Hi. I joined QJ a few years ago and have followed various discussions but I have never posted.

I would like some insight, advice and discussion on capsizing, recovery, hypothermia etc. from those more experienced than I.

First, a bit of background: I've tripped in Quetico nine times, having come down from Stanton Bay a few times, over from French once and up through Prairie Portage several times. Have spent time in the Poet Chain, around Chatteron, in upper Agnes, Sarah, Pickerel etc.

Typically we have six or seven people, a la three tandems and maybe a solo.

Our trips typically last seven to nine days in early September, with one in -- ugh -- mid-October. Like all of you, we've seen our share of wind and rain, with some hail and sleet thrown in.

But still, I consider myself to have limited canoeing experience -- not like a buddy who, for example, grew up paddling Kentucky whitewater and has been tripping in Quetico since the '70s.

Two years ago -- because of significant weight differential, I surrended the back end of my Wenonah Champlain to a good buddy with limited stern experience. He did well, but in high winds and rain on Agnes our nose got turned around in one of the bottlenecks and, yep, we went over. Fortunately, we'd tied in our packs, had just moments before slipped into our PFDs and were only about 50 yards from a shallow spot, so not much harm other than embarrassment, shivers and a need to "gird the loins" and get back out there.

But it raised the question: What if we had been, say, two-thirds across one of the big lakes with head-on waves? In September water?

What's the best strategy then? Swim the canoe in? How long would that take? Too much exertion/heat loss? How cold is the water? How long do we have before hypothermia begins to set in?

Or should one try to right the canoe (if need be and if even possible with heavy packs inside it), climb in it (even if it's submerged) just to get out of the cold water, and try to paddle/drift to shore?

Or hang on buddies' canoe as they paddle us to shore to get into dry clothes and or sleeping bag, then let submerged canoe drift in/get towed in?

Other suggestions?

Now I know the first rule of capsizing is "don't." And I know a lot depends on distance from shore, wave action, wind and temperature. Problem is I don't know average temperature of water in September, nor do I have a feel for how long it would take to get to shore swimming, floating, drifting or being towed.

Am I the only person who has ever gone in the drink? What do other people do? Has anyone ever gone over, say, in the middle of Pickerel, or way out in Bayley Bay, or the middle of the bigger Agnes sections?

If so, what did you do? Did it work? Outcome? Second thoughts?

Does your group talk about strategies beforehand?

I'm a willing listener to stories, anecdotes, advice etc.

A couple of other notes: 1 -- We don't have a lot of complainers in our group. If weather turns, or something goes wrong, typically we just grin and bear it, with a bit of lamenting but mostly laughing and making do. 2 -- Quetico is a gorgeous place. I envy those of you who live closer, and I have a lot of respect for the Canadian government, outfitters and those individuals who have worked so hard to keep it pristine.

Sorry about the length of this post, and thanks in advance.

-- kypaddler