LOCALadk Magazine

Through-Paddler 's Companion By David Cilley Katina Daanen's new book, The Northern Forests Canoe Trail Through- Paddler's Companion, was penned as a companion to both the Official Northern Forests Canoe Trail (NFCT) Guidebook and the set of 13 maps published by the NFCT Organization. When planning a 740 mile, two-month canoe trip, one cannot have too much information. The Through Paddler's Companion is full of the kind of details that help paddlers plan this kind of dream trip. Daanen starts with nearly 50 pages of considerations, the likes of which include the skills one needs for a long canoe trip, how to pick and work with travel partners, how to plan and prepare, river considerations, as well as a long list of practicalities from boat tips to bathroom etiquette. This trip is unique in the expertise it demands of the paddlers. They must be comfortable with flatwater, wilderness, dams, whitewater, large lake crossings, and, as the author points out, nearly 162 miles of upstream travel, not to mention multiple portages. This narrative contains the most complete introduction to the NFCT that I have seen in any guidebook. It will both instill confidence and alert you to the idiosyncrasies of this trip, from paddles and portages, to personal hygiene, and passports. Following the section of organizational considerations, Daanen includes a detailed overview of the trip broken down into 36 segments. Each segment starts with a bulleted list showing the corresponding NFCT map, segment mileage, and cumulative mileage, number of portages, and the type of waterway to be negotiated. Following this, each description details the portages, points of interest, services to expect, and overnight options. She even alerts the reader of the changes on the the most recent versions of the published maps, in case you have an older map. Additionally, with the portage details she includes recommendations about how "wheelable" a portage may be. Twenty detailed maps that explain portage specifics and options are included as well. What is not included are GPS-specific references to the trail, or descriptions of optional side trips. In the back of the guidebook is a list of towns and services - 27 pages of invaluable charts, addresses, phone numbers , and e-mail addresses. Details include: camping, grocery stores, outfitters, banks, ATMs, post offices, libraries, restaurants, lodging, food co-ops, medical facilities, and laundromats. The table of contents is so complete that you won't miss the lack of an index. There are six appendices listing: medical facilities, webcams, kiosks, register locations, trail town populations, and helpful web links. If you finish reading this guidebook during these snowy, cold winter months, you'll be eagerly awaiting spring, wanting to pick up your paddle, well prepared, well informed, and ready to begin your own NFCT adventure! LOCALadk 22 Winter 2014 The Lights Are On Design Studio Open When The Lights Are On… Walk-ins & Appointments Welcome! KenThibado.com 3003 Main Old Forge NY 315.527.2398 TWIGS RUSTIC GALLERY "The Best Value in Adirondack Furnishings" 5730 Cascade Rd, Rt 73, Lake Placid 518-523-5361 Daily 10am-6pm TRADITIONS RUSTIC FURNITURE "Antiques, One-Of-A-Kind, and Traditional Adirondack Decorations" 1975 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid 518-523-3047 Daily 10am-5:30pm May-December

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