What's New

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

"It may well be that the Canadian north, with its vast expanse of primeval country, can restore to modern man a semblance of balance and completeness. In the long run, these last wild regions of the continent night be worth far more to North Americans from a recreational and spiritual standpoint than through industrial exploitation."
Sigurd Olson, Runes of the North, 1963

NEWS:

The covers of the two volumes of Northern British Columbia Canoe Trips are being mocked up by Rocky Mountain Books, and the first of the book series will be out in Fall 2008!

Follow my crew’s progress in the David Thompson Brigade starting in May 2008. I will be paddling with the Fort McMurray Borealis Canoe Club from Prince Albert, SK to The Pas, MB.

For some crazy stories and great photos of the four-day La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge marathon canoe race I did in Belize in March, see the blog for Team Aloha, Eh? at http://teamalohaeh.blogspot.com/

WORK and PLAY 2008 SCHEDULE:

COLT whitewater canoe course
March 25 - 28, Gold and Campbell rivers, Vancouver Island

COLT whitewater kayak I course
March 29 - 31, Gold and Campbell rivers, Vancouver Island

COLT whitewater kayak II course
April 14 - 16, Gold and Campbell rivers, Vancouver Island

Snow to Surf Adventure Race
April 20, Comox Valley, Vancouver Island

COLT kayak surf course
April 21 - 24, Long Beach/ Tofino, Vancouver Island

Brotchie Reach OC6 Race
May 3, Gorge Rowing and Paddling Club, Victoria, BC

Kauai World Challenge Small Boats Relay and OC6 Races
May 8 - 11, Kauai, Hawaii

COLT Nimpkish River whitewater expedition trip
May 17 - 19, Nimpkish River, Vancouver Island

Jericho Iron Classic and Small Boats Race
May 24 - 25, Jericho Sailing Club, Vancouver

David Thompson Brigade
May 26 - 31, the Prince Albert, SK to The Pas, MB leg

Round Bowen OC Relay Race
June 8, Bowen Island, BC

Island Iron OC6 Race and Trial Island Small Boats Race
June 14 - 15, Ocean River Paddling Club, Victoria

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
June 23 - 27, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
June 30 - July 4, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
July 7 - 11, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Howe Sound International Iron Race and Pulling Water Paddling Challenge
July 12 - 13, Gibsons Landing, BC

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
July 14 - 21, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

FCRCC Downwind Run Race
July 26, Porteau Cove to Squamish

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
July 28 - Aug. 1, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Canadian National Championship Changes Race: Freshwater Challenge
August 3, Vernon, BC

Hesquiat Trail Hike
August 5 - 12, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
August 18 - 22, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
August 24 - Sept. 1, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

US National Changes Championship Race
September 6, Newport to Catalina Island, California

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
September 12 - 15, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Sea Kayak Expedition, guiding for Batstar Adventure Tours
September 19 - 22, Broken Group Islands, West Coast of Vancouver Island

Wilderness First Aid and CPR Recertification Course
October 24 - 28, Vancouver, BC

PRESS and REVIEWS: Northern Saskatchewan Canoe Trips: A Guide to 15 Wilderness Rivers

The Globe and Mail -- "...and obviously knows her turf. This guide is filled
with route descriptions and practical details such as required topographic maps,
best time to go, special equipment needed, nature of rapids, hazards and best
campsites. Best of all, Archer references her descriptions to map coordinates."

The Winnipeg Free Press -- "Archer also has a keen sense of what real-life
paddlers -- as opposed to macho endurance heroes -- want out of a wilderness trip:
she rates all her rivers for solitude, historical significance and wildlife-
viewing and fishing opportunities, as opposed to merely length and difficulty."

The Star Phoenix -- "The result is a highly detailed guide-book, written in a
personal, conversational style. Like a friend sharing a well-kept secret,
along with plenty of good advice...."

Nastawgan -- "Archer's writing style is engaging and personal; she has produced
a fine book that's not only packed with wonderful things, but a pleasure to read too. It
sets a good example of what other guidebooks to wilderness canoe tripping should look
like. A lovely book to have, to use, and also to dream with."

Che-mun -- "This Boston Mills effort follows the format and produces a clean,
well-written and well-illustrated river guide on 15 rivers....Laurel Archer is a very
accomplished paddler who has been many places in her 39 years and written for many
leading outdoor mags. We look forward to another of her fine well-written and researched
books."

Kanawa -- "The book speaks of an author who really knows canoeing. The important
information paddlers look for is all there, in a text that is compelling written and
attractively presented."

Rapid Mag's Canoeroots -- "This book is 240 pages of secrets. You'd be a fool
not to read it and crazy not to go."

Rural Roots -- "This book is primarily designed for the active canoeist but
the dreamer or couch potato will find it a good read, too. The author's writing style
and her personal experience with the rivers allow your imagination to take you down
some of the wildest rivers in Saskatchewan without getting wet.... This book in format,
content and style has a lot going for it, even if you never brave the Wathaman or
Geikie."

Virtual Saskatchewan

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© 2003 Laurel Archer.
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