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by Carle Walker Handel (Author)
Embark on the quiet adventure of waterway travel with Canoe Camping - A Guide to Wilderness Travel by Carle Walker Handel. This book became a foundational text for the post-war generation eager to explore the remote lakes and rivers of North America via canoe.
Handel's guide is celebrated for its practical focus on the specific skills and planning required when the canoe serves as both the means of transportation and the foundation of the expedition. It moves beyond simple day-paddling to detail the logistics, equipment, and seamanship necessary for extended, self-sufficient wilderness trips.
Key Skills for the Canoe Camper:
- Canoe Handling and Portaging: Detailed instruction on paddling techniques for efficiency and control, safely loading and balancing the canoe, and the critical skills of portaging (carrying the canoe and gear) between waterways.
- Gear and Packing: Specific advice on selecting durable, water-resistant camping equipment and the art of waterproof packing gear into canoe bags or barrels to maintain dryness during travel and capsize.
- River and Lake Navigation: Guidance on reading currents, navigating rapids, crossing large bodies of water in wind, and identifying safe landing and camping spots along the shore.
- The Campsite Afloat: Techniques for setting up a canoe campsite, hanging food to protect against animals, and ensuring responsible, minimal-impact practices vital for wilderness travel.
This book is an indispensable classic for canoe enthusiasts, wilderness trekkers, outdoor historians, and anyone seeking the time-tested methods for successful multi-day canoe expeditions and camping.
