Crack Addict

I think your last (Feb. '98) magazine was awesome! The section on the nation's top play spots was great, then finishing it with a Buyer's Guide made it even better. I couldn't agree with you more on your article about the nation's top playspots. I've been paddling for five years now and this magazine really does inspire me to get out and paddle more. I live in Florida so it's kind of hard to get up to my favorite playspots--but there is still the ocean, so I have plenty of fun. Also, please don't ever get rid of the "Ender" photos--they are hysterical. Especially the "One crack deserves another" one.

--Brad Glover, Jacksonville, Florida

Quartzite Qualm

Although I have become accustomed to finding haystack waves of useful river information in each issue of Paddler, on those occasions when you bravely dare to delve into eco-political issues, the flow of things seems to come up shallow and rocky. Thus, while I was intrigued by Eugune Buchanan's "In the Shadow of Quartzite" (April 1998)--particularly after I had just visited the Salt River--as I read the article I kept peering anxiously around the corners of the pages, hoping in vain that the philosophical waters being explored would deepen and take me beyond the dull confines of simplistic wilderness sentimentality.

While it was amusing to read that Pam Hyde of American Rivers "feel(s) violated" by the demolition of Quartzite Falls (as if she had assumed the role of Mother Nature herself), and that Paul Mischu of the Central Arizona Paddling Club "feel(s) like a part of (him) is gone," I would have preferred a less emotional, more rational discussion of wilderness ethics. On the other hand, if your article was just about emotions, why not delve into those felt by people who had actually run old Quartzite Falls? Your article also left me with the impression that Friends of the River founder Mark Dubois is more comfortable in a recirculating eddy than in a philosophical forum, as he artfully feather-paddled his way from stark naked tautology ("wilderness is meant to be wilderness") to the horns of a false dilemma ("Do we let nature be what it is...or do we put handrails on everything?"). Were any of these ecotopians able to set aside their emotions for a true discussion of wilderness ethics, they would have to face the fact that the Quartzite incident is simply a classic example of the "tragedy of the commons," whereby conflicting citizen demands on scarce, government-monopolized resources inevitably result in wasted resources. Everyone has romantic notions of what a wilderness should be. My perspective, however, is broad enough to recognize the equal moral standing of those who desire to navigate the falls in a more convenient manner and are willing to pay for the privilege. I recently completed a solo inflatable kayaking trip down a wilderness run on Arizona's Blue and San Francisco rivers. I was thrilled to discover on a side hike that someone who had preceded me had constructed a large, comfortable soaking pool which captured the waters of Hannah Creek Hot Springs. I suppose that the Salt River ecotopians would abhor such a manmade accommodation.

--Richard Vinson, Center for Responsible Freedom, Novato, California

--To each his own (one can only guess why you had to go solo on your trip).

--Eds

Quartzite Congrats

You guys are awesome! The article on Quartzite Falls (April 1998) was great! I have had four calls from it already: a guy in Arizona offering me a Salt permit (I couldn't take it, but nice thought); a woman in North Carolina wanting more information and to become involved in showing the film in her community; a woman in Denver who would like to hold an event in conjunction with her paddling club; and a man in Texas (police chief) who is sending video footage of Quartzite Falls in action in the good old days. Your support has given the project a big boost.

--Kristin Atwell, Watershed Productions, Palo Alto, California

Tsunami Sewer Ranger

Thank you for your recent article "The Making of a Tsunami Ranger" (April 1998). I commend Lt. Commander Michael Powers for courage, perseverence and shaky judgement in advancing the cause of sea kayaking, initiation rituals, and just plain gonzo fun. I myself have been part of a group called the El Nino Sewage Seals. We got this name because in Southern California, at Marina del Rey, in Los Angeles, we have been pounded with El Nino Storms. When it storms all sewer runoff (overflow from 12 million people) goes to this kayak area. Think about that! More dangerous than jagged rock and reef is floating fecal matter surrounding you in the pounding surf. It gives a whole new meaning to the Eskimo roll and increases your speed in performing the task! I lasted 30 minutes the first and last time and was lucky I didn't get sick. Once again congratulations to a fellow warrior and may the force be with you!

--Chief Petty Officer Mark Mitchell, El Nino Sewage Seals, Los Angeles, California

Aloha Know-Ha

Maybe Tom Holtey should have done more homework in his story on paddling Hawaii (June 1998). The Na Pali coast is not the safest trip for beginners; Ha'ena County Beach Park is not part of the State Park system--it is a County of Kaua'i Park and requires a different government agency and permit; there are no landing permits issued by the State for Nu'alolo Kai--you have to anchor off shore; and, finally, if you are sea kayaking and camping at Kalalau, the wording for your State Park permit should mention that you are kayaking and that you will need a "landing permit." Aloha.

--Chino Godinez, Kauai, Hawaii

Old, Alive...and Smart

Regarding the Eddylines "Old and Alive" (June 1998): Casey Garland is right on target. After an appropriate time for mourning, EVERYTHING in his letter needed to be said. It is past time for a little rationality and, dare I say, common sense, to reappear. And the American Canoe Association should be taking the lead in instructional and safety issues more than worrying about getting money from ads like the "Liquid Lifestyles" ad on page 37. Paddlers alone are responsible for their actions and will pay a steep price for screw-ups, along with their friends and families. And I doubt if any of the victims' last thoughts was, "Hell, it really was worth it!"

--Chris Furgerson, Commerce, Michigan

Sit-on-top Subscriber

I have been subscribing to Paddler for less than a year. I first saw a copy about four years ago at a paddling shop in California where I bought two sit-on-top Ocean Kayaks. (They've been a lot of fun in the past four years and have seen time in the Pacific, reservoirs, lakes, rivers and a little whitewater). Anyway, Paddler is great! I usually read it cover-to-cover. There are great anecdotal bits and good humor; it is not a stuffy mag. Lots of information, skills and experience presented. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

--Sporttcker@aol.com

Raft Shaft

I am a subscriber to Paddler. It seems the magazine has gone from a rafting publication to a kayaking and canoe pub. Please remember the rafters. Why not compare cats? No one really has. What are the real differences between 20-inch tubes and 24-inch tubes? How does the plastic Aire cat compare with the rubber Hyside? How do they perform?

--Oldrafter@aol.com

--Check out this issue's story on "What's New in Inflatables," or our story on catarafts in August 1996.

--Eds

Hand Paddle Fan

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Mark Schuette's article "The Art of Hand Paddling" (April 1998). His observations are accurate and the techniques he describes are a valuable addition to any paddler's skills. I called Mark and talked to him after reading his article. What a pleasure to find someone who loves hand paddling as much as I do. A word of advice: get to know the limitations of hand paddling before going into a hazardous situation uninitiated. Finally, as a dentist who has fixed teeth broken on the river I would like to again encourage the use of helmets with a face guard. Injury to the lower face from a boulder can happen quickly. Again, thanks for the great article.

--Tal Liveoak, Surfins, Huntsville, Alabama

My wife and I are ardent kayakers and have been reading your magazine for a year or two. Strangely, it has never lit up my day the way my travel magazines do. Why not? It's depressing! The content is not depressing, the color printing is. The cover of the recent issue features an attractive woman in a kayak in...the Arctic Sea in December. Nearly every color rendering in the magazine is so drab and dark the whole thing looks like a Scandinavian winter. Take a copy of Conde Nast Traveler or Travel and Leisure to your printer and say: "Do it like this!" The text is great, please brighten up the colors.

--Doug Palmer palmer@home.com

Snow Job

I just read the article "Snow Kayaking" (Feb. 1998). It was excellent. Just the thought of another sport being performed on the snowy mountains makes it interesting. Snow kayaking looks to be a very exciting, challenging and dangerous sport. I am currently doing a project for my eighth-grade English class on kayaking. This article broadened the topic and made it all the more fun to research. Now, not only can I research and learn more about water kayaking, but I can do the same with snow kayaking. I was glad to see that although there were a few close calls, nobody was hurt and the kayakers and crew had a great time.

--Aaron Bolduc (location withheld)

--And here we thought it was just another dead-end, testosterone-filled article. Let us know how the project goes over with your teacher.

--Eds

Norway Hooray

We just read "Canoeing One Man's Backyard" by Laurie Gullion (April 1998). It is of particular interest to us because we were members of the expedition described so graphically by Laurie. Laurie said nice things about us in her article, but she obviously didn't discuss the role she played with her outstanding paddling skill, strength and upbeat personality (not to mention her foresight in producing a vat of spiced rum when seven cold and exhausted hikers needed it most). Our group was indeed fortunate in our leaders and companions who were all experienced, competent wilderness canoeists working together to make this an outstanding and memorable adventure.

--Chet Harvey and Kathy Armstrong, cnk@mindspring.com