The weather is improving it just looks like it would love to rain. I started early and got most of the camp stuff stashed away. I headed off and did the Paddlers banking and other chores and decided that the walk could wait as the wind was up and Yellowknife Bay was looking good for a sail. I got home changed plans and decided to bike out to the campground as some friends are visiting from British Columbia and I wanted to track them down. The local campground has grown quite a bit since I was last there and I wasn't able to track them down.  I biked home and decided sailing was now the plan and I geared up and headed off in "Sploosh." I paddled into the wind for a ways and then came about and was having a very nice run down wind. I was just passing Chris and Clares house when I remembered that Chris wanted to talk to me. I thought I may as well visit since I am here. I beached the yak and headed across the road to their house.

Turned out to be a very wise decision as Mary and Jake the folks I was looking for just happened to be there. A very pleasant surprise as I haven't seen these folks since the early 90's. Chris and Clare served up a great feed of ribs, spuds and salad and we had a fine visit. I will see then again tomorrow as they are leaving and I want to catch them before they go.  They live only a few miles from the Chilliwack river and there is excellent kayaking there.

I have been at home tuning up my short splice skills as they are a bit on the rusty side. The short splice is easy enough and is a very effective way of joining laid rope as it retains about 85% of the original strength, much better than a knot. Like all splices the start is the most important thing as if your wrong here it will show up and you won't be able to complete the splice right. The long splice is a very nice splice as well and has the added benefit of not changing the rope diameter to much and this allows the rope to pass through blocks and pulleys. Short splices on the other hand just about double the rope diameter prevent their use with blocks and some pulleys.

Most rescue these days is done with low stretch rope of the kernmantle type and I teach the splices to CERTNWT just as very handy and practical stuff to know. Nothing wrong with being able to whip up a good eye or short splice and the back splice leaves a fine finish to the end of any line. I have also shown them the Beer Knot which is uesd for tying tubular webbing together. An interesting and much stronger variation of the Tape knot. This knot is not commonly used as it is a slow knot to tie and so I use it for slings that I will not be untying and am very pleased with the tail free finish and over all stream-lined shape of the knot. Unlike its counter-part the Tape knot , it shows very little if any tendancy to slip and come loose well stored, a bonus. This knot is easily searched out on the web and so I will leave looking it up to those that are interested.  Check it out as it is well worth a look, I showed this knot to the man in the climbing deparment of the Edmonton, MEC and he was very impressed with it.