The Status of Salmon: An Update

Curious what’s happening with the salmon?  We were pleased to learn that Marine Harvest (they owned the majority of the salmon farms that we paddled by during our Inside Passage Kayak Expedition) has requested federal funding for a closed-containment trial.  It is great to hear that one of the biggest farmed salmon producers is considering switching from open-net pens, which allow parasites and waste to flush directly into the ocean infecting wild salmon, to closed-containment, which would prevent pollution.

Marine Harvest requests federal funding for closed containment

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In an exciting development in the final days of 2009, Marine Harvest Canada (MHC) sent a letter to Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), that included a request for support and funding for a closed containment pilot project. Read more>>

Esteemed scientists advise removal of farms along wild salmon migration routes

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Early last month, a think tank of scientists gathered at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver to discuss possible causes of the Fraser River sockeye collapse and urgent next steps needed to protect this iconic species. The group released a statement noting that the 2009 return was the lowest in 50 years and that the productivity of Fraser River sockeye has been declining since the mid-1990s to levels so low that they are almost unable to replace themselves. Read more>>

Sea lice out of control in Norway

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Salmon farms in Norway are experiencing explosive increases in sea lice, likely a result of growing resistance to chemical treatments for the removal of the parasite. This increase is severely threatening the survival of migrating juvenile wild salmon. Read more>>

Hidden Falls Ice

Hidden Falls in Wild Basin, March 2005Took advantage of a warm afternoon to swing tools at Hidden Falls. There was a party of two pulling their rope and packing when we arrived around 2pm; we had the ice to ourselves as the sun sank into the Divide. We each took a half-dozen laps, hooking wherever possible to preserve this super popular ice crag. Feels good to get out!

Plan A Summer Kayaking or Canoeing Trip to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is over 1,000,000 (yep, a million) acres of pristine nature in northern Minnesota. The BWCAW offers more than 1,500 miles of paddling routes and more than 2,000 camp sites.

Free snowshoeing at the Estes Park Winter Festival

The Estes Park Winter Festival is coming to town January 15 through 18. In a nutshell, here’s what to expect: local wine and beer tastings, a chili cook-off, live music, the EarthFest celebration with guest speakers and vendors, demoing snowshoes for free at Winter Trails Day on Saturday, tours at the Estes Park Observatory, a snowman making contest, a scavenger hunt for the prize elk, horse and carriage rides, private photo tours and special swimming pool fun and spa promotions. All in all a fun weekend in the mountains!

Loch Vale snowshoeing

A few years ago, Apryle and I volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce to help promote Winter Trails Day in Estes Park, which is an annual event aimed at helping people learn about and experience snowshoeing. This year, I’ll be working at Winter Trails as an employee from REI Boulder. Apryle, who designed the nifty event website, will be volunteering at the registration booth as well. Come up around 10am on Saturday to the Glacier Basin trailhead and we’ll set you up with a pair of snowshoes to explore the National Park.

See you this weekend!

Paddling in Winter: The Gasp Reflex

Above: New England (US) paddlers suit up and check neck, ankle and writst gaskets and seals before a winter cold water paddling workshop in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Above: Key to winter and cold water paddling is to test your gasp reflex before committing to a season or even a day's cold water sea kayaking. A New England paddler prepares to dunk his face and head into 36 (F) degree water to


It’s cold outside! Do you know where your kayak is?

Hopefully your kayak is stored in a safe dry place. If you live in a warmer region you may still be paddling, although with the weather lately even the warmer regions haven’t been too warm! Have you protected your kayak from the elements? The best storage area would be indoors like a garage, basement, or shed. I’ve seen [...]

Outings Recap

12/14/2009 – Skied Rock Creek with Genghis – great ski conditions in Allenspark

12/17/2009 – Skied Mario Gulley with Nathan – sparse snow coverage in the gulley

12/20/2009 – Skied St. Vrain Mountain with Matt – good tree skiing led right down to the road

12/29/2009 – Apryle skied Eldora with Abby – long lift lines on the greens

12/31/2009 – Apryle climbed Hidden Falls with Abby – crowded!

1/2/2010 – Skied part of Audubon with Matt – scrapey and windy

1/7/2010 – Skied Mario Gully – still not filled in, but sweet skiing to skier’s left of the gully

New Kayak Tour Schedule And Prices

The schedule for our 2010 sea-kayaking adventures/expeditions has been added here!

In terms of quality of food, knowledge of local history, places visited, wines tasted and overall enjoyment, we believe our tours to be the best in Croatia!

Except for coffee at cafes and wine at restaurants, all meals and drinks are included. Our tours are not a series of day trips from a base point, but a continuous movement along the Dalmatian Coast.

New Kayak Tour Schedule And Prices

The schedule for our 2010 sea-kayaking adventures/expeditions has been added here!

In terms of quality of food, knowledge of local history, places visited, wines tasted and overall enjoyment, we believe our tours to be the best in Croatia!

Except for coffee at cafes and wine at restaurants, all meals and drinks are included. Our tours are not a series of day trips from a base point, but a continuous movement along the Dalmatian Coast.

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