Our spring was a very long and drawn out affair, shortening summer by about 3 weeks. Our summer is short enough as it is and we have been getting lots of rain and cool overcast days. This is not what summers are usually like here and we had a long cold winter so were hoping for a long hot summer.

I get a few days behind here every now and then and that is because with nice weather I prefer paddling to typing and so spend as much time as possible on the lake or walking and riding. 

Jay has arrived in Yellowknife and will be stopping by for a trail float of the seayak Tuesday evening. I am lending this boat to Jay for a paddling trip on the North Arm. Jay wants to spend a week or so paddling and from Ft.Rae to Yellowknife at a relaxed pace this North Arm Trip is perfect for him. Sounds as through he is a little out of kayaking practice and this will show Tuesday evening when he loads and trims out the boat. I can give him a hand and help him rearrange stuff and if worse comes to worse repack for him.

Everything will fall into place and if he has the experience he claims he should have no problemos, the North Arm of Great Slave is a very nice paddle. Totally wild yet close to home, Jay will run into very few folks on the trip back to Yellowknife. Power boats tend to stay clear of the North Arm as it is shallow and has many reefs. Usually they head for the East Arm which is a little further but very scenic and has excellent fishing.

I paddled the North Arm a couple of years agoand it was very niceI spend about 4 days paddling and had a weather day where getting off the island and staying dry were a close thing so I stayed. On the North Arm solo I take less chances as there is very little likely hood of any help arviving. A capsize there in bad conditions and with the cold water when alone is something I could probably fix but would much sooner avoid.

I found this area to be a great paddle and easily done for a person or group with just some basic experience and comon sense. Jay will enjoy the paddle I am sure and it can be an excellent trip. This the right time of year where I went much closer to the end of summer and paid for it wind wise.