This is my story - by "BIG MAC"

I would like to share my experience on the almighty Backwhacker. This course is roughly 30 miles of added upstream paddling verse the Bushwhacker. It is 84 miles upstream and 59 miles downstream with a 7 mile portage. First of all, what a great start with friends and families to witness. Four teams going upstream and four teams going down stream. No big pile ups as years before. How exciting to pass teams this early in the race.

Jacob Cesar, like a bullet, was long gone. Mark P. and Todd C. and myself hung together for about 2 miles. Then Mark and I decided to pick up the pace to catch young Cesar. The first bridge he was already up by 6 minutes and still going strong. What an adventure! Somewhere after about 15 portages, we finally caught up to Jacob. The three of us paddled as a team 18 miles to Pleasant Valley Road. Thank God Kathy L. was just pulling up in her truck or we may have gone passed that bridge. Things look a little different going the other way. We pulled our boats onto the road and set our wheels for the 7 mile portage. As I was putting on my shoes, I discover 8 leaches on my feet. Young Cesar burned them off and we set off on our portage. I was cramping so much that we had to take a lot of breaks. Mark and Jacob were very patient with me during this difficult time. Kathy L. met us at the top of heart attack hill with water and high spirits. Kathy L. does so much for us, and we all love her so much for caring. We rolled our boats down the hill and set up camp. The Chippewa River was running real fast when we set in at 6:00 am Sunday morning. My seat and foot pegs were out of place and was having trouble adjusting them while going down stream. I got snagged on a couple of rocks and rolled my boat. Jacob and Mark witness this and came to my rescue. Mark asked if I was hurt and I replied "Only my pride". Off we went towards Midland . Jacob ran the rapids through Mt. Pleasant,while Mark and I wheeled around that dangerous area.

Mark was real sick and dropped out at the Nature Center in Midland. That was a totaled of 84 miles. I felt very sad that Mark could not continue but, understood his decision. Jacob and I paddled up the Pine River about 4 miles and made camp. Huge storms rolled through that evening and the Pine River rose about 12 inches over night. Jacob did not hear any thunder that evening. He slept through the whole thing. We set in the Pine River Monday morning at 6:00 am and paddled 25 miles up stream. We took a much needed break during the day, in which teams Dan S. and Charlie P., Mike L. and Jim K., and Brandon L. and Friend showed up on their way to Midland. We visited for about 10 minutes and it was great to see them.

Off they went towards midland, and Jake and I set our goal on Saint Louis. We were rested up a little took an hour break and ate some food. paddled into the nite and fell short of our goal. We camped near Clark road, got up Tuesday around three a.m. paddled into Saint Louis around six thirty.

Our spirits were up lifted and a couple of my employees meet us out on the river for a visit. I purchased a spot so they new exactly where we were. Jake and I paddled to Cesar crossing and took another two hour break. We set back in and came to Sumner park and Todd picked us up and took us home so we could finish Wednesday. My sister is up from North Carolina and wanted to watch us finish and go to the ceremony at eight p.m., so we planed a noon start to finish at that time, but thunder storms were rolling in , so we dropped weight (gear) and went at a fast pace.It ended up taking us five and a half hours to go that ten miles.The water was very fast in some places.I also asked Jake if he would like to sprint from Madison road to lumberjack bridge for all the bragging rights . Young Jake nailed me by a half of boat length , congratulations Jacob this was a lot of fun, you are the man. You won the bushwhacker and Backwhacker back to back! All my love and respect to all teams and people who started this great adventure. -Jack Murgittroyd.

Jack and Jake Backwhackers 2011

Whacker Update 13

Paddle boys paddle -Wednesday 4:19pm
Jake and Jack in the final stretch, working that paddle magic to complete the grueling "Backwhacker"; This is one tough event! Nice effort boys a dip of the paddle to you.

Craig and Trevor Belmonte on the BushWhacker make the final push to finish minutes before their intended personal goal - wOo hOo.

Raging bonfire plenty of high fives, the cocktails and stories flowed, way to go ladies and gents; pictures and stories to follow when everyone gets their land legs.

Whacker Update 12

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 6:56 AM EST

Well, they got off the river at 8:00 pm last night and enjoyed a few stories before heading home to their own beds. They will finish today.

Todd Cesar picked them up at Sumner Park with food and drinks. Jack walked in the door around 9:30 looking for a hot bath and a warm bed. Will head back out to the river around noon to set back in and finish in Lumberjack Park around 7:00 tonight for the award ceremony.

So family and friends come on out and cheer everyone in and celebrate. Ceremony is at 8:00 pm and would love to see all you there.

Thanks for all the support and help. It is truly appreciated. Continue to support the guys on the river completing the Bushwhacker for it is no small feat that they do; As Verlen would say "Just keep moving." - EVA Reporting

Whacker Update 11

One man's journey - The "jet" tells all; as riveting as the royal... "screw up" by Arnold.

http://bensboats.blogspot.com/2011/05/halfwhacker-2011.html?spref=fb

Like hearding cats

To coin a phrase from Jim Woodruff; "It's been like herding cats" trying to follow the Bushwhacker, Backwhacker, 1/2 whacker, Sprint Whacker. My goodness, have I missed anything?

Thanks to all that called, messaged, emailed and beat the drum to share information.

Charlie and I have a real understanding on how the Green Monster canoe paddles now. It is a heavy canoe to move around in tight places and takes a lot of work getting it over all the dead fall. Saying that it is a very stable canoe and goes down the river at a very good speed. The thing we talked about most is how in the Hell did Verlen portage this heavy canoe all them miles. He had to have been obsessed and a little crazy. - Dan Smith

Whacker Update 10

Eva reports
Looks like the rains last night really slow the guys down today. Jack called at 930 pm est they are at Harrier Farms which is about 7.5 miles north of St. Louis He is waiting for Jake to catch up, he has hurt his rotator cuff, so he has slowed down. They will decide if to camp there or go on.

Jack is pretty sure they won't make it Lumberjack Park by Tuesday. This is wide and open country and not much to portage, so the section beyond Alma will take longer. We hear that Todd is out and don't know how the guys going the other way are doing. I have had much trouble with this site and it is because of internet 9 you have to update somehow. I got help. Well more as I hear from Jack thanks and great job guys. EVA

Mark and Cathy report that Todd is out, not feeling well at all and had to cut his adventure short, pulled out at the Nature Center.

Brian Keel reports that his boys Michael and Brandon (11yrs and 13yrs old) paddled with heart. They finished up almost to Midland; Brian pushes on to finish the Bushwhacker 150.

Whacker Update 9

All's well.

Update: 6:00 am Mon

Jack just called and they are at about Godonville Road, where they set camp last night; Lots of rain. It will be harder on the Pine with all the new rain. Current is tough.

The boys hope to make it to Alma tonight. "Mark, bring back my TP!" I guess Mark left and went home he is sick with a runny nose, (hence the tp is gone Jack lent it to him to blow his nose) Let hope for a good paddle today. Jake is doing great. Wet from the rain but, great. Sign Eva

Mark is crashed out at the Nature Center; hunkering down as the storms pass through. Looking for a ride from Dan and company as the make their way to the Nature Center.

Whacker Update 8

Ben shares a pic of the Backwhacker / Bushwhacker start - let the joust begin!

Updates: Thanks everyone for calling in, I hope I got the information correct -

Todd adding a bit more mileage as he gets turned around on the portage; by 4:50PM he made it to the US 27 bridge and going to push it to dark.

Trevor and Craig making good time; 12:20PM they were working up the Chippy River.

Bruce called in and said he had a great trip; ended up doing the 1/2 Whacker, lots more down fall then he expected by Cesar Landing - Bonus!! Bruce got to see a week old fawn on rivers edge.

Got a message this evening from Mark; It appears he is dropping out do to be ill. He's been battling a cold and its got the best of him; still in great spirits, pulled out at the Nature Center. Jack and Jack pushed forward on the Pine for a couple more hours, then camping for the night.

Looks like Bob completed the 1/2 Whacker 11:07AM - Nice effort Bob.

Whacker Update 7

Todd Cesar started the portage about 7:50 this morning! Go Todd Go!!

Here is a link to some photos - Click here