Check it out...

...we're on the Kokatat 2008 Expeditions page!

Managing the Risks: Emergency Preparedness Systems, LLC

From our website and these posts it may seem like all we've been doing lately is shopping for our new gear. We wish! Actually while Meg and I are following up with all of our potential and confirmed sponsors, there are a number of other projects in the works including menu planning, further route research and organizing our resupply. One of the ongoing challenges is preparing for and managing the inevitable risks of a trip to the far north. Mostly this involves playing the "what if" game. What if our resupply doesn't show up in time? What if a canoe tips in the middle of a set of rapids on the Coppermine? What if a hungry bear decides to rummage through our tent? (Extra points if you know which of these actually happened in '05! Hint: there's a relevant picture at the bottom of this post.) Anyway, you get the idea. It's all about preparation and prevention. Think of what might go wrong and do your best to prevent it from happening and to be prepared in case it happens anyway.

We're incredibly luck to again have the support of Emergency Preparedness Systems LLC as we go through this process. EPS, which is based in Plover, WI, helps clients prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. The founder, Greg Freise, along with his wife Amanda and several other EPS employees, is an alumnus and a strong supporter of Manito-wish. As in 2005 the folks at EPS have generously agreed to sponsor us with several in-kind services as we prepare for our upcoming expedition. Their logistical support will be invaluable as we put together a first aid kit, review our medical certifications and help prepare contingency plans for everything from a late resupply to an emergency evacuation. EPS has also agreed to provide emergency phone support throughout the expedition. (In addition to our line-to-sight radio and our personal locating beacon we will carry a satellite phone in case of emergencies.) We certainly hope not to have to take them up on their offer, but in case anything does go wrong we can say with absolute confidence that there is no one we would rather have pick up the phone.

Isis, Zeal and Wigwam Support the 2008 BPE!

More great news! Isis, Zeal and Wigwam have signed on to support the 2008 BPE. We're especially excited to work with Isis, a company that makes 'Performace Outdoor Clothing For Women, By Women' out of Burlington, VT. Isis is sponsoring us with a number of insulating layers to keep us warm (and stylish!) on the tundra.

Zeal is sending five pairs of polarized sunglasses our way. If you've ever tried to run whitewater in the late afternoon glare you'll know why the right eyewear is so important to us. We need sunglasses that are durable enough to survive being sat on, crushed beneath a yokepad and, of course, getting accidentally packed away with the tent (c'mon you know you've done that too!).

And we're also happy to announce that Wigwam is sponsoring us again. As in 2005 they are donating a whole slew of their Merino Rugged Wool Hiker socks. These socks are thick enough to keep our toes nice and toasty, whether they are wet or dry, and tough enough to stand up to continual wear.

Wilderness Canoe Symposium

Meg, Emily and I are hoping to be at the Wilderness Canoe Symposium in Toronto February 8-9, 2008. We're especially looking forward to the presentation by the Trans-Arctic Canoe Expedition, and to seeing old friends like George Drought and Barbara Burton. If anyone is driving from Boston area and wants to carpool let me know.

New Year's Eve with the BPE

We all got together for an enormous planning session in Madison over the new year. Here we are headed out on the town with Megan Halley (Beth's sister).














From left: Meg, me, Megan, Emily, Karen and Beth.

A million thanks to Gail and Rick for letting us explode maps and gear all over your basement for the thousandth time.

2008 Sponsors: Kokatat, Just Tomatoes, ETC! and Cooke Custom Sewing

Great news! Kokatat, Just Tomatoes and Cooke Custom Sewing have all agreed to sponsor the Borealis Paddling Expedition 2008. All three of these companies also sponsored us in 2005 and I can't say enough to recommend their products. Kokatat has once again been incredibly generous and is completely outfitting us with their women's specific line. One of our favorite products from the 2005 trip was our Gore-Tex Paclite Anorak Jackets and Pants. They are incredibly light and pack down easily, but most importantly they stood up to 90+ days of continuous wear without an issue.

Just Tomatoes, ETC! will be providing us with almost 40 pounds of dried fruits and vegetables. If you've never taken any Just Tomatoes products into the field you're missing out. The difference between the bland, colorless fruits and vegetables that we used to take on trail and Just Tomatoes line of carrots, green peppers, tomatoes, bananas, mango, pineapple, apples (and there's much, much, more!) is amazing. I could go on, but I won't. Just buy some and see for yourself.

We're also excited to reconnect with Cooke Custom Sewing, one of our most generous sponsors in 2005. Dan Cooke has plenty of backcountry experience of his own and it shows in the intelligent design of his spray decks, packs and tarps and his willingness to tailor individual products to our specific needs. Given the extensive amount of portaging that we will be undertaking next summer we are especially happy to have 6 of his Utility Packs which are comfortable and sturdy enough to handle the 50 overland miles between the Coppermine and the Rae.

Over the next few weeks we will be posting additional sponsors on our 2008 sponsor page, so check back soon!