Coulonge River Trip Planner -- The Crew

Well, I left the rat race of Health Care Executivism (is that a word?) after a prolonged battle with Harris' Tories (obscure reference for Ontarioans only), grabbed the Golden Parachute, and have been trolling the countryside ever since as a self-employed courier. Presently pursuing a career change in the area of environmentalism. The kids have grown up too fast, and become competent paddlers in their own right. The wife is still as beautiful and talented as ever.

Ralph still lives in Montreal and commutes to Ottawa almost daily as he pursues his P.hD. Stays over at our place one a week or so, bringing along a case of beer and grandiose plans for our next wilderness adventure. By the way, ladies, he's a single father -- flat broke, but sensitive as hell. I'd post his e-mail address but, as a confirmed Luddite, he refuses to get one.

Jordan seem's to be following in his Uncle's footsteps -- dabbling in this, that, and the other thing as he plans out his tortuous career/life path through the uncharted wilderness of the 21st century. He too, is single, although I'm sure Kate, his girlfriend, wouldn't be thrilled with my drawing attention to the fact.

Shane's still pursuing his chosen vocation, currently involved in a project employing cutting-edge psycho-technology which I'm entirely unqualified to expound upon. Blew out his knee, for the second time, in a work-related accident which, unfortunately, puts a damper on any trips involving monster portages. Interesting Fact: There are more compensable (I know that's a word) work related accidents in the Health and Social Services than in any other occupation except mining. (Source: Ontario's Workplace Safety Insurance Board).

	Shane Conway 39 years old, trip quartermaster Behavioural specialist working with severely disabled students Scout leader, veteran flatwater tripper (Algonquin, Killarney, LaVerendrye, etc.) and tarpmaster extraordinaire Claim to fame -- king of the single-carry portage. Claim to shame -- getting lost in a car campground on the eve of an Algonquin trip
Jordan Conway 15 years old, chief cook and bottle washer Full-time student; part-time hacker. (Or is it the other way 'round?) Many paddling miles for his tender age, mostly in La Verendrye. Earned his spot on the crew with a dumpless whitewater trip last summer on the Canimiti and Chochocouane. Claim to fame -- school's Citizenship award ('98) Claim to shame -- busting the portable pit toilet we brought along on this trip
	Ralph de Smit 41 years old, hewer of wood and drawer of water Finishing his Masters in Education; Former school teacher in Zimbabwe Swaziland A relative canoe-tripping novice, earned some stripes (and bruises) last summer on the Canimiti and Chochocouane in La Verendrye. Claim to fame -- paddled the Okavango Delta (Botswana) Claim to shame -- getting caught in his thigh straps and riding the downstream-side of a capsized, fully-loaded canoe through a shallow, bouldery Class III on the Canimiti.
John Peterson 42 years old, trip logistician and webmaster. Director of an agency serving blind, multi-handicapped adults. Shane's brother-in-law, Jordan's uncle, Ralph's former boss and friend of 20 plus years. Veteran flatwater tripper (Algonquin, Killarney, LaVerendrye, etc.) Claim to fame -- The 5280m Portage from Hell between Dickson & Opeongo in Algonquin; the 1530m, near-vertical Pig Portage from Artist to Three Narrows in Killarney (both of these with Shane). Claim to shame -- bringing along the $#@!* portable pit toilet that Jordan busted.

The Crew

(All ages and data circa 1998. We've ripened a bit since then).

Shane Conway

Jordan Conway

Ralph de Smit

John Peterson

. . . but, where are they now?