Tripping
Adventures
Virginia Falls, South Nahanni River National Park, NWT.
Divorce Boat Mythology:
Divorce boat!!! What did you say???
Yes, I'm afraid that is the webster definition of a tandem open boat
says one of our would-be instructors! Hardly a positive introduction
to canoeing!
So you wanna be
a Tripper:
Quiz!! Starting with the obvious...
1 - Can you paddle a loaded
canoe in a controled fashion?
2 - Have you read and understood the Divorce
boat Mythology?
3 -
Are you
indpendant?
4 - Can you start a fire?
5 - What can you contribute?
So ya wanna be a Tripper! Well let me tell ya.. Get your paddle skills up to snuff first! There's nothing worse than spending all that time, money and energy getting to a river and then missing the entire adventure because your main focus is on survival as apposed to the adventure its self.
Wilderness tripping is a wonderful experience as long as you have a few solid skills. First, and most obvious.. I would suggest you aquire solid paddling skills before attempting an isolated trip. Second and perhaps not so obvious.. Communication Skills!!! They do call it a divorce boat and being married or with your spouse is not a prerequisite! This is experience talking now... Dropping into a class three plus rapid with a loaded boat 2000 miles from help is NOT the appropriate place to learn right from left.
Group dynamics, yeah I said it! The obvious question is -- Do we get along? I am not referring to your spouse either. Believe me.. at the end of your trip you will either be without friends or know them well enough to move in. Personality aside, everyone has to pull their weight.
Equally as important... What can you contribute to the group? I am referring to self-guided adventures where you actually have to build fires, Erect tarps, tents and cook for yourselves! Oh the essence of the wild.. What, who's making the coffee? and more importantly.. Did we bring any?!!! Planning involves Research, lots of research collecting data and when you have achieved that, collect more. Logistics of travel can be a nightmare but for those who endure, will find self-guided trips very rewarding.
Check out some of our wilderness trips.
