Whitewater Rendezvous

there is ample dead wood and where we can have a small campfi re in a fi re pan that we’ll bring along.”

“Great,” Yancey said. “That’ll do fi ne!”

“The fi rst stretches of the river are very mild,” Chaz said. “But when we get to the canyons and the water gets faster, I’ll be scouting ahead on occasion to look for obstacles or check the line.”

“The line?” Justine asked.

“The best route to take,” Chaz elaborated. “I’ll evaluate how you’re all doing as we go along, and when we get to the more challenging stretches, I’ll decide who paddles and who portages.”

“Portages? You said that earlier. What’s that?” Elise asked.

“You get out and carry your kayak. All of the tougher stretches can be portaged, which is one reason it’s a good river for all ranges of experience,” Chaz said. “You and Megan will defi nitely portage the class IV rapids and probably some of the III as well. We’ll see.”

Megan bristled at the declaration. She’s already decided I’m notgoing to be capable of doing any of the harder stuff. I’ll show her.

“You say defi nitely like it’s not open to discussion,” she said, glaring at Chaz.

“It’s a precaution for your own safety,” Chaz replied in a friendly tone, meeting Megan’s eyes. “You said on your form that you’d never been kayaking before. Has that changed?”

“I might pick it up faster than you expect,” she challenged, her stare unwavering.

“I have no expectations at all about your abilities, Megan,” Chaz said.

There was something about the way the guide said her name that made their exchange sound more intimate than it was. Megan was annoyed by how much she liked the way it sounded.

“It’s just a policy of ours,” Chaz continued. “We don’t take unnecessary risks with our clients. The most diffi cult stretches of the river also happen to be the same areas where we are the most inaccessible to outside help.”

“What if I think I can do it?” Megan asked.

“That doesn’t matter. This has to be my call.”

Megan wasn’t ready to concede. She opened her mouth to argue further, but the waitress interrupted.

“Dessert, ladies?”

• 47 •

KIM BALDWIN

O

Over cappuccinos and raspberry cobbler still warm from the oven, Chaz touched on the chores that would have to be done at each campsite. “Sally and I will take care of the cooking. Though we won’t object if anyone feels inclined to pitch in any time.” She smiled.

“You’ll put up your own tents and take care of your boat and gear.

And everyone needs to help with cleanup and with collecting wood when we have a fi re.” Chaz glanced at Megan. The woman was hard to read. After their brief exchange, she had gone back to staring out the window and seemed not to be paying attention. But Chaz had thought the same thing in the van.

“We’re in bear country, which means we have to take careful precautions. We cook and eat well away from the tents. All food and trash need to be put into bear-proof containers and carried at least 200

feet away from camp each night. There must be nothing left in the tents that might attract them. No candy, fl avored drinks, strong cosmetics, toothpaste, things like that. If you help with the cooking, or spill food on your clothes, change before you go to bed.”

“Have you ever had any problems with bears?” Yancey asked.

“No. We’ve seen them, of course, but if you give them a wide berth and take the proper precautions, they’re usually no problem.”

“I’d love to see a bear in the wild,” Justine said.

“Speak for yourself,” Linda chimed in. “I’d rather not get acquainted with any bears, thank you very much.”

“I’m with you,” Yancey said.

“Ordinarily, you want to travel quietly in a pristine area like this, to avoid disturbing the wildlife and to have the best chance of observing it. Bears included. And that’s what we should try to do when we’re on the river and hiking as a group to see the caribou. But …” she paused for emphasis. “If you’re off by yourself, especially in an area with lots of brush or uneven terrain, avoid game trails and make some noise.

Not that we advocate you go wandering off by yourself without letting one of us know, but keep it in mind when you make a bathroom run and may be out of sight of the rest of us. One more thing,” Chaz said.

“Please be careful to wear lots of sunscreen—don’t forget your neck and your hands—and good sunglasses, and I hope everyone brought a wide-brimmed hat?”

• 48 •

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14