Canoecopia participants from years past always ask Rob Kesselring for an entire session of his tales of adventure and misadventure. Last year, Rob shared some goose-bump-inducing tales from his lifetime of paddling the world. Grizzly bear charges, hippos, starvation, broken bones, elephants, floods, pins, tip-overs, whirlpools, bullet dodging, all true and all spun with enthusiasm and panache. But last year was just the beginning; this year, hear Part II. If you have joined Rob on a guided trip, you have listened to some of these stories around a campfire. Just like last year, the only thing missing will be the campfire.

Are you tired of planning a canoe trip to “pristine” routes only to find lines at portages, strewn litter, and the drone of civilization? It is fun reading about exploration, but even more fun exploring. Even without leaving North America, you can still find rivers and lakes with almost no record or evidence of previous travel. There is no thrill more incredible than being the first. Last summer, Rob Kesselring paddled a route in Canada’s Northwest Territories where the only evidence of previous explorers were ancient tipi rings. Learn about travel in an area with no trip reports, no other visitors, and no certainty of what you will discover. 

Paddling light does not mean deprivation. In fact, it can be just the opposite! Learn proven strategies to make your canoe trips easier, more fulfilling, and fun. Less is more! Learn how to travel farther and faster, without being encumbered by heavy loads and time-consuming set-ups. Nature is not a dangerous place; embrace it, don’t barricade from it. An entertaining, information-packed session from one of North America’s most experienced canoe guides.