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09/24/2019 03:17PM |
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09/24/2019 03:24PM |
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09/19/2019 09:52AM |
BWPaddler: "Still hoping for some pictures! Anyone?"
Team BeaV at the finish. 94:30. The Grand Portage was extremely challenging especially after everything was wet from rain and the gnarly
Pigeon River.
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09/20/2019 08:10PM |
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09/23/2019 06:27AM |
straighthairedcurly: "cyberia34: "Kelso: "GrandmaL, is Mzee's SPOT not working? No positional updates since yesterday afternoon, but I would expect him to be keeping up with Voyageur and Gulfman. Looks like the 3-person Voyageur Challenge team ALeafOnTheWind, ChiefEatsPlants, and WillPortageForOreos have pulled out at Ely (Knife Lake). Hope they are all ok and didn't run into any serious trouble.
The 3-person crew of MNGreene, BanjoRacer, and Kjohnson are overtaking Muddyfeet on Moose Lake... they've all been pushing themselves with very little sleep for 74hrs and they know that the finish line is within reach! The rain and increasing winds predicted for tonight and tomorrow won't be fun for those teams who still have big lakes to cross (MagicPaddler, WindwardMark/LeewardLauren, Chief, and Mzee/Voyageur/Gulfman).
I'm guessing that MuddyFeet and the MNGreene team will be finishing at Lake Superior tonight or in the wee hours of the morning, and BeaV's group will reach the Grand Portage stockade tomorrow late morning or early afternoon. It all depends on how much sleep these teams allow themselves tonight, and how long this good weather holds. The Pigeon River water level is above average for mid September (currently at 370 cubic ft/sec), so hopefully it won't give them trouble."
Kelso, this is ALeafOnTheWind, WillPortageForOreos ended up with a combination of heat stress and exhaustion from Sunday, which resulted in her not being able to portage or paddle on Monday. After having to double portage and have two people paddle for three on Monday, we ended up having to call it quits since we weren't sure how soon she would be feeling well enough to continue participating in the challenge. The wind out of the south/southeast on Basswood Lake didn't help either. On Tuesday we made our way down to Moose Lake, through Wind Lake, and self extracted. She's doing a little better now, but is still working on getting back to fully recuperated.
Also, for those of you who were wondering, below is a picture of us at the start at Crane Lake. I didn't happen to get a picture of MagicPaddler before he got on the water.
"
Glad everyone is okay. Sounds like a smart decision. I developed heat exhaustion training whitewater slalom in South Bend one year. It was brutal on the body and takes quite awhile to get back to normal. "
I hope that team Oreo will try again. Great group of young folks!
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09/25/2019 11:17AM |
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09/15/2019 08:05PM |
Kelso: "TomT: "It doesn’t look like Kendra is making this one. Who is on BeaV’s team this time? Does he have a new partner?"
Kendra is still paddling with BeaV! Their group is a full-capacity permit of 9 people and 4 watercraft: BeaV/Kendra, JimmyJustice/Deke, MeatPuppet/McPipes/Esteban, and Whitewolf/Ryan.
The 2019 Kruger Challengers at Sha-Sha Resort (photo by GrandmaL):
"
Actually, they are 8 people. Our mutual friend, Ryan, had to cancel at the last minute. He has his Marine Commissioning Ceremony on Friday morning and was afraid if we have rain and bad weather in the next few days, he would not make it home in time.
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09/17/2019 09:22AM |
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09/18/2019 09:46PM |
Kelso: "GrandmaL, is Mzee's SPOT not working? No positional updates since yesterday afternoon, but I would expect him to be keeping up with Voyageur and Gulfman. Looks like the 3-person Voyageur Challenge team ALeafOnTheWind, ChiefEatsPlants, and WillPortageForOreos have pulled out at Ely (Knife Lake). Hope they are all ok and didn't run into any serious trouble.
The 3-person crew of MNGreene, BanjoRacer, and Kjohnson are overtaking Muddyfeet on Moose Lake... they've all been pushing themselves with very little sleep for 74hrs and they know that the finish line is within reach! The rain and increasing winds predicted for tonight and tomorrow won't be fun for those teams who still have big lakes to cross (MagicPaddler, WindwardMark/LeewardLauren, Chief, and Mzee/Voyageur/Gulfman).
I'm guessing that MuddyFeet and the MNGreene team will be finishing at Lake Superior tonight or in the wee hours of the morning, and BeaV's group will reach the Grand Portage stockade tomorrow late morning or early afternoon. It all depends on how much sleep these teams allow themselves tonight, and how long this good weather holds. The Pigeon River water level is above average for mid September (currently at 370 cubic ft/sec), so hopefully it won't give them trouble."
Kelso, this is ALeafOnTheWind, WillPortageForOreos ended up with a combination of heat stress and exhaustion from Sunday, which resulted in her not being able to portage or paddle on Monday. After having to double portage and have two people paddle for three on Monday, we ended up having to call it quits since we weren't sure how soon she would be feeling well enough to continue participating in the challenge. The wind out of the south/southeast on Basswood Lake didn't help either. On Tuesday we made our way down to Moose Lake, through Wind Lake, and self extracted. She's doing a little better now, but is still working on getting back to fully recuperated.
Also, for those of you who were wondering, below is a picture of us at the start at Crane Lake. I didn't happen to get a picture of MagicPaddler before he got on the water.
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09/18/2019 09:58PM |
mirth: "Great job everybody"
+1
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09/16/2019 01:09PM |
BWPaddler: "mirth: "Wow, BeaV is taking a leisurely pace."
It's BeaV plus 7 in three canoes I think... I'm sure there's some physics equation about why that might not be his usual pace, lol."
Yea I'm not sure I'm reading it correctly but some of the participates miles traveled and average speed don't seem right.
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09/16/2019 01:19PM |
Blatz: "BWPaddler: "mirth: "Wow, BeaV is taking a leisurely pace."
It's BeaV plus 7 in three canoes I think... I'm sure there's some physics equation about why that might not be his usual pace, lol."
Yea I'm not sure I'm reading it correctly but some of the participates miles traveled and average speed don't seem right."
I saw that too - unless the people zigged and zagged so much their mileage doubled, lol!
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09/25/2019 05:42PM |
Clint and Bev Waddell at dinner
P.S. Just in case you are wondering, Clint helped paddle the canoes on Lake Superior this past weekend as we gathered them for our shuttle. Still going strong!
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09/24/2019 10:58AM |
20 of the 26 paddlers finished.
I'll post a few more pics soon of the other finishers that I have photos of.
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09/17/2019 09:57AM |
The 3-person crew of MNGreene, BanjoRacer, and Kjohnson are overtaking Muddyfeet on Moose Lake... they've all been pushing themselves with very little sleep for 74hrs and they know that the finish line is within reach! The rain and increasing winds predicted for tonight and tomorrow won't be fun for those teams who still have big lakes to cross (MagicPaddler, WindwardMark/LeewardLauren, Chief, and Mzee/Voyageur/Gulfman).
I'm guessing that MuddyFeet and the MNGreene team will be finishing at Lake Superior tonight or in the wee hours of the morning, and BeaV's group will reach the Grand Portage stockade tomorrow late morning or early afternoon. It all depends on how much sleep these teams allow themselves tonight, and how long this good weather holds. The Pigeon River water level is above average for mid September (currently at 370 cubic ft/sec), so hopefully it won't give them trouble.
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09/19/2019 09:48AM |
where is magic paddler? his icon seems to have disappeared.
is Chief going all the way to GP? what if he doesn't make it by saturday? will anyone wait for him?
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09/20/2019 10:14AM |
waiting for more photos and some stories. what is everyone doing up at GP anyway? probably watching the leaves change colors....
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09/20/2019 05:29PM |
*Photo taken a few days before the Challenge.
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09/25/2019 05:17PM |
MagicPaddler: "I have attended IEEE Conferences around the world, never had the needs of the attendees been provided as well as Grandma_L did for the challenge participants. Grandma_L did an excellent job of organizing the before and after activities. THANK YOU Grandma_L!"
Thanks Magic,
Working with this group of paddlers is the high point of my summer. I learned a couple of things this time - bake more brownies and chocolate chip cookies, make paddlers practice and check that their SPOT works BEFORE they take off, and try to get more sleep. A big "thanks" goes to my family for supporting me, to Marcie (Mrs. Voyager-Russ) for her efforts in tracking Challengers and to Ben for traveling to Fort Charlotte to greet them on the trail. I also was reminded that paddlers are a lot of things, boring is not one of them. This is a wonderful, dynamic, and energetic group of folks. I am privileged to work with them!!
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09/14/2019 09:11PM |
TomT: "The Minnesota Kruger Challenge and the Voyageurs Challenge got going this morning. Here's a couple links. You can follow along the exact position of a challenger using the map.
Roster for all challenges
Watertribe Tracking Map
"
Thanks! I've been looking for this.
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09/14/2019 09:18PM |
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09/30/2019 08:24PM |
Thank you for being at Fort Charlotte. Seeing you and Kira in person was refreshing and aided my psyche a bit realizing that being at Fort Charlotte it was not a dream...knowing that we were almost done...if 9 miles in the mud can be considered "almost".
Having paddled across the Fowl lakes and traversed the Foul Portage in the rain was a change of pace from just a bit earlier when the water on Knife was glass.
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09/25/2019 05:10PM |
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09/17/2019 08:42PM |
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09/25/2019 04:57PM |
Chief greeting Gulfman at the Finish.
here is a better pic of this strong Challenger!
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09/20/2019 09:52AM |
Mocha: "Any more updates?"
WindwardMark/LeewardLauren are finished! MagicPaddler is on his way down the Grand Portage. Voyager/Gulfman, and probably Mzee too are on the Pigeon River. Unfortunately, Chief looks like he has come out at Ely.
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09/17/2019 04:14PM |
We haven't seen an update from MNGreene's team since this morning... my guess is that their SPOT isn't working but that they're neck and neck with Muddy.
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09/15/2019 08:01PM |
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09/18/2019 12:42PM |
MNGreene, BanjoRacer, and Kjohnson came in at Midnight last night. Their Spot stopped transmitting at Mountain Lake.
BeaV, MAKK, MeatPuppett, McPipes, Esteban, Whitewolf, JimmyJustice, Deke finished this morning at daybreak.
nctry (Ben) was camped at Fort Charlotte to cheer on the challengers as they start the Grand Portage.
After last week's wet weather, and thunderstorms yesterday evening, the Grand Portage was in rough shape with slick footing and loads of mud. The challengers who crossed it last night showed their tenacity, and can today compare their blisters.
To be clear, I was the first solo paddler to complete a timed run of this route: from Sha-Sha through Kabetogama and the Dawson Portage. The best solo time for the route is 84h11m, but it is the only known solo time. So the bar is set, and I would take pleasure in seeing a gritty soul push that number lower.
My canoe was designed with this route in mind. If you're interested in amateur composites engineering, I have a build thread at this link.
Let's cheer on the remaining challengers as they test themselves, and hope for favorable weather.
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09/15/2019 08:01PM |
LindenTree: "
GrandmaL, I would have loved to help with logistics, I just got back from 18 days camping out west and returned home to Detroit Lakes a couple hours ago.
Good luck to all paddlers and hoping for following seas. "
Lindy, I will keep that in mind - this year I could have used more hands and help. The next couple of days will be "power packed". With more Challengers, my job keeps growing! This is the best volunteer job I could have dreamed of having. It is almost as good as Christmas!! - Well, actually - more fun!
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09/18/2019 06:18AM |
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09/19/2019 11:38AM |
Mocha: "where is magic paddler? his icon seems to have disappeared"
He's on the Pigeon River, a few miles behind WindwardMark/LeewardLauren. His icon is under the MNVC2019 map so you won't see him on the same map as the Kruger Challengers.
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09/19/2019 12:04PM |
cyberia34: "Kelso: "GrandmaL, is Mzee's SPOT not working? No positional updates since yesterday afternoon, but I would expect him to be keeping up with Voyageur and Gulfman. Looks like the 3-person Voyageur Challenge team ALeafOnTheWind, ChiefEatsPlants, and WillPortageForOreos have pulled out at Ely (Knife Lake). Hope they are all ok and didn't run into any serious trouble.
The 3-person crew of MNGreene, BanjoRacer, and Kjohnson are overtaking Muddyfeet on Moose Lake... they've all been pushing themselves with very little sleep for 74hrs and they know that the finish line is within reach! The rain and increasing winds predicted for tonight and tomorrow won't be fun for those teams who still have big lakes to cross (MagicPaddler, WindwardMark/LeewardLauren, Chief, and Mzee/Voyageur/Gulfman).
I'm guessing that MuddyFeet and the MNGreene team will be finishing at Lake Superior tonight or in the wee hours of the morning, and BeaV's group will reach the Grand Portage stockade tomorrow late morning or early afternoon. It all depends on how much sleep these teams allow themselves tonight, and how long this good weather holds. The Pigeon River water level is above average for mid September (currently at 370 cubic ft/sec), so hopefully it won't give them trouble."
Kelso, this is ALeafOnTheWind, WillPortageForOreos ended up with a combination of heat stress and exhaustion from Sunday, which resulted in her not being able to portage or paddle on Monday. After having to double portage and have two people paddle for three on Monday, we ended up having to call it quits since we weren't sure how soon she would be feeling well enough to continue participating in the challenge. The wind out of the south/southeast on Basswood Lake didn't help either. On Tuesday we made our way down to Moose Lake, through Wind Lake, and self extracted. She's doing a little better now, but is still working on getting back to fully recuperated.
Also, for those of you who were wondering, below is a picture of us at the start at Crane Lake. I didn't happen to get a picture of MagicPaddler before he got on the water.
Glad everyone is okay. Sounds like a smart decision. I developed heat exhaustion training whitewater slalom in South Bend one year. It was brutal on the body and takes quite awhile to get back to normal.
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09/27/2019 12:29AM |
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09/18/2019 07:36AM |
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09/18/2019 07:37AM |
Mocha: "Records are meant to be challenged and it looks like he means business. What is the day everyone needs to be t grand portage?
Can someone describe the weather going on right now? The radar looks nasty."
I would like to know, too when the festivities are. I know Ben went up there yesterday.
Congrats to Muddyfeet!
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09/27/2019 09:17AM |
BWPaddler: "Thank you all for the pictures and stories. What an amazing tradition!"You're welcome! It is a blast participating with fellow paddlers all trying to accomplish the same thing.
Next year's dates are already set- September 12-20th, 2020.
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09/17/2019 08:29AM |
Several of the Challengers are having trouble with their SPOT's. They are quickly running out of battery power, not sending correctly or have quit working.
I get more direct communications and occasionally a text.
Today they will have rain and possible thunder storms about noon and then a 10-12 mph head wind. That will tough on some of those big lakes.
FYI - Water Tribe - a paddle club, organizes most of these larger events here in the BWCA and over the winter in Florida. I do the logistics for the MN event with the help of other volunteers.
Glad you are all watching. This is the largest MN Border Route Challenge since they started in 2015.
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09/25/2019 07:45AM |
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09/26/2019 01:06AM |
Grandma L: "As I head in to make supper, I wanted to give a tip of my hat to the gentleman who started all this "Border Route Mania". Clint Waddell, Verlen Kruger's paddle partner, had an interview and trip comments published in the ACA (canoe association) newsletter, The Hut, back in 1968, where he challenged other paddlers to try the route, "Just for fun." So, here we are all these years later - having fun! Thanks Clint for giving us the inspiration.
Clint and Bev Waddell at dinner
P.S. Just in case you are wondering, Clint helped paddle the canoes on Lake Superior this past weekend as we gathered them for our shuttle. Still going strong!"
Yeah, was told to set in the middle of MNIII only to scamper to the stern and still yell out "Hut"~~!!
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09/30/2019 04:15PM |
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09/18/2019 11:14AM |
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09/30/2019 04:29PM |
Grandma L: "Ben, Great you were there to encourage them as they started that last and grueling portion of the trek! Maybe next year you and Lawrence can work out a plan and be "on duty" at the fort a little longer. Thanks for the pics! You can almost feel the rush as BeaV's team packs! "
They were as intense as any team can get. As they took off I heard a yelp that made me want to call 911. BeaV was like... relax, they’re sycing each other up for the last hurdle.
There wasn’t a paddler in the challenge I wasn’t impressed with. Very cool to witness!
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09/18/2019 02:13PM |
muddyfeet: "Thanks for the encouragement, everyone.
MNGreene, BanjoRacer, and Kjohnson came in at Midnight last night. Their Spot stopped transmitting at Mountain Lake.
BeaV, MAKK, MeatPuppett, McPipes, Esteban, Whitewolf, JimmyJustice, Deke finished this morning at daybreak.
nctry (Ben) was camped at Fort Charlotte to cheer on the challengers as they start the Grand Portage.
After last week's wet weather, and thunderstorms yesterday evening, the Grand Portage was in rough shape with slick footing and loads of mud. The challengers who crossed it last night showed their tenacity, and can today compare their blisters.
To be clear, I was the first solo paddler to complete a timed run of this route: from Sha-Sha through Kabetogama and the Dawson Portage. The best solo time for the route is 84h11m, but it is the only known solo time. So the bar is set, and I would take pleasure in seeing a gritty soul push that number lower.
My canoe was designed with this route in mind. If you're interested in amateur composites engineering, I have a build thread at this link.
Let's cheer on the remaining challengers as they test themselves, and hope for favorable weather. "
WOOOW MuddyFeet!!! That build thread is absolutely incredible!!! The Dragonfly is a real thing of beauty. So glad you finished it in time for this challenge, and that you were able to complete the route so astonishingly fast. At 25.5 lbs, it's got to be the most perfect solo canoe imaginable for this route. Hope you write a trip report that also gives a summary of your canoe build, planning, and training.
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09/16/2019 09:40AM |
Muddy Feet looks to be almost flying along in the new canoe he designed and built. I might just have to drive over to the Casino in Grand Portage ahead of schedule to meet him!!
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09/17/2019 11:19AM |
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09/20/2019 06:30AM |
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09/24/2019 07:59AM |
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09/23/2019 06:29AM |
Had a bad battery so this was the only picture cause before we could get another camera there MP was on his way. So I decided to do my best to get him at Ft Charlotte at the start of the Grand Portage. It seemed he was running even a tad ahead of schedule and there was a chance to catch dirty... I mean muddy feet the leader and the coming folks and MP would easily slip into Ft Charlotte by Wednesday evening. I met Muddyfeet about 4:30 I think about a half hour into the trail as I was getting to Ft Charlotte. At dusk I heard “banjos” and after going to bed thinking the BeaV group was camped before the pigeon river I heard a familiar voice... hey, that’s Kendra! 10:30ish they’d arrived at the Ft. They were wet, tired and ready to be done. So all these guys are like a machine repacking and getting ready for the portage. One note was how the guys were all sober faced at best... but Kendra? Yep, big smile like I got this! Haha! Then about 11:30pm down the trail they went!
So I get up Wednesday not knowing when I might see MP. So all day I’m watching... and the cool thing is about 11 or so a guy comes in paddling a northwind solo. Had been out 11 days. He, I don’t think was looking forward to the hike down the Grand Portage. He made comments like he didn’t even like canoeing. Haha. Sounded like he got tired of everyone asking if he was part of the challenge. He said it was the hardest thing he’d ever done. Also made comments like the Voyageurs of old were crazy. There had to be a better way to make a living. Haha!
Well, that was it... no MP! I figured maybe the wind slowed him up. Thursday morning came and the latest I figured I would stay is noon. As I reached Grand Portage my brakes went out. So I figured I could limp home. About noonish on Thursday a group of three canoes were coming in. It was actually a group of two canoes (4people) and another tandem coming at the same time. Neither the tandem and one of the other groups tandem had seen MP. Now I’m worried but thinking he must have bugged out somewhere somehow... but why? I asked myself. To me there is no tougher paddler in his age bracket! Then the other canoe mentioned... oh yeah... there was a guy that like his bow partner had taken a wrong turn on the Sourh Fowl long portage. He figured he’d be behind them at the most two hours. I waited three and just had to go at three pm. Only to find had I waited just a bit I would have the pictures I’d made the whole hike for... I figured he’d gotten half way to Thunder Bay and realized his mistake. So I figured he camped and would come out Friday anyways.
So to top the whole thing off... I met him leaving Ely on 169 still northeast of Tower.
So Lawrence, I guess it wasn’t to be... haha! Nice visit with boonie, BWCAsolo, Hawbaker, and the happy huskies at the Boathouse last night. Also up at Ft Charlotte the second night I was uncomfortably congested and I have issues that could make it not good.
So congratulations to everyone... even those who didn’t finish. Everyone is a winner in my book!
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09/18/2019 05:00PM |
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09/16/2019 12:11PM |
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09/16/2019 12:46PM |
Paddle on adventurers!!
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09/24/2019 03:21PM |
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09/14/2019 06:18PM |
We had our send-off supper last night in Ely at the Grand Ely Lodge and this morning at 4:30 AM we assembled at Piragis to load and start the journey. By 8:00 AM we were at Sha Sha Resort on Dove Point, Rainy Lake. All the paddlers had their canoes loaded and were launched on time for the Kruger-Waddell Challenge while at Crane Lake a smaller group of Challengers were launching for the Voyageurs Challenge. A total of 27 paddler this year. Great group of experienced Challengers and several folks new to the Challenge though not so new to paddling.
This year we have 4 paddlers over 70 years old and at this point, though early in the adventure, they are making a strong showing with our own Magic Paddler taking the lead.
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09/18/2019 07:40PM |
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09/14/2019 07:33PM |
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09/14/2019 07:38PM |
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09/16/2019 01:36PM |
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09/16/2019 01:37PM |
BWPaddler: "Blatz: "BWPaddler: "mirth: "Wow, BeaV is taking a leisurely pace."
It's BeaV plus 7 in three canoes I think... I'm sure there's some physics equation about why that might not be his usual pace, lol."
Yea I'm not sure I'm reading it correctly but some of the participates miles traveled and average speed don't seem right."
I saw that too - unless the people zigged and zagged so much their mileage doubled, lol!"
The participant distances shown on the tracking map window are variable since some of them recorded data prior to starting the challenge. You probably already noticed, but if you select a specific challenger and "Show Tracks and All Waypoints" you can see that challenger's full route so far.
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09/16/2019 02:23PM |
Kelso: "BWPaddler: "Blatz: "BWPaddler: "mirth: "Wow, BeaV is taking a leisurely pace."
It's BeaV plus 7 in three canoes I think... I'm sure there's some physics equation about why that might not be his usual pace, lol."
Yea I'm not sure I'm reading it correctly but some of the participates miles traveled and average speed don't seem right."
I saw that too - unless the people zigged and zagged so much their mileage doubled, lol!"
The participant distances shown on the tracking map window are variable since some of them recorded data prior to starting the challenge. You probably already noticed, but if you select a specific challenger and "Show Tracks and All Waypoints" you can see that challenger's full route so far."
That works Thanks
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09/14/2019 07:57PM |
GrandmaL, I would have loved to help with logistics, I just got back from 18 days camping out west and returned home to Detroit Lakes a couple hours ago.
Good luck to all paddlers and hoping for following seas.
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09/25/2019 03:05PM |
Team BeaVer Fever (l-r) Kendra-MAKK, Todd-MeatPuppet, Troy-McPipes, Jeff-Whitewolf, Chad-EstebanBeaV, Jim-Jimmy Justice, Thomas-Deke
BeaV's Crew coming across the grass at the Grand Portage Fort at the Finish|
09/25/2019 02:59PM |
Dragon Fly on trailer.
Muddy Feet at the Grand Portage Fort as he finished.
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09/15/2019 07:14AM |
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09/17/2019 03:53PM |
Mocha: "so, does the grand portage start at ft charlotte? i thought it was accessible from the partridge falls pull out."
My understanding is that it does start at Ft. Charlotte.
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09/17/2019 04:06PM |
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09/17/2019 03:15PM |
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10/01/2019 07:46AM |
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09/16/2019 05:34PM |
Is Muddyfeet by himself? Looks like he was ready for this one!
I have a question - are gps units not allowed? Are there any other restrictions for this challenge?
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09/30/2019 06:27AM |
After securing permits and getting last minute updates from Lori I headed out. Met a guy that had done the Crane Lake to Grand Portage (I forget number of days as he was not on the challenge). He was exhausted to the point that he shed his canoe and was going to come back the next day for it. And man, hiking up with just a pack just four miles was all I could do. Man... I used to just fly up something like that with no effort! About a half mile before the fort I stumble upon Muddy Feet...
I got to the fort then just as it started raining. I set up my CCS rainfly first and then the old Copper Spur. At about dusk I think I was hearing Banjos...
Well, what I understand then was BeaV's group was going to camp before the Pidgeon River and make a push out in the morning. So I ate...
Mmmmm, beef stew with a couple wild rice and cheddar brats cut up in there. Then to bed I went to get up early to catch BeaV's group... well, until about 10:30PM when I heard Kendra's laugh... They went to the other campsite and worked at repacking their stuff to comfortably portage to the end... Wet, Tired... but like a machine they repacked in an hour including having water bottles set with what they needed etc.
Then by 11:30 or so down the trail they went... Boy did I sleep well after. This is all Tuesday night yet... I'm then thinking it's going to be a long time before Lawrence, the only other paddler I expected to see who was what I understood to come to the fort by Wednesday night. About 10:30 AM Wednesday a guy appeared...
I'm thinking whoo hoo, ol' Lawrence is booking! But to my dismay it wasn't! It was a 60 yr old guy doing a bucket list thing. He figured it was 11 days he'd been out. He said he didn't even like canoeing... Then a couple hiked in for a short visit to the fort. He's like oh is that your truck with the busted windows and slashed tires? He's so funny! Haha!
I waited and waited trusting I'd see Magic Paddler would be coming. Then to bed I went praying he was ok. (Knowing of all the challengers he was as able as any of them).
So I'm thinking at worst he was camped before the last stretch of river. I figured I had to head out by noon Thursday as I was unsure of my brakes as when I parked something didn't feel right. (and I might have windows to fix and tires to patch... Haha)!
About noon I spot three canoes heading in...
Two were of the challenge and one was a couple kids from Texas that had been out a bit and was finishing their trip. One of the group informed me they had seen Lawence… and at most they figured two hours max he'd be out. I figured ok, I'll wait two more hours... Kira and I hiked up to possibly get a cool shot...
At three oclock I figured he must have stopped or something and just had to leave. Had I had communication I could have known possibly that he was about there... stay put!
But I left... Limped my truck home feeling horrible because I found out he'd gotten there probably shortly after my leaving.
Sorry if sounds like about me... but just wanted to show some pics of challengers nearing the end of a brutal challenge. It was fun to see different groups and such in action...
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09/16/2019 05:48PM |
TomT: "Looks like Muddyfeet is setting the pace and is on Gunflint Lake with Beav's group right behind on the Granite River. MagicPaddler is just getting into the Granite River.
Is Muddyfeet by himself? Looks like he was ready for this one!
I have a question - are gps units not allowed? Are there any other restrictions for this challenge?"
Yep, Muddyfeet is solo. GPS units are allowed, but some choose not to use them. For example, BeaV and Kendra did not use a GPS during their record run in August.
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09/15/2019 11:02AM |
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09/15/2019 10:58AM |
WaterTribe Boat Classes
I believe that WhiteWolf's partner Ryan was on the fence about his availability. GrandmaL can confirm if he was able to join in the end.
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09/15/2019 11:32AM |
TomT: "It doesn’t look like Kendra is making this one. Who is on BeaV’s team this time? Does he have a new partner?"
Kendra is still paddling with BeaV! Their group is a full-capacity permit of 9 people and 4 watercraft: BeaV/Kendra, JimmyJustice/Deke, MeatPuppet/McPipes/Esteban, and Whitewolf/Ryan.
The 2019 Kruger Challengers at Sha-Sha Resort (photo by GrandmaL):
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09/17/2019 04:27PM |
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09/25/2019 03:40PM |
Here they are at the start -
Banjo Paddler-Kevin, K. J.-Kent and MN Greene-Doug
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09/25/2019 03:54PM |
Kendra and Kristy joined Clewless, Chief and The Hammer as they greeted paddlers
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09/25/2019 03:58PM |
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09/25/2019 04:53PM |
At the fort finishing were: Adventure Andy, Paddlin Paddi, Leeward Lauren and Windward Mark. Great folks. Glad I got the chance to meet them!
A little muddy but smiling just the same!!
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09/17/2019 06:19PM |
Can someone describe the weather going on right now? The radar looks nasty.
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09/19/2019 06:08AM |
Congrats to all 12 finishers so far!
This morning puts WindwardMark/LeewardLauren alongside MagicPaddler on North Fowl Lake, both teams looking ready to tackle the Fowl Portage (no small feat!), the Pigeon River, and finally the Grand.
Mzee/Voyageur/Gulfman are camped at a very pretty North Lake campsite. Mzee's SPOT is still pretty sporadic, but the latest ping indicates he's still with or near Voyageur/Gulfman.
Chief has reached the west end of Basswood Lake, but no updates since yesterday afternoon. Keep going steady, Chief!
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09/23/2019 03:24PM |
Like Commissioner Reagan on Blue Bloods said, "Life should be a series of daring adventures launched from a secure base".
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09/20/2019 02:46PM |
Mocha: "what a great trip for all, esp the solo trippers who have to do everything themselves.
waiting for more photos and some stories. what is everyone doing up at GP anyway? probably watching the leaves change colors...."
Waiting and celebrating others accomplishing their goals!! Then telling stories around some beverages at the bar or in the hot tub or around a bonfire!!!. The ceremony tomorrow night of inducting new members into the "Northman" club with Clint Waddell present is awesome!!!
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09/25/2019 05:07PM |
Russ at the finish
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09/17/2019 09:52PM |
Grandma L: "Kelso: "Congrats MuddyFeet! Finished in 84 hours (unofficial)!"
Just got back to the hotel, he did a great job with his new canoe!
Officially Water Tribe time - 84 hours and 11 minutes. So proud of the special paddler!"
I'm super intrigued by the homebuilt canoe! Hope we can get some details once he's gotten a well-earned rest.
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09/30/2019 11:56AM |
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09/15/2019 07:58PM |
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09/14/2019 05:49PM |
Roster for all challenges
Watertribe Tracking Map
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09/16/2019 12:47PM |
mirth: "Wow, BeaV is taking a leisurely pace."
It's BeaV plus 7 in three canoes I think... I'm sure there's some physics equation about why that might not be his usual pace, lol.
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09/17/2019 09:38PM |
Kelso: "Congrats MuddyFeet! Finished in 84 hours (unofficial)!"
Just got back to the hotel, he did a great job with his new canoe!
Officially Water Tribe time - 84 hours and 11 minutes. So proud of this creative canoe builder and special guy!