What's involved in planning a journey?

Update: November 18, 04

Please read the latest information on the "Updates" Page.

During my crossing of the Lolo Trail between Montana and Idaho, I joined author and historian Gene Eastman. Gene along with his wife Mollie recently wrote the book entitled " Bitterroot Crossing- Lewis & Clark Across the Lolo Trail" (Northwest Historical Manuscript Series, University of Idaho Library 2002). During my planning of the overland route, I thought that the location of the old Indian trail that Lewis and Clark traveled on had been documented as to it's location along with the encampment of the Corp of Discovery. I was wrong! Of the 5 or so major researchers on the topic they all disagree in many areas as to its location. After reading Eastman's book, L&C's journal, Clark's map and compass bearings, and finally actually walking the trail with Gene, I'm convinced that Eastman's work is accurate. His understanding of Clark's maps, time and distance travel by horse, and years of hiking the region has enabled him to accurately locate the trail and camp location. I was always led to believe that the current Lolo Trail created by the U.S. Forest Service was constructed over the original trail. This is far from the truth. In short, the trail was created and recreated over the last 100 years to accommodate modern day horse packers, hikers, logging, and car access. Eastman's location of the trail and camps fits exactly with the descriptions of the L&C's journals, Clarks maps, and compass bearings. The sites listed by the U.S. Forest Service as "Camps" are actually not the true locations. Some of the historical signs posted lie far from the actual sites. It is my hope that by photo documenting the route these sites may someday be changed to the correct location and to correct any false sense of historical inaccuracy. Gene has written a well researched paper regarding the U.S Forest Service's destruction of the original Lolo Trail. His research is well documented going back as far as the 1866 Bird Truax Expedition and early Forest Service records. Please click here for Gene's report which can be printed off for your enjoyment. You wouldn't move George Washingstons home at Mt. Vernon to Kansas and claim it to be the site of George Washingtons home would you? Why do this with the Lolo Trail? That is just what the U.S Forest Service has been doing.

I've added many photo's to the "Plant & Animal" page. Check it out to see just a few observed by Lewis and Clark two centuries ago.

I have been asked numerous questions regarding my journey, below are a few of the questions and answers.

How did you update your web site from the river? I carried a satellite phone which is the same thing as a modem. It is different than a cell phone by transmitting messages via orbiting satellites to my web host. The satellites are picked up anywhere in the world. I also carried a laptop computer which I was able to record all my journals as well as download my digital photos to. This nformation was then sent via the satellite to the web host. The quickest way a message was sent in 1804-1806 was determined how fast a horse or boat could travel which often was several months!

How did you recharge your laptop, satellite phone, and digital camera while on the river? I used two solar panels supplied by Iowa Thin Films Technology. When I was paddlingI could not use the panels but had to wait until I was on shore. I usually recharged during wind bound days when there was plenty of sunshine. I also had the opportunity to recharge my equipment at businesses, and state park campgrounds where there was an electrical outlet.

Why did you paddle upstream? First of all, I wanted to paddle the same route as Lewis and Clark, so this would include paddling the length of the Missouri upstream. I wanted to experience the same hardships as the original explorers in order to fully understand what they went through. Since I was also sharing the entire experience with others via this web site, it is important for me that they also knew what it is like. The canoe I used is very light and efficient and was built by Kruger Canoes in Michigan. Its design allowed me to paddle comfortably the many upstream miles I encountered. My paddle I used weighs only 7 oz. and built by ZRE in New York. This paddle weighs more than 4 pounds LESS than the ones used by the Corp of Discovery.

How long did it take you to paddle the Missouri and what were some of the problems you encountered? It took me 17 weeks to reach Three Forks, Montana from St. Louis.A portion of the Missouri I ended up paddling downstream due to a situation in which I capsized and nearly lost everything including my like. I opted to paddle about 700 miles downstream to avoid the wing dikes in which I had the accident at. These wing dikes have a very strong current that forces you and your canoe against them which can often pin your boat and capsizing it. I encountered 12 dams on the Missouri in which I had to portage using a portage cart or via the help of some generous people along the way. Wind is another major problem on the river. It can blow for days on end creating huge waves especially on the reservoirs along the Missouri. Of the 6-months I was gone the wind did not blow only 10 days!

How did you take your food and did you resupply along the way? My solo expedition canoe easily carried over 2 months worth of dried and dehydrated camping foods. However, I do not take more than 1 months worth at a time to help cut down on weight. I prepared meals and food ahead of time during the previous months before I departed using a food dehydrator. I then prepackage and sent shipments of food (1 month supply) to various U.S. Post office's along the route with the help of my girl friend DeeDee. Once I arrived at the town, I picked up the food and re-packed it in my canoe. Since I did not carry a cooler, I didn't have the convenience of "fresh fruits and vegetables". I passed through over 350 towns along the route, where I was albe to purchase any needed or desired items along the way. I did not hunt or fish for various reasons.

How did you get over the continental divide and what did you do with your canoe? Once I reached Three Forks, Montana which is where the official start of the Missouri River is I had my canoe taken by truck to a friends in orofino, Idaho where it was stored until I arrived there in September for the downstream portion of my journey. I had origianally planned to paddle to Dillion, Montana but due to the drought and low water conditions on the Jefferson and Beaverhead Rivers in which I would have had to paddle on, there was not enough water to actually paddle. The rivers were typically under 6 inches deep on average. I would have ended up dragging my boat the entire way which I was short on time.

Did you camp in a tent the entire way? I originally had planned on camping every night but I ended up staying in a couple of motels as well as a couple of friends homes along the way. I took advantage of these comforts to do laundy, dry my tents and sleeping bags, recharge all my batteries, send updates to the web site, and to get a hot shower.

Did you accept help from anyone? I had the help with some nice people around several of the dams. They either helped carry my gear around or we used there vehicles to transport it around the dams. Several people provided some great meals, chiropractic adjustments, a lift to town, or words of encounragement.

How did you bath, do laundry and wash dishes?I used the showers at various campgrounds along the way. I went three weeks before my first shower and probably had fewer than 15 showers in the six months I was gone. I used the laundry facilities in various towns or friends homes. I washed all dishes in the rivers.

What type of boat did you paddle? It is a solo expedition canoe which is sort of a combination sea kayak and canoe. It was custom built by canoe legend Verlen Kruger (Kruger Canoes) in Michigan. Verlen had died part way through my journey due to cancer. The model canoe is called a "Sea Wind". It is very strong, durable, roomy, and comfortable to sit and paddle in for long hours. The canoe has a foot controlled rudder to aid in steering. I use a single blade paddle rather than a longer and heavier double bladed paddle. I can easily store 250lbs. Of gear including a laptop, cameras, tent, sleeping bag, clothing and food.

Why do you use the word "discovery" in your title when the region was discovered long ago? I use the word "discovery" in reference to what the L&C expedition were known as, which was the Corp of Discovery. President Jefferson had asked them to record all of there observations including plant, animal,geology, Native Nation cultures, and rivers. Since there were no written records of any of these new findings at the time, L&C agreed to record them for the benefit of future generations. Most all of the plant and animals however had been known and used by the Native people for thousands of years, but no written record was done until the journals of L&C. If it wasn't for the knowledge of the Native people of the plants and animals, the expedition would probably have starved.

Planning the journey:
(Written prior to my departure)

While following the route of explorer Alexander Mackenzie to the Arctic Ocean in 1998, I felt others would be interested in seeing the beautiful and remote wilderness I encountered while paddling through Canada. See Paddle Magazine Article about my Arctic paddle journey in 1998:
(http://www.paddlermagazine.com/issues/2000_2/article_2.shtml )
It was shortly after this journey that I began to consider paddling the Lewis and Clark trail. I didn't know a great deal about the history of this expedition or the fact the bicentennial was fast approaching. As I began to research the event I discovered the 200th anniversary celebration would be taking place between 2003-2006. Ideas and opportunities began to appear like dandelions on a lawn after a spring rain. With the fast growing interest in the Internet, I thought that it would be the prefect means to share this event with others. I want to make "you" feel you are in the canoe with me paddling and hiking to sites discovered by Lewis and Clark 200 years earlier. In my research I discovered that this event would be the 1st bicentennial celebrated on the World Wide Web. Fate was soon sealed in the fact that I knew I would somehow bring the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the computer screen.

One day I stumbled upon the books my Martin Plamondon II entitled "Lewis and Clark Trial Maps Volume I-III" and was amazed at the intricate details put together in its creation. It was through these maps that one truly experiences the Corp of Discovery. (See Maps Section).

Martin diligently and painstakingly organized and compiled the detailed maps of Lewis and Clark and overlapped them with modern U.S.G.S. Topographical maps. I was in awe at the changes along the route. Two hundred years of flooding, the construction of dams, dikes, power lines, bridges, and towns now paint a different picture of the Lewis and Clark Trail. By using a combination of both maps, I realized I could pinpoint many of the camps and landmarks discovered by the Corp.

As I approach my departure date in March of 2004, a wealth of information and logistics need to come together. This web site will continue to be updated with information, especially during the journey itself. I plan to download journal and photo entries weekly. The route over the continental divide will be a challenge to plan since some of the original trail now lies on private property. I will attempt to gain access from landowners when possible otherwise I will travel the route avoiding such areas.

My support in the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation and American Rivers Organization will continue. I will be looking at ways to raise contributions and awareness to their cause. I hope you will visit their web sites and support their work too. It will be through cooperation and education on all levels that the Lewis and Clark Trial will be protected and preserved for future generations.

Food preparation will be time consuming and expensive. I will require a diet of over 4000 calories per day for six months. Much of the food will be prepared and dehydrated by friends and myself and will be sent to various checkpoints along the route where I will pick them up when I arrive. I support organic farming and non-processed foods, which are far superior and more beneficial to my health. Some of my food will be purchased along the route in various towns and cities I travel through.

With as many as 25 million people expected to partake with some sort of Lewis and Clark celebration over the next 3 years, it has been a challenge to plan. Many state and local organizations and business's have been overwhelmed with peoples interest with the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial that I often wait long periods for a response.