Monday, April 30, 2012
Tip of the paddle
Tip of the paddle to the 145+ supporters who helped us break the $10,000 mark today! Huge thanks! With 8 days left we are in excellent position to reach our goal. I can't tell you how very appreciative I am to everyone who has pledged their supported, liked our video, reposted our blog, or sent me a message. The support has truly made this a very special month for me on a personal and professional level. Thank you.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
No place like home
The support keeps pouring in! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported my project. With 10 days left I'm feeling really excited and hopeful about reaching our goal and publishing my book this fall. I'm headed to NYC this Friday to meet with various independent book publishers and see the huge variety of art books that are being produced. Starting to think about various sizes, layouts, design options and dreaming about what this book is going to look like. Super exciting! Thanks again!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
You've got mail
So I just sent out my first MailChimp group email to some 900 contacts sharing my Kickstarter project. If you opened the link and found yourself on this blog- thank you! Lots to share about my project, feel free to browse the archive and read up on our adventure down the George River.
This is when popularity matters.
This is when popularity matters.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Trippers (About us)
I get by with a little help from my friends... even if they look like these guys. Although I am proposing this Kickstarter project around my photography project, the extreme nature of this canoe trip requires the support of several friends to help me reach my final destination safely.
On this trip I will be joined by 5 of my closest friends. People that I've grown up canoeing with at Camp Pathfinder in Algonquin Park. They are educators, adventurers, comedians and some of the best paddlers I know. I absolutely trust my life with them... don't judge.
Introducing:
Ryan Arthurs
Ryan is a 29 year old graduate photography student at MassArt in Boston, MA. He grew up in Youngstown, NY spending his summers guiding canoe trips across Ontario and Quebec. He attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, graduating with a degree in Studio Art. After college, he spent 2 yrs working at the Gail Severn Gallery, in Ketchum, ID. In the fall of 2007, he moved to San Francisco where he continued working for artists and galleries before deciding to pursue his own photography full time.
Zach Arem
Zach is a 27 year old elementary Physical Education teacher. He originally grew up in Rochester, NY, but after receiving his degree from the University of Florida, he now resides in Orlando. He has been paddling and portaging the wilderness of Canada ever since he was in diapers. Beyond his love for canoe tripping, Zach is also an avid Handball player and bottle cap collector; though many of his friends and family do not understand his obsession for the latter. Zach sees the George River as the ultimate dream canoe trip and greatly looks forward to retracing the steps on Leonidas Hubbard, Mina Hubbard, Dillon Wallace, and George Elson.
Brent Hurley
Brent Hurley is a 33 year old teacher from Dwight, Ontario. Following in the family tradition, Brent has been paddling and portaging in wooden canoes since he was 7 years old. Brent has traveled the world, but he always comes home to Algonquin to canoe trip with his friends. Currently working as a teacher and head of residence at Lakefield College School, Brent has been tripping with his close friends in the summers after his 21 year career at Camp Pathfinder drew to a close. Rivers like the Kesagami, Moisie, and Missainabi have kept the spirit alive in recent years. Hurley is pumped to tackle the George River and follow in the footsteps of the Hubbards, Wallace, and Elson.
Charlie Katrycz
Few things in life are more satisfying to Charlie than floating in a canoe, and none have been more formative for him than that. He just graduated from McGill University with a degree in physics, and his studies have been inspired in no small part by the stroke of a paddle. At school he worked in residence as a don and during the summers he has guided canoe trips with Camp Pathfinder. Algonquin has been home to him all his life; winter spent away for him, is time in waiting. He is now preparing for the trip of a lifetime with his savvy companions, to venture above the tree line on Ungava's rocky peninsula and down the George River into the icy Arctic Ocean.
Brian Brunsing
Brian is a 22 year old recent college graduate working in the field of Sustainability Consulting. Originally from Buffalo, NY, he transplanted West after high school to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. Canoe tripping the lakes and rivers of Ontario and Quebec has been a passion for Brian for many years developed through a decade of summers spent in Algonquin Park. Beyond canoe tripping, he enjoys kayaking, snowboarding and dogs. Brian does not like cats very much. For Brian, the George will be a dream come true combining and incredible route with amazing people.
and the Henry Shepley
Henry R. Shepley, referred to as Rutledge H. Shepley throughout most of North America’s uncharted waterways, is considered to be ‘The Intercontinental Man of Mystery’. Rutledge was first introduced to canoe tripping by long time Algonquin Legend, as well as internationally recognized heartthrob, Brent Hurley during the summer of 2000. Brent is responsible for the man Rutledge is today. Having been instilled with a tremendous love and respect for canoe tripping at an early age, travel and adventure play a huge role in who Rutledge is today. Wrapping up his Junior year at University of Vermont, Rutledge focuses his energy on scholarly pursuits in the field of Environmental Science with an emphasis on Ecological Design. When Rutledge is not eating, studying, or holding open doors open for women, he enjoys kayaking down New England’s vast river systems. In previous summer months he has worked as a member of a league of extraordinary canoe tripping guides at Camp Pathfinder, in Algonquin Park. His career at Pathfinder gave him the opportunity to be apart of many trips throughout Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. This past fall Rutledge has kept himself busy by designing and building a 227 square foot tiny house as well as spending 25 days this winter kayaking down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. With spring peeking around the corner and the lure of Labrador intensifying, Rutledge will be selling his body in order to be a member on the grandest adventure of all, 25 days down the George River.
On this trip I will be joined by 5 of my closest friends. People that I've grown up canoeing with at Camp Pathfinder in Algonquin Park. They are educators, adventurers, comedians and some of the best paddlers I know. I absolutely trust my life with them... don't judge.
Introducing:
Ryan Arthurs
Ryan is a 29 year old graduate photography student at MassArt in Boston, MA. He grew up in Youngstown, NY spending his summers guiding canoe trips across Ontario and Quebec. He attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, graduating with a degree in Studio Art. After college, he spent 2 yrs working at the Gail Severn Gallery, in Ketchum, ID. In the fall of 2007, he moved to San Francisco where he continued working for artists and galleries before deciding to pursue his own photography full time.
Zach Arem
Zach is a 27 year old elementary Physical Education teacher. He originally grew up in Rochester, NY, but after receiving his degree from the University of Florida, he now resides in Orlando. He has been paddling and portaging the wilderness of Canada ever since he was in diapers. Beyond his love for canoe tripping, Zach is also an avid Handball player and bottle cap collector; though many of his friends and family do not understand his obsession for the latter. Zach sees the George River as the ultimate dream canoe trip and greatly looks forward to retracing the steps on Leonidas Hubbard, Mina Hubbard, Dillon Wallace, and George Elson.
Brent Hurley
Brent Hurley is a 33 year old teacher from Dwight, Ontario. Following in the family tradition, Brent has been paddling and portaging in wooden canoes since he was 7 years old. Brent has traveled the world, but he always comes home to Algonquin to canoe trip with his friends. Currently working as a teacher and head of residence at Lakefield College School, Brent has been tripping with his close friends in the summers after his 21 year career at Camp Pathfinder drew to a close. Rivers like the Kesagami, Moisie, and Missainabi have kept the spirit alive in recent years. Hurley is pumped to tackle the George River and follow in the footsteps of the Hubbards, Wallace, and Elson.
Charlie Katrycz
Few things in life are more satisfying to Charlie than floating in a canoe, and none have been more formative for him than that. He just graduated from McGill University with a degree in physics, and his studies have been inspired in no small part by the stroke of a paddle. At school he worked in residence as a don and during the summers he has guided canoe trips with Camp Pathfinder. Algonquin has been home to him all his life; winter spent away for him, is time in waiting. He is now preparing for the trip of a lifetime with his savvy companions, to venture above the tree line on Ungava's rocky peninsula and down the George River into the icy Arctic Ocean.
Brian Brunsing
Brian is a 22 year old recent college graduate working in the field of Sustainability Consulting. Originally from Buffalo, NY, he transplanted West after high school to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. Canoe tripping the lakes and rivers of Ontario and Quebec has been a passion for Brian for many years developed through a decade of summers spent in Algonquin Park. Beyond canoe tripping, he enjoys kayaking, snowboarding and dogs. Brian does not like cats very much. For Brian, the George will be a dream come true combining and incredible route with amazing people.
and the Henry Shepley
Henry R. Shepley, referred to as Rutledge H. Shepley throughout most of North America’s uncharted waterways, is considered to be ‘The Intercontinental Man of Mystery’. Rutledge was first introduced to canoe tripping by long time Algonquin Legend, as well as internationally recognized heartthrob, Brent Hurley during the summer of 2000. Brent is responsible for the man Rutledge is today. Having been instilled with a tremendous love and respect for canoe tripping at an early age, travel and adventure play a huge role in who Rutledge is today. Wrapping up his Junior year at University of Vermont, Rutledge focuses his energy on scholarly pursuits in the field of Environmental Science with an emphasis on Ecological Design. When Rutledge is not eating, studying, or holding open doors open for women, he enjoys kayaking down New England’s vast river systems. In previous summer months he has worked as a member of a league of extraordinary canoe tripping guides at Camp Pathfinder, in Algonquin Park. His career at Pathfinder gave him the opportunity to be apart of many trips throughout Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. This past fall Rutledge has kept himself busy by designing and building a 227 square foot tiny house as well as spending 25 days this winter kayaking down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. With spring peeking around the corner and the lure of Labrador intensifying, Rutledge will be selling his body in order to be a member on the grandest adventure of all, 25 days down the George River.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Labrador on my mind
Our one-man Montreal street team, Charlie Katyrcz, prepares to canvas the city with flyers. Chaz you are the best.
Cards to be handed out by Charlie this weekend.
Cards to be handed out by Charlie this weekend.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Constantinople by Canoe
My friend and former Pathfinder canoe tripper, John van der Stricht, is giving a talk next week May 3rd at the University Club here in Boston. He will be talking about his amazing 81 day canoe trip from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. Come take a seat in the bow and listen to stories of the French Resistance, Austrian robber barons, Croatian land mines, Bulgarian gypsy moonshine, and Turkish rug-smugglers.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Breaking news
I have more exciting news to share! I received an email today from a reporter who writes for The Labradorian, which serves the towns of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the surrounding communities in coastal Labrador. We have a phone interview scheduled for Thursday morning. Really looking forward to sharing information on the project and getting reactions from the local community. I will be sharing whatever resulting article is published, possibly as soon as next Monday.
UPDATE 4/25/12: Interview completed this morning. Great success :) Hoping to share article when it is published on May 7th. Stay tuned.
UPDATE 4/25/12: Interview completed this morning. Great success :) Hoping to share article when it is published on May 7th. Stay tuned.
Half way!
We just hit 50% of our fundraising goal! Thank you to all our supporters! 16 days left to make a pledge.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Dankeschön
It's been an exciting morning for me as I've been trading messages with a new friend in Germany. Axel Kühn was kind enough to pledge his support to our project and post our link to a paddling forum in Germany. I've listed the link below. I just want to take this opportunity and say that I welcome all international support. Any international pledges that require rewards to be shipped will be honored regardless of the added shipping/ tax cost. I'm just happy to share our journey down the George River with any interested parties. Who knows, maybe I can travel to Germany and give a slide lecture and personally deliver the books this fall. Wishful thinking.
Me drinking beer in Munich in 2011. I'm hoping this translates to: My/our heartfelt thanks.
Check out the Paddling Forum. You can use Google translate which is kind of a hilarious mess of language.
http://www.canadierforum.de/t6294f3-Labrador-Expedition-in-diesem-Sommer.html
Also here is a link to Axel's paddling blog: http://paddelblog.blogspot.com/
Me drinking beer in Munich in 2011. I'm hoping this translates to: My/our heartfelt thanks.
Check out the Paddling Forum. You can use Google translate which is kind of a hilarious mess of language.
http://www.canadierforum.de/t6294f3-Labrador-Expedition-in-diesem-Sommer.html
Also here is a link to Axel's paddling blog: http://paddelblog.blogspot.com/
Global Support
KickStarter just added my project to their Staff Picks and Popular Projects of the Week categories. Huge thanks for the new traffic. Just received two pledges from paddlers in Germany! Exciting to have global support and to have our project known by paddlers across the world.
Zach Arem in the middle of the Moisie River, 2010.
With two supporters I can now say we are popular in Germany.
Zach Arem in the middle of the Moisie River, 2010.
With two supporters I can now say we are popular in Germany.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Hubbard Story (revisited)
I realize many people are just coming across this blog and my Kickstarter project now... WELCOME! My name is Ryan Arthurs and I am a photographer and a canoe tripper.
First, I want to thank you so much for visiting this website, reading about my canoe trip down the George River and hopefully supporting my project. To those 70 people who have already pledged their support- you rock. With your help I am going to be able to paddle from Labrador City to the Ungava Bay and publish my first photo book.
Since February, I have been trying to write daily posts detailing the planning of our trip, who we are and what this is all about. Feel free to search through the blog's archive and read up on hows things got this far. Lots of posts to read, but to make things easier I am going to repost some of the more important info. I'm going to start with the Hubbards' story as it really inspired this canoe trip and my decision to make a photo book.
Hubbard expedition leaving Lake Melville, North West River, Labrador, 1903
In 1903, Leonidas Hubbard, Dillon Wallace and George Ellison departed North West River (A) with the goal of paddling and portaging across Labrador to the Ungava Bay (B) to the north.
But plagued by poor judgement and bad luck, his party turned back and Hubbard died of starvation just 30 miles from North West River.
Two years later, in the summer of 1905, his widow, Mina Hubbard, completed the journey across Labrador.
First, I want to thank you so much for visiting this website, reading about my canoe trip down the George River and hopefully supporting my project. To those 70 people who have already pledged their support- you rock. With your help I am going to be able to paddle from Labrador City to the Ungava Bay and publish my first photo book.
Since February, I have been trying to write daily posts detailing the planning of our trip, who we are and what this is all about. Feel free to search through the blog's archive and read up on hows things got this far. Lots of posts to read, but to make things easier I am going to repost some of the more important info. I'm going to start with the Hubbards' story as it really inspired this canoe trip and my decision to make a photo book.
Hubbard expedition leaving Lake Melville, North West River, Labrador, 1903
In 1903, Leonidas Hubbard, Dillon Wallace and George Ellison departed North West River (A) with the goal of paddling and portaging across Labrador to the Ungava Bay (B) to the north.
But plagued by poor judgement and bad luck, his party turned back and Hubbard died of starvation just 30 miles from North West River.
Two years later, in the summer of 1905, his widow, Mina Hubbard, completed the journey across Labrador.
Kesagami River 2009
Since 2009 a group of guys, the majority former Camp Pathfinder guides, have been organizing trips down various rivers throughout Ontario, Quebec and Labrador. The cast of characters tends to vary year to year, largely based on who can take the time off, who is getting married, having a baby, etc. What ties all these trips together is a love of canoe tripping and a shared desire to paddle as many of Canada's river ways as possible.
Here are some photos taken by Zach Arem from his trip down the Kesagami River in 2009.
Kesagami River 2009 Trippers: Zach Arem, Brent Hurley, Tim Lamont, Max Brown, Barrett Wadsworth and Garret Hart.
Here are some photos taken by Zach Arem from his trip down the Kesagami River in 2009.
Kesagami River 2009 Trippers: Zach Arem, Brent Hurley, Tim Lamont, Max Brown, Barrett Wadsworth and Garret Hart.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Birthday
I'm 29 years old. Yesterday. I don't feel any older physically than I did at 25. Actually, I'm probably feeling healthier and stronger than I did at 25. I feel that's there no better time to set out on an adventure.
I'm ready for a summer of paddling, sunshine, fishing, stars, and making photographs. I'm excited to spend roughly a month sleeping in a tent, eating over a fire, swimming in ice cold water and laughing. I talked to Charlie yesterday and he was excited for marshmallows. Should add that to the list and also add that I'm excited that Charlie is excited about marshmallows.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes! And for your continued pledges and support!
I'm ready for a summer of paddling, sunshine, fishing, stars, and making photographs. I'm excited to spend roughly a month sleeping in a tent, eating over a fire, swimming in ice cold water and laughing. I talked to Charlie yesterday and he was excited for marshmallows. Should add that to the list and also add that I'm excited that Charlie is excited about marshmallows.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes! And for your continued pledges and support!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Marathon Monday
Boston experienced 80 degree weather for the Marathon today. Unfortunately I wasn't able to enjoy much of the weather as I was finishing my final prints for my thesis show which opens May 9th at MassArt. The good news however is that I am done with my prints and dropping my work off tomorrow to be professionally mounted and framed! Color Services photo lab is Needham is handling the work which is a huge relief! In total- I am showing 3x 44x70" photograph/screen prints, 2x 40x50s and 4x 32x40s. So the work is huge, much too large for me to mount and frame myself. I will be able to re-focus my attention to KickStarter starting tomorrow, ensuring we reach our $12,000 goal. Cheers to being done with one project and starting another.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Fun-raising
I apologize for the lack of posts these past three days. My graduate thesis work is heading off to be framed tomorrow and my weekend has been consumed with printing and editing that work. Also, MassArt hosted their annual auction and I am pleased to say the school raised over $700,000 much of which goals to student scholarships! I am also thrilled to say that the piece that I donated sold. Always a nice thing to sell work and have the opportunity to meet the person buying the work. More to come in the next few days.
Here is my photo that sold in MassArt Auction: Shrine, 2011
Here is my photo that sold in MassArt Auction: Shrine, 2011
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Upward and onwards
I just wanted to write another quick post thanking our supporters at the end of Day 3. I'm trying to say it as many times as possible- THANK YOU!
Also sharing another photo from my adventure down the Moisie River last summer. Over the next several days I hope to share more images and stories from that trip so supporters know what the landscape of northern Quebec and Labrador looks like. Continue to follow our progress on KickStarter and stay tuned for more photos and posts.
Update: the second I take a screen grab the total jumps up $100! AMAZING.
Also sharing another photo from my adventure down the Moisie River last summer. Over the next several days I hope to share more images and stories from that trip so supporters know what the landscape of northern Quebec and Labrador looks like. Continue to follow our progress on KickStarter and stay tuned for more photos and posts.
Update: the second I take a screen grab the total jumps up $100! AMAZING.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Fire it up!
Wow! 48 hrs in and we're at 25% of our goal! Thank you to so many people for your generous support. I can't tell you how exciting these past two days have been talking about the project and trading emails. Thank you.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
First 24 hrs
We're 24 hrs into our KickStarter campaign and I am pleased to announce we've raised over $1,000! An excellent start towards our goal. I just want to take this opportunity to thank our first 20 backers. You have made very generous pledges and I can't thank you enough for giving us our initial boost of confidence and support!
Left to right: Brent Hurley, Zach Arem, Charlie Katyrcz, Brian Brunsing and Henry Shepley
Ryan Arthurs
Left to right: Brent Hurley, Zach Arem, Charlie Katyrcz, Brian Brunsing and Henry Shepley
Ryan Arthurs
Monday, April 9, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Launch time
Alright, after an unexpected delay getting my Amazon business account verified I am ready for KickStarter to approve my project and launch. Hoping to have confirmation in the next 24 hrs! Here we go.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Worth the wait
For those of you just stumbling across this blog for the first time- welcome!
For the past month or so, I have been writing posts about the planning and organization of our George River canoe trip as I prepare to launch my KickStarter campaign. Please feel free to search the archive, featured on the right side of this blog. I've tried to create somewhat of an archive of content to explain more about who we are and what it is the we plan to do. I will continue make daily posts as the trip gets closer. Thanks for visiting this blog- add it to your bookmarks!
For the past month or so, I have been writing posts about the planning and organization of our George River canoe trip as I prepare to launch my KickStarter campaign. Please feel free to search the archive, featured on the right side of this blog. I've tried to create somewhat of an archive of content to explain more about who we are and what it is the we plan to do. I will continue make daily posts as the trip gets closer. Thanks for visiting this blog- add it to your bookmarks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
