This year, like every year, the men gathered for the Mancation/Faycation, whatever we call it. As always, the trip had to be challenging, away from civilization, and in a place we had never gone before. It was obvious that this was a place we had never gone before from the moment we arrived. Though we failed to meet the waypoints we set out for, we all survived (which I do not say lightly) and we had a ton of fun. Day 1, we set out from Silver Bay (Shot out to the outfitters at Snug Harbor for setting us up with money canoes, and also for saving our asses on Day 3.) Our objective was to take 22 Men and gear on a 7 mile canoe trip to Hatchet Island on the north branch of Lake George. When we set out the seas were favorable and we had a lot of good energy. We had NO IDEA what we were getting into. (Back up a few weeks) When we called local Canoe rental places and said we wanted to rent canoe's in April, they said we were crazy, and that for liability reasons they don't rent until May when the water is warmer. It is debatable, but water temp sources said that water was anywhere from 38 degrees to 52 degrees. We took a temp ourselves once we were out there and found that the water was 44 degrees. These are truly dangerous temps, an aspect we may have underestimated. The second thing we underestimated was WIND & CHOP. Most people know Lake George as a glassy lake with windows of calm water in the morning and at night on most days. The thing we didn't know is that the channel we intended to travel down was a notorious wind tunnel due to the steep bluffs on either side. As we cleared the point at Mile 3, the wind hit, and it was slow and bumpy. The first victim was Ryan Fay. I (Joey) tossed a paddle to Anthony, Ryan's paddle partner, and that little action was enough to send the canoe into a steep tilt. Ryan, in true warrior fashion, sacrificed himself for the boat and for Anthony. Amazingly Timed Motor Boat #1 - Saved Ryan, and hauled him in. It would be the only Motor Boat we saw that day.
About 5 miles into our trip we were smoked. We had rowed about 2 Miles an hour. 1/3 slower than we had expected. The water was getting rougher and the sun was going down. We called an audible and landed at Vickers Island. What a great audible. The island was perfect. We set up camp, and ate/drank like kings, thanks to our trusty bagged wine, and Uncle Matt's Surf and Turf Dinner. One of the top ten steaks I have ever eaten.
On Day 2 we woke to a raging sea. Matt tried to launch his canoe but got pushed back by the waves. Mike and Wright pushed off and got out into deeper waters but were immediately in danger of capsizing. Steve and I carried our canoe to the calm side of the island and launched to go inspect the neighboring island. 14 guys joined us on that island and by the time 11am hit the channel "appeared" to be calm. Jaconetti convinced everyone that we should make for the far shore and take the hill. So we did; and it was a bad, bad, idea. Stretch and Cory went down, and their boat swamped completely. Amazingly Timed Motor Boat #2 showed up and saved the day again, towing the swamped canoe to the base of the Bluff. Ultimately we all made it through treacherous waters to the base of a 1000ft bluff....then we climbed it. The reward was an amazing view. But we all knew that we had to go back to the island. And that, to say the least, was going to suck.
On the way back to our Island, we lost Timmy and Abe...they swamped in the middle of the lake while everyone else was doing their own belly dances to keep the canoe's upright. Amazingly Timed Motor Boat #3 showed up and saved the day again. This was perhaps the most treacherous spill, and we are fortunate that none of the swamps resulted in any real injury.
We thanked the Amazingly Timed Motor Boat gods by drinking around the fire again.
On Day 3, we called for back up. The winds were worse than ever, so we had the guys from Snug Harbor come pick us up. We had never, in the history of Mancation called to be towed out of a spot. But with 5 spills, and horrible conditions, we decided to play it safe.
The trip was a blast...but much harder than we had anticipated. And...for the record....Canoe's are stupid.
RIP to the fellow Canoeman who wasn't as lucky as us.
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Police-believe-fisherman-drowned-in-Lake-George-7295935.php
Till Next Year.
