Host: Scott Borchelt
Attendees: Doug Buckbee, Nick Kline, Rodney Kuncho, Michael Hash, Todd Swenson, Andrew Vizi

Pictures are posted. See them here!

Notes From a First Timer - Andrew Vizi

So, I went on my first Float & Freeze (adequately named) down the Manistee river. It was grueling but invigorating. Went through points where my fingers were numb, where my toes were numb, where my ass was sore from sitting in a canoe too long, where I was exhausted, and where I had fear (if you tip, it could be quite perilous).

Went up Friday night, hung out at the Kaleva Tavern as we assembled the group. They recognized us there. And the tavern staff, as well as any one else I've mentioned this trip to claimed, “you guys are crazy”. We drank, ate, laughed and played shuffleboard. Then we went to the cozy Koti (cabin) for a short nights sleep (probably about 5 hours).

Next morning, had breakfast (world famous farmers omelets) and hit the river. I have too admit, I was nervous, but settled into it. There were all these cool slush formations on the river. They looked like they were solid, but you could put your paddle right through them & break them up. The scenery was gorgeous. It was probably about 25 degrees, although at some points it dropped lower. (my jacket got crunchy, I'm not sure what temp that happens at, but it's cold) After about 5 hours, I started to get tired, cold, sore, but I persevered.

We pulled off the river around 4:30 - 5:00 (it was getting dark). When we stopped, we hadn't reached our destination, but it was getting dark, and when I stopped paddling, and just stood on shore, I was shivering. So, we set up camp, that helped, moving wood, and setting things up warmed me up. Scott cooked venison stew (for about 2 hours). I have to admit, as I was standing around the camp fire, as with several times on the river, I thought, “what the hell am I doing”. But, I brushed the snow off of my shoulders, put on another fleece layer, held my hands by the fire, and I persevered.

We had a delightful combination of cold temps, high winds, snow, and freezing rain. Scott, Nick and Rodney were sleeping just under a tarp, as Scott & Nick usually do. But, even Scott admitted, “this might have been a good weekend to bring a tent”. I had one. I didn't last long after the venison stew (which was awesome, thanks Scott). It warmed the cockles of our hearts (whatever that means).

So, never having winter camped, I had to admit, I had reservations on whether I was prepared for a cold Michigan fall/winter night. Technically, it's still fall, but, sub 20 degree temps, high winds, 6-8 inches of snow; I think that qualifies as winter. So, my set-up worked out beautifully. That's not to say that I didn't stir once or twice, but, I was comfortable.

So, when I woke to the light, it was a new day, and my fears were behind me, my apprehension had evaporated. It was a new day, I had conquered challenges that I hadn't faced before and I had persevered.

I'm sure that I rarely smiled on Saturday, but it seems that it was rare that I wasn't smiling on Sunday. Anyway, we had a cockle warming breakfast of oatmeal, broke camp and headed down the river. Overnight, the slush balls had turned into solid ice balls. I was a little freaked out when I first got caught up in a flow of them cause they could really take control of your boat, until you learned how to maneuver through them. But, it was warm (low/mid 30's) we were paddling through gorgeous scenery and through an impressive flows of ice balls (roughly between the size of a football to a large, really large pumpkin). We passed by the old Indian camp where we were supposed to stay, and too much beautiful scenery.

We paddled for about 2.5 hours, past the Wilderness Livery, when about a half mile down river we ran into an ice damn. All of those ice balls got jammed up and just created a field of dense ice. After some debate, and an exploratory party's findings (thanks Nick), we decided to turn back and paddle up river to the Wilderness Livery.

This was an experience that was at points challenging and uncomfortable, but at the same time self-affirming and exhilarating.

So, lessons learned from a newbie (for fellow CCBer's thinking about taking on this adventure):

•  Come prepared. The right gear will alleviate most of your pains. (ask Rodney about the pains). If I do this again, I'll be sportin' some -40 degree rated Sorels .

•  Even with the right gear, you'll probably experience some discomfort, but you'll get over it, and it's worth it. (for a counterpoint, again see Rodney).

•  Be smart & wear a life jacket. In retrospect, Todd was the only one of us smart enough to do that, and luckily nothing went wrong, but, if it had, he was the only one prepared.

Next, I have one more rule to add. We had three rules:

•  No tipping

•  Stay with the group

•  & have fun

Although, we did violate rule 2 a bit (Hash), my fourth rule is:

No goose hunting, unless you are adequately equipped to hunt.

Ps. The definition of cockle is any bivalve mollusk of the genus Cardium having somewhat heart-shaped, radially ribbed valves. And expression “cockles of ones heart” means the depths of one's emotions or feelings. Such as, Scott's venison stew warmed the cockles of our hearts.

Pre-trip Planning
CCBers. This trip is still building. Sign up for this trip and I'll tell you the destination later... probably built around those who sign up. Where are the brave who are willing to face early December skies and dark nights with coyotes?

2006 Pics http://burntcabin.org/ccb/2006/dec/album/index.html

2005 Pics http://burntcabin.org/ccb/2005/dec/album/index.html

2004 Pics http://burntcabin.org/ccb/2004/dec/album/index.html

2003 Pics http://www.burntcabin.org/ccb/2003/dec/index.html

2002 Pics http://www.burntcabin.org/ccb/2002/nov/Gallery/index.html

2001 Web http://www.burntcabin.org/ccb/2001/nov/index.html