The fantastic weather has brought about an unexpected turn of events (and led to some suprise purchases. Walking into Cotswolds over the weekend we tried to think through some of the more detailed logistical points around the race, and how we’re going to pack kit. I think it struck Toons and I that we might have a major issue with sunburn. We will, as a result, likely spend most of our race looking remarkably like a foreign-legion wannabe; we’ve bought the world’s most ridiculous looking sun hats. Made by Lowe-Alpine, and called “Sahara”, these are like normal caps but with much larger (and I suppose more shade-giving) brims. As a result they make you look like a geography teacher at the best of times. When you put the cape attached to the back down, however, there is absolutely nothing between us and an extra on “Carry on up the Kyber”. It’s all about looking good, this ultra distance lark, and we’re working through the details of just how much bling we’re going to be able to bring on the trip. Along with chlorine tablets and the Laurence of Arabia hat collection we’ll also be sporting some very catching lycra shorts and a fair ammount of neoprene. All of which should keep our bodies cool and/or warm, and our dignity shattered. It’s probably worth sharing the priceless video of a team from 2008 who have probably not had a great deal of white water experience. In places, the Yukon is a fairly quick-flowing river, and the currents can catch the edge of a boat pretty quickly. When crossing an eddy-line into the current it’s important to lean away from the current, show the flow of the water a relatively flat part of the hull (the underside), and paddle positively to avoid getting caught on the swirling water in between the current and the eddy. Youtube shows what is definitely an alternative approach (it’s worth bearing in mind just how tired the team probably are at this point…): Enjoy… 
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