camping. We just use two large waterproof duffle bags that have shoulder straps for carrying. We do plan to visit them in the spring for a test paddle. Thanks so much for your detailed reply!
@@Tnapvrvideo The Oseetah would work great for you. My buddy Mike is 6' 3" or 4 and he has an Oseetah. I think he weighs about 180. He is in a few of my other videos (Boreas, Raquette, Legendary Canoe Camping) if you want to see how he looks in it.
Just watched the Boreas video with your friend in is Oseetah. It's the perfect canoe for both of us. Might you know which seat height your friend opted for in his Oseetah?
Good question on the propane.... in these cold temps I really should've used a white gas stove. This particular stove is great but when it gets real cold the gas un the canister liquifies and can be tough to ignite.. and keep lit. I had to keep it in my jacket before use.. and in my sleeping bag at night to keep it warm enough to use for my coffee. I should do a video on that as well. Although there are a ton of videos out there on the subject. Anyway... to answer your question. One of these canisters will easily last me a long weekend remote camping. Of course I also use the open fire to cook certain items. On the firewood... I filled up a 110 Liter bill bag with hardwood to split and burn. Glad I did... as I ran out of daylight quick to forage for much wood otherwise.
haha. Thanks Eric. Barb was going to go until that day... it was the winds... and the wind chill she didn't want to deal with Sunday morning. She's a tough cookie. Tougher than she looks... but I'm glad she stayed home because the paddle out Sunday morning got pretty sketchy with whitecaps on the final open water crossing.
Excellent ADK adventure video… one of the best out there…. ! Love the Adirondack Mountains….
Thanks for the nice compliment RJ. It was a great time... and putting the video together was fun too.
I’ve been lured into canoeing winter rivers in sub zero weather. Sometimes the slow places, or ponds in the river, are frozen. Once, it started to freeze up mid trip. First the beautiful crystal islands floated along with me, then they joined together, all happily crackling as I passed through them. Eventually the ice thickened to the stage of being a problem. Oh, the canoe could still break it but the effect on the gelcoat was that of a thousand knives steadily chipping away, chipping away, chipping…. Then water. Lots of water! A shifting of weight to the stern and mad dash toward shore allowed me to exit the canoe into shallow water and pull it ashore. Lesson learned. You cannot use a canoe as an icebreaker! Not even on thin, thin ice. I always wore a drysuit too so a swim would not have been an emergency. The walk out was long…. Nice video.
Thats a great story... and I enjoyed reading it. Winter paddling is certainly beautiful... but can be deadly. Thank you for watching... I am glad you enjoyed it.
I would think some creative boat builder would have a solution to this i.e. the big Arctic / Antarctic Icebreakers use a design called a 'spoon bow' with an 'ice knife' below it . Something similar in a thick fibreglass or composite metal material could be designed to mount to the kayak or canoe bow. Sure it would be a very specialized product that wont make anyone rich due to a narrow user group but well there's 'ice in' your solution !
There is a raw and deep appreciation of being in the outdoors in the winter time. The cold and wind remind of us the life within us. The fire provides and community of those cold nights.
A lot of people think winter camping is crazy. But once you f=do it you understand just how peaceful and special it. is.
@@CanoeCampClimb I will bring my hot tent and enjoy some good life.
I have my eye on getting a hot tent in the near future@@Hobomountainwander
That’s awesome. I kept getting more and more jealous as you broke out the burgers then the beer then the corned beef hash.
When’s the next trip?
Oh man Mike... You would've loved this trip. I look forward to our next time out in the woods.
I laughed when I saw the Starbucks instant after the 11 minute mark. Has also become my go to for quick strong coffee in the woods cold or warm. Great video man. The silent paddling is nice. There is not enough time in one’s life to stop and drift and float all of the spots that you passed. Multiply that times the world and that’s what keeps us paddling. Keep it up and stay safe
Thanks Steve. I appreciate the nice comment. Yes... those Starbuck pouches are super convenient. I enjoy making the silent videos most... I find them relaxing. Have a great holiday season.
I could literally put your videos on a playlist on a Sunday to relax and watch so beautiful and so relaxing
Hey Thank you for such a nice comment. My apologies for not replying sooner... somehow I missed your comment. I just started checking out your channel :-)
Great video my friend.
Thank you Mauricio,
I have been wanting to do this for many years, I am finally at a point where I'm starting to acquire gear for a trip like this.
Very amazing video, love the scenery.
Thank you
It's an excellent time of year to get out there. Very peaceful for sure. It comes with its dangers of course. Thanks for watching and the nice comment. Have a great holiday season.
That was about the Best, most Beautiful , and Relaxing video Ive seen. Wonderful job putting it together.
Thank you for such a wonderful comment Robert. That made my day.
WOW!!!! This was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!
Thank you. It was one of m favorite trips last season. Very peaceful.
Beautiful! I've had to break shoreline thin ice in the morning on canoe treks in the past but never done a full on winter paddle.
Thanks Steven. It sure is a peaceful time of year to paddle. Thanks for watching.
@@CanoeCampClimb And no bugs! :)
@@merkin22 ha yes... no bugs... no people :-)
Beautiful work. Very serene setting. I also appreciated the lack for mindless blah, blah, blah you sometimes hear on some people's outdoor videos. The quiet makes it so much more enjoyable to watch. Bravo. And thank you for clarifying the location you were canoeing: "somewhere cold". I think I've been to that place ! 😁😁
Thank you Canoeman. I really enjoyed this trip. It came at a time when I needed to get away from humanity and clear my head. I look forward to checking out your channel.
I love the Adirondacks. So peaceful and beautiful. About as different from NYC as it gets.
For sure. From time to time I have to travel to NYC.... all that concrete, steel, and traffic can wear you down. Pretty nice to have such a beautiful escape so close to the city.
Wow great adventure as always. Very exposed spot though, I like to bring a patio umbrella for a wind break.
Thanks Maverick. There were some spots more sheltered from the wind.... but I just didn't want to pass up the view of where the creek meets the pond. I'll keep that patio umbrella idea in mind 🙂 Thanks again.
@@CanoeCampClimb Always great info about camping spots. I want to do a solo trip after ice out for pike. Fishing out of a Vibe Yellow Fin kayak, Long Lake seems like my spot?
@@maverick120adventures8 Long Lake would be a great spot. There are a few other Adirondack channels I like that have some nice fishing content... you might want to check them out if you haven't already. They are NatureintoAction, Daxwoods Wanderer, ADK Addicts, and Alan's Outdoor Adventures.
I know that road and I know that put in very well! One of my favorite places to canoe!
It's a great spot. You can do so many loops from there. Day trips or multi day.
Really enjoyed the his Butch. The snow always makes things more peaceful
Thanks Joe. It was very peaceful. Just the wind whispering through the trees (well screaming sometimes. Lol).... and the crackle of the fire. Actually the loudest thing on this trip was the snow shedding off my tent overnight.
@@CanoeCampClimb I saw that it got pretty windy at times. And I bet the snow sliding off your tent did make some noise.
It is beauty in its starkness.😮
I enjoyed the heck out of this trip. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Awesome video. I’ve paddled this area dozens of times over the years but always in the summer.
Thanks Terry. It's my favorite spot. It was a lot of fun to experience it in the winter.
Such a serene adventure
It was great Jaime.
Wow... just crazy beautiful wow! Thank you for the video. Paddling is peace.
Thanks John. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The snow covered trees and the silence made this trip one of my favorites this year.
I’ve snowmobiled a variety of areas and been on ski mountains snowboarding in the north east. This was a unique perspective on the beauty of winter. Thanks and great trip, style and technique.
Thank you. Nothing beats the the beauty of the great outdoors after a fresh coating of snow.
Great filming Butch. You are a bit crazy though in those weather conditions. I understand this was when Buffalo, Watertown, Adirondacks got all that snow. Never to cold to drink a craft beer. Enjoy watching your paddling adventures.
Hi Michelle. Thank you. Yes... this was during that big storm that hit Buffalo and Watertown. Where I paddled didn't get hit nearly that bad... but left a nice coat of snow on the trees.
This was so well done! One of my favorite spots!
Thank you. I really appreciate that. It is my favorite stretch of water. I never tire of it.
My kind of party - great video, thanks for sharing
Thanks Andy. This was a super fun trip
Very nice edit. That campsite looked very familiar. Being out in the freezing cold and being the only human is an amazing feeling.
it was quite a fun experience. It was so amazingly quiet. Overnight it snowed pretty heavy... so the snow sliding off my tent in mini avalanches sounded like a bear charge every time. Lol. Merry Christmas to you and the ADK Addicts crew.
@@CanoeCampClimb merry Christmas to you as well.
Superb! This is home to me. Love your vids. Thanks for sharing the ADKs
Thank you very much. Sharing these ADKs trips is my pleasure.
Beautiful filming - liked the colorful canoe traveling through a monochromatic world
Thanks a lot Martin. Im glad you enjoyed it. Happy holidays
That’s a great spot…. looks even more beautiful I think with the snow.Definitely one of my fav ponds to play in.
Nice job!
Thank you. I've been wanting to camp at this spot for years... but it gets a little too much traffic during the summer. No traffic on this trip :-)
Great video Butch, I love the peace and quite of winter camping.
Thanks a lot Matt. It was definitely the most peaceful trip I took this year. I'm looking forward to doing more winter camping in the coming months. On this trip I tested out a new Big Agnes 0° Anvil Horn sleeping bag and it performed excellent.
@@CanoeCampClimb I was going to ask about your sleeping bag. When I first saw it in the video I thought it was one of the ZenBivy sleep systems.
@@MrCabinboy11 it is a Big Agnes Anvil Horn 0° Down sleeping bag. Super warm and lightweight and very packable (in canoe camping terms). I absolutely love it. It comes in regular, long, and wide/long as well as left or right zipper preference. With the Big Agnes system you also need an insulated air mattress that inserts into the sleeping bag sleeve. My air mattress was the insulated air core ultra.
I’m in. Just so beautiful.
Thank you. It was such a fun time out in the woods.
Love this snow trip. Fantastic job of filming and editing. You've made a very tough little video look surprisingly easy. I'm so glad Kasey Pelrah sent me this link.
Timdad
Hey Tim. Kasey is a dear friend of mine. We've met before... but it has been a while. Merry Christmas... and thanks for the nice compliment.
That was awesome ! I think the music was perfect ! Awesome video.....
Thank you Joe. I appreciate the nice comment.
Great Video and one of my Favorite IPA's
I just discovered this beer in April and can get enough of it. My wife loves it too. It's in several of our videos.
I have never even considered canoeing in the frosty weather but it is Soo beautiful! I think camping and canoeing in the winter is a bit above me but what a lovely sight!
Thank you. Winter camping is so peaceful. And if you go right after a storm the snow covered landscape is so beautiful. You could always start small by camping near home... or even in your back yard.
Another great job on the video. I like that sleeping bag setup. Looks like it attaches directly to the pad so it's sealed up nice.
Thank you. I plan on doing a video on the sleep setup... I've had a few people ask me about it. It kept me super comfortable all night long.
Hey Butch where was this adventure at? It looks so familiar. Both the river and the campsite look to be in the Saint Regis.
Hey I am sorry that I somehow missed your question. This paddle starts at Floodwood down Fish Creek and ointo Little Square Pond. @@honey2badger
Also, I’ve seen your truck around town!! We shop at the same grocery store!! Lol
In Syracuse or the ADKs?
In Syracuse!
@@ericpotter4588 gotcha. My truck is hard to miss... especially when I have the canoes on the roof.... which is 9 month out of the year :-)
Another amazing trip. Another amazing video. 👏
I really enjoyed this trip Paul. It was super peaceful. I wonder why no one else was out paddling? Lol.
Great video. I just found you on UA-cam, and look forward to seeing all your uploads.
Thanks Andrew. Glad you found the channel. We have lots of exciting things in store so I'm happy you joined us.
So am a camper guy and use to enjoy kayaking when I had one this brings back memories of being out on the lake so beautiful what amazing video of nature I have to appreciate talent with the camera you get all the amazing shots cheers from your new friend 🎉
Thanks a ton. I appreciate the nice words. My wife and I used to have kayaks (65lbs each) but switched over to pack canoes several years ago.... they weigh between 22-26 lbs... and have been a game changer for getting deeper into the backcountry.
Beautiful.
Thanks Mark. This trip was a treat.
Wow!!! Great video!
Thank you. It was a lot of fun.
Beautiful Adventure!
Thank you. I had a blast.
Really enjoyable film. Thanks for sharing! Subscribed.
thank you. I was just on your channel and look forward to checking out more tonight after work. Looks great.
@@CanoeCampClimb thank you. I appreciate!
Early winter is always special.
I had really great conditions. I was thankful to get out one last time before total ice over.
Nicely done sir !
Thank you. The Rapidfire was perfect for this trip.
Awesome stuff
Great video! ✌️
thank you
Great video, what was in the foil pouch that you cooked?
Thank you Kyle. That was corned beef hash. I like to do my potatoes that way... whether it is hash browns or corned beef hash. Easy transport and cleanup.
What camera do you use to film? The colors look amazing and they pop out. Great video!
For this video it was 90% Apple Iphone 13 Pro and 10% GoPro 10. Whatever camera I use the most important thing is where I point the camera in relation to the sun. Thanks for the compliment.
This is awesome!
Thank you. I really enjoyed the solitude of this trip. I was pretty psyched to be able to get in one last trip before everything froze over.
Excellent filming and editing! Curious what size is your boat ( l x w x d) and how much weight you had with you in it? Thx.
Thanks James. On this trip I didn't have any portages so I could really load up the boat. All of my gear is ultralight... so most of the weight was the hardwood firewood I brought in. I usually process my own wood from deadfall but decided to pack it in for a few reasons. I'd estimate between gear/food/beer/firewood I had 90-100lbs. I weigh 225... so the boat can handle a lot. It paddles amazing loaded up. Here is a link to the website that show dimensions etc.
placidboatworks.com/our-boats/rapidfire/
@@CanoeCampClimb Thanks much! Great video!
I would never wear a membrane jacket next to a fire like that, small holes in seconds, destroyed jacket. G1000 jacket is a must for occasions like that ❤❤❤
I'll keep that in mind. This jacket has since been destroyed logging my property. It was a good jaclet.
What did you slide over your sleeping pad, and how are you liking your Big Agnes Anvil sleeping bag?
That is the Big Agnes Box Canyon Bedroll. I only bring it along for the coldest of trips... but I love it. The Anvil is an amazing bag. I researched the heck out of it and was very happy that I settled on it. I needed a zero degree bag and this came through with flying colors. I have 20 and 40 degree bags from Big Agnes that I have ben super happy with as well. Using a high quality air mattress like the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra is very important. I also used the Nemo Switchback ground pad on this trip. It got down to 16 degrees fahrenheit in this trip and I wasn't the least bit cold. I hope this helps.
Great video…where is this area?
thanks Ken. This is the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest. Lots of amazing waterways.
You are amazing! I cannot tell you how long I have wanted to do a trip like this, but I never manage to make it up there in the shoulder seasons. Did you wear a dry suit while paddling?
Hey Russell. Thanks for the nice compliment. I really enjoyed this trip... it was incredibly peaceful. I did not have a dry suit for this trip. I did take several precautions though in case I did get submerged. I know it can get dicey very quick. A dry suit is in my future... I've ben keeping my eye out for deals.
I noticed that you seem not to use specialized drysuits/wetsuits in favor of clothes that can be used for other outdoor activities. I like that idea and wonder how it works for you. I am getting into cold weather canoeing and would like to be able to use a rain coat/pants and fleeces I have already. The only downside is what happens if you take an unintended swim.
Hi James. As you know cold weather paddling can be deadly. On this particular trip I knew the route very well.... and stayed close to shore in the shallows and had an emergency dry bag with a quick change of clothes, a tech towel, a bunch of hand warmers and fire making materials at the ready. That being said I would highly suggest a drysuit for cold water paddling... especially if it is something you plan on doing regularly. The clothing I am wearing in this video is a mix of water proof, water resistant, and all quick drying. Definitely no cotton. It worked well for me in this particular situation... which was early winter... but a dry suit is in my future.
@@CanoeCampClimb Thanks for the reply. I understand completely.
@@jameswalter3136 happy paddling James.
nice video looks like st regis
Thank you.... this spot is just south of Saint Regis
Couldn't convince Barb to join you on this one, eh?
She was originally going to go... but last minute changed her mind. After seeing my footage she was bummed she didn't go.
Regrading your wife's Oseetah, can you/she share some paddling experiences with her Oseetah? From a paddling comparison, is the Oseetah faster than the Rapidfire? Does the Oseetah have the same, less or more stability than the Rapidfire? Thanks!
It's hard to say which one is faster. Since the Rapidfire is a foot longer it would be (theoretically) slightly faster on open water.. the longer the boat the better it tracks. But for the most part I don't see a noticeable speed difference between them. I'd say the main reason to choose one over the other would be gear load capacity. The Rapid is perfect for canoe camping.. it holds a lot of gear, wood, dog, etc. The Oseetah holds a lot too... just not as much. I'd say the Oseetah's advantage is that it turns on a dime in tight twisty waters... and being a foot shorter it can squeeze into some slightly tighter spots. At my size (6'3" 225lb) the Rapid feels more stable than the Oseetah. But I sure do love paddling the Oseetah too. Either boat is a dream to paddle. If you have the chance I suggest taking a test paddle at Placid Boatworks. Or you can rent them at Saint Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake.... or Frisky Otter Tours in Inlet (4th lake area). If you want to share your height weight I can also guide you on one over the other.
I am 6'4" but only about 160lbs. I am sure that I can easily fit into the Oseetah, and Joe said that they can easily move the thwart forward if necessary to accommodate my knees. He's been fantastic to work with. My wife will definitely get the Oseetah. It's the ideal fit for her. I am hoping to get an Oseetah as well. We do a lot of canoe camping. We just use two large waterproof duffle bags that have shoulder straps for carrying. We do plan to visit them in the spring for a test paddle. Thanks so much for your detailed reply!
@@Tnapvrvideo The Oseetah would work great for you. My buddy Mike is 6' 3" or 4 and he has an Oseetah. I think he weighs about 180. He is in a few of my other videos (Boreas, Raquette, Legendary Canoe Camping) if you want to see how he looks in it.
Just watched the Boreas video with your friend in is Oseetah. It's the perfect canoe for both of us. Might you know which seat height your friend opted for in his Oseetah?
@@Tnapvrvideo great I answered your question under that video comment. Glad I could help you. You're gonna love your boats. They are game changers.
2 questions, how long does that propane last? And how much wood did you bring? Did you have to carry the wood far?
Good question on the propane.... in these cold temps I really should've used a white gas stove. This particular stove is great but when it gets real cold the gas un the canister liquifies and can be tough to ignite.. and keep lit. I had to keep it in my jacket before use.. and in my sleeping bag at night to keep it warm enough to use for my coffee. I should do a video on that as well. Although there are a ton of videos out there on the subject. Anyway... to answer your question. One of these canisters will easily last me a long weekend remote camping. Of course I also use the open fire to cook certain items. On the firewood... I filled up a 110 Liter bill bag with hardwood to split and burn. Glad I did... as I ran out of daylight quick to forage for much wood otherwise.
Needed a wood burning stove this trip
A hot tent would have been fun to have.
What fun, can’t imagine why your wife/girlfriend stayed home! ;-)
haha. Thanks Eric. Barb was going to go until that day... it was the winds... and the wind chill she didn't want to deal with Sunday morning. She's a tough cookie. Tougher than she looks... but I'm glad she stayed home because the paddle out Sunday morning got pretty sketchy with whitecaps on the final open water crossing.
No pickles? Food looks better
I know... I needed pickles. Next time I promise.