Warning shot

Winter's coming

Yesterday we had our first snowfall that stuck. Its a signal that one thing is ending and another is beginning.

Its the end of warm, or even cool, fall paddling. A lot of us will be living off of mental images of summer paddles past.

But, its also the beginning of other opportunities. A few of us will continue to paddle throughout the winter, which is a different experience. It'll be cold but there won't be any flies. Also, we'll be looking over our maps with a mind to planning possible kayak camping trips next summer.

Most will look upon the first snowfall with dread. I say its mind over matter ... if you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

Time matters

Homer Simpson would say "Doh!"

Time is elusive. Some say time flies. There are situations when time matters, like when trying to take a picture in moving or active water.

Almost two months ago I received an Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 camera in place of a Stylus 850SW under a warranty agreement. I didn't have a choice as the 6020 was closest to the 850SW for replacement purposes. The reviews weren't glowing.

One issue was the length of time it takes from pressing the "ON" button to being able to take the shot. One review indicated as much as 7 seconds. I timed it and that's not far off. Then, once the shutter release button is pressed it may take a second for the camera to actually take the picture and a couple to store it to the memory card. Its not a speed demon.

That mattered to me on Saturday when I wanted to take pictures in the active water. I pressed the shutter release and started to stow the camera (I needed to for safety reasons) before the composed picture was taken. The above picture was the result. Its not an award winner but emphasizes my point.

I'm not saying I don't recommend the camera but some of these what I'd call "shortcomings" have to be taken into account when buying a waterproof camera. Shop around and do the research.

A change can do you good

A windy and cold day

St. Philips has gotten to be a comfortable feel for paddle practice. Its convenient too. Today however, tucked in behind Bell Island 5 kms away, it was sheltered from the WNW winds that were blowing at 18 - 20 knots.

We went a little further afield to Bauline where a fetch of some 25 ensured we would get big seas. We weren't disappointed. The largest waves in the sets were close to 3 metres, steep and breaking. Otherwise, the water was very active and confused.

Had we gone as usual to St. Philips we would have had a good but ho-hum day. At Bauline Cylde, Gary and I were challenged. The change in venue got us out of our comfort zone.

The curse of numbers

Another day on the water

Records are made to be broken. All sports have records that subsequent athletes chase to get their names into the record books.

Last year I set a personal record - I was in my kayak 115 times. This year I felt I had to reach that same level or beat it. Well, I won't make it and I have mixed feelings about that. I'll still have an embarrassing number of days in the boat but I won't reach 115. I have 100 firmly within my sights and that's still not a bad year of paddling.

Patience is a virtue

Waiting ... waiting ... waiting

Rock hopping and squeezing through narrow passageways is fun but it requires patience. Something that I lack at times. This past March I tried to paddle through some rocks with swell rushing in and receding. I didn't stop to watch what the swell was doing and dashed right in. I didn't get through before the water sucked out of the hole and exposed the rocks lurking under the water. I came up on one rock before the next surge of water knocked me over.

Once bitten, twice shy. I now take my time to watch what the water is doing, look for hidden rocks and evaluate how much time there is to paddle through.

That's important because there may be situations when fellow paddlers may not be able to come for a rescue. Also, consideration should be given to the risk of putting other paddlers in harms way should a rescue be necessary.

A little patience make it fun and safe for everyone in the group.

Captain Bob Bartlett

Captain Bob Bartlett memorial

There are many great heroes of Arctic exploration. One of them is a Newfoundlander born in Brigus where we had a paddle on Saturday.

Captain Bob Bartlett was captain of the Roosevelt, the ship that carried Robert Perry and his expedition to the conquest of the North Pole. He was part of the last team to accompany Perry to within spitting distance of the pole. On April 1, 1909 he reached 87 degrees 47 minutes N before being turned back. He was reported to have been keenly disappointed he wasn't chosen to go the full distance.

Captain Bob Bartlett spent 50 years mapping in the far north.

When there's a plaque ...

When there's a plaque in your honour you know you've done something significant.

In 1913 - 1914 he captained the ship Karluk to the Canadian western Arctic where it became stuck in ice. Bartlett managed to get the crew and supplies to Wrangel Island and then with one companion walked 700 miles over the ice of the Chukchi Sea and Siberia to the Bering Strait. There he arranged for the rescue of the remaining survivors 13 months later. Though 11 did not return Bartlett was singled out as a hero.

Three sheets to the wind

Another perspective probably more apt for Captain Bob Bartlet - looking out to sea.

In the Brickhouse

Husband and wife team

Our paddle yesterday was out of Brigus which some believe was settled in 1612, just two years after Cupids, making it the second oldest English settlement in Canada. Its thought the name is a corruption of the word Brickhouse or Brighouse. There's a lot of history in these small communities that isn't taught in school, or at least that I don't remember. So, I checked out the history of Brigus after I got home. It warrants anther visit.

Brigus was Plan C on the day and it turned out to be a wise choice.

Greywackes

The rocks of the Conception Group outcrop along north side of Brigus harbour. They are Proterozoic rocks, from a time when there was no life on earth, composed of greyish green slates, siltstones and greywackes.

Julie

One of the keys (*lol* private joke) to taking advantage of a beautiful day is to get out there and enjoy it.

The lighthouse at North Head

At North Head we pass into the lower Cambrian geologic period evidenced by the red rocks under the lighthouse. The Cambrian period was when life exploded on the planet.

Foamy waters

There was some swell running that made paddling close to the cliffs fun. The water was deep along the cliffs as they plunged straight into the sea so there was no danger the swell would break.

Sean emerges

A large rock surrounded by water must be paddled around. In this case the swell turned the water behind the rock into a washing machine and added to the difficulty. I timed it for a kinder passage. It was more challenging for the others.

Coming ashore

At a spot called Greenland, the location of an old resettled community, we came ashore for lunch. The waves were dumping on the small beach but all managed to get off the water safely.

As we sat eating our lunches I paid close attention to the waves crashing onto the beach. The five others had plastic boats and could seal launch. I, with a glass boat, had to be more careful. After a while I had it down and after everyone was off the beach I too launched without incident.

We took our time paddling back to Brigus with the bright sunshine in our faces and diamonds sparkling on the water. A diamond of a day this late into November.