Adventure series....

First up... The Hugh Heward

Time to wash off the big city of Madison and make our way to open water.
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The waters of Michigan and Wisconsin are opening up for some great spring paddling as are event registration(s) for the Hugh Heward Bushwhacker and Tip of the Mitt Series. Time to commit and get your paddle on.
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Most Kruger Canoe Adventure events are by donation; don't let being strapped for cash cuz you just purchased a new paddle keep you from swinging on by...

It's a Mad MadDave World

As Canoecopia winds down Mark (ManitouCruiser) goes Vogue and busts a pose at the show.
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Marissa (Boo) eager to pose for a pic - not; I have more pictures of her covering her face, ducking out then I do of her just smiling.
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Big thanks to MadDave for hosting the Canoecopia adventure!!

Canoecopia 2011

MadDave and Boo man the booth at Canoecopia; great show of presenters! Big Shoutout to Watertribers who called up to say hi and tell tale of their adventure in the 2011 EC.
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It would appear by Manitou's account of the phone call, the pirate's grogg and barley pops are flowing freely at the Bay Cove.
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Fingers crosses that Krunch and company can get the Scamp moving again. The Scamp ran aground in Florida Bay 2 days ago.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 Update 20

The first news is the recovery of CaptJackOtter. DNF#39. I don't know enough of the details to give a just account of the events. I believe there was a capsize and broken mast but the Capt will have to give details in the near future. We are all thankful for a successful return to Chokoloskee. The Capt I'm told was wet and cold but will make a full recovery in short time. They're are still 14 boats in the Challenge. - (There And Back Again) - Dexter
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For the rest of us hunkered down in the Northwoods of Wisconsin its off the Canoecopia; Manitou, Super Boo and myself with be assisting MadDave with the Balogh Booth.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 Update 19

It 's a crazy mixed up world out there and Chief is smack dab in the middle of it; God only knows what happened? Speculation; Equipment failure in adverse conditions? Who knows... this is why being in Key Largo for the finish is so much fun; all the tales of adventure..
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Not sure why Ben and Emily did the big Chokoloskee loop; it appears they are back at CP 2. We hope all are safe and enjoying one heck of an EC adventure!!
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 Update 18

6:31am EST
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Some interesting reporting on SandyBottom, nice pics too - Click here
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With the mapper down on the WaterTribe site, here are some updates; Click here
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Tuesday: 4:30pm EST Ben and Emily are on the more and looking good, from their SPOT check in; Just out of CP2, really bad cell phone reception, so could not make out much of what he was saying. He seemed to be in good spirits and was looking forward to everglades.
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Very difficult to follow on the message boards as 24 hour updates are not posting real time; scattered and adrift. We need widow's towers scattered across Florida's Coast for spotters.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 17

5:38am EST - Monday sure was a wild day, with the Coast Guard rescue of DolphinGal and the sheer adventure of it all. To add more intrigue and mystery, the Mapper is over loaded so viewing SPOT positions has become an interesting proposition; I got up at 3:45am Central Standard time to see if I could get a gander. Here are a few slides:
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Ben and Emily are doing splendid; looks like they found a nice piece of real estate to catch up on some sleep before heading down to CP2. Not sure what the tides are doing but it's best to catch the tide coming in to Indian Pass. The XCR canoe appears to be bomb proof.
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You got love Chief; hanging back for the first couple of days. Now positioning himself for a big jump down to CP 2 from Rice Key. The wind is N NE, it will be a big sail day with off shore breezes.
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Third boat in to the finish; First mono hull finish goes to DanceswithSandyBottom and SOS. Nice effort boys, interesting route across Florida Bay, must have used a ruler.
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Early bird sees the mapper.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 16

The EC mapper has been suspect with all the traffic viewing it, so I got it up and performing and am trying to get updates posted. Unfortunately I can't get everybody as I need to get moving and off to work.
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Finger crossed the mapper is working today, for everyone's viewing pleasure.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 16

7:31am EST Toby "Whitecaps" going inside behind Marco Island; interesting route choice as he is in Class 3 with a Balogh 38; with today being a sailing day with winds out of the Northwest one would think he would stay outside.

EC 2011 - Update 15

Nightnavigator and Nightsong - In a Kruger Cruiser under paddle only doing awesome!

EC 2011 - Update 14

7:20am EST - Chief just outside of CP 1; it will be interesting to read his reports of performance with the Balogh 50sq ft and the over-sized ama's; last couple of days have been paddling days for Class 3's 2's and 1's ; today will be a sailing day, so we'll have to see if Chief can reel the fleet in.

EC 2011 - Update 13

7:15am EST: Ben and Emily Early Monday morning underway; winds favorable.

EC 2011 - Update 12

Sew Sew finish tracks - Across Florida Bay
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Bumpy's finish tracks - Across Florida Bay

EC 2011 - Update 11

6:32am EST
Confusion or just the nature of the challenge.
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Conflicting reports on the finish of the EC; Class 5 multi-hulls make short order of the Everglades Challenge. Reports from the discussion board.

SPOT shows Bumpy and Macho Man in just before midnight with Sew Sew following at around 0530. Both navigated Fl Bay in the dark, no small feat on it's own. Well done to both these veteran class 5 teams. DaveOnCudjoe

last night I clearly saw Sew Sew into the finish first on the challenge mapper about five or ten minutes before Bumpy. Fatfrank

Randy Smyth aka Sewsew is at the finish, according to MapViewer. Well, almost at the finish.OK, now he is at the finish and Tornado closing a lot faster than I thought. CrazyRussian

This was the most exciting race that I have ever witnessed! WOW! And it still continues. I hope that I can play next year. And there is still a whole lot more to still happen yet. ThereAndBackAgain

EC 2011 - Update 10

Let your colors fly! Michigan State flag - Take that Toby!!

Mrs. Chief reports

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Talked with Pelican a moment ago. As you can imagine, he is running on very little sleep, as you can imagine, with all the calls regarding SPOT and the weather. So thought I would update the "fans" about what is going on with the Challengers in general. First, they have looked into the SPOT issue and it appears it is just overwhelmed with the number of people logging on today. It was fine until early morning, and the thought is that come tomorrow, with many back to work, etc. the demand will be less and it will be working fine again then.

With so many still working hard to get into CP1, (Chief among them after crash landing on the beach and a long portage to the IC), Pelican has called a "weather hold" to extend the deadline, and he will stay at the checkpoint late until they get in. The deadline for Key Largo, however, remains unchanged. All challengers are fine and in good spirits despite the tough conditions.

In the meantime, we are back to the "good old days" before SPOT for the moment..... Mrs. Chief

EC 2011 - Update 9

5:28pm EST
Capt'n shucking his duties out paddling the Wisconsin River; Bad Dog Bad!! Ben drops a quick message to say it was quite an ordeal getting into CP 1; crazy winds and chop but they made it! A bit of a rest top off of H2O and they will be off!
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6:23am EST
It's all about attitude.
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Day One proved a test for the mettle of kayakers and canoeists as sail-boaters worked their magic easily tacking up into a south southeast breeze.
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Choppy conditions and relentless head wind makes for a long day on the end of a paddle, constant paddling needed to make any headway; there are a lot of boats still working their way to CP1. In comparision last years times to CP 1 were 8 hours + faster; It's a tough ever changing event for sure.
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Tales of lost SPOT's, broke equipment and hull damage frequent the Discussion Board; but being called back to the starting line to move your car was a new one. SOS and Danceswithsandybottom made up time significantly and are back in the hunt for class5 mono hull.
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Well there is really only one thing to do in these desperate times of non participation; its go paddle. A bunch of us are heading to the Wisconsin River to get our paddles wet and watch the eagles soar. Just another great day to live in the America's.
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Good information an brilliant writing at: - Kiwi's Blog
Photos of the start - click here (runs as slide show)
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Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 8

10:40am EST
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Latest observations at Venice Station show that wind is picking up and shifting to ESE. All teams will battle headwinds and building seas. - CrazzyRussian

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=venf1

EC 2011 - Update 7

7:40am EST
It would appear that the sailboats hauled butt off the beach; we are 40 minutes into the race, tri's, cats out front heading outside to blue water and looking for a blow... many were still on the beach or launching.
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As you look at the challenge viewer (click here) you can zoom in and out and float the curser over a picture and/or and scull and crossbones to see who's who and how fast they are going; you will need to regenerate the challenge view periodically to get the most current view.
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Chief had a nice send off to all participants - The Eleventh Annual Everglades Challenge and Ultra Marathon will start at 07:00 this morning. After inspection day, I have to say I was blown away by this group of adventure boaters. They were all well prepared and ready to go. more...
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8:30am EST
Good information and pictures at the Log of Spartina (great looking boat too): click here
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 6

Chief throws down and puts it on the line;
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I again issue the TRC Alligator Challenge to all other Class 3 challengers. Do the WW and take the Nightmare. - Chief
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Competition is fierce in Class III ( canoes/kayaks with stowable lee boards and sails); It's a wait and see proposition as the Everglades Challenge has it own way of sorting things out.
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But to get that gator tooth, you must do the wilderness waterway.
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Safety meeting today, event starts tomorrow!!!
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 5

BUST'N OUT!!
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Word out of Michigan is Ben and family are on the road heading out; it is important to note that there is snow on the ground in Michigan and it is about 20 degrees. Notice the kids are dressed for Spring >>> this is what Spring looks like in the Midwest; hats gloves... gnaw, lets break out the wading pool.
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The organized clean garage has me worried; looks like there is room for a car in there; Ben needs more boats.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 4

Northern Triber's head to the gold coast of Florida for the start of the Everglades Challenge!! Big travel day for those entered from the frosty North. Don't forget to pack your sense of humor and a big bag of resolve.
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No whining rule is in effect; whimpering optional.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 3

It's worth a read;
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John Bell's Blog got my attention when in his opening paragraph he states;
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I really wish I'd written this account of the various dilemmas we all face as we work our way down the the west coast of Florida. Andrew Linn, who has proved himself to be one tough dude by sailing 200 miles up the Texas coast in an 8' box of a boat called a Puddle Duck Racer, who built a 23 foot boat on the beach before the start of last years Texas event, sailed it the 200 miles up the coast and burned it on the beach at the finish, as well as completed last year's Everglades Challenge and winning the coveted "Most Piratical" award wrote this nice piece about his thoughts going into the 2011 event.
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The days of Iron men and wooden boats return; arrrrr.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 2

You want rules we got rules; we got 26 pages of rules, we got rules stacked high and wide. - The never ending rule book - click here
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The Capt'n