: That said, I'd take a pfd along just in case. Then again, all it's going
: to do in case of upset is prolong the time it takes to suffer hypothermia.
: I'll go anywhere challenging, but no where if I think death is certain.

That's not entirely true. Johathan Waterman stayed close to the shore most of the time and the couple of times he did capsize he survived because of it. Only on his third year of his trip did he get a dry suit.

Robert I never tried this, but a Russian scientist that used to go the Artic during the old war days said they found that eating a stick of butter made them warm and generated lots of body heat.

Victoria Jason is my hero. This tiny frail grandmother had a great sense of direction and was really never in trouble on her trips. She had a feel for the Artic that was joyful and full of life where as Johathan Waterman in his book "Arctic Crossing" did seem fearful to me. On the other hand Don Starkell "Paddle to the Amazon" and also Victoria's paddling partner for half the trip in the Artic seemed driven and not able to enjoy the nature around him. Victoria's kayak (Bluewater Huron kayak bought at Wave Track in Winnipeg) seemed to be perfect for the Artic adventure and was very safe in a verity of conditions. I tried to look up information on this kayak but never found it.

I look forward to reading your book, hopefully that you will write Robert. Be careful.

John