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SEVEN

ERRANT MAPS

One should not take every map that comes out, upon trust, or conclude that the newest is still the best, but ought to be at pains to examine them by the observations of the best travelers, that he may know their goodness and defects.

— John Green, The Construction of Maps and Globes, 1717

After looking at the topographic map, the four Ohio paddlers decided to continue along the east side of the rapids approaching Thunderhouse Falls to see if they could locate the portage. At the time, they had no idea that the portage marked on the map did not exist, and by the time they noticed canoeists across the river, unloading their gear at the trailhead upstream, it was too late. Craig Zelenak, 33, and his canoe partner, Pat Sirk, 32, would later describe the power of the rapids as a “roller coaster ride with three-foot waves all around.” In an attempt to cross over to the other side of the river and work their way up to the portage, both canoes capsized. Zelenak and Sirk made it back to shore, but for their friends in the other canoe, Ken Randlett, 39, and David Zenisek, 23, the flow of the current was too much.

The four Cleveland-area companions spent weekends and holidays together, usually canoeing, and to them, a trip down the Missinaibi River was to be a trip of a lifetime. Randlett, who planned to spend his fortieth birthday on the river, spent a year organizing the expedition; Zenisek was to be married shortly after their return. The last Zelenak and Sirk saw of their friends, the two of them were clinging to the canoe and heading for the falls. They were both wearing lifejackets so they figured they would be okay.