Expeditionary Ropework Course June 2003

The West Michigan River Trip was attended by 8 members. Although more than 20 had signed up, it seemed that the weather had something to do with their backing out.

The brave souls that completed the trip were

Bill "Wapiti" Smith
Russ "Counselor" Cole
Chuck "Papa" Hill
Rich "L.T." Shupick ("Airborne")
Dan "Costello" Fase
Chuck "Pathfinder" Hayden

Camp Set up

Vic "Sherriff" Weeks
Carl "Archer" Rooker

The trip was 38 miles in 1 1/2 days. Rain all night at camp and a beautiful morning.

On a trip scale of 1-10 a "7".

Journal of Wapiti, Trip Leader:

This was our first attempt to do a local overnight river trip by the team. We had a great time and I learned a lot about communicating with the team. I am one of the founding members of the Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team. When I started, I would ask Pathfinder what I needed to bring, he told me with a tone of a drill instructor “food, water and shelter”. I either learned what to bring or learned to do without. We all don’t have to learn that way. It’s a lot easier and more fun to learn with someone’s help and not everyone is as odd as I to deal with such limited instructions. Starting with the Soo Lock Expedition in June there will be communication on what to bring and what to expect. We went from 16 people that signed up for the West Michigan River Trip to 6 in just a few days. A few people had things that I know really came up, but I believe the cool weather and cold river had more to do with it. If you know what to expect and how to deal with it, it’s not a big deal. Knowledge is what makes the difference. Learning how to stay warm and dry will greatly increase your enjoyment. Learning how to cook and what to eat will keep you happy. With knowledge, year round camping and river trips are fun and comfortable. With this we learn, improve and go on.

The team rendezvoused early in Belding. Since we only had kayaks, which can travel quite a bit faster than canoes, we decided to start farther up river in Greenville. The day was a perfect paddling day with mid temperatures and an overcast sky. With my spray jacket and kayak skirt on, I kept warm and dry. We found a ball on the river so we started a little game of kayak polo, which might end up being a new Fortune Bay Sport. The ball got launched by our paddles as we traveled down the river. The first dam we encountered turned out to be the perfect time to have lunch. We sat by our crafts in the green grass eating our lunches while listening to the water pour from the dam. The river was full of Canada Geese and large white Swans, or as Counselor called them “Battle Birds”. They moved in front of us, occasionally looking back like cattle being herded, until they had enough of us and flew over our heads and headed up river to tranquility. Each beat of their powerful wings echoed throughout the river valley. I looked ahead and saw a horse quenching its thirst from the cool river. My kayak glided within 15 feet of him before he pranced off seeking solitude. It’s not everyday you see a lone horse drink from a river. That afternoon we came to our camping spot. Vic “Inspector” Weeks and Carl “Archer” Rooker were standing on the river bank to welcome us. They had backpacked in to camp with us. There were 2 large hills that framed our spot and a small stream that ran between them. For this area you couldn’t ask for a better, more scenic camp. The team unloaded their vessels and set-up camp. A few of the team members started a much appreciated campfire. As we were preparing our meals you had an uneasy feeling come over you, that someone or something was watching you. As you looked up and saw a large object slowly move in your direction an you hear the sounds of this great beast “what’cha got there”, “You going to eat all that”. Pathfinder is always keeping his eyes open to make sure no food will go to waste. You can say he is like the “Island of misfit camp food”. We all told stories around the campfire and everyone turned in early, because the clouds were starting to leak. The next morning the rain started to lighten up and did stop by the time we were launching. We all loaded up and headed down river again. It turned out to be another beautiful day. As we ended our adventure on the Flat River we saw Carl “Archer” Rooker and his wife Janet welcoming us. Our welcoming party makes me feel like a great explorer finally coming home.