AWA Mag 6/99
Question:
The solo boating option exists. It’s not the place of AWA to condemn or condone. I’ve recently experienced the Bruneau Canyon, it’s a natural wonder. The article came close to capturing the mystery of the place, the feel, the beauty, the isolation and wilderness. I’m glad that I had experienced, safety oriented partners with me in that canyon. But, if I ever decide to run a canyon like that solo then I will add another dimension to the experience, the risk will become part of the reward. It’s really an individual’s choice, isn’t it? — Lon Yarbrough A.K.A. Otterman http://www.jps.net/lon home of "Otter: River Bliss Being" "Every moment on the river, when all is well, is precious." — Charlie Walbridge
Response:
I approach this posting with some trepidation, given some of the reactions I have read to other posts but here goes: We have read, almost weekly, about kayakers dying on rivers and the constant refrain from almost everyone is "be careful, paddle smart." Every day there are comments on Kayaker deaths and accidents and people mourning the passing of freinds. I had to re-read the Zimet article in AWA mag just to make sure that I read " I powered down the Bruneau alone, …." I went to my Western Whitewater book to look up information on the river, perhaps he was paddling some easy section my book didn’t detail but still, we’ve seen good paddlers die on easy sections due to unforseen accidents. A. Zimet may have hooked up with other paddlers so that "alone" meant without his group of friends but if that was the case, I wish he’d stated that…if only to keep others from paddling "alone." I was a little surprised to see that the AWA accepted the article. Granted, it is only one phrase in the article but I was still surprised, given AWA’s discussion of safety and standard setting. PS. Please don’t flame too hard, I have an old computer that is sensitive….SYOR "oh wuld some gift that giftie gie us, to see ourselves as ithers see us"
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I approach this posting with some trepidation, given some of the reactions I have read to other posts but here goes: We have read, almost weekly, about kayakers dying on rivers and the constant refrain from almost everyone is "be careful, paddle smart." Every day there are comments on Kayaker deaths and accidents and people mourning the passing of freinds. I had to re-read the Zimet article in AWA mag just to make sure that I read " I powered down the Bruneau alone, …." I went to my Western Whitewater book to look up information on the river, perhaps he was paddling some easy section my book didn’t detail but still, we’ve seen good paddlers die on easy sections due to unforseen accidents. A. Zimet may have hooked up with other paddlers so that "alone" meant without his group of friends but if that was the case, I wish he’d stated that…if only to keep others from paddling "alone." I was a little surprised to see that the AWA accepted the article. Granted, it is only one phrase in the article but I was still surprised, given AWA’s discussion of safety and standard setting. PS. Please don’t flame too hard, I have an old computer that is sensitive….SYOR
I gotta agree with you, D.L., though I haven’t gotten my May/June AW issue yet (the Snail Mail REALLY earns its name in my locale) and so haven’t read the article in question. However, in a similar vein I hafta say that I was a bit taken aback by W. Scott Morris’ article in the issue prior (March/April), where the authur indeed seems quite proud to have made his first runs on rivers such as the Grand Canyon, Cataract Canyon, Main and Middle Salmon, Rogue, Snake, Selway, etc. etc. all SOLO trips! True, the authur WAS rafting, and (as he so carefully points out) was "cautious and prepared carefully for his solo trips"…does that really make it a wise thing to do?? How many novices are going to read about Morris’ exploits…and end up getting hurt or worse trying to emulate him? Not that that’s really Morris’ fault, flaming is not my intention here…just kinda wondering if the ‘boat safely’ message is getting through. Granted, safety IS the primary focus of the article, it’s just that as a rule, boating anything but the most familiar, MILD runs that you know …ALONE…is not a good idea, period. And I’m sure there are some that’ll be wanting to flame me for not issueing the ABSOLUTE version of that little nugget of wisdom, which is that it’s NEVER a good idea to boat alone, period…buttttt…… since I’ve been guilty of it myself, especially on my "home" run, the Balcony Falls stretch of the James R., I guess I’ll have to stop just short of there or risk being labeled a hyypocrite ("no hyypos in this hea rivah, only lotsa critters’") Peace and happy boating to all, Jeff Oxley "No, I don’t open boat anymore…GOTTA change that screen name!"
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -We have read, almost weekly, about kayakers dying on rivers and the constant refrain from almost everyone is "be careful, paddle smart." Every day there are comments on Kayaker deaths and accidents and people mourning the passing of freinds. I had to re-read the Zimet article in AWA mag just to make sure that I read "I powered down the Bruneau alone, …." I went to my Western Whitewater book to look up information on the river, perhaps he was paddling some easy section my book didn’t detail but still, we’ve seen good paddlers die on easy sections due to unforseen accidents. A. Zimet may have hooked up with other paddlers so that "alone" meant without his group of friends but if that was the case, I wish he’d stated that…if only to keep others from paddling "alone." I was a little surprised to see that the AWA accepted the article. Granted, it is only one phrase in the article but I was still surprised, given AWA’s discussion of safety and standard setting.
Oh, *this* again 
. This has been discussed at great length in AW and in RBP. AW’s editorial policy is neither to encourage nor to condemn paddling alone. Even safety guru Charlie Walbridge doesn’t condemn the practice. (He once wrote something to the effect that "I tried solo boating a couple of times, didn’t like it as I was too worried.") Actually, if you look at the accident reports over the years, solo paddling is a factor in a rather tiny percentage of cases. I’d suggest that you look up back issues, ca. 1994, for the full discussion. It was a good article, well written, even if the guy wrote "Jarbridge." Riviera Ratt # 77, Charter Member of PFA, 4/14/99 Still Rattless in ‘99!!! Ratt Boy
