07-03-2012, 04:55 PM
J:
I prefer long 1 day trips like yours because of less packing and planing, compared to extended camping - portaging weight is everything. Modified my tube so I sit above the water- more comfort without wet hind quarters over a long day. I also use high traction water sandals to reduce sloshing around in closed shoes.
My phone chip from my good cell to an older cell phone and carried in watertight baggie for safety, although you can't always get reception the whole trip. Flash floods from rain a distance upstream can be a hazard, so I watch the local radar for storms before I leave.
I don't like dragging my light duty ODC 420L tube even when lightly loaded, so I use backpack straps on the very thin longer sections, if they can't be avoided. The flow rates of rivers in my areas are posted on the web. I use this info to plan which sections are most easily covered with minimal portage. The thin rapids are mostly wide and slow when the best flow rates are good. So that allows me to scoot through the 6" deep using my feet on bottom for propulsion.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[signature]
I prefer long 1 day trips like yours because of less packing and planing, compared to extended camping - portaging weight is everything. Modified my tube so I sit above the water- more comfort without wet hind quarters over a long day. I also use high traction water sandals to reduce sloshing around in closed shoes.
My phone chip from my good cell to an older cell phone and carried in watertight baggie for safety, although you can't always get reception the whole trip. Flash floods from rain a distance upstream can be a hazard, so I watch the local radar for storms before I leave.
I don't like dragging my light duty ODC 420L tube even when lightly loaded, so I use backpack straps on the very thin longer sections, if they can't be avoided. The flow rates of rivers in my areas are posted on the web. I use this info to plan which sections are most easily covered with minimal portage. The thin rapids are mostly wide and slow when the best flow rates are good. So that allows me to scoot through the 6" deep using my feet on bottom for propulsion.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[signature]