Canoe and Kayak Magazine

We're on the front page of Canoe and Kayak's website, under Paddling News! The full story is here.

In case you were wondering what "trench hand" looks like...

If you're interested in seeing more pictures from our 2005 expedition check out the online version of the slideshow we gave throughout the country after the trip ended.

Sierra Designs

There's absolutely nothing like knowing that no matter what the elements are throwing at you all day long you'll be warm and dry come night. Sierra Designs is pretty much single-handedly making sure that is the case for this upcoming summer. SD provided five amazingly warm drizone sleeping bags for our 2005 expedition. In 2008, not only are the sending five more sleeping bags our way -- their Drizone Electra -20 bags no less -- but they are also providing two tents, Chockstone primaloft jackets and ember base-layers. It will be great to be able to pair their toasty sleeping bags with their Stretch Dome and Stretch Tiros tents -- both bombproof, four-season mountaineering tents that can stand up to tundra winds with barely a shrug. Personally, I'm also really, really excited about the Drizone Packable Mitts that they threw in at the last minute. These waterproof prima-loft mittens just might be the answer to "trench hands" -- reoccuring blisters and sores that some of us got on our hands from the cold in 2005.

It's what's for dinner...

...and breakfast, and lunch.

FEBRUARY 8 UPDATE: Meg just got off the phone with Bob's Red Mill and it looks like we've got yet another food sponsor to add to this list. As in 2005 BRM is making a huge contribution to the BPE -- they are providing most of our grains, flours, dried legumes, nuts and desserts. Their products are not only all natural, organic and delicious, they also have a whole line of gluten-free flours, grains and desserts that are a great help in dealing with our various allergies. Thanks so much Bob!

We've had a number of important food sponsors sign on in the last couple of weeks. These products may not seem quite as glamorous as a bunch of brand new expedition gear, but they will literally keep us moving day in and day out. We also face a unique challenge when planning our menu because of Meg's allergy to gluten. Not to worry when it comes to breakfast through -- 1-800-Granola.com has a line of organic, wheat-free granola that makes planning easy. In 2005 1-800-Granola.com generously sponsored us with 80 lbs of their delicious granola and muesli. We liked it so much we've decided to increase our ration for '08!

Another 2005 sponsor that has decided to continue their support for the BPE is Luna bar. In '05 we relied on our daily luna bar as a mid-morning snack. Whatever the first big challenge of the day was -- a set of whitewater, a particularly long crossing over the ice, or a rising headwind -- we would stop and take a few minutes to breathe and add an extra kick of energy to get us really moving. For '08 Luna is not only donating a huge amount of their original luna bars, but also their luna sunrise bars and luna tea cakes. You won't hear us complaining!

We're also excited to be working with Usinger's sausage and Cabot cheese in 2008. Usinger's was a generous sponsor in 2008, and Cabot is joining us for the first time. Both of their products will be a crucial part of our daily "TL" -- trail lunch, keeping us warm and ready for whatever the afternoon brings.