Solotrip -

DentonDoc & I hope to connect directly w/Solotrip late this month at the Midwest Mountaineering Show.  There may be more to discuss then.  Harlan was good enough to share with me some of the parameters of his being able to make this happen while we visited some at CanoeCopia in March.  Sounded like it was going to be a major PITA & expense for him to get special park permission to cache canoes in Opasquia.  The option that (at least a month ago) sounded more likely was to secure solid commitments, dates & upfront money from 6-10 paddlers; that would enable him to make things happen.  That option involved the "re-usable" tandem which goes in with the first team & comes out with the last.  As I said, I hope to have a better handle on logistics by the end of this month.

Re: Big Hook, that would be a separate deal from Solotrip entirely.  The picture I get is there are some competitive  commercial "terrritorial" issues that would prevent collaboration of those two potential providers.  I suppose there is value in someone approaching Big Hook re: what they might be able to do... especially if we are able to put forward the prospect for 6-10 paddling customers.  We have at least one QJer who uses Red Hook just about every year for basecamp/cabin style "American Plan" fishing trips.  I'm sure he could put us in touch with someone who can "negotiate."

Before I go there, though, I want to hear what Harlan comes up with.

I suspect once we see a couple plan proposals sketched out that we'll begin to rally around one or another and start talking firm dates & commitments.  Let's all be wary though.  The BEST way to ensure a commitment will be FIRM (& we all want that!) is for money to hit the table.

Joe, I share your eagerness for this adventure!

Jimbo   8-)