Welcome to my channel, where I'll share my love for exploring the outdoors through canoeing, hiking, and all kinds of outdoor adventures! I am passionate about getting out there, paddling down rivers, and trekking through breathtaking landscapes.
What You'll Find on my Channel:
Canoe Adventures: Join me on scenic paddles across tranquil lakes, exciting whitewater rapids, or epic multi-day canoe trips.
Hiking Adventures: I'll take you on breathtaking hikes, from challenging mountain trails to serene forest paths.
Unbiased Reviews: I'll give you honest feedback on various outdoor gear, its strengths, weaknesses, and who it's best suited for.
Join the Adventure!
I'd love for you to subscribe and join our outdoor adventures! Whether you're a seasoned paddler or hiker, or just starting to explore the outdoors, I hope my videos inspire you to get out there and experience the beauty of nature for yourself.
How did you get those webbing anchors under the gunwales to lace in your float bags? I was considering either pop riveting P-clips to the underside of the gunwales, or drilling holes in the hull below the gunwale and lacing with rope (new OT camper 15"). Thanks for the video, I like your setup !! Also like how MYOA paddling had that kneeling thwart right against the front seat, out of the way for tandem use!
I was gonna take my 15 down this section a few years back with my son when he was in school at the college there. Got to Deep Hole and the rains had been so prolific that after one look at the extremely swollen river, I determined I hadn't brought the right gear for a major whitewater trip. Lol. Had to go paddle the Chestatee instead. Glad I got to live the trip vicariously thru you.
@@REXpeditions We put in right near Dahlonega and it was more of an afternoon float trip than a river trip. The level was high & it was sluggish since it was feeding into north end of the lake. But it combined my two favorite things: spending time with my son and being on the water.
@JaiExplorer that's great! I just finished the Buffalo National River. I was able to take my son, and we made such great memories! It was a trip of a life time!
Thanks for the walk through on your canoe. I have your model ordered, with hope to be delivered mid June. Mango orange. Ill be adding knee pads and some D loops. I like the idea of keeping barrels in the boat if possible. I'm in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with hope to paddle mostly lakes and low class rapids. I look forward to seeing your adventures. I'll for sure be videoing mine! New sub for you.
Thanks! I love mine. You definitely made a good purchase. I just come off a 125 mile trip with lots of lower end rapids. It carried all my gear, myself and my son. It handled great.
We did not succeed in building a fire, but it wasn't because of a lack of effort. The material was just too wet. I'll never forget that campsite. It was an absolutely fantastic little spot!
Fun Fact: Those guys in the link are Northern Scavenger. A popular wilderness channel featuring Canadian canoeing/fishing/bushcraft. That particular Esquif (wrapped around the rock) is still in their arsenal. It's been a few years. Still fully functional although it could use a coat of paint. These things are tanks.
Awesome video, I had a smile on my face the entire time thanks to your son’s excitement and fascial expressions. Making memories that will last forever. Look forward to the rest of the trip.
How do you get back to your vehicle at the start? I’ve been wanting to do something like this but wasn’t sure how to get back. Nice touches with the music!
One suggestion for your solo setup - reverse your carrying yoke. It's a pain to have to rotate the canoe 180 degrees at a portage - a 10-minute fix that saves a TON of time at a portage if you're mostly solo...
Thanks for the tip! Most of my trips I don't have to portage. If I do the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, I'll definitely have to do that! We are currently sitting at the landing on the white river waiting on our car. My son was with me so we paddled tandem. We paddled the Buffalo National River from Ponca Ar to the White River. It was a great trip!
I've not taken any trips with a ton of flat water. We just finished the Buffalo National River and there were some stretches of more flat water and it seemed great. It will catch the wind but was easy to manage.
Very fun river. A couple years ago I took a WW course and it was a blast and helped out a ton with my flat water paddling as well. It was amazing how much they taught me and how much more confident it made me in rapids. Good video👍
Awesome! We just finished the Buffalo National River, and it had a lot of class II and maybe some III. This trip definitely boosted my confidence. I plan to take a 4 day white water canoe course this fall.
@@REXpeditions I guess what I should say is I have no interest in this boat for white water at all and only want it for its durability when dragging it across rocks and beaver dams etc and not have to be concerned with the damage easier caused to Kevlar or carbon lighter boats. My issue is some boats while being heavier are better balance and the contour yokes make them feel ok to carry long distances which is what I do and I have used lighter boats that are easier to carry since they’re lighter but the wind blows them around while carrying them it feels heavier in this conditions. Just curious what your experience is carrying it over long distances ? Thanks for your help and the great video.
@cliffspicer6555 I can't remember the model, but esquif makes a canoe that is the prospecteur mold but has lower gunnels. Its a few pounds lighter as well. That may be perfect for what you're needing. I've not carried it more that 200 yards but it is manageable for me.
@@REXpeditions I saw that one too and it is I think the Heron and it is 5lbs lighter. Thanks again . I also can’t see what the difference between the Pocket canyon and the 15 foot prospector is except more rocker and I see people tripping in those too. It’s almost the same weight. Too many choices. Lol
Different preferences and different needs. I run this mostly solo but have the option to run it tandem as well. For example, this week, I'm taking my son on a 125 mile trip.
Spare paddle? When I solo I usually carry three. I really only need two probably, but I'd like to have the third to compare and contrast paddle style and materials ( wood, carbon, or hybrid). Twice in 40 years I've broken two (well used) carbon paddles; both under intense conditions. (once paddling upstream to assist a rescue, and once into a head wind with whitecaps while being chased by a thunderstorm) Just picked up another and barely missed a stroke.
Hi Rex, great outfit. One Q: with the 60inch airbag behind your seat can you sit in that classical whitewater kneeling position? There is no space for your legs and feet behind the seat. I would have suggested to install another 48inch airbag behing your solo seat. Cheers.
Looks like a good practical fit-out. It's a bit different to the way the UK does it but that's fine everyone to their own. Looking forward to more videos from you Especially interested as I have the same canoe/colour. Good Luck
Nice outfit..almost exactly like mine.. the only real difference is I prefer to clip my barrel and dry bags ect..to a single line that I tie to the thwart with a highwaymans quick release knot. That way with a single tug I can separate my gear from my boat or keep it tied to it.. either way all my gear is tied together..... thoughts people??
Thank you and I'm glad to hear that. I have one where I purchased the canoe and a 1st impression video. I'm about to do one on how I've outfitted it for solo travel.
Pretty river! You mentioned that you have a hard time finding people to go with you. I'm the same way, often go alone because everyone else is working or whatever. If you ever need a partner, I'm usually available (retired).
Watching your solo trip as we speak I’m a sole paddler but would still be kool to take someone along. I have been so close to dropping 3 or 4 grand on a canoe. And I can’t do it. I like the echo Huron and the Prospecteur 15’
I have a 16 ft royalex wenonah circa 2006 aurora, 16’7” Kevlar mad River 1987 and a newer swift prospector 15’. The royalex or tformex is the right boat for that for sure. The Kevlar is light but a lake and pond boat not a river boat. You found your love like many of us, you can see it in the smooth strokes and the playful paddle work. We all watched bill mason because he’s the man. Great video keep it up. Up north we’re waiting for warmer waters to be safe. Rule of 120
New to your content, great video. My cabin is 4 miles passed where you exited at Sandy Bottom. I too have a hard time finding others to canoe, hike etc. If you are ever in Blue Ridge again let me know and I'll join yah for adventures. I also live in So. Florida
We have the exact same boat and seem to have the same experience level.. i laughed when i saw the tripod tied to the seat..that will be the same to! Lol
@REXpeditions so what float bags did you go with? I used NSR 3d end bags..they are about 30 inches long so I still have room for a passenger. They are not as hard-core as the longer bags.. but then again I'm not a hard-core canoe guy..yet.. lol
@j.t.c.9157 I haven't gotten mine in yet. They're out of stock at the moment. I plan to go with Esquifs float bags. I run my boat mostly solo so I plan to run a 60in and a 48in bag. On the bow where the 60in will be, I'm going to rig it in a way that it can be collapsed down and a passenger can ride. I will but D rings in the middle with a canoe barrel, which should displace water and add a little floatation as well. I've heard good things about NSR bags. Fall Line has really nice custom bags, but they come at a premium cost.
@REXpeditions I happen to live in the same town that NRS is located in.. they have a HUGE brand new warehouse and showroom.. we won't even talk about my credit card debt..lol
Just got mine..outfitted it with NSR float bags and I'm now just waiting for a little nicer weather for some awesome camping adventures .. got a creek day trip planned in a couple weeks though..can't wait!!
Yes I drilled the hull..as you probably know the other option is pop rivits..I chose the much more fail-safe drilling method..aluminum pop rivets in plastic can pull out. Just my opinion.
@@j.t.c.9157 awesome. I used rivets with webbing on mine. I couldn't get the courage to drill mine as I've never done it. It does seem drilling is the better option. I guess time will tell if I made a mistake.
I'm working on better camera setup. I was unaware that the footage was so close until after the fact. However, the footage from the rear is kinda what it is. I'm in a canoe with limited space so not real sure what else I could do.
@hdcstfg typically one prespective for an entire video doesn't hold one's attention. I'd like to run multiple cameras to change perspective on one scene.
@@REXpeditions Nice vid, I'm about at the same point in my YT journey. One thing I do is take my spare paddle or a trekking pole, wedge & strap in a cockeyed position so it hangs out over the side of the boat. that helps put you in the side and takes in more of the "view".
@ivanoutdoors that's a great idea. I just got a manfrotto magic arm that will clamp to different places on the canoe. So I should be able to capture similar shots!
Rex!! I’m so excited that I just found my new hiking and RU-vid adventure buddy! (Travis) What are some other meals! This one looks so good. I’m going to try it. Thanks for the video.
