Day 13 (A significant set back)

12/18/2009

Much of my gear has been stolen.

Hello everyone,

I regret to inform you that sometime yesterday afternoon (Friday Dec. 18th) while I was in town charging batteries and gathering water and supplies, a very large portion of my camping equipment as well as vital paddling gear was stolen from the bank where I was planning to set up camp that evening. I still have my boat, paddles, and electronics (which I took into town to charge) but most of the rest is gone.

Right now I’m being aided by two amazing residents of New Madrid Missouri, David and Cheryl White while the better half of the local police force is working hard to recover my belongings. David and Cheryl have set me up with a place to stay for a few days while my old replacement gear is being sent in from home. I’ve already made calls to two some of my sponsors and North Face and Kokatat are working on sending in what they can.

The fact remains that a large amount of gear is going to need to be purchased outright.  A list of most of what was taken can be found below but I’m sure my memory is missing a few small items.

I guess my trip is on hold indefinitely while replacement gear can be found. In the mean time please pray that the lead the police are pursuing might lead them to my gear. Also if you know anybody (or know anybody who knows anybody) that lives in the Southeast corner of Missouri in or around the New Madrid area please tell them to be on the lookout for high-tech camping and paddling gear that you wouldn’t normally find in a local duck hunter’s blind or fisherman’s truck.

I need your help in spreading the word about this in hopes of finding that gear.

Instead of focusing on the couple of bad people who may have done this, instead I’d like to make note of the many good residents of this town that have already stepped up to help me through this situation.
            Thank you everybody for all your support.

Jake

              Please stay tuned.

                   -----------------------------

From what I can remember this is what was taken.

1) Kokatat - Dry Suit                           Blue
2) Kokatat - MS Fit PFD                     Orange
    - (with knife in clip on font)
3) Kokatat - Knee length boots            Black
    - (neoprene bottoms and grey vinyl “legs”)

4) Snap Dragon - Spray Skirt
    - Neoprene deck and grey vinyl tunnel

5) North Face - Minibus 32 Tent
    - Green rain fly grey main body
6) North Face - Sleeping bag                green/grey
7) North Face - Synthetic fill jacket       Blue/grey -    - Size Medium
8) North Face - Wind stopper hat         Black fleece
    - size XL

9) MSR - Whisperlite cook stove
    - Folding wire legs in black stuff sack
10) MSR - Cook kettles
    - Alloy Teflon coated
11) MSR - Fuel bottle                          Red
    - aluminum bottle (small)
12) MSR - spoon
    - Alloy aluminum - grey

13) Expend - Sleeping mat
      - Orange/grey w/ built in pump

14) Brunton - battery lantern
      - Small backpacker size lantern runs on AA

15) Stanley - Mug/Bowl nesting combo

16) Sea to Summit
      - Various sizes of compression dry sacks
         and regular dry sacks "big river version"

17) Misc - Red/metallic tarp
18) Misc - Small bag of toilet items
19) Misc - Off brand MP3 player
20) Misc - Knit wool full gloves and fingerless
               glove/mitten combo
21) Misc - Leather wide brimmed hat
22) Misc - Sunglasses with Chums floating retainer
23) Misc - Knit hat made by a friend -
               grey with red stripe

Daily stats
Start: 6:37 AM - Just south of the Mississippi - Ohio River confluence
Finish: 1:51 PM - New Madrid, MO
Time: 7:13:20
Daily dist: 55 miles
Total dist: 373 miles
Weather: Start in around 30 with a high in the mid-40s. Cloudy and calm.

41 Comments

Jan Kleck

12/18/2009 07:03:56 am

Nice to get the stats - we'll wait to hear from you later. Jen has landed in Raleigh - now to just find their way home without landing in the ditch! Winter wonderland in North Carolina - looks better on the inside looking out! Understand?

Patrick Staley

12/18/2009 08:32:28 am

Looks like you are starting to get a rhythm going.

Margie Druce

12/18/2009 11:41:31 am

Jake its great to follow your progress. Enjoying the trip through you but I know I sure wouldn't have the stammina to do it. Best of luck and have a Merry Christmas stay warm God speed Margie

Aaron Stachovak

12/18/2009 12:07:13 pm

I talked to Jake on the phone today as he made shore an hour earlier than expected. He was in search of a laundry and a hot meal. It appears he has found a new appreciation for power bars.

From the short conversation, it sounds like Jake will have more than enough material to be able to write a humorous book about his adventure when he gets back.

Mike Stephen

12/18/2009 12:43:02 pm

Stove... Tell me someone in the media knows about this... It is awesome... I wish we were closer to the Mississippi... Man, when he gets to where the Arkansas River empties into the might Mississippi he will see a rush there. I will keep checking in.. Go Jake GO... Man, Aaron If I had only known sooner...

Tom Schneider

12/18/2009 03:19:16 pm

Hi Jake
You're getting great distances the past couple of days. That's good. The river must be flowing great down there.

Are you getting chaffed? I usually get it under the arms and across the belly when I pound high miles. I use vaseline to eliminate that rubbing. The weather sounds ideal- maybe a little cool in the morning, but very good once you're in motion. Sweating in a drysuit isn't comfortable. Have fun

Ann Daley

12/18/2009 09:58:00 pm

Oh, Jake, how awful for you! I was worried this would happen. I pray the police recover your gear and I'll spread the word as best I can.

Aaron Stachovak

12/18/2009 10:12:41 pm

I just sent a note to Good Morning America, hopefuly they can report on this. I guess leaving a note explaining how the gear was your only life link for the next 10 months was not as an effective anti-theft deterant as you hoped:) I wonder if the guys fishing had anything to do with this?

This reminds me of the time someone stole all of dads hunting clothes he placed in a pile with a note scratched in the snow that said HELP.

If you want my whisper lite I can ship that down to you too....

Larry

12/18/2009 10:41:20 pm

Jake, sorry for the horrible news. Not sure wtf someone would do with that gear in that area in winter. Have you thought about starting a PayPal account that people could donate to? Also a good idea to contact as much local media as possible, get some publicity and that may help locate your gear. Must also be some way to rig a cable or other way to lock things up a bit.

Mike Stephen

12/18/2009 11:11:51 pm

Jake, having a law enforcement background this doesn't suprise me at all. It makes me sick to think you got your stuff taken. My fingers are crossed and the Prayers are on the way. The finding a way to lock up your stuff was a great idea especially on your way through Memphis/the Casino's along the state of Mississippi and then Louisianna. We learned during Katrina that the cops will even steal there...

Jake

12/18/2009 11:50:15 pm

If you are interested in helping me with the expense of getting geared back up you can contribute by buying a T-shirt or contributing right into the PayPal account linked to the T-shirt sales link on the home page of this web site. Thank you so much for your concern.

janice

12/18/2009 11:55:18 pm

My Day 9 Comments: "I hope your literary includes staying at campgrounds along the way that have laundry facilities, and a hot shower. How are you going to go to the store for food without your gear and kayak being stolen?

One of my "rules" when I go off into the boonies by myself is to ALWAYS keep strangers far enough away from me, that they can't grab hold of me, even if they seem like super friendly people. I also carry several knives on me at all times... a couple of them I keep hidden..."
*******************************
I expected your gear would get stolen, and I imagine it will happen many more times if you continue this journey alone.

You need a support crew or a paddling companion to pull something like this off. You can't leave your gear and not expect someone not to take it.

Hopefully, your gear can be replaced. But you need a better plan when you do your laundry, take a shower, and go get supplies. Otherwise, what is going to prevent the same thing from occurring again?

What I am really concerned about Jake is the people who are will harm you and then steal all of your gear.

I'd ask your dad to ship down a gun... a few knives - a can of pepper spray for dogs, and maybe a can of bear spray too. Make sure the gun is powerful enough to kill an alligator...

Get a couple of knives that will strap around your calf, and arm, and carry one around your neck on a rope.

I personally would regroup, and restart your trip with a companion or with a support crew.

If you decide not to, you might want to log onto the web link below that lists all of the kayak clubs in California and maybe ask someone from each area you will be if they know of places where you can leave your gear, while you get supplies or to paddle a stretch of your journey with you. Just a thought.

http://www.kayakandcanoeguidebooks.com/kayakclubs.htm

I do not have a good feeling about your trip. I would out some serious thought into how you are going to avoid some of the obstacles, and dangerous situations that lay ahead.

Cloth athletic tape, wrapped around your index fingers and thumbs helps prevent blisters. You can buy it at CVS and Rite-Aid. Not the stiff vinyl kind of tape. It is about 3/4 to and 1" wide, comes on a roll.

Rub tiger Balm (CVS carries it) into your muscles at night, helps keep you warm and your muscles from stiffening up when you can't take a hot shower... oh be sure to eat roughage...

Taylor Burch

12/19/2009 12:23:16 am

Jake,
Sorry to hear about your gear. We've never met, but I have been following your trip with great interest. Myself, and I am sure many others are standing by to help. I have two ideas...
Jake,
Sorry to hear about your gear. We've never met, but I have been following your trip with great interest. Myself, and I am sure many others are standing by to help. I have an idea...

We could set-up a PayPal account in your name and whoever is so inclined could make donations to the account in any amount they desire. This would give you the ability to order what you need online, paying with PayPal. In addition... It would take a few more days, but you could also get a PayPal card that would allow you to spend the PayPal funds "in town" without having to rely on vendors/stores that are on the PayPal program.

Please do not consider this 'charity'. You are providing us with great entertainment via your Blog. It would be an honor to participate, in some small way, in your adventure. It would not take many of us to chip-in in very small ways to have you up and running.

Please let me know how we can help. If you'd like me to help set something up, please send me an email.

-Taylor

Zak Mettger

12/19/2009 02:19:21 am

Hey Jake,

What terrible news. Sometime I despair of the human race.

Not having enough money to help you buy new gear, the best I can offer is the story of a similar blow dealt a good friend from DC who had decided to fulfill her dream of spending a summer hiking and traveling in Alaska. She bought all the (expensive) gear she needed and began her drive across country. In a small town in California, outside a cheap motel where she was spending the night, some jerk busted open her trunk and stole everything.

After a day spend crying and raging and wondering if she should just turn around and go home, she decided hell, no, she wasn't gonna let this creep ruin her dream trip. She found a Sunny Surplus-type store where she restocked (with cheaper equipment) and went on to have a wonderful summer.

I hope you are able to follow her path and find a way to continue your trip.

Zak

Jason Cummings

12/19/2009 02:54:01 am

Sorry to hear. There's nothing worse than thieves. Bottom feeding scum of the earth thinking nothing of anyone but themselves.

Branden Zimmerman link

12/19/2009 03:35:33 am

Jake, I hate to say this but I agree with Janice. I think you should have a partner in this. The days are gone that you can trust most people that you meet and laws are no longer designed to protect the victims. Take this as a learning experience and just find someone to paddle with, having a partner won't lessen what you are doing.

Vinay From rivercrossing

12/19/2009 04:15:24 am

Its day 13. 13 is an unlucky number. I recently turned 13 and my birthday was ruined

Tyler Curtis link

12/19/2009 05:02:24 am

Janice, you sound scary! (No, really, you do. Hidden knives? Guns? I know that some people might not be friendly, but that doesn't mean you need to kill them.)

Jake, locking up gear / hiding gear / doing whatever to gear so that people don't steal it is essential when paddling in even semi-populated places. You know that, I don't have to tell you. But one thing the above posters are right on about is that it's simply easier with two people. One stays at camp, one goes to town. No locking up involved, just someone sitting around drinking a cuppa which is infinitely easier.

Now I know I only worked with you at AA for a couple months a few years back, and I haven't had my butt in a boat for 6 months, but if you seriously want / need a paddling partner, I'll come with. I'll definitely slow you down (at least at first) as I've never even come close to 50 mile days (try 30 max), but I'll be a warm body, and someone to watch camp. I'd need at least a week to get my crap together, but I could make it happen.

If you want to fly solo, I don't take any offense. Often dreamed of solo trips myself. If you're not postponing the paddle and getting right back on the water, I understand. But to me, something like having 80% of your gear ganked, I'd need time to stop, recoup, think up a new strategy, maybe try a different time of year.

Anyway, just letting you know that support and well-wishes are out there. Let me know if you need a partner. Hope things work out.

Thom & Lynn

12/19/2009 05:14:56 am

What a surprise that must have been upon your return. Our hearts go out to you. Knowing this will not stop you, keep us informed regarding how we can help you pull this back together and get you back on the river.

lyn stachovak

12/19/2009 05:56:29 am

Jake, take Tyler up on his offer to do this trip with you!!!! Tyler make Jake listen to reason. I know I'd rest a lot easier if I knew there was company for Jake. You're right Tyler - two people are always better on a trip like this. One to go to town and the other to watch the gear.

Ann Daley

12/19/2009 06:51:33 am

Jake, please accept Tyler's offer. It will still be an amazing journey and would ease the minds of everyone who is following your adventure. And wouldn't it be nice for you to be able to share things with a friend as you experience them? The days will go by quicker, the bad days won't seem so bad when they're shared and you'll never have to worry about leaving your campsite untended again.

Rich link

12/19/2009 06:56:47 am

Jake,
Sorry to hear about the theft. At least I do have some good news for you. Back in November I had contacted you about the Carolina Kayak Club paddling with you when you get to our area. One of our members, Lee, has offered you "a place to spend the night, including food, shower, beer or wine and conversation". Lee has a house on the Intercoastal Waterway in Swansboro, North Carolina. I will e-mail you when you get closer to our area to set up the details.
Better luck paddling,
Rich

Ann Daley

12/19/2009 07:03:00 am

It's your pesky cousin again. A Facebook friend has suggested you contact REI. Maybe by sharing your story, aspirations and the recent theft with the company might pique their interest in doing a good deed. If you're interested, their site is at: http://www.rei.com/

Larry and Otto

12/19/2009 08:03:18 am

Jake,

If Freya can make it around Australia, you can do this trip. Maybe a .50 cal up front? Just kidding on that one, it would throw off the balance too much.

Don't know how knives and guns would have helped when you were a few blocks away and this is the act of sneak thieves

Don't let the knaysayers get you down. If I recall, you haven't discouraged anyone from paddling along with you but I am guessing we all want to do it when it is warm and comfy.

It's easy to say "I told you so" while sitting at a laptop in a warm house. Maybe some folks will now get out and paddle.

Be safe, be careful and be aware.

Portage dug

12/19/2009 09:26:18 am

Here is a history lesson about several voyagers from back in the day. It seems that not much has changed in the fact that there are enemies all around us. Do not have a heavy heart.

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/topics/marquette_joliet/

Marquette & Joliet

On a May morning more than 300 years ago, two unlikely explorers set out on a four-month voyage that carried them thousands of miles through the heart of North America. The two were Father Jacques Marquette, a studious Jesuit two weeks shy of his 36th birthday, and Louis Joliet, a 27-year-old philosophy student turned fur trader. Their voyage helped to initiate the first white settlements in the North American interior that introduced Christianity into 600,000 square miles of wilderness, gave French names to cities from La Crosse to New Orleans, transformed traditional Indian cultures, and nearly exterminated the fur-bearing mammals of the Upper Midwest.

In two canoes paddled by five voyageurs, Marquette and Joliet crossed Wisconsin in the summer of 1673 and followed the Mississippi hundreds of miles south to Arkansas — far enough to confirm that it drained into the Gulf of Mexico but not so far that they would be captured by the Spanish. Both men kept records of the voyage. Marquette's journal lay unread in a Jesuit archive in Montreal for nearly 200 years. The following spring, Joliet headed home with the expedition's other records but outside Montreal his canoe overturned and all his notes were lost. A few weeks later, he was interviewed about where he had gone and what he had seen.

Marquette and Joliet did not discover the Mississippi. Indians had been using it for thousands of years, and Spanish explorer Hernan De Soto had crossed it more than a century before them. They did confirm, however, that it was possible to travel easily from the Great Lakes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico by water, that the native peoples who lived along the route were generally friendly, and that the natural resources of the lands in between were extraordinary. Equipped with this information, French officials led by LaSalle would erect a 4,000-mile network of trading posts to systematically exploit those riches over the next century and a half.

Lynn

12/19/2009 10:30:22 am

Yo, Dude, Keep the Faith! Plug on and just be street smart...this aint Portage but it also aint the wild west.....find some way to move gear and keep it close...hugs and lots of good vibes are being sent your way from us.....

darryl

12/19/2009 11:48:00 am

Legally I am not sure you want to carry a gun. Although you are on water most of the time you will be coming ashore in multiple states and counties. Without the proper permits this could lead to a problem. Also in most places you can not just walk through town with and gun and the fact that you have experienced one theft means that you really could not leave it at camp. A knife is a good thing to have with you. It does not necessarily mean you have protection just because you have a knife. Knowing how to use a knife to protect yourself is not as simple as it seems.

I think your goal was to do this solo and I believe you would not be happy if you did it any other way. At this point in time it seems that a little regrouping and future planning may be needed.

I will pick up the bill for a new skirt (Merry Christmas). If you are in a location where someone at AA can Fedex it to you have it done and I will stop in and cover it. Or I can send you mine and I will go get a new one (Merry Christmas to me).. lol. I would send you my pfd but I know how much you like ole blue and you never made my disco light so I am keeping it.

Pick out the items 100% necessary to continue: pfd , dry suit, tent, sleeping gear, cooking gear and so on. Work on getting necessary items and getting back on the road. Work on getting the desired necessities at a later time.

Safety and planning. Need to come up with some options aside from leaving everything on the river bank and random stopping points. One option is to do a little networking and see if people you meet can make arrangements with people further down the river. Maybe some of the people following here on line know people along the river and other areas you will be that can get you some assistance. Make arrangements and plan camp locations.

Another option is part time volunteer crews. Maybe someone can shadow you at various points along the trip like your family did at the beginning. Maybe through networking we can find people in various areas. Connect with some of the kayak shops and clubs along your route.

This is not 100% safe but the web is a big medium that can be used to let everyone know your itinerary and it will be much easier to check on your status.

What ever you decide think of keeping yourself safe first. Gear can be replaced. Send me a message if you need the PFD.

Thom

12/19/2009 01:22:59 pm

Thom

12/19/2009 01:26:22 pm

Have you considered, in the future, leaving your camera behind at your camp... hidden, running and pointing at your kayak gear? Wouldn't stop a theft, but might help identify the thieves and get the gear back.

Naturally you would need to cycle in a 2nd or 3rd second battery.

des

12/19/2009 01:42:20 pm

jake please call me and let me know
what camping I can purchase for u
from rei and they can deliver it to u
where r staying tuesday.
please call
des
1562 481 1388

lyn stachovak

12/19/2009 10:44:11 pm

It's true about negatives turning into positives... Jake, with all the good wishes and support (both financial and emotional) you've been getting it's turned this very bad situation into a very good thing. You've met some amazing people in New Madrid who've been willing to step up and offer a lot of help. You've gotten tons of emails from people wishing you well and offering to help in any way they can. Your unlucky moment turn you into one of the luckiest people on the planet. You certainly are going to have a story to tell by the time this trip is done aren't you?

Let me take this time to thank everyone who offered to help Jake (my son). As nervous as I am about Jake doing a trip like this alone, I've come to realize that he's not really alone. You - I wish I could name all of you - have given me comfort. I know Jake feels the same way. Thank you EVERYONE. There's no way to pay you back for your kindness, but I will find a way to pay it forward.

Dave Lindo link

12/19/2009 11:23:05 pm

Hey Jake,
Casey and I will do whatever it is to get you back on the water. Wire cash, mail gear, buy 20 portage to portage t-shirts. Drive stuff to Memphis. (Only 7 hrs from OKC Kayak--the closest you will ever be to us!) You and Jen have always been so generous to us when we needed hours of advice, a shoulder to cry on, a place to stay, or just somewhere to hang out and mooch free wi-fi.

We are addicted to this blog anyhow, and fear we might not be able to go on living if we don't get our daily dose of Jake updates.

I have been browsing Craigslist in the Memphis area in case anyone is trying to sell your gear online. Nothing yet.

I keep having this funny dream that the guy who stole your stuff tried putting on your drysuit, got half dressed with arms shoved through the latex gaskets, head still inside the suit, tripped and drowned in the Mississippi. Only a paddler who has tried to put on or take off a drysuit would ever understand.

.....anything you need, brother Jake!

Dave and Casey Lindo 405.830.9689

Tom Schneider

12/19/2009 11:37:25 pm

Lyn,

I live in Merrill. Can I contact you?

Tom S

12/20/2009 12:29:48 am

Jake,

I have the gear you need. You can use mine, if it fits, until they find yours or you get your hands on other gear. I have a large Kokatat drysuit with the fleece liner, Kelty Teton tent, stove, cookset, headlamps, just about everything you need. If you want to use it...I just have to get it to you. I won't need it until February and I know where you can drop it off in Florida. I sure won't need it in Utah the next couple of weeks.

George

12/20/2009 12:58:10 am

Jake:

Keep the faith and stay solo. Adversity comes in all forms and this is just one form. Take some time there and develop your plan. You're not on a vacation, it's an adventure and the outcome is always in doubt. Knives, mace, . . . ? You'll find many more helpful people than thieves along your route.

Patti and Carl link

12/20/2009 02:03:50 am

Jake....Patti and I know you will reach your goal because you can't keep a determined Wisconsin guy down. Your journey is an inspiration to us all and we have sent your site to many friends. You hold tight, equipment will come to you...the river will carry you...all of us will hold you in our thoughts and years from now you will sit rocking in front of the fire with a grin signing yet another copy of the book you will write for some young person who will get the spark from your courage. What you are doing is how life should be lived, close to the edge and deep in the feeling...and life will not abandon you though it may test your will. Yes, we are all connect by water. Patti and Carl

Neil B

12/20/2009 03:16:36 am

Hey Jake,
Since you're just sitting around doing nothing, I thought I'd shoot you a quick question. I'll be up a the folks the 24th through 31st, and I'll need to borrow some of your snow gear since you won't be using it. Where did you stash your spare hat, gloves, and snow pants?
Thanks.
Also, if you're still in need of gear, I can send you my brother's 4'x4' Coleman tent, and some strawberry granola bars.

Maureen (Tootie) Kislow

12/20/2009 04:24:11 am

Hi, Jake I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Am glad that things are coming together for you. Hope you will have a good, safe voyage once you can get going again. Take care and stay safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Tootie

Neil F

12/20/2009 10:40:19 am

Jake,

Needless to say, I was devastating by your loss. Will be making a trip to Aqua Wednesday, hopefully to help in the re-stocking of supplies.

Neil W

ony

12/20/2009 10:18:13 pm

I hope who ever stold from you gets found. I will ask mom to buy us shirts.

from Ony

Gabe D'Asto

12/22/2009 12:05:12 am

Hi Jake
I hope you don't run into any storms.I wonder if you spend Christmas on the rivers.I hope you have a very happy Christmas.

C