Whacker Update 3

Mark shot me a message that he thinks he got his SPOT working; here's a snip-it as he makes his way up the Pine River, he is traveling with Jack and Jake.

Whacker Update 2

Just got a call from "Bennie the Jet" (what a name, he loves it...trust me!) He was at the Alma portage and having a great day. Lots of log jams, getting out of the boat to start but now moving along pretty well. He's loving the borrowed Sea Wind, says his skin on frame would have been shredded up by noon.

His updates tend toward "Nice river, great day, having fun" Feel free to embellish as necessary :)

Emily Algera - (Whacker Backer)

Factoid

Nestled in a deep river valley and flowing predominantly through the Manistee National Forest, the Pine River answers the call for the Bush Whacker;

The navigable portion of the Pine is approximately 67 miles in length; At base flow, the mainstream of the Pine River averages two feet in depth. It has an average gradient of 12 feet per mile, sheesh that IS an uphill paddle!

Whacker Update 1

The boys hit the river around 8:15am; Mark, Todd, Jake, Jack and Douglas are on the Back Whacker (bushwhacker in reverse) - Pine River section - Jack "the current is tougher then it looks, son of ##%*&^ it's a !!%&%$ ##!!!$" Or something like that.
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Dan Smith Reporting

and they're OFF!!

Two out of three SPOT's ain't bad; not sure why Manitou's SPOT isn't working? Hopeful that the boys will check in and update the Capt'n on their adventures, I've been known to take creative liberties to keep the story colorful.
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Keeper moving....

Middle of the Mitten

Well we are a day out from the start of the Bushwhacker extravaganza; looks to be an exciting time out on the river, 17 hearty souls have signed the birch bark parchment for the adventure.
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Just a reminder if you go screen right we have a few participants that have SPOT navigation; which makes it fun to see the event, view the route and estimate time of arrivals to certain locations for bridges and shoreline paddle bys.
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If anyone gets pics and wants to share, send them to me as the event(s) unfold; to brian0017 AT yahoo DOT com

yo yo... SPOT users

Here is the Bushwhacker Roster as posted on the VKM site; Please send us your SPOT URL if you would like it here on the shared page.

Five days until you get your bush whacked!!

Manistee Rivers Run

As a warm up for the up-coming Bushwhacker and a test run for a potential new event; Mark and Jack put in for an 80+ miler down the Big Manistee and up the Little Manistee Rivers - check SPOT - click here

Hugh Heward 2011

What a great day for paddling; The Kruger Memorial would like to thank everyone that helped through out the years; It is most appreciated, this was a day to remember - Dan Smith

Round Two of the Triple Crown

Hugh Heward - Bushwhacker - Tip of the Mitt

VKM Bushwhacker 2011

May 21st to the 25th

3 Events to choose from:

10 mile Bushwhacker Sprint

75 mile Halfwhacker

150 mile Bushwhacker/Backwhacker Challenges

Start for all events & Finish for the Bush/Backwhacker is located at:

Lumberjack Park

9160 N. Lumberjack Rd.

Riverdale, MI 48877

There will be a Captains meeting on Friday May 20th at 8pm for all participants. All events will begin with a shotgun start at 8am Saturday May 21st. Cut off time for the Bushwhacker and Backwhacker is 10pm Wednesday May 25th. There will be an awards presentation on Wednesday, May 25th at 8pm for Bushwhacker and Backwhacker finishers. more...