| Author |
Message Text |
|
Nordstjernen
|
cyclones30: "Kelso: " Here's a timelapse video of the first 12 hrs of the trip (unfortunately after 12 hrs the camera lens came loose, so that's all the video we got)."
Toward the end the long portage w/ 2 track was the Canadian short cut?"
Yeah. That's the Dawson. There were some humorous signs on it. At the start its got one that says "Rest area four miles" and at the end a "You made it!"
There were also a couple of signs warning that proper permits are required to use the Dawson. rabc is the one that they probably care about and technically an i-68 is required to keep the Americans happy. After seeing those signs we figured it might be a popular place where travelers get checked on so we were glad we had done everything legally...even though we saw no one.
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
airmorse: "Have they slept yet?"
Doesn't look like they have actually pulled over to sleep. Probably been doing a lot of what they call "Moose Motoring"...close their eyes and "nap" while still paddling...stern checks the horizon once in awhile. Can't imagine they can keep this up, but holy moly they are tough.
They are almost at Maraboeuf Lake...itinerary has them not reaching that until 1pm on Monday. Puts them about 16 hours ahead of schedule.
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
Looks like they finally pulled over. Been in the same spot for last 30 minutes.
|
|
Fullpack
|
My wife just hiked the Grand Portage top to bottom from Pigeon River to Superior today for a training session for her Border Route trip in a couple weeks . Steady hike took 4hrs. She said lots of downed trees and mud. That would be hell to have to face that after a few days of little sleep and unused legs.
|
|
BeaV
|
WOW!
|
|
voyager
|
Looking back on last years times, they were at the far east end of South Lk at 12:30 pm. They were done by 10:00 the next morning, approx 21 1/2Hrs. Let's see how badly they beat that time. Go! Go! Go! Flash and Zoom, but do it safely.
Mrs. V
|
|
voyager
|
It's nice to see Peter has his life jacket on. Matt? And a spare paddle. They're catching on. :) Hope you get some sleep the next couple of days, Mrs. Kelso.
Mrs. V
|
|
sedges
|
At this point they could take an 8 hour snooze and still beat the record by 5 hours. Starting up again after sleep might be hard though.
They are making an incredible run. Wish I could be at GP when they arrive.
|
|
missmolly
|
Thanks to Grandma L for being there.
|
|
wrestlencanoe
|
Thanks for allowing everyone to follow along. Safe travels!
|
|
TomT
|
Have they stopped to sleep at all since starting?
|
|
Marshamallow
|
I've been tracking them nearly all day. This is amazing. In 2018, they did the Pigeon R. in 6 hrs, actual paddling time. They're really flying. I sure hope they take a few hours to snooze at the Fort. They're on track to finish in less than 72 hours, provided they don't get permanently stuck in the mud on the GP.
AKA Mrs. Voyager.
|
|
nctry
|
I’m guessing GrandmaL is on her way there now. Housty9 came for the night here or I was going to join her. I’m guessing 4am if they keep going. I didn’t see the time though on the last ping.
|
|
BeaV
|
Mocha: "wonder what the pigeon river is like right now... all this rain we've had in southern MN would make that river flow like crazy. looks like they have a cushion of 12 hours or so that might come in handy on the grand portage. stay safe!"
The flow is really high right now...1390 cfs +/-, They will fly down the river in record time. Most of the English Rapids will be flooded with water over all the "normal" boulder field. But, could be some challenging standing wave trains to bounce over, especially at the very beginning where the river is narrow for about 500 feet. Could be nasty for a MN 2 to stay upright. They should get there before total dark but...they'll get an adrenalin boost into their sleepy bodies. Hang on guys and keep your paddle blades in the water!!!! FWIW, the Park Service warns of challenging conditions over 500 cfs but they should be OK.
I don't think they'll be sleeping in the canoe anymore. Eyes open, pushing for the finish.
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
Can't take my eyes off their progress. Way to go, guys! Stay safe on this final leg!
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
Going to be about a 3:30 Am finish- almost certainly before 4Am. Which means a sub 70 hour time. That is Ludacrisly nuts.
I congratulate both Peter and Matt on a record that I don't think can be broken for sometime by another tandem.
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
I wonder if they will/can canoe Gitiegummee to the Marina like some traditions state? Something tells me that is not happening.
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
According to their SPOT- they finished at 3:25.58AM( or 3:17 and change depending on what Signal is more trustworthy) --- that would make using an "unofficial" send off of 6AM -- total time being 69 hours - 25 minutes and 58 seconds ( or 8 minutes quicker) for those that count such things.
|
|
andym
|
Truly amazing. Congrats on an amazing accomplishment.
The 3:17 and 3:25 locations are virtually the same (to a meter). Seems like the earlier time is valid unless they report something odd. They also have two fixes at the start between 6:00 and 6:01. Good to make sure things are recorded.
What time of year did Kruger and Waddell establish the original record?
|
|
missmolly
|
Greatness.
|
|
airmorse
|
How many miles from start to finish?
|
|
Mocha
|
so cool! congrats to you guys. it's a brisk morning up there today, hopefully you were in a comfy cozy bed shortly after your finish.
|
|
Kelso
|
WTIP interview
|
|
Grandma L
|
For those of you who don't know Peter and Matt, Here is a couple of pics so you can put faces to the names. Congratulations!
Oh, Peter, the U of M Tesla guys send you cheers and congrats. I spent the weekend with them - ( Ryan L.-Jeremy L. and Patrick B.) Your adventure and success was a constant in our conversations. We are all proud of you and Matt!
Start at Sha Sha Resort-Dove Point
Canoe in Superior for tradition after the Grand Portage
With G'ma L at finish
After much needed sleep
|
|
x2jmorris
|
Congrats you two!
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
3 pings on the same spot. Maybe chowing down to fuel up for the GP...
|
|
cyclones30
|
Very cool, looks like they're hanging at the beginning of the portage for now. I remember the report from last year
|
|
rtallent
|
Wow... way ahead of their itinerary. Tough customers.
|
|
Mocha
|
it seems like they are about 12 hours ahead of their itinerary? amazing pace they have set.
will anyone be at GP for their finish?
|
|
BeaV
|
I'm glad you posted this! Give 'er heck!
To everyone who reads this...this could be history in the making. A 51 year record could fall. Worth watching and tracking as Peter and Matt progress!
At least 216 miles with almost no rest allowed. Good luck, push it, but remain safe!!!
BeaV
|
|
nctry
|
Go guys... Make sure you unload all that extra food the night before again. Haha.
Like BeaV says... be Safe!
Will you have a SPOT?
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
Good Luck Guys!!! You should FLY down the English Rapids!!!
|
|
andym
|
Good luck. I'll be watching and hoping for a safe trip and a great adventure whether or not you set a new record.
|
|
Grandma L
|
Peter and Matt - Great to see this post. A couple of your college friends are at my cabin for the weekend, They are working on a landscaping project but I have been tasked with tracking you and keeping them posted as they work. We are all cheering for you. Paddle true and SAFE!!
|
|
Kendra
|
Looking good so far guys!
I'm watching with anticipation!
|
|
HangLoose
|
Watching closely. They just passed one of my favorite campsites on Lac LaCroix. Good luck guys!
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
They are flying..... Appeared to have excellent conditions today with I believe a tail wind at times. They definitely made good use of it.
Made quick work of Curtain Falls Portage at night -- impressive. I've seen NO navigation errors thus far. Very impressive especially being fatigued and at night.
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
This is epic. They are taking advantage of near perfect conditions and hitting it hard (understatement). Few alive could do what they have done thus far. (I've done this basically 3 times before, but not as fast). It's a privilege to know them first hand,. With weather conditions I see in the future and the big lead they "seem" to have on their goal- they have a very strong chance of going sub 78 hr's. A lot can change- (wind may be E on Gunflint), injury etc.-- but this is the fastest tandem I have ever seen in the BWCAW over long distances documented.
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
This is insane! They went about 100 miles in 24 hours.
|
|
voyager
|
So glad they're starting exactly where Verlin and Clint did and taking the Dawson Portage route. The shortcut took about 2 hrs. and 40 mins. I wish I had their times for going the long way, around Loon River last Sept. I'm just curious how much time that saved. They've got a great chance. A pair of iron men to be sure. What a different ride it will be down the Pigeon this time,
|
|
LindenTree
|
voyager: A pair of iron men to be sure. What a different ride it will be down the Pigeon this time,"
Iron men is a fitting description.
If they beat the record time I wonder if they will take a victory lap around Lake Superior?
Were rooting for you two in Duluth, safe paddles.
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
voyager: "So glad they're starting exactly where Verlin and Clint did and taking the Dawson Portage route. The shortcut took about 2 hrs. and 40 mins. I wish I had their times for going the long way, around Loon River last Sept. I'm just curious how much time that saved. They've got a great chance. A pair of iron men to be sure. What a different ride it will be down the Pigeon this time,"
My guess is about 2.5 to 3 hours.
|
|
airmorse
|
Have they slept yet?
|
|
TomT
|
Fullpack: " She said lots of downed trees and mud. That would be hell to have to face that after a few days of little sleep and unused legs."
Not to mention having “canoe butt”.
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
Fullpack: "My wife just hiked the Grand Portage top to bottom from Pigeon River to Superior today for a training session for her Border Route trip in a couple weeks . Steady hike took 4hrs. She said lots of downed trees and mud."
Sounds like the Grand Portage. Probably worse now since the crews haven't cleaned up the winter blows "yet". That thing is always muddy- and the thousands of slippery/mossy planks....
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
The part they are doing now (Granite River N of Clove Lake and Pine River S of Clove lake) going upstream) too me is the most mentally / physically challenging part of the route. Right dab in the middle of the challenge. Those ports are not easy and one needs to be quite vigilant or an injury can happen mighty quick. And they are doing it at night.
Looks like they are moving again after a 20 min or so "Break". At this point having been mostly awake for 42 hours- what's the point of sleeping? I don't think they can at this point. Not that they wish they could sleep - craving it - but mentally I don't think they could just shutdown and rest-- until they accomplish their goal.
|
|
airmorse
|
Ahhh...to be young again.
|
|
voyager
|
I'm getting antsy here. 30 minutes with no new pings. Darn SPOT.
|
|
sedges
|
They are still making consistent progress. If they can make Partridge Falls on the Pigeon before dark they are set up for the big portage at night. The river from the falls to Fort Charlotte is pretty flat, unlike the upper section. It would not be an issue in the dark.
They did the 2 mile Long Portage in an hour. Navigating Grand Portage in the dark and being even more tired, I would expect them to spend 5-6 hours on the hike.
|
|
muddyfeet
|
Wow, they are cookin!
6 hrs until dark: the last time these guys were on the pigeon it was dark and foggy. Not sure there is much else that would stop them. Finish strong!
|
|
voyager
|
All they have to do now is keep the canoe in 1 piece, portage around the falls,portage another 9 miles, and they're in the record books. I think they're through with rapids. I can't imagine anyone dreaming of beating their time in the future. A super human effort!
|
|
voyager
|
If I were in their shoes, I'd stop for a break on the 9 miler, fall asleep, and wake up 2 days later. So much for that record.
|
|
TomT
|
Pretty awesome so far. Hope there's no mistakes on the river. That portage looks like a beast to me on no sleep.
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
nctry: "I’m guessing GrandmaL is on her way there now. Housty9 came for the night here or I was going to join her. I’m guessing 4am if they keep going. I didn’t see the time though on the last ping."
GrandmaL loves these graveyard shift arrivals in Grand Portage!!! :O) -- I think BeaV finished around 4AM in 2017 and GrandmaL was woke to a phone call from yours truly to get to the Fort in time. I think Peter and Matt planned it this way!!!! HA!
|
|
Grandma L
|
Yup, I am sitting in the Casino Lobby waiting for them to get closer to the finish before I go out to watch for them. They have passed Cowboy Road and old 61 so it will not be long now. Incredible, awesome, exceptional! Great guys. Powerful accomplishment!
|
|
BeaV
|
BeaV: "WOW!
"
I'm not changing my mind!
|
|
BeaV
|
Congratulations Matt and Peter!
|
|
WhiteWolf
|
airmorse: "How many miles from start to finish?"
at least 216 miles according to their post. Divide that by 69 or so hours. = Avg rate over 3mph. That's impressive over just water. But, when one thinks of the portaging involved ( at least 40 that I'am aware of and over 20 miles of it) and technical aspects of those portages= uncanny.
|
|
Mlohned
|
Congrats guys! What a crazy thing to do. I'm looking forward to a trip report.. if they can remember any of it.
|
|
Marshamallow
|
WOW! Way to go guys! You did great!!!! So exciting to track you two again. I don't know if I got any more gray hairs this time, from worrying, since I already discovered you're both crazy, but I sure prayed you through the Pigeon River. The GP too, for that matter. I wish we could have been there waiting with Gma L. At least someone was waiting at the end to greet you this year. We tried to get there last time, but you were too fast. Be thankful you don't have to reenact your arrival for pics again. CONGRATULATIONS!
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
Congratulations Matt and Peter! Hope you are enjoying a deep sleep.
|
|
muddyfeet
|
Well done!
|
|
voyager
|
Matt and Peter, INCREDIBLE! My new heroes.
|
|
JimmyJustice
|
Congratulations Matt and Peter! Not just for finishing and not just for setting a record, but for having a goal and seeing it through. Outstanding job gentlemen.
|
|
Kendra
|
You guys did incredibly well!
Congratulations on a goal met with an outstanding amount of grit and determination!
As a mom....I'm telling you to please rest now!!!!!
|
|
nctry
|
Way to go guys... you’ll read this when you wake up next week sometime. Haha.
Ok team BeaV and Kendra... guess you’ll have to paddle a little harder in September.
GrandmaL, your getting to be a fixture in Grand Portage. Some people chase storms, others stormin paddlers.
|
|
BeaV
|
andym: "Truly amazing. Congrats on an amazing accomplishment.
The 3:17 and 3:25 locations are virtually the same (to a meter). Seems like the earlier time is valid unless they report something odd. They also have two fixes at the start between 6:00 and 6:01. Good to make sure things are recorded.
What time of year did Kruger and Waddell establish the original record?"
The different times are because one is a tracking point that is automatic and the other is the "OK" message that had to be sent manually from the guys. I'm sure Grandma L will have helped record what their official finish time was coming into the fort.
From the photographs that were taken from Kruger and Waddell's original record trip and based on the vegetation in those...it appears to be a July to early August time frame. Clint Waddell published their account in the October 1968 "Hut" newsletter of the Minnesota Canoe Association.
|
|
DanCooke
|
Congratulations Matt and Peter! Your record will most likely stand for some time.
|
|
BuckNelson
|
A truly remarkable achievement. Congratulations!
|
|
Marshamallow
|
I can't wait! Did they give you a time? So glad they're giving you two the recognition for this incredible feat. When you can get your heads out of the clouds, I'll be waiting on your trip report. So glad my hubby (Voyager) isn't so young anymore. He'd probably want to try it. My nerves couldn't take it. :)
|
|
Kelso
|
Marshamallow: "So glad my hubby (Voyager) isn't so young anymore. He'd probably want to try it. My nerves couldn't take it. :)"
Thanks Marcie, and thanks for praying for us! God certainly kept us in his care. Don't know the radio time. Is Russ planning to do the Challenge again this year?
|
|
andym
|
BTW, kudos for the way you set us up to follow along. I didn't download the route maps but did compare your SPOT track to the possible itinerary with times. That made it easy to see how you were doing.
|
|
Kelso
|
Here's a timelapse video of the first 12 hrs of the trip (unfortunately after 12 hrs the camera lens came loose, so that's all the video we got).
|
|
Kelso
|
andym: "BTW, kudos for the way you set us up to follow along. I didn't download the route maps but did compare your SPOT track to the possible itinerary with times. That made it easy to see how you were doing."
Glad that worked for you, andym. For GrandmaL and anyone else who wants it, download our final GPX data here.
|
|
fadersup
|
Hat's off gentleman, extraordinary effort.
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
Looking at the radio station schedule it looks like their interview is most likely going to be during the North Shore Morning program so between 8 am and 10 am.
|
|
cyberia34
|
Congrats Matt and Peter. This was truly an amazing and awe-inspiring event to track over the long weekend.
|
|
Grandma L
|
Great interview - thanks for posting the link.
|
|
voyager
|
A fascinating interview, thanks.
|
|
Mocha
|
Grandma L: "Great interview - thanks for posting the link. "
+12
|
|
Marshamallow
|
After saying (the last two times) that he'd never do the challenge again, he IS going this Sept. I'll be tracking everyone again. With 20+ paddlers, tracking will be a fun challenge. At least my challenge won't be as grueling as it will be for the paddlers. I'll have a comfortable bed and the only"rain" on my head will be in a warm shower. You can always pop in for a visit at the Grand Ptg. hotel.
|
|
Marshamallow
|
No wonder you two were so fast. After watching your video, I see Matt was pedaling also. Or maybe he had a whopping bad case of restless leg. :) I get seasick watching it.
|
|
Nordstjernen
|
Marshamallow: "No wonder you two were so fast. After watching your video, I see Matt was pedaling also. Or maybe he had a whopping bad case of restless leg. :) I get seasick watching it."
We probably could have gone a little faster if I wasn't upside down on the portages!
|
|
BuckNelson
|
I really enjoyed the interview. Genuine humility despite the enormous accomplishment.
It's always interesting when people ask "why?" when someone tackles these big challenges. I think most people on this thread understand what it must mean to succeed at something like this, or even to give it your level best.
Kudos.
|
|
cyclones30
|
Kelso: " Here's a timelapse video of the first 12 hrs of the trip (unfortunately after 12 hrs the camera lens came loose, so that's all the video we got)."
Toward the end the long portage w/ 2 track was the Canadian short cut?
|
|
andym
|
I thought the Dawson was the best part of the video. So many things flew by and then all of a sudden one portage went on and on and I knew it had to be the Dawson. Wow, that’s long. And it’s not even Grand Portage long.
|
|
Papa09
|
This was incredible! Well done!
|
|
Kelso
|
Tomorrow morning (Saturday May 25) Matt and I will be starting an attempt of the Kruger-Waddell Challenge. The record, established by Verlen Kruger and Clint Waddell, is 80 hrs 40 mins following the border route (shortcuts allowed) from Sha-Sha Resort on Rainy Lake to Grand Portage MN, crossing Voyageurs National Park and the BWCA. Kruger and Waddell took the Dawson Portage shortcut through Canada (instead of the longer Loon River) so we plan to do so as well.
Although we will bring a SPOT tracker to record our route, we will be navigating solely by map and compass, in the spirit of Clint and Verlen. We plan to start around 7 or 8 am tomorrow morning. Follow along by watching our SPOT track. We're planning to paddle through the nights and hoping for favorable winds. Saturday and Sunday look good, but Monday not so much...
Download our route maps.
|
|
Kelso
|
This morning at 6 am Kelso and Nordstjernen took off from Sha Sha Resort. Wind coming from the south; cool and mostly dry. Safe travels to the two adventurers!
-Mrs. Kelso
|
|
missmolly
|
Kendra: "Looking good so far guys!
I'm watching with anticipation!
"
Me too!
|
|
straighthairedcurly
|
Exciting to watch the progress. Looks like today is going really, really well.
|
|
voyager
|
Where did you find their itinerary?
|
|
voyager
|
This is Mrs. Voyager. I stayed with Gma L during last years challenge, and tracked everyone's progress. Looking back at last years notes, Flash and Zoom, as we called Peter and Matt, started the Pigeon River at 10:43 pm. They stopped at Partridge Falls and slept for 1 1/2 hours. They arrived at Ft. Charlotte at 6:19 am, and finished the Grand Portage by 10:00 am. Then we called them Crash and Burn, instead of Flash and Zoom.
They would have finished a little sooner, but got on the wrong trail at the start of Fowl Ptg. Oops! I prayed they'd stop to sleep before starting the Pigeon R, but noooo, they kept right on paddling. Needless to say, I was up checking their progress half the night. Not much sleep for me either. I remembered how bad the Pigeon was in the daylight. Those two added several gray hairs to my head.
|
|
x2jmorris
|
Best of luck
|
|
missmolly
|
They are mighty.
|
|
nctry
|
voyager: "Where did you find their itinerary?"
I did the same thing... see op... spot link.
|
|
scotttimm
|
I've been checking all day...so fun to watch!
|
|
Mocha
|
wonder what the pigeon river is like right now... all this rain we've had in southern MN would make that river flow like crazy. looks like they have a cushion of 12 hours or so that might come in handy on the grand portage. stay safe!
|
|
andym
|
Thanks, BeaV. Time of year is an interesting question to balance length of day versus heat versus amount of water in the rivers. And I sort of have to respect doing it over a three-day weekend to save a day of vacation. Gonna have to think about this trip the next time someone asks about how far they can go in a three-day BW trip. Apparently all the way across is now an acceptable answer for some people. Well, at least for two specific people.
|
|
wrestlencanoe
|
Legendary Accomplishment! Congrats!
|
|
Kelso
|
Thanks everyone for rooting for us, and thanks for the kind words! Matt and I just went to the WTIP station in Grand Marais and recorded a radio interview with Joe Friedrichs, their BWCA news producer. The interview will air tomorrow and be available on wtip.org. Should answer most of the questions! I'll post a link to the interview once it becomes available.
We will write a trip report eventually too. We're relieved that the trip was completed safely without any injuries, and we're happy with our time. It seemed like a nightmare at times, but looking back I'm glad we took on the challenge.
|
|
Nordstjernen
|
Kelso: "Thanks everyone for rooting for us, and thanks for the kind words! Matt and I just went to the WTIP station in Grand Marais and recorded a radio interview with Joe Friedrichs, their BWCA news producer. The interview will air tomorrow and be available on wtip.org. Should answer most of the questions! I'll post a link to the interview once it becomes available.
We will write a trip report eventually too. We're relieved that the trip was completed safely without any injuries, and we're happy with our time. It seemed like a nightmare at times, but looking back I'm glad we took on the challenge."
I second everything Peter said. Best paddle partner in the world. Thanks to everyone for the kind words and encouragement! And special thanks to Mrs Kelso and my girlfriend for taking care of us at both ends of the trip. And an extra special thanks to the 3:25 visit from grandmaL!
|
|
TomT
|
Kelso: " Here's a timelapse video of the first 12 hrs of the trip (unfortunately after 12 hrs the camera lens came loose, so that's all the video we got)."
That was fun to watch! Thanks, and big congrats to you guys. Hopefully the radio interview will be able to be downloaded. Looking forward to a trip report as well!
|
|
Selfsuffi
|
I stand in awe at the perseverance you both went through to complete this trip in this little time. An amazing physical and mental challenge taken on and conquered. I am amazed and extremely proud of you both! Well done.
|
|
Selfsuffi
|
I stand in awe at the perseverance you both went through to complete this trip in this little time. An amazing physical and mental challenge taken on and conquered. I am amazed and extremely proud of you both! Well done.
|
|
TrailZen
|
straighthairedcurly: "This is insane! They went about 100 miles in 24 hours. "
The next time I'm feeling smug about cracking 100 miles in a ten-day trip, I'll remind myself of the really talented and motivated paddlers out there. Gentlemen, my congratulations! May your record stand for many years.
TZ
|