...she has scars...so many scars. I sanded her hull down, did some spot repairs with epoxy, recoated the HBN protective layer on the botton and have repainted the hull graphics. I guess the years have not been easy for her but she is still as strong as ever. She still has a broken hip brace but that is no biggie...it's been like that for 4 years without problems. I can remember each scratch and dent on the hull, how it got there and where. The new varnish sure makes her look better though. The new brass stem band on the stern keel looks good, installed strongly and should keep the keel in perfect shape for years to come. I think I added an extra pound or two by adding that strip but the extra weight is well worth the added keel strength.

I think I will add a couple of webbing straps to support my paddle in case I have to self-rescue...might as well make life easier for myself. The waters of Hudson Bay are damned cold, about 2 C or lower, I won't have much time to self-rescue if it comes to that. I will be wearing a new dry top and dry pants with my ankle length booties while paddling the Bay. Under all that will be duoble-lined socks, thermal tights and a decent thermal long-sleeved shirt for cold weather days. I also bought a neo-skull cap in case of cold weather. It will fit under my hat and keep my head warm in case of immersion. I thought about buying a one-piece drysuit but at $1000, I did better by purchasing the dry top plus pants at $500. Neo gloves will compliment the outfit at all times...fingerless gloves for the river section of the trip.

This leg of the trip is the final leg of this section of the cross-Canada paddle. Once done, I won't do such a trip again until I am finished writing the book. That done, I am seriously thinking of the next section of this trip, the circumnavigation of Hudson Bay, with the idea of taking it all the way around northern Quebec, Labrador and then on to Newfoundland at the easternmost tip of Canada. If I decide to paddle on, it promises to be a wild ride.

Robert N Pruden