Start of 2025 Kayak Season

On May 2, I made my first day trip of the current season starting from Sandpoint's 3rd Avenue Pier. Generally I don't take photos, and this one of a Western Grebe was downloaded from the Internet. It was a sunny, calm day, with Fahrenheit temperatures in the low to mid seventies. 

Among the birds I encountered, these were the most notable:

• a large flock of Western Grebes in the bay south of Condo del Sol 
• a scattering of Buffleheads
• Coots (probably)
• Mallards
• Geese with goslings
• many osprey cruising Sand Creek
• swallows and killdeer

Although I saw no mergansers, a friend saw many near Hope. In spring the grebes migrate through on their way to somewhere else, typically hanging out in the aforementioned bay. Just a few remain for the summer. As a paddler approaches the grebes, they flee by diving; whereas the coots run across the water before finally lifting off or else settling on the water further away. 

As expected, my left shoulder was dismayed by the paddling. Hopefully, it will come around. However, my back was reasonably happy. The next day I was still tired, despite only covering ~6.3 nautical miles, but at age 84 and puny that is acceptable.

I paddled solo in my composite CD Squamish, using a Nimbus Chinook, my preferred paddle.

 

Refurbishing the NDK Explorer

I have more or less finished fixing up the elderly Romany Explorer. It was already quite sound, but there were a few things left to do.

I drilled a hole in the skeg and attached a line to aid a paddling companion to free your jammed skeg while on the water. I've only used such an aid once in nearly 20 years, but it was very useful at that point and is an easy modification to implement. I next filled the holes in the front bulkhead with well nuts. They can be removed to reinstall the foot pump, which I stored. The blemishes on the hull were small and easily repaired, but need to be smoothed and gel coat applied. The gel coat should show up next week.

The deck mounted tow rope was already set up to install except for the rope itself i.e cam cleat and fairlead bullseye. For the tow rope I used a stout bright blue rope and added a short section of shock cord. I'll need to try it out, having only used a waist mounted tow rope myself. I very rarely require using a tow rope, but when needed it can be crucial - or at least helpful.

I used minicell foam to support the back band and attached the preexisting NDK back band to that. This isn't even semi-permanent because I must try it out to see if my old back injury likes it. I may need to modify it.

The compass rotates smoothly, but seems confused about finding north. This is not resolved, but I have a strap-on compass which works fine.  

I have neither named nor weighed the kayak. At the moment, I have it on Craigslist. Nevertheless I may keep it and then give it a name. I'll likely weigh it next week, once the gel coat is applied.

An olde NDK Explorer .. rope skeg, even

I just purchased an older NDK Romany Explorer from someone in Spokane - on Saturday March 29, 2025. Like all Explorers, it is a handsome boat. And, like all early Explorers it is relatively heavy. It will either evolve into a guest kayak or be sold after 'restoration'. This is my third Explorer and the oldest, maybe also the heaviest. This is one of the most famous expedition designs. A new Explorer costs $4585 + tax, from Maine Island Kayak,

The kayak is sound, but needs straightforward refurbishing. It has the old rope skeg which needs a new bungee and control line. I hope the parts are not too worn. The skeg is currently disassembled, so hopefully I can figure it out. I had to adjust the rope skeg on an older Romany some years ago, but that memory has faded. In a worst case scenario, I could abandon the skeg, but my recollection is that the Explorer weathercocks enough so that I would want a skeg. We'll see ...

Update: The skeg is now installed and works smoothly. Luckily, I had appropriate lines in the garage i.e. a bungee and a control line - both the right size. Rope skegs are sometimes reviled, occasionally being finicky and hard to keep properly adjusted. But, they can be worked on when out in the wilderness.

Further plans:

• drill hole in skeg so jammed skeg can be freed when on the water
• fill holes in front bulkhead, no longer needed for foot pump mount
• repair a few spots on hull
• install deck mounted tow rope (with bungee extension)
• figure out a back band
  
• inspect marginal compass (remove?)
  
• name the kayak 
• weigh  the kayak
  
• further inspection
  

I have the needed parts etc. For example, I have well nuts to plug the holes in the front bulkhead. So here we go. The next report should provide results.

The Explorer specifications for this boat are

• length: 17' 6"
• width: 21.26"
  
• measured weight: with hatch covers etc. 63.7 pounds
• storage volume: 166 liters
  
• suggested paddler weight: 150 to 220 pounds
• 3 hatches: bow, stern, and day hatch
• rope skeg
• Keyhole cockpit 
• Coaming: inside 32.25" long, 15.5" wide
• Coaming: outside 34.5" long, 17.75" wide
• minicell seat (custom redfish at $255)

  

 

Verdict on Classic Nordic Fischer 62 skis

After 10 days on the classic Nordic Fischer 62 skis, I have formed an opinion. These new skis seem to climb ascents with better traction than my mohair inset skis. However, the Fischers don't seem to glide as well, but close. The metal edges don't seem to matter much for the trails I use. I have no measured data to support these conclusions, nor am I about to gather such data. So ... not very persuasive.

My typical route covers just over 13 km on the moderately hilly Schweitzer terrain, certainly more than at the start of the season. My most recent outing was in warmer weather than I'd prefer. Had I begun that outing much later, I would have had snow sticking to my skis, despite the glide wax I usually use.

My season distance is ~250 km so far. While on the trails I encounter 10 to 25 other Nordic skiers during my ~3 hour outing, I know perhaps a third of them, fewer on the weekends when the tourists show up. I most likely the oldest (age 84) and the slowest of anyone I meet. 

It is doubtful that Schweitzer makes money from its Nordic skiing trails. But some of the customers will buy food, drink, or other items from the Schweitzer shops ... so maybe a little money. Yet the grooming is just excellent and quite expensive. Schweitzer also maintains a short Nordic trail near the 'roundabout'. It is unadvertised and groomed less frequently (maybe 3 times per week). It is wonderful for beginners or short races. When and if the resort expands, the roundabout trail is destined to become a plowed/maintained road for a lower parking lot. Similarly, the main Nordic trail system will most likely be modified.

New Classic Nordic Skis

I just purchased a new pair of XC skis (from REI), 179 cm. Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite classic Nordic skis. The bindings will work with my current boots. The major differences from my old skis are two:

1. the Fischers have metal edges (full Length)
2. and an aggressive fish scale base under foot.

The advantage of the metal edges is that my control on the steeper downhill segments of Schweitzer's trail system should be much better. Previously those segments could be harrowing under certain conditions. However, I do not yet know if the fish scale base will be as efficient on the uphills as the mohair I currently have. Further, the fish scale base might be slower than the mohair on the glide. Those who ski past me on the trails can see that speed is not important to me. Their laughter seems unkind.

Consequently the verdict awaits my next XC day. There is a cold spell right now, so I am unsure of my next outing. At this point I have accrued just 13 ski days. My arthritic left shoulder requires at least one day's rest between successive ski days. Conditions have been excellent because of Schweitzer's splendid grooming.

Schweitzer's Nordic Trails Have Opened Early.

 

It is now the season for cross country skiing in North Idaho. This view from the Schweitzer trails shows a fragment of Lake Pend Oreille, lying about 2800 feet below the Nordic trail system. 

I have accrued 7 Nordic (classic) ski days so far this season. At age 84 (in a few days) I have probably abandoned lift-served downhill skiing. I am more fragile and the downhill ski runs have become very crowded with too many reckless skiers, as evinced by the number of accidents. It feels as if there is a target on my back.

The Nordic skiing is off to a good start at elevations above 4000', but in town there is not yet enough snow. Although Schweitzer likely loses money on the Nordic skiing, it does a splendid job of grooming those trails - many on a daily basis.

Currently I average about 9 km per outing, but hope to increase the distance as the season progresses. The terrain is hilly, not friendly to a beginner. However, there is a relatively flat area located at the roundabout a mile or so before arriving at Schweitzer's base. We hope that it will be groomed as Christmas approaches, maybe 3 days per week or so. This roundabout trail is rather short and perhaps only attractive to beginning Nordic skiers, but perfect for skill development.

Goals for the 2025 Kayak Season

Before the next kayak season I tend to list goals for that coming season. Typically I don't achieve all (sometimes only a few) of them. So, here are my 2025 goals.

1. We have 3 kayaks - one for my wife and two others. Those other two are:

• Valley Avocet

• Current Designs Squamish

I hope to sell either the Avocet or the Squamish, my preference being to sell the Avocet. Used sea kayak sales have not been good for the last two or three seasons. Once either kayak is sold, I may replace it with a significantly cheaper kayak, meant for guests.

2. My Greenland paddle is a one piece. I would like to modify it to be a two piece.  I do have a ferrule for this modification.

3. I have a goal to kayak a total season's distance exceeding 200 nmi.

Were the 2024 Season's Goals Met?

Just before the kayak season I listed my goals for the 2024 season. So, how did it go?

1. I sold the Current Designs Slipstream. I was unable to sell the Valley 17.3 Etain, but traded it for a Valley Avocet. At any rate, we have 3 kayaks instead of 4. So this goal was more or less satisfied.

2. The Avocet for which I traded the Etain has a similar (not identical) back band problem for my particular back. This has been fixed with minicell foam. So this goal was more or less satisfied.

3. In the CD Squamish, I added some minicell padding between the coaming and my thighs. No further outfitting was needed. So this goal was more or less satisfied.

4. At this point, I have sold one kayak (CD Slipstream), not two. Had I sold another, I was planning to replace it with a cheaper classic. So this goal was not satisfied.

5. I sold the Aleutian paddle. The Greenland paddle remains. I haven't modified it to create a two piece. As mentioned in the pre-season post, somewhere in the garage I have a ferrule ready to use - if I decide to do so. This was not actually specified as a goal.

6. I did not paddle a distance exceeding my 200 nmi goal nor did I paddle as many as 40 days. Hence, these goals were not satisfied. 

Note: I reached a season's distance of 195.56 nmi on Sept. 17, which was more than the 2024 season. We then spent 10 days in NM and I had limited enthusiasm to continue kayaking in October once back in Sandpoint.

7. The Sand Creek Challenge was cancelled. It probably will not return. So this goal was nullified.

8. I did not recover my roll. Currently at age 83, I may abandon attempts to do so. This goal was not satisfied.