tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17811115192035445562023-11-16T08:44:25.393-08:00Adventures with PackraftWe are two packrafters in Central Oregon exploring the limits of the craft and whatever we can hike into.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-79898082829401333312021-05-05T15:42:00.002-07:002021-05-05T15:42:27.338-07:00Not live, but recorded<p> We had trouble going live for our conversation last night, but it was recorded!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6txEHPPf7d4" width="468" youtube-src-id="6txEHPPf7d4"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-19025738272189030802021-04-29T16:39:00.002-07:002021-04-29T16:39:21.778-07:00Join me and Luc Mehl for a Livestream Packraft Conversation<p>You may have heard about a new packrafting book on the market: <a href="https://thingstolucat.com/packrafthandbook/" target="_blank"><b><i>The Packraft Handbook</i></b> by Luc Mehl</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqlnvYvLvtUob1oPcXuTFf4IvyXQfb-ybUCktXy13NmfiW-dVSg21E7AwghFaXbmeXZ6OvqtovBnUTUlc8Fu9zTxD48xT6pXyDXDyozRZpJyuuiOmXJ3TstOrUGscXo5Zkj3XVuqdUokm/s1800/mehl_packraft_handbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqlnvYvLvtUob1oPcXuTFf4IvyXQfb-ybUCktXy13NmfiW-dVSg21E7AwghFaXbmeXZ6OvqtovBnUTUlc8Fu9zTxD48xT6pXyDXDyozRZpJyuuiOmXJ3TstOrUGscXo5Zkj3XVuqdUokm/s320/mehl_packraft_handbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gear review website <a href="https://www.treelinereview.com/events/luc-mehl-packrafting?fbclid=IwAR0wF4N3AlUMz9VaVD5UjN8hOW2hH0SzUnze2DCDDGawlkSUzNHEN7Hmp3Y" target="_blank">Treeline Review</a> (and small business owned by two incredible women, friends, and thru-hiking powerhouses: Liz "Snorkle" Thomas, and Naomi "The Punisher" Hudetz) asked me to interview Luc on Tuesday, May 5 to discuss how to get started packrafting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 18px; hyphens: manual !important; letter-spacing: 0.54px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">2 ways to join us:</strong></p><p class="" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 18px; hyphens: manual !important; letter-spacing: 0.54px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">Facebook Live</strong> at the <a href="https://f69e.engage.squarespace-mail.com/r?m=608ae84d33c35a69dd13dfce&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTreelineReview%2F&w=5b4544e485ede17941bc95fc&e=2021-04-30T17%3A09%3A39.716974Z&l=en-US&s=EULFGpbKxDQdtSEO76lc4TiSDmQ%3D" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(153, 15, 5, 0.3); color: #990f05; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-bottom: 0.05em; text-decoration-line: none !important; transition: border-color 0.15s ease-out 0s, color 0.15s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">Treeline Review Facebook Page</strong></a></p><p class="" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 18px; hyphens: manual !important; letter-spacing: 0.54px; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">YouTube Live </strong>on the <a href="https://f69e.engage.squarespace-mail.com/r?m=608ae84d33c35a69dd13dfce&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCI8LP1b7t9LtOZQ5uHX7Eog&w=5b4544e485ede17941bc95fc&e=2021-04-30T17%3A09%3A39.716974Z&l=en-US&s=XzXfMxef49rWEZer-7Mggj5cHj8%3D" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(153, 15, 5, 0.3); color: #990f05; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-bottom: 0.05em; text-decoration-line: none !important; transition: border-color 0.15s ease-out 0s, color 0.15s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">Treeline Review YouTube Channel</strong></a></p><p class="" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 18px; hyphens: manual !important; letter-spacing: 0.54px; margin-bottom: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">So join us!</p></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywy2OOdj4MjhI8604ieBTHE2_qvJ_QVd-KI7M8aVGo-SdygD9-67bGEVHUm8Q2tyiFlT3legJjmdS81vbtEL5jhnoKmVUWXn6shyEmcgQmfY5AHMCpRMCew_Np3U9hsHp3jBcicBXYd3O/s1752/180464579_10159183872198887_5408170724150085743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywy2OOdj4MjhI8604ieBTHE2_qvJ_QVd-KI7M8aVGo-SdygD9-67bGEVHUm8Q2tyiFlT3legJjmdS81vbtEL5jhnoKmVUWXn6shyEmcgQmfY5AHMCpRMCew_Np3U9hsHp3jBcicBXYd3O/s320/180464579_10159183872198887_5408170724150085743_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-70196502942100498562021-04-16T08:35:00.005-07:002021-04-16T08:35:56.254-07:00SIX MOON DESIGNS’ FLEX PACK REDESIGN<p>Kirk and I helped <a href="https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/blogs/ambassadors/six-moon-designs-flex-pack-redesign?_ke=eyJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIlNVNXhKbSIsICJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJyZW5lZXBhdHJpY2tAZ21haWwuY29tIn0%3D" target="_blank">redesign the new Flex PR </a>pack this winter, read all about it:</p><div class="feature_divider" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; width: 880px;"></div><p class="blog_meta" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c8b8b; font-family: "Verdana Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="blog_meta tags" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c8b8b; font-family: "Verdana Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px;"></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"></p><div class="article_content clearfix" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana Pro", sans-serif; 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//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1579/5999/articles/unnamed_0b3e464f-7cdd-478b-bd1b-6116c9f4a504_200x.jpg?v=1618351441 200w" style="backface-visibility: hidden; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; filter: none; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; transform: scale(1); transition: filter 200ms ease 0s, -webkit-filter 200ms ease 0s; width: 880px;" width="2229" /></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"></p><div class="shogun-root" data-region="main" data-shogun-id="607610d4247f6600e3aa72a3" data-shogun-page-id="607610d4247f6600e3aa72a3" data-shogun-page-version-id="60761546247f6600c4abd6e5" data-shogun-platform-type="shopify" data-shogun-site-id="d1b609f9-f6ee-4ace-b14e-ec2ff921dd83" data-shogun-variant-id="60761546247f6600c4abd765" style="box-sizing: border-box; isolation: isolate; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><div class="shg-c " id="s-080a3ba6-d957-4472-a253-bafcc57699c7" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">When my partner Kirk and I started packrafting almost 10 years ago, we soon learned one of the biggest challenges in the sport was not the rafting part, although I was on a steep learning curve to becoming a white-water paddler, but actually packing the boat.</span></p></div></div><div class="shg-c " id="s-c11ff06c-7ec5-4c09-9d4f-b2440045ba23" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-row" data-col-grid-mode-on="" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: space-between; max-height: inherit; min-height: inherit;"><div class="shg-c-lg-6 shg-c-md-6 shg-c-sm-6 shg-c-xs-12" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-height: inherit; min-height: inherit; position: relative; width: calc(50% - 15px);"><div class="shg-c " id="s-256bef51-a3af-4421-b8f9-f9a06a3b9a25" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The big appeal in packrafting was our new-found ability to walk into more remote rivers and creeks, then launch our boats in places that are inaccessible to vehicles (FYI - Kirk is to rivers as I am to trails, so packrafting combined our most favorite things). Your typical whitewater kayak weighs 45 pounds, and even an inflatable kayak weighs about 35 pounds. Our packrafts weigh closer to 8 pounds (winning!), but when you carry a boat into the backcountry there are other items needed to make your trip safe and successful. Those extra items can be a challenge to pack in a typical backpacking-style pack. On a packrafting trip we usually have: a PFD (life vest), a helmet, throw bag, dry suit, warm layers, paddle, river shoes, dry bags, pin kit (rescue gear), and then all the camping gear: first aid kit, food, water filter, tent, etc. Even when carrying an ultralight backpacking set up for camp, the boats and extra gear combine to make a LOAD, a heavy and cumbersome load.</span></p></div></div><div class="shg-c " id="s-4898cdd3-a1b1-44da-a951-33fbf53da527" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">When Six Moon Designs came out with their Flex pack in 2015 we were stoked to have a better way to carry our gear, and have since then put on the miles. We’ve done several week-long river trips and plenty of weekend hike in/boat out adventures. Over that time we’ve tallied up a list of modifications that would make the Flex pack even more of a power-house. Last year we had a chance to sit down with Whitney at Six Moons to discuss updates to the next generation of portage packs, and we are thrilled with the results.</span></p></div></div></div><div class="shg-c-lg-6 shg-c-md-6 shg-c-sm-6 shg-c-xs-12" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-height: inherit; min-height: inherit; position: relative; width: calc(50% - 15px);"><div class="shg-c shogun-image-container shg-align-center" id="s-7616939a-157d-4045-b878-a7a51c68004c" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="shogun-image " height="" src="https://i.shgcdn.com/bdcb70d5-4609-45ed-bf95-773419892a3c/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-height: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-height: inherit; vertical-align: middle;" width="" /></div></div></div></div><div class="shg-c " id="s-aa70ecce-0df0-471b-9ce5-6c1173552647" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Original Flex vs. Flex PR</strong></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">At first glance, the Flex PR pack looks very similar to the original, minus the fun new color choices (I went red, Kirk chose green), but when we look closer, the features have been modified in ways that provide much more versatility and flexibility. What does that mean for you? More options for fit and comfort.</span></p></div></div><div class="shg-c shogun-image-container shg-align-center" id="s-6d6bfcd6-8ed2-4ccd-bb8c-f335ff142f66" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="shogun-image shogun-lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.shgcdn.com/8f7fc02b-3a73-4d5d-bcb4-592183646488/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" height="" src="https://i.shgcdn.com/8f7fc02b-3a73-4d5d-bcb4-592183646488/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-height: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-height: inherit; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 300ms ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" width="" /></div><div class="shg-c " id="s-b3e52d2c-d497-49cc-966c-c88728f45ec7" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exterior Panel</strong></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The complete redesign of the exterior panel of the Flex PR has loads of improvements:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">1. Width of the panel:</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> The front panel is roughly 3 ½” wider, which translates into better load stabilization, which in turn allowed the front mesh pocket to be bigger, but more about that in the next paragraph. The wider exterior panel means the straps that go across the top to clip to the back panel are also wider. Imagine carrying a bear canister into a remote wilderness river in Montana, the wider those top straps are apart, the better that canister stays securely strapped down. We found it fits a boating helmet better too. Finally, the bottom portion of the bag (which holds all of your gear in place) is also wider - again, providing more surface area to contain the various items you may be carrying.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">2. Front pocket improvements:</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The new double pocket is a game changer! I previously struggled to find a secure place to store my four-piece whitewater paddle, but the pleated pocket behind the existing mesh zipper pocket has changed all that. Place for paddle, check! And because the pocket is now pleated, the front mesh pocket can be used even when the other pocket is maxed out. On a recent trip I had both pockets full, and was able to easily get in and out of the zipper portion. The front pocket is 3” taller, and features the same bungee cord configuration as on the original Flex, a bungie that helps you attach even more odds and ends (did we mention packrafting isn’t exactly ultralight?) as desired.</span></p></div></div><div class="shg-c shogun-image-container shg-align-center" id="s-0792b64d-a936-4293-a19a-088c6a40ae95" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="shogun-image shogun-lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.shgcdn.com/6ef658aa-d7ee-4ec9-9b0a-e8bfd0356681/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" height="" src="https://i.shgcdn.com/6ef658aa-d7ee-4ec9-9b0a-e8bfd0356681/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-height: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-height: inherit; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 300ms ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" width="" /></div><div class="shg-c " id="s-0215af84-e050-419d-8d90-6263c9d1a251" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">3. Daisy chains:</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">We love daisy chains! The addition of webbing along the entire exterior panel on either side of the front pockets, tacked every 2”, creates 9 loops on either side, and a bottom ice axe or trekking pole loop on each side. This improvement enables countless options for straps to help you further compress the pack contents, or attachment points for carabiner opportunities; boaters usually have an endless supply of carabiners to clip things to themselves and boat while on the river. I use these daisy chain loops to clip my throw-bag, helmet, and water bottle. Kirk pointed out these daisy chains can also be used to attach skis to the back of the pack, or even a gun scabbard if using it for hunting. Like we said, the options are endless.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">4. Bottom stabilizer straps:</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The addition of a detachable “z-strap” configuration on either side of the bottom panel goes a long way towards keeping the body of the pack in place. Secure pack load = a happier packrafter. Because the straps are adjustable, they can accommodate different sizes of dry bags to expand or contract as needed.</span></p></div></div><div class="shg-c shogun-image-container shg-align-center" id="s-90452b3d-03af-4d10-a923-cb28a8e669cd" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="shogun-image shogun-lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.shgcdn.com/c2e3f837-227d-4265-bb3a-c9957e7540c6/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" height="" src="https://i.shgcdn.com/c2e3f837-227d-4265-bb3a-c9957e7540c6/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-height: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-height: inherit; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 300ms ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" width="" /></div><div class="shg-c " id="s-1d41134f-5cde-4007-a5d0-17604fd3d9d8" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"> </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Side Stabilizer Straps</strong></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The new side straps bring even more versatility to the pack:</span></p><ol style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 20px;"><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 12px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Buckle/strap configuration:</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> The Flex PR’s usefulness goes through the roof with the improved buckle and strap configuration. Previously the buckle was sewn to the exterior panel, the strap to the back, but now both exterior and back panels have webbing sewn to the pack, so the buckles can be moved (or easily replaced should a buckle break) and reconfigured between different straps on the pack. Because the double ladder-lock buckle is now in the middle, the pack can be stabilized from either the front or the back. All of the buckles are the same, which makes it easier to mix and match straps from different places on the pack, and the strap placement now matches the sewn-in loops on the 50 liter dry bag that is available as an accessory. With a dry bag securely attached the the pack, the whole system operates more like a typical backpack</span></li><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 12px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Removable water bottle pockets:</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> These new features are great. The Flex PR comes with a water bottle pocket for both sides of the pack, and because these external pockets also have full-lenth daisy chains on the back in addition to buckles on the side, they can be moved and attached to many other places on the pack. Buckle them into the side straps if you have a large load, or move them somewhere else on your pack, even using a carabiner to clip it on...it’s totally up to you.</span></li></ol><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shoulder Yokes and Hip Belts</strong></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">We know one size doesn’t fit all, so Six Moon Designs’ interchangeable shoulder yokes and hip belts all contribute to a better pack for all:</span></p><ol style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 20px;"><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 12px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shoulder yoke:</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kirk and I are both using Six Moon Designs’ new S-Curve shoulder yoke. The longer sternum strap slider is easy to use; simply move the strap attachment to find the right placement. And, the longer slider creates the opportunity to have a bigger and taller shoulder pocket. We also realized the new sternum strap whistle is removable. Pop it off and put it in your pocket if you go for a stroll, you’ll still have an emergency whistle should trouble arise (the new whistle sounds more ear-piercing to me...which is a good thing if you need it!).</span></li><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 12px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Versatile hip belts</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">: The hip belts come in four sizes, and the zipper pockets on each side are plenty large enough to fit lots of snacks. The articulated buckles on the front help to cup your hip bones, which in turn helps to securely and comfortably transfer some of the load weight off your shoulders.</span></li></ol><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">In conclusion, the biggest improvements in the Flex PR pack all add up to endless trip possibilities. Kirk and I are looking forward to all the different gear/pack/trip scenarios we can come up with when using the redesigned pack. We are starting to experiment in the SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) world, so we already know we want to use the Flex PR to haul our inflatable boards up stream for some river SUPing. A multi-sport adventure is much more likely now that we can easily strap our skis onto a fully loaded packraft and Flex pack. I could go on, but I think you catch our drift. Thanks for the collab Six Moon Designs!</span></p></div></div><div class="shg-c shogun-image-container shg-align-center" id="s-652c9b61-396a-4dd5-8cbe-038d26d86891" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="shogun-image shogun-lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.shgcdn.com/69cf2940-eec9-40d9-80b7-6d77662e95de/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" height="" src="https://i.shgcdn.com/69cf2940-eec9-40d9-80b7-6d77662e95de/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-height: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-height: inherit; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 300ms ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" width="" /></div><div class="shg-c " id="s-1a8bca9a-e883-43f0-9c30-23229da57267" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="shg-rich-text shg-theme-text-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Photos, words, and design help by <a href="https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/pages/renee" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #03a196; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition: color 0.1s linear 0s;" target="_blank">Renee "She-ra" Patrick</a>!</p></div></div></div></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-75125776703411387742020-04-11T10:22:00.001-07:002020-04-11T10:22:36.925-07:00Gila River Day 5If the sky could have opened up and dumped as much rain as possible
on the Gila last night, it did. The torrential downpour and high winds
had us all in our tents checking for leaks and worrying that we didn’t
pull the boats up high enough on the beach. Flooding! Would we wash
away? Would our boats be gone in the morning? If you had looked
carefully at the bench where we set up camp, you could see that
sometimes the water gets high enough to flood the whole flat we were on.
Would that be tonight?<br />
<br />
Kirks’ story of getting caught in a historical flood was seared into
our brains as we listened to the rain dump and dump and dump.<br />
<br />
Then, it stopped.<br />
<br />
Suddenly there was no more rain, no more wind…just an erie silence in
the middle of the night. Ok sleep, now I guess is the time.<br />
<br />
The night was quiet, the early morning was quiet, and just about the
time I thought about getting up it started to rain again. Really?!?!<br />
<br />
I got out of the tent to have a look around, someone had gotten up in
the night and pulled the boats up higher. I checked the stick, and to
my surprise saw the water had only risen about an inch. Note: a great
way to gauge water levels is to push a stick into the ground at the
point where the water meets the shore. Later you can use the stick as a
reference point to see if the water has gone up or down in level since
your arrival.<br />
<br />
No way all that rain fell and the water only rose an inch! One
possibility was snow…we had heard that this weather in the higher
elevations might be falling as snow. Regardless of the reason, we hadn’t
floated away, we hadn’t lost the boats. We were still here, and it was
still raining.<br />
In fact, it was raining hard again.<br />
<br />
I returned to the tent and made coffee from inside, trying not to
burn the vestibule of the tent as I fired up the stove just outside the
door. I got a new weather report from the InReach to find out what I
could already see: rain. BUT the chances dropped by about 10am, lower by
noon, and by 2pm there was a sun icon. YES!<br />
<br />
But now it was pouring.<br />
<br />
Kirk and I started to pack up what we could inside the tent, and then
we put on all of our boating gear: dry pants and top, and started
putzing around outside the tent. I sat under a tree in full gear,
watching and waiting. No one else had emerged.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4427 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4427" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_0932344149098595108025484.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_0932344149098595108025484.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_0932344149098595108025484.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_0932344149098595108025484.jpg" data-orig-size="2592,1458" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_0932344149098595108025484/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_0932344149098595108025484.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
Finally about 10am I could see some blue sucker holes opening up in
the clouds above. Blue sky never looked so good! Slowly some folks
started to leave their shelters, and more and more blue appeared
overhead. WOOOhooo!<br />
<br />
We all shared stories of our panic at floating away during the night.<br />
<br />
When enough of the sky had cleared, folks started packing up.<br />
<br />
<img class="failed alignnone size-full wp-image-4435" data-attachment-id="4435" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_1007188068294964679571436.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1007188068294964679571436.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1007188068294964679571436.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1007188068294964679571436.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_1007188068294964679571436/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1007188068294964679571436.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="failed wp-image-4429 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4429" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_1115567813648687536787764.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1115567813648687536787764.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1115567813648687536787764.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1115567813648687536787764.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_1115567813648687536787764/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1115567813648687536787764.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
We launch for the final day of paddling just shy of noon; we had
definitely made the right call to wait out the rain, for the sun came
back, and with it warmth and spring.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4428 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4428" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="p31900728581305753207805601.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31900728581305753207805601.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31900728581305753207805601.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31900728581305753207805601.jpg" data-orig-size="640,480" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/p31900728581305753207805601/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31900728581305753207805601.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4430 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4430" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_1146523120307873208631609.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1146523120307873208631609.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1146523120307873208631609.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1146523120307873208631609.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_1146523120307873208631609/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1146523120307873208631609.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
The trees were practically blossoming before our eyes, the fragrance hung in the air.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4431 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4431" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_1326281925666975801890142.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1326281925666975801890142.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1326281925666975801890142.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1326281925666975801890142.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_1326281925666975801890142/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1326281925666975801890142.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
We had a fun little rapid that some folks decided to run, others portaged.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4432 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4432" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_1329267447093856079731086.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1329267447093856079731086.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1329267447093856079731086.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1329267447093856079731086.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_1329267447093856079731086/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1329267447093856079731086.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
By day 5 we were all paddling much more in sync. In fact, we looked like a line of ducklings following Kirk down the river.<br />
<br />
The nine miles passed fairly quickly, and we enjoyed the freshly washed canyon walls.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4433 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4433" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_1410068555571840117369056.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1410068555571840117369056.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1410068555571840117369056.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1410068555571840117369056.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_1410068555571840117369056/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1410068555571840117369056.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4434 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4434" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200319_1502202275821297943622961.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1502202275821297943622961.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1502202275821297943622961.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1502202275821297943622961.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/30/gila-river-day-5/20200319_1502202275821297943622961/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_1502202275821297943622961.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
By mid afternoon the river corridor had flattened out, and we could see that we were leaving the mountains behind.<br />
<br />
A river gauge marked our progress, two more miles to where our cars should have been parked at the take out.<br />
<br />
Then, the cars.<br />
<br />
By this point it was warm and sunny, it was a beautiful day.<br />
<br />
We opened beers, toasted to a fabulous river trip, packed up the cars, and went to find out what had happened to the world.<br />
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-54705487193971355722020-04-11T10:16:00.002-07:002020-04-11T10:16:52.350-07:00Gila River Day 4<img class="wp-image-4409 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4409" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1011071218454172342363184.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1011071218454172342363184.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1011071218454172342363184.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1011071218454172342363184.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1011071218454172342363184/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1011071218454172342363184.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
To go or not to go? That was the question.<br />
<br />
The morning’s weather report again mentioned temps in the 40s, and
70% chance of rain in the afternoon and evening. Tomorrow, however, was
looking drier.<br />
<br />
When I emerged from the tent I saw Slow Ride was up and about. I went
over to our morning fire and made coffee. Other folks started to
trickle out of their warm dry places, but it was clear we were on a
slower mode than yesterday (remember that 10:30am start??).<br />
<br />
We started talking exit strategy. If we packed up and paddled, we
would be paddling in cold wet conditions…again some folks were already
cold and wet, so this option could be extremely uncomfortable, but we’d
get to the cars today (we had about 9 miles left to paddle), and then be
dry! Who cares if we are hypothermic if we can get to dry! So that was
option 1.<br />
<br />
Option 2 involved packing up and paddling 2 more river miles, and
setting up camp again…because there were some amazing hot springs a 3-5
mile hike up a side creek from the Gila River. That sounded attractive
cause who doesn’t like soaking in a hot springs when it’s pouring rain?
BUT breaking down camp and setting up camp again would be a MAJOR drag.
And the hike was rumored to be long and frustrating.<br />
<br />
Option 3: stay where we were and have a layover day; continue down the river and to the cars tomorrow. Hmmmmm…<br />
<br />
We went round and round with our choices, everyone not committing and hoping someone else would make the decision.<br />
<br />
Where did we have to be? There was a pandemic outside. The minute we
turned our phones on again we would be faced with a changed world. Did
we really want to rush that? But cold and wet…but dry cars…but…<br />
<br />
Soon it was apparent that we had waffled long enough that we’d be
lucky to pack up and get on the river by noon when the rain was supposed
to start. I guess we made our decision by not making a decision.<br />
<br />
Alright! Layover day!<br />
<br />
Turns out we all brought books, games, podcasts, snacks, music…items
we haven’t really been able to enjoy all that much since we have been
spending so much time on the river. We had all packed for a layover day,
and just didn’t know it 🙂<br />
<br />
Slow Ride got out his maps (he had some beautiful topo maps made
especially for the trip), and we geeked out over the contour
lines…figuring now we had time to do some exploring.<br />
<br />
So many places to go! So many places to see!<br />
<br />
We decided to take a hike up to the high point behind camp. Kirk and I
found creative ways to turn dry bags into fanny packs/backpacks, and we
took off with Slow Ride and Mike.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4412 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4412" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="img_20200321_103137_5708454513635666255211.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_20200321_103137_5708454513635666255211.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_20200321_103137_5708454513635666255211.jpg?w=240" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_20200321_103137_5708454513635666255211.jpg" data-orig-size="1458,1823" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/img_20200321_103137_5708454513635666255211/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_20200321_103137_5708454513635666255211.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4411 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4411" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1132058521382560937651247.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132058521382560937651247.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132058521382560937651247.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132058521382560937651247.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1132058521382560937651247/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132058521382560937651247.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4410 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4410" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1132092883925038457541818.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132092883925038457541818.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132092883925038457541818.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132092883925038457541818.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1132092883925038457541818/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1132092883925038457541818.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
Most of the way up the climb we saw that JJ and Mika had beat us to
it, and were hooting and hollering from the rocky outcropping above us.<br />
<br />
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4413" data-attachment-id="4413" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1128207903613052404138411.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1128207903613052404138411.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1128207903613052404138411.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1128207903613052404138411.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1128207903613052404138411/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1128207903613052404138411.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
We made our way up to the top of the world, and looked out over the vastness.<br />
<br />
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4414" data-attachment-id="4414" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1134573202775084399866245.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1134573202775084399866245.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1134573202775084399866245.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1134573202775084399866245.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1134573202775084399866245/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1134573202775084399866245.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4415 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4415" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1136073215860537854332320.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1136073215860537854332320.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1136073215860537854332320.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1136073215860537854332320.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1136073215860537854332320/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1136073215860537854332320.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
The Gila is an incredible huge tract of wilderness. I had been reading in Slow Ride’s book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gila-Libre-Mexicos-Last-River/dp/0826340822" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Gila Libre</a>,
about the previous native tribes, trappers, mountain men, and outlaws
that had made this river drainage their home for hundreds and thousands
of years. We were not the first, and would not be the last. But for all
those people who have walked the banks of the river, very little trace
is left. This area was trapped heavily for beaver and other large game
when things like fur hats were all the fashion, but I was heartened to
see a ton of beaver activity all along the shores we had paddled the
last few days. Some things can recover.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4417 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4417" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1148051840965836763182343.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1148051840965836763182343.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1148051840965836763182343.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1148051840965836763182343.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1148051840965836763182343/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1148051840965836763182343.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 490px;">
<img class="wp-image-4416 size-full" data-attachment-id="4416" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="img_43153241702500807036650.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_43153241702500807036650.jpg?w=480" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_43153241702500807036650.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_43153241702500807036650.jpg" data-orig-size="480,360" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/img_43153241702500807036650/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_43153241702500807036650.jpg?w=558" /><div class="wp-caption-text">
<i>Photo by Slow Ride (he has long arms…perfect for a group selfie!)</i></div>
</div>
<br />
The first few drops of rain fell on us as we enjoyed the views, and that was our cue to start hiking back to camp.<br />
<img class="wp-image-4418 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4418" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_1155483578808985869351160.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1155483578808985869351160.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1155483578808985869351160.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1155483578808985869351160.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/25/gila-river-day-4/20200318_1155483578808985869351160/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_1155483578808985869351160.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
By the time we made it down, it was time to dive into the tents. I
picked up the Gila book and proceeded to finish it that afternoon. We
napped, we snacked. Kirk and I played rounds of UNO. We napped and
snacked again. The rain was not letting up, but finally we decided to go
on a little walk just for something to do. We had waterproof gear
anyway!<br />
<br />
We walked upstream looking for cool rocks on the flood planes. We
walked down stream, finding some overhangs where we could take shelter
from the constant rain. The others emerged from their tents for the same
reasons here and there, but we all returned to escape the pouring
water.<br />
<br />
About dinner time the rain seemed to let up a little. Woooohooo! We
all left the tents, and were actually able to get a big fire going
despite all the wet wood. We had just enough time to make and eat dinner
before the deluge started again. Kirk was able to tell us his story of
getting stuck on the John Day River last April in the second highest
recorded flood in history. He spent four days in place waiting for the
full sized trees that had filled the water-way to clear (the river had
gone from 10,000 cfs when he launched, to 39,000 cfs). Unbeknownst to
him, he was the only one on the river, and search parties had been sent
out looking for him….just in case he was in trouble. Well, the story
ended well. He was safe, he had to almost rescue the rescuers, and now
has quite a story to tell.<br />
In retrospect, maybe telling the story before a massive rainstorm
that sounded like a freight train driving through camp wasn’t a great
idea. Flash floods on a desert river and all…Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-30443010112899099542020-04-11T10:13:00.003-07:002020-04-11T10:13:49.107-07:00Gila River Day 3<img class="wp-image-4384 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4384" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1030061688643337399059880.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1030061688643337399059880.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1030061688643337399059880.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1030061688643337399059880.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1030061688643337399059880/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1030061688643337399059880.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
Now that I’m home, I am learning more and more about the Gila River and efforts to protect it as a Wild and Scenic River. <a href="http://wildgilariver.org/the-gila-is-the-backbone-of-our-community-lets-keep-it-strong/?utm_campaign=2020-03-13+WildNews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Pew" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Read more here</a><br />
<br />
Now, back to the river!<br />
<br />
Day 3:<br />
<br />
We didn’t make the miles yesterday that we wanted. We had over 40
miles to go on the trip, and there was the added wildcard of rain and
potentially snow in the forecast soon. Our options were to paddle fast
and get out before the weather, or slow down and keep on despite the
weather. Because some of our crew didn’t have dry suits and were already
somewhat cold and wet during the day, we had to consider the dangers of
paddling all day in wet clothes and 40 degree temps. So far we had had
blissful sun during the day which not only helped moral, but helped keep
everyone warm.<br />
<br />
So today’s goal would be to get an early start (earlier than
noonish), and move down the river. We were on the water by 10:30
(success!!) and doing a bit more paddling all around.<br />
<br />
The water levels have continued to drop, and with it the speed of the
moving water. But we were making awesome time, and after the first hour
in our boats, had already gone 5 miles.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4386 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4386" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1108487017971510942089063.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1108487017971510942089063.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1108487017971510942089063.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1108487017971510942089063.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1108487017971510942089063/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1108487017971510942089063.jpg?w=558" /><img class="wp-image-4385 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4385" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1244273944733117756937657.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1244273944733117756937657.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1244273944733117756937657.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1244273944733117756937657.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1244273944733117756937657/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1244273944733117756937657.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
We continued on, and if it was possible for the river canyon to get
even more beautiful, it did. We were paddling past more dramatic rock
walls, and since we were dropping in elevation every day, the signs of
spring seems to intensify over the miles. We also spied caves in the
canyon, caves that might have housed people for thousands of years.<br />
<br />
We are, as JJ calls it, epicing.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4387 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4387" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1356093149810843103853529.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1356093149810843103853529.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1356093149810843103853529.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1356093149810843103853529.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1356093149810843103853529/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1356093149810843103853529.jpg?w=558" /><img class="wp-image-4389 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4389" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1413348815450769344681770.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1413348815450769344681770.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1413348815450769344681770.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1413348815450769344681770.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1413348815450769344681770/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1413348815450769344681770.jpg?w=558" /><img class="wp-image-4388 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4388" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1421277358531863553125544.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1421277358531863553125544.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1421277358531863553125544.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1421277358531863553125544.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1421277358531863553125544/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1421277358531863553125544.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
We had lunch on a rocky beach. Oh yeah! It was St. Patrick’s day! As a
Patrick I felt it was my duty to pass around some whisky during the
break, and we all practiced safe flasking by pouring it into our mouths
from a safe distance.<br />
<br />
We kept on moving down the river that afternoon, had one tree we
needed to limbo (duck down to avoid smashing our face into it) but
everyone made it through unscathed.<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2570px;">
<img class="wp-image-4392 size-full" data-attachment-id="4392" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1501357199118185316457124.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1501357199118185316457124.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1501357199118185316457124.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1501357199118185316457124.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1501357199118185316457124/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1501357199118185316457124.jpg?w=558" /><div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
Mike’s turn at the limbo tree</div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4394 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4394" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_1449553733732294110116685.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1449553733732294110116685.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1449553733732294110116685.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1449553733732294110116685.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_1449553733732294110116685/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_1449553733732294110116685.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
By the time it started to cloud up, we found a nice big flat to make
camp. The rain and cold were due to start the next day. I was carrying
an InReach beacon, which offers a way to get a weather report. We
checked it and saw the rain was due to start late morning tomorrow. So
we did the only logical thing and decided to decide our next move in the
morning.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4390 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4390" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_143614427268472162690828.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_143614427268472162690828.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_143614427268472162690828.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_143614427268472162690828.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200317_143614427268472162690828/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_143614427268472162690828.jpg?w=558" /><img class="wp-image-4395 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4395" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200318_0923233059641870843613346.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_0923233059641870843613346.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_0923233059641870843613346.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_0923233059641870843613346.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/24/gila-river-day-3/20200318_0923233059641870843613346/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200318_0923233059641870843613346.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
There was a fire to make, and some chillaxing to be done.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-48714746669541165362020-04-11T10:09:00.004-07:002020-04-11T10:12:11.090-07:00Gila Day 2<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 650px;">
<img class="wp-image-4361 size-full" data-attachment-id="4361" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="p31700241389760684333451077.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31700241389760684333451077.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31700241389760684333451077.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31700241389760684333451077.jpg" data-orig-size="640,480" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/p31700241389760684333451077/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31700241389760684333451077.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<i>Group photos by Slow Ride</i></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
We woke after a nice warm night and waited around until the sun hit
our camp to really start moving. A morning fire helped with the
motivation, along with multiple cups of coffee.The paddling was really
smooth yesterday, and we would find the opposite today!<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4362 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4362" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1640232007915131794821961.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640232007915131794821961.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640232007915131794821961.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640232007915131794821961.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/20200315_1640232007915131794821961/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640232007915131794821961.jpg?w=558" /><img class="wp-image-4363 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4363" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200316_1219415608838164297985454.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1219415608838164297985454.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1219415608838164297985454.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1219415608838164297985454.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/20200316_1219415608838164297985454/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1219415608838164297985454.jpg?w=558" /><img class="wp-image-4364 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4364" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200316_1501343164331173862830992.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1501343164331173862830992.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1501343164331173862830992.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1501343164331173862830992.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/20200316_1501343164331173862830992/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1501343164331173862830992.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
For all of our effort, we didn’t seem to be moving efficiently down
the river. We had a few swims, but all people and gear were recovered,
and even though a few folks were shaken up from the cold immersion, we
all rallied and kept going.The water at this level kept us busy, and the
previous flooding had left tons of strainers in the water. Granted,
most of these strainers didn’t span the width of the river, so we were
able to paddle by them, however, they could be a real problem if you
floated into them wrong.<br />
<br />
We saw one other group on the river today, a group of three, each in
their own cataraft. Those were ambitious boats because we encountered
tons of low-hanging branches that surely resulted in tree branch slaps
in the face as those boats sit much higher in the water.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, we rounded a corner to find them portaging a river-wide tree blocking the way, and so we did the same.<br />
<br />
We hadn’t made the mileage we had wanted, but our safety and
enjoyment were more important, so we pulled up at Sapillo Creek to make
camp. This is where (I think) I came down on the CDT five years ago and
started walking upstream. I guess we just did a paddle alternate to the
hiking route!<br />
<br />
We spread out and put on dry clothes. The water in the creek was much
cleaner than the Gila, so that would be a good option for filtering,
but then we discovered a little waterfall that had even cleaner water.
Score!<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4365 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4365" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200316_1806198523177685838384308.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1806198523177685838384308.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1806198523177685838384308.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1806198523177685838384308.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/20200316_1806198523177685838384308/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_1806198523177685838384308.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4367 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4367" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_0808354028966445549841985.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0808354028966445549841985.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0808354028966445549841985.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0808354028966445549841985.jpg" data-orig-size="1440,2560" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/20200317_0808354028966445549841985/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0808354028966445549841985.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4366 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4366" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200317_0854063812544018311271638.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0854063812544018311271638.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0854063812544018311271638.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0854063812544018311271638.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/20200317_0854063812544018311271638/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200317_0854063812544018311271638.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
Then it was time for happy hour on the beach. I passed out cans of
Greyhound, a mixed cocktail drink made by a brewery in Bend. We sat on
boats and watched the sun go down before retiring to the fire and our
dehydrated/freeze-dried meals.<br />
<br />
<img class="wp-image-4368 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4368" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="2834331b-9008037312781512943.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/2834331b-9008037312781512943.jpg?w=480" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/2834331b-9008037312781512943.jpg?w=225" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/2834331b-9008037312781512943.jpg" data-orig-size="480,640" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/2834331b-9008037312781512943/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/2834331b-9008037312781512943.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4369" data-attachment-id="4369" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="p31600228857707624573171907.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31600228857707624573171907.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31600228857707624573171907.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31600228857707624573171907.jpg" data-orig-size="640,480" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/23/gila-day-2/p31600228857707624573171907/#main" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/p31600228857707624573171907.jpg?w=558" /><br />
<br />
Another warm night, exciting!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-92208147594174185052020-04-11T10:06:00.002-07:002020-04-11T10:06:33.541-07:00Gila River Day 1I was almost warm enough last night. My thick inflatable bargin
sleeping pad was only thick enough if I lay my whole body evenly on the
pad…curling into my usual side position dipped my hip to the ground, and
that ground sucked the warmth out of me.<br />
<br />
When we did finally emerge outside the tents everything was covered
in frost and ice. Brrrr. Our friends were warm blooded and were not
excited by the frosty morning warning.<br /><br /><img class="wp-image-4345 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4345" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1054133806546586745273754.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1054133806546586745273754.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1054133806546586745273754.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1054133806546586745273754.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200315_1054133806546586745273754/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1054133806546586745273754.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Eventually the sun hit camp, and made the duffle shuffle go a little
faster. How would we possibly fit all the food, beer and gear into our
little boats? The inflatable kayak folks had a much easier time as they
can strap just about anything to the tops of their long boats. We
packrafters have to fit it inside our boats, or smartly strapped to the
outside. Mike was in the other packraft, and this would be his first
overnight trip in his craft.<br />
<br />
Somehow we were packed and almost ready to go when our shuttle driver
came and gave us some useful beta on the river (he had just paddled it a
few weeks before) but the spike in the river level after the heavy
rains of the days before would provide a wild card. Would the flows have
lodged some trees across the river? New strainers, log jams or hazard
trees? We all got a safety talk from Kirk who has taught, guided, and
explored flooded rivers like this for years. We are in good hands with
Kirk at the helm.<br />
<br />
The water was a chocolate brown, but not thick with dirt and mud. The
brunt of the flooding was over and the water levels were going down
now. We paddled past cliffs and treed flats, noticing where the water
had crested in a much bigger flood. Folks were getting used to their
boats, and we had clear sailing for the whole day.<br />
<br />
<img class="failed wp-image-4349 alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4349" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1339108085475723423927214.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1339108085475723423927214.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1339108085475723423927214.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1339108085475723423927214.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200315_1339108085475723423927214/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1339108085475723423927214.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<img class="wp-image-4350 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4350" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1413564221081434282412484.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1413564221081434282412484.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1413564221081434282412484.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1413564221081434282412484.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200315_1413564221081434282412484/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1413564221081434282412484.jpg" width="400" /><img class="wp-image-4351 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4351" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1153533759385635035485511.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1153533759385635035485511.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1153533759385635035485511.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1153533759385635035485511.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200315_1153533759385635035485511/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1153533759385635035485511.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />Numerous
cairns marked where a trail crossed the river back and forth, and Slow
Ride, Shake n Bake and myself were pretty sure we had hiked some of this
on the CDT gila alternate years before…and I could even have sworn that
I had a cold wet camp at this very spot 5 years ago on my thru-hike.
I’ll have to go back and check my blog; my camp at this spot ended with a
windy sleepless night on the river….I woke to snow and high tailed it
to Doc Campbell’s that next morning with promise of a food box and the
stellar Gila Hot Springs.<br />
<img class="wp-image-4352 failed alignnone size-full" data-attachment-id="4352" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1640503618392891176523533.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640503618392891176523533.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640503618392891176523533.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640503618392891176523533.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200315_1640503618392891176523533/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640503618392891176523533.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<img alt="20200315_1728042433194367897027444.jpg" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4353" data-attachment-id="4353" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1728042433194367897027444.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1728042433194367897027444.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1728042433194367897027444.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1728042433194367897027444.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200315_1728042433194367897027444/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1728042433194367897027444.jpg" width="400" /><br /><img class="failed alignnone size-full wp-image-4348" data-attachment-id="4348" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200315_1640562605633769734112170.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640562605633769734112170.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640562605633769734112170.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640562605633769734112170.jpg" data-orig-size="2592,1458" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200315_1640562605633769734112170/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_1640562605633769734112170.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />
Our
afternoon at camp consisted of a few lazy hours in the sun in hammocks
or laid out horizontal in some fashion. Slow Ride lent me a book about
the Gila river, so I read a few pages before closing my eyes too.<br /><br />Later around the campfire we passed bags of wine and told stories. <br /><br /><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4347" data-attachment-id="4347" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200316_0832201717379151973803601.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_0832201717379151973803601.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_0832201717379151973803601.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_0832201717379151973803601.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/22/gila-river-day-1/20200316_0832201717379151973803601/#main" height="225" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200316_0832201717379151973803601.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />
The night was clear and blissfully warm.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-5020547270713751742020-04-11T10:00:00.001-07:002020-04-11T10:04:34.879-07:00You Can’t Plan a Pandemic – Gila River Packraft – Day 0It was time for a river adventure. Our friends in Tuscon, Slow Ride
and Shake n Bake (two thru hikers I met in 2008 when I was giving trail
magic on the PCT near Elk Lake – and who have since become my trail
angels numerous times) suggested a Gila River paddle about a year ago,
and we’ve been looking forward to it ever since. Add in a global
pandemic, the first coronavirus cases found in our communities, paired
with a plea for people to isolate themselves, and we knew disappearing
into the wilderness for a week was probably the smartest thing we could
do. (We started our trip March 12)…<br />
<br />
Slow Ride (SR) and Shake n Bake (SB) invited a few friends of theirs
on the trip, all teachers in Tucson. Mike, a music teacher, was in a
packraft and relatively new to paddling rivers. JJ had been on a few
rivers, including our beloved Umpqua River, and was in an IK (inflatable
kayak) and had just escaped his science classroom and was ready for a
break. Mika, a middle school teacher (and former peace corps volunteer
who had stationed in West Africa like me) who was also in an IK and was
ready for some down time.<br />
<br />
We were all guessing at what kind of world we would encounter after
our float…the United States had just started to isolate and quarantine,
the lines at Target were still civilized, but we all knew that the thin
veneer of human decency can be punctured by panic and fear….both
emotions increasing in the collective consciousness by the minute.<br />
<br />
To the river!!<br />
<br />
Kirk and I had spent two days driving down from Oregon through
numerous torrential downpours, and knew the water levels in our
wilderness float were bound to go up. Desert rivers don’t always run, so
the influx of water would give us a nice push down the river.<br />
<br />
The Gila was the first designated Wilderness area in the United
States, and is one of the largest. It is truly amazing terrain, and the
Continental Divide runs right through it. SR, SB and I had all hiked the
CDT and had many memories of fording the Gila River on our treks. They
had also hiked the Grand Enchantment Trail, which traverses the area. We
were eager to get back and track some of our steps, but from moving
water this time.<br />
<br />
There have been numerous efforts to dam this free-flowing river. The
pressures of too many people living in the desert with too little water
was increasing each year, but so far the dams have been held off. This
place is the perfect opportunity for humankind to put a pause on our
greed and need to control everything, and just let it be for the
animals, plants, for the possibility of a huge tract of rich wilderness
that can be left without our imprint. There are actually very few like
this…. almost none.<br />
The Gila is also being considered for Wild and Scenic River
Designation, which seems an obvious moniker. I will be supporting that
designation however I can, although there is a lot of local resistance
to this. <a href="http://www.scdailypress.com/site/2020/03/07/wild-and-scenic-bill-opponents-out-in-force-at-meeting/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Read more here, and get involved if you can!</a><br />
<br />
So we made it to Tucson on a Friday. Met for dinner and drinks and
nervously joked about the pandemic all around us, and decided to stop
all the conjecturing, and try to be in the moment.<br />
The next day we drove to Silver City New Mexico…on the way admiring
the yellow super bloom that had carpeted the desert around the highway…a
benefit from all the recent rain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-4338" data-attachment-id="4338" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200321_1130554267398636586161984.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1130554267398636586161984.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1130554267398636586161984.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1130554267398636586161984.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,979" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/21/you-cant-plan-a-pandemic-gila-river-packraft-day-0/20200321_1130554267398636586161984/#main" height="151" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1130554267398636586161984.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
Kirk and I made a quick stop in Silver City to see Erika, a good
friend, and one of my trail crew members from a summer in Durango
Colorado 13 years ago. I seem to make it to Silver City every few years,
so we’ve been able to stay in touch….the kind of touch that’s easier
when you see each other in person every so often.<br />
<br />
<br />
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-4339" data-attachment-id="4339" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="20200321_1131424707969340198571488.jpg" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1131424707969340198571488.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1131424707969340198571488.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1131424707969340198571488.jpg" data-orig-size="1517,1440" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.com/2020/03/21/you-cant-plan-a-pandemic-gila-river-packraft-day-0/20200321_1131424707969340198571488/#main" height="377" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_1131424707969340198571488.jpg?w=1024" width="400" /></figure>
We met her beau, Cjell, the maker of Moné Bikes, and we got to see
him work in his shop…an old van turned into a bike-making-palace.<br />
<br />
After lunch and a quick walk around town we headed up the notoriously
windy and steep road that takes you into the heart of the Gila
Wilderness. On the CDT I encountered this section and stopped at the
Gila Hot Springs, got a resupply box at Doc Cambells, and took in the
history of the Gila Cliff Dwellings.<br />
<br />
We all rendezvoused at the Grapevine Campground for our launch in the morning.<br />
<br />
To the river!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-65219392063523642042020-04-11T09:58:00.002-07:002020-04-11T09:58:53.195-07:00Gila River PackraftingIt's been a minute since Kirk or I have posted here. We've been packrafting...a lot, but many of the trips over the past year or so have been adventures we've done before and written about, or are day-run road-side runs. Often Kirk will be in his hardshell while I'm in my Alpacka.<br />
<br />
Anyway, we got down to NM at the start of March (before the shelter in place stuff...but at the start of everything), and did a multi-day trip on the Gila River.<br />
<br />
I wrote about the trip <a href="http://www.sherahikes.com/" target="_blank">over on my hiking blog</a>, and now am posting it here for you!<br />
<br />
I got a lot of gopro footage. I'm sure I'll get stir-crazy enough to make a movie out of it. Stay tuned...Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-30790682674382570082018-07-19T07:19:00.000-07:002018-07-19T07:34:15.402-07:00July in the Mountains - Waptus River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLtpIMi4wFYcgUaQxJay_59O2yLEma3IwORjfnhD9xwhAh-3cALCENOFdfZ8TmNEUZ3bvTuQ5nZrxpGrD5DebYXGkFCjApkB2zrklQiVuihx7EF9YVnqLStJeeNTINjgVnloWIWNgRg18/s1600/20180706_152015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLtpIMi4wFYcgUaQxJay_59O2yLEma3IwORjfnhD9xwhAh-3cALCENOFdfZ8TmNEUZ3bvTuQ5nZrxpGrD5DebYXGkFCjApkB2zrklQiVuihx7EF9YVnqLStJeeNTINjgVnloWIWNgRg18/s640/20180706_152015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kirk and I had the first week of July slated for a week of vacation, and we still hadn't decided on where to go until the day before we left.<br />
<br />
I figured: draw a 10-hour driving circle around Bend (I didn't want to drive farther than that), but turns out that includes the whole Pacific Northwest. Not much help.<br />
<br />
We looked at packrafting the Bruneau and Jarbidge rivers in SW Idaho, but at low flows the rocks are reported to be tearrrrifying...tear...if..ying...tear. No thanks.<br />
<br />
We thought about the Olympics, but we would be looking at a 4,000’ climb to get up the good alpine stuff, and we weren't feeling THAT ambitious.<br />
<br />
We thought about rafting the lower main Salmon River, but it is a very popular stretch, and open to jet boats… With July 4th happening during our week off, we knew it would be one of the busiest vacation weeks of the summer.<br />
<br />
So, when Kirk came up with a combo backpacking and packrafting trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, it sounded perfect. I had hiked through the Alpine Lakes area 12 years ago on the Pacific Crest Trail, but that September the whole stretch was drenched in rain and fog and I really didn't see much. I was excited to go back and hike a little bit on the trail, check out some high alpine lakes, and do some packrafting.<br />
<br />
It was hard to decide where to go even then. The area is massive and so full of mountains, rivers, lakes and trails that it really makes Central Oregon and our Cascade range look like child's play.<br />
<br />
We let the rivers decide where we would go.<br />
<br />
We drove to Cooper Lake on Friday and camped on the side of the road (Washington has so many free roadside campsites!). Kirk has been checking out the Cooper River, a short, stout whitewater run, that was over my head, so next we drove up the Cle Elum River. It looked promising, then we hiked in to the river Kirk <i>really</i> wanted to check out, the Waptus.<br />
<br />
We were worried it wouldn't have enough water, but when we got to the confluence, it looked doable. It would be a mellow river with a few gorges…unknown gorges involving extensive scouting... so it would be a real adventure!<br />
<br />
We left the parking lot with a week's worth of food, boats, backpacking gear, and if we had weighed our packs I bet we were both tipping 60-70 pounds. It was painful. So painful that I wasn't sure my body could do it, and I have rarely felt that! We were to hike in 9 miles with the full load. Eeeeeee!<br />
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<br />
We made camp the first night about 4 miles in at the top of one of the gorges with what looked like a fun granite slide and drop. We had already passed a waterfall with a series of no-go drops, so we already knew the river would hold more surprises, and we would have to portage some stuff.<br />
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We huffed and puffed our way to Waptus Lake (on the PCT) and cached our boats.<br />
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We spent the next few days hiking to some incredible lakes including Spade lake (holy cow, the trail goes straight up and reminded me of the Appalachian Trail...no switchbacks up the 2,000’ climb. Brutal.)<br />
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Then we went up to Deep Lake.<br />
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And Peggy’s Pond by Cathedral Pass. Wow!<br />
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This was on the PCT but I didn't remember any of it.<br />
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Peggy’s pond was still under snow but we found a dry patch under the towering Mt. Daniel for an incredible view. I must say, PCT hikers don't know how good they have it. The minute the trail intersects a path that doesn't continue to Mexico and Canada, the character changes immediately…no switchbacks, quick elevation changes, scree. But on the other hand it is efficient.<br />
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We made our way back to Waptus Lake and our boats on a hot sunny afternoon, so I had to dive into the lake. COLD. Yes the lake is fed by snowmelt, and yes it was unbearably refreshing. We inflated our boats and paddled around a bit and enjoyed the bliss after some pretty challenging backpacking.<br />
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The next morning we loaded up the boats to see what Waptus River had to offer.<br />
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The calm and pleasant paddle out of the lake lasted about a mile before the first gorge.<br />
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We got out river left to scout, and could tell the entrance was clean, but we didn't climb the next bluff to see deeper into the canyon. It's crucial to scout these places because they are so committing. Once in a granite gorge like this, there is no out. Often sheer cliffs prevent portages or walking around rapid, and narrow canyon walls can easily trap logs and make deadly barriers. So, since we couldn't see farther in, we decided to do the smart thing and walk around.<br />
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The portage on river right looked more doable, so we picked up our fully loaded boats and walked around.<br />
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On top on the river right side we dropped boats to get a better look at the rest of the gorge, and to our dismay saw it was a go. The gorge was clean and runnable, but we were already mostly around and wouldn't go back. Bummer, but we should have either taken the time to scout the whole thing, or be happy we made a smart choice with the unknowns we were facing.<br />
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The next 4ish miles were a braided river channel complete with several knarly log jams and gorgeous deep aquamarine pools.<br />
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We huffed and puffed over the log jams and had several clear miles before the next gorge.<br />
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First we ran the granite slide and drop that we had scouted on the hike in. Fun!<br />
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We pulled over and had lunch, and decided to scout the next gorge, the whole gorge, this time. It looked to be about a mile long, so we left our boats and bushwhacked up and down the steep cliffs.<br />
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We were able look down the steep wooded slopes for most of it, and it was clean. No logs blocking the way, but a few of the rapids were in the Class IV/-V range with no portage / scouting potential, and I didn't feel comfortable running them.<br />
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Kirk wouldn't boat it alone (any Class V packrafters out there that don't mind some brutal backcountry wilderness river trips? Kirk could use a big water adventure partner). Anyway the whole gorge ended with a series of waterfall drops (35' triple drop) that looked good if you had a hardshell (not so good for a packraft), but no way to set safety on the second crux drop of the triple drop .<br />
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So we walked back to our boats while dodging a quick thunder storm, and picked up our boats to make the whole journey back again.<br />
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We made camp with a view.<br />
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For our last day of paddling it appeared from the topo lines on the map that we might have another gorged section on our hands, but after launching that morning and padding for a short while, we realized the terrain wasn’t as narrowing as it looked, and it was all a go.<br />
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We were in some fun Class II/III water!<br />
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Beautiful pools of water peppered with fun rapids marked most of the run that morning. Towards the end of the run the drops started to get bigger, in the Class III+ range, but all were clean and good splashy fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8QWjPWKBDSC9AJu4VgjT9fy1AwdfJswt5eTfuYRblMziMn-0RBQbtKEByG5ADX6ZRxMaQYPDDZgi8bKuz72S0kGK0BkmcG2KZl07lCCbLXXw9Na3qJ9RYIsytj-lic9_ghXXjbIVQKEE/s1600/20180707_105813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8QWjPWKBDSC9AJu4VgjT9fy1AwdfJswt5eTfuYRblMziMn-0RBQbtKEByG5ADX6ZRxMaQYPDDZgi8bKuz72S0kGK0BkmcG2KZl07lCCbLXXw9Na3qJ9RYIsytj-lic9_ghXXjbIVQKEE/s640/20180707_105813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wore my gopro for the boating, so got a lot of footage of the river, stay tuned for a video!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-14269907325785951952018-04-23T08:03:00.001-07:002018-04-23T08:03:30.231-07:00Food for the Sole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YoCAUm0Gvh-XM08yQp2IRnkrjZZvOzXsq0lUAJd2SU4UIm_o1qoD1f7t5lhcajnAFxhi-Phs89TxgLcTXcOk4irp48x7Q6ow6LWuWr23vtkKRZK2uqDLwH5Vg-FXQu7gMCh7zGrLraNB/s1600/Peanut+Super+Slaw+Excitment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YoCAUm0Gvh-XM08yQp2IRnkrjZZvOzXsq0lUAJd2SU4UIm_o1qoD1f7t5lhcajnAFxhi-Phs89TxgLcTXcOk4irp48x7Q6ow6LWuWr23vtkKRZK2uqDLwH5Vg-FXQu7gMCh7zGrLraNB/s320/Peanut+Super+Slaw+Excitment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back in November my friend Boomer brought some food samples to a presentation Anish was giving in Bend about her Oregon Desert Trail hike. The food came from a new company that was started by a fellow Search and Rescue member of his, Julie Mosier. There were so many hikers around that night that I didn’t take a sample at that time, but a few months later ordered their sample pack….and…WOW.</div>
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<a href="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=187&h=275" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="super-peanut-slaw" border="0" class="wp-image-3327 alignleft" data-attachment-id="3327" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="super-peanut-slaw" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=187&h=275?w=500" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=187&h=275?w=204" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=187&h=275" data-orig-size="500,735" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/food-for-the-sole/super-peanut-slaw/#main" height="275" sizes="(max-width: 187px) 100vw, 187px" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=187&h=275" srcset="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=187&h=275 187w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=374&h=550 374w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=102&h=150 102w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/super-peanut-slaw.jpg?w=204&h=300 204w" style="display: inline; height: auto; margin-top: 0.7rem; max-width: 100%;" width="187" /></a>I made the <a href="https://www.foodforthesole.co/" style="border: 0px; color: #e94f1d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">Food for the Sole</a> cold-soak Peanut Super Slaw before a ski Kirk and I were heading out on this winter, and it was so good I literally licked the bag. SO GOOD. Now I do struggle to eat healthy on trails…my pack certainly contains a fair amount of processed sugar and flour, so as I worked my way through these vegan and gluten free samples, I was hooked. These are super tasty, and I am sure better for my body than cheetos! These are dehydrated meals instead of freeze dried, which allows for a certain amount of texture and flavor to carry through the re-hydrating process. And as I’ve been doing so much desert hiking, I think the cold salads will really be a game changer during the heat of the day when I often don’t feel like eating something heavy like peanut butter or cheese.</div>
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I was so interested in helping to spread the word about this new company that I’ve decided to come on as their first Brand Ambassador! I’m stoked to eat these meals on all my various adventures this year (trail work, hiking & packrafting trips, Sunshine Coast Trail Thru-hike, and anything else I might get up to this year). Did I tell you I’m planning on hiking the <a href="https://sunshinecoast-trail.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #e94f1d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunshine Coast Trail</a> this summer with NEMO??</div>
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If you are interested in checking out <a href="https://www.foodforthesole.co/" style="border: 0px; color: #e94f1d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;">Food for the Sole</a> I’d recommend starting with their sample pack of all 7 meals they make, and I’m pretty sure you will make another order shortly after. <img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" scale="0" src="https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/svg/1f642.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></div>
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Oh and use <span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">SHERAHIKES</span> code for 20% off!</div>
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-91944796613381340132017-11-02T21:45:00.003-07:002017-11-02T21:47:36.164-07:00Oregon Desert Trail on Oregon Field GuideCheck out tonight's episode of Oregon Field Guide on the Oregon Desert Trail. I filmed with the show several times this year, I didn't get them any footage of the 141 mile packraft of the Owyhee as a water alternate to the route since I lost my gopro in the West Little Owyhee, but you can imagine, right??<br />
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The video won't sit in here properly, so here's the link: <a href="http://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/episodes/2905">http://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/episodes/2905</a>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-24733796191613196992017-07-23T20:31:00.000-07:002017-07-23T20:31:16.280-07:00South Fork of the Payette - Sawtooth Wilderness SectionKirk and I headed to Idaho for a week, and ended up packrafting some on the Middle Fork of the Payette, and then backpacked into the South Fork of the Payette into the Sawtooth Wilderness along the Idaho Centennial Trail.<br />
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River levels were about 1,300cfs, and while the lower section looked perfect for our boats, the upper sections about 5 miles above Grandjean were a bit meatier with lots of logjams. That being said, Kirk would have run some sections (Class V) had he had more support. We both agreed that a lower flows (maybe 600-700cfs) the upper waterfall drops would be more manageable for a boater like myself. We'll have to come back in the fall another time to try some of those upper sections.<br />
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We hiked in the 5 miles on a Tuesday, dropped our boats off around the transition zone into waterfall land, and then spent the next 3 days hiking to the headwaters. Upon our return we picked up our boats for the float back to our car.<br />
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ensue bushwack. Getting to the river from the trail was a bit of a willow bashing fest, but we finally made it and transitioned to packraft mode. All gear stored inside the boat, day bag with sunscreen, lunch (in this case one packet of hickory smoked tuna. That’s it. Sucks.), and water.</span></div>
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<a href="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #e94f1d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3121" data-attachment-id="3121" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"SM-G900V","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1500719053","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.8","iso":"40","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="20170722_102413" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg" data-orig-size="3264,1836" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=3121#main" sizes="(max-width: 558px) 100vw, 558px" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=558&h=314" srcset="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=558&h=314 558w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=1116&h=628 1116w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=150&h=84 150w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_102413.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" style="border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.7rem auto; max-width: 100%;" /></a></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We launch on a swift little current on a narrow log-congested river, gravely braids of river channels everywhere.</span></div>
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<a href="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #e94f1d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3122" data-attachment-id="3122" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"SM-G900V","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1500721347","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.8","iso":"40","shutter_speed":"0.0015479876160991","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="20170722_110227" data-large-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=558" data-medium-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg" data-orig-size="3264,1836" data-permalink="https://sherahikes.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=3122#main" sizes="(max-width: 558px) 100vw, 558px" src="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=558&h=314" srcset="https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=558&h=314 558w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=1116&h=628 1116w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=150&h=84 150w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://sherahikes.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170722_110227.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" style="border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.7rem auto; max-width: 100%;" /></a></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The water was clear and blue and green and it felt like we were flying through the canyon, until we got to logjam, after logjam, after stupid logjam. It was still worth it though. I actually expected more in an un-dammed river in the heart of the Sawtooth Wilderness.</span></div>
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The 4.5 miles of trail turned into 9 miles of river with all the meandering channels, but still worth it.</div>
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We were worked by the time we made it back to the car mid-afternoon. We had a short rapidy section about half way, but it was mainly the numerous log jams we had to portage with full boats and careful walking to not impale ourselves on dead trees, or break a leg in a beaver hole. So much fun!! Really!</div>
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-10623712649172783572017-05-13T16:21:00.000-07:002017-05-13T16:21:10.486-07:00Blue River, OregonIt was the weekend...<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/217333995">Blue River, baby</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/adventureswithpackraft">Renee Patrick</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03309753866415916164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-67482929562800126572016-11-12T08:48:00.001-08:002016-11-12T08:49:45.405-08:00Testing Alpacka Raft's new Self Bailer<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
Recently Kirk and I were given the chance to test out Alpacka's new <a href="http://www.alpackaraft.com/build-options/" target="_blank">self-bailing</a> packraft. I was intrigued since my 2012 boat frequently fills with water despite using the cruiser spray deck (<i>repeated portages with the boat has added to the dirt and moss accumulated in my velcro...despite cleaning it after each trip, it doesn't fasten as well as it once did when a big wave comes my way</i>).</div>
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We took it out one afternoon in Bend's new whitewater play park (<i>the park is a pretty big disappointment, but that's a post for another day</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjFcwCyNsO62x1J4bBER3MN-BYlF5uIZqNO5kHxayR9Hsm_cAF8TiBEspbySe9Ie_MIYy9EXOQzJ104FlZKKSqHyCe5E4uMYJ8yMdhyJNQGSG-bN5Cw3uCYsjKYheF1B0nmY_v3jnZPkB/s1600/20161019_173503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjFcwCyNsO62x1J4bBER3MN-BYlF5uIZqNO5kHxayR9Hsm_cAF8TiBEspbySe9Ie_MIYy9EXOQzJ104FlZKKSqHyCe5E4uMYJ8yMdhyJNQGSG-bN5Cw3uCYsjKYheF1B0nmY_v3jnZPkB/s640/20161019_173503.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpacka's four-point thigh-brace system</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQGkaY-11F1rGIhyphenhyphenGubsyPGirfCHNeWVDSXKWSFGMYFT5cqqHrD8ed4d7hJeVFncclLf6u6CCh02xFExoMhlXZ5EXoTs3Jq9L28DGZprjjbD7O9296j-ueEsBBdaZtzd7ASVJ8I5K8VHF/s1600/20161019_180202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQGkaY-11F1rGIhyphenhyphenGubsyPGirfCHNeWVDSXKWSFGMYFT5cqqHrD8ed4d7hJeVFncclLf6u6CCh02xFExoMhlXZ5EXoTs3Jq9L28DGZprjjbD7O9296j-ueEsBBdaZtzd7ASVJ8I5K8VHF/s640/20161019_180202.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The self-bailing floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8LAjvCVkWbRD-oVF6ByTAoMWSzVFQ1Q-mev02JGNswwsWGsOdg5JYd9NfwMh-3KZRUgPfq8_iyliSJhaq6rxrsD8H_zIIzSnkFVcLk_LULED-mcUTRhjsuD0eDTxw8PHyYCiBzu7iRx6/s1600/20161019_180830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8LAjvCVkWbRD-oVF6ByTAoMWSzVFQ1Q-mev02JGNswwsWGsOdg5JYd9NfwMh-3KZRUgPfq8_iyliSJhaq6rxrsD8H_zIIzSnkFVcLk_LULED-mcUTRhjsuD0eDTxw8PHyYCiBzu7iRx6/s640/20161019_180830.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirk surfing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we planned to paddle an 11 mile canyon section of the White River in Oregon above Tygh Valley. We knew water levels would be low, but that's never stopped us before! But, by the time we made it Maupin, we determined our daylight hours were too short for the excursion at low flows. Finally we decided to park on the Deschutes River across from the White River confluence and walk up to the falls and boat down. A mere 2 miles, but hey, it was something. </div>
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We were joined by our friend Brian who owns an old school Alpacka from the days before the shaped bow and stern. He paddled my yellow Llama while I paddled the self-bailer and Kirk used his multi-colored circus boat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFm-nUPhTrp6Sbyw4hXD75Nhr63YoYII0kAJMzYptuYWs-LIaCZ3rlaF3SYgfUbtIk1j9qeqZwQZ_KxPfpyZYhjdqNqCMvJZW6O5DQO5KeSaMibVz59hLonzWd0PbXvg_JXqo6mIt6n4P/s1600/20161106_122209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFm-nUPhTrp6Sbyw4hXD75Nhr63YoYII0kAJMzYptuYWs-LIaCZ3rlaF3SYgfUbtIk1j9qeqZwQZ_KxPfpyZYhjdqNqCMvJZW6O5DQO5KeSaMibVz59hLonzWd0PbXvg_JXqo6mIt6n4P/s640/20161106_122209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our plans were thwarted once again when Kirk's shoe decided to blow-out on our hike up the canyon. The shoe completely disintegrated and we were faced with the decision of whether to continue while he wore down his dry-suit foot on the rocky shore. Ever the problem solver, he wrapped his foot in the rope from his throw-bag, but soon that fell apart. Nice try Kirk!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRkcbFaBaYVyYq0H6n34iEZpNdRjhZFfGI6OF3h59jGU4336FDyEF6PtpNhLpbVi4eJXcFk3F9TKaYr0V16VIzj4Io6yYxsi8r8uKLI_ymVpmelbuVt3MZ0NCzwQm6-5y-o7LpP46PFCW/s1600/20161106_124634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRkcbFaBaYVyYq0H6n34iEZpNdRjhZFfGI6OF3h59jGU4336FDyEF6PtpNhLpbVi4eJXcFk3F9TKaYr0V16VIzj4Io6yYxsi8r8uKLI_ymVpmelbuVt3MZ0NCzwQm6-5y-o7LpP46PFCW/s640/20161106_124634.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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We decided to cut our losses and boat out. Kirk and I switched crafts and paddled a few of the small rapids a few times, then Brian and I boated out to the Deschues to the Sandy Beach take-out, and I got to paddle through a few big wave-trains. The boat handled well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VYCYP4K-vaUuXdG6BlHsFQTl12j81bUHfSF2s1ulprgGSomlLAga0x0ctYTRnoFukjC62Nzu5UOBFeO9csRQ1SYgeC7pzyNbLCU1gPB2hcPOrQpCTfidLOumtkcEgNdkN9UPB-zFhsF7/s1600/20161106_132400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VYCYP4K-vaUuXdG6BlHsFQTl12j81bUHfSF2s1ulprgGSomlLAga0x0ctYTRnoFukjC62Nzu5UOBFeO9csRQ1SYgeC7pzyNbLCU1gPB2hcPOrQpCTfidLOumtkcEgNdkN9UPB-zFhsF7/s640/20161106_132400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygGe_lQQdrgdvSekw78NTPwN-aCF1TSTMyL40XjrpSHj_qGCaJw3yQ2RX7JYDsAwwtLCm8uEioyMQeJjhCT66jKMKVxDx8wLeTkEIoFNIxlKzzDYYMa_EJ1BbuZUwXLkkWLmbNpezvtMO/s1600/IMG_20161106_141800003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygGe_lQQdrgdvSekw78NTPwN-aCF1TSTMyL40XjrpSHj_qGCaJw3yQ2RX7JYDsAwwtLCm8uEioyMQeJjhCT66jKMKVxDx8wLeTkEIoFNIxlKzzDYYMa_EJ1BbuZUwXLkkWLmbNpezvtMO/s640/IMG_20161106_141800003.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boat had good punch due to the added weight of the water that comes with paddling the self-bailer. Something I enjoyed.</td></tr>
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So after all that we sat down and wrote out our observations on the self-bailer boat...which had thigh-straps and a foot pillow included. Now most of our notes on room for improvement were on the backband and thigh straps that Alpacka provides:<br />
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Because the foot pillow I was using isn't actually attached, it just has a hook with a huge loop, it came unhooked twice at the play park after 5 minutes of use, and a third time on the White River. I lost it when it fell out when I was carrying the boat. A more secure attachment (<i>buckle?</i>) option would be better (<i>even in the photo the pillow had come unattached</i>). In moving water a simple hook to the boat is just a plain bad idea in our opinion.<br />
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The new rocker on the boat compared to ours we purchased in 2012 is a big improvement for running rapids, although it does seem to be quite a bit less snappy in catching eddies; a good aggressive lean does not seem to help. On the other side of the spectrum eddy lines seem to effect it less than our 2012 models, and the water seems to slip under it effortlessly...but all boats are different and have a slight learning curve to make them do what you want them to do.<br />
<br />
<br />
Overall I really liked how it handled through rapids, and it seemed to keep good control though waves and such. The boat does carry a load of water under the seat due to the fact that it is not a true self bailer (no inflated floor) but this has mixed reviews from us. I liked it as it makes it more stable, but Kirk was not as big of a fan of the extra weight. When leaning the boat, water shifts around and there is excess weight when picking up the boat, though he is seriously considering buying one for some of our river-wide log-every-hundred-feet portage-fest excursions.<br />
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The backband is probably the biggest area we see could be improved. The rope to webbing attachment point is prone to ripping out and there isn't a way to fix it without taking the whole thigh brace patch off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwATVrWA6SiLBYLFjVFTMHkDp_pIuLt9cLEJoiCYlNj6u9kLN8woQi3DP2oya52Csc-Nw1i3B5TzyyOrGwDrWz1TyiHcRQkZuieZ3jzkg9CnP5cxNlrmFOZJg6YG4b1i_RobShQ0oH5iKV/s1600/20161107_174928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwATVrWA6SiLBYLFjVFTMHkDp_pIuLt9cLEJoiCYlNj6u9kLN8woQi3DP2oya52Csc-Nw1i3B5TzyyOrGwDrWz1TyiHcRQkZuieZ3jzkg9CnP5cxNlrmFOZJg6YG4b1i_RobShQ0oH5iKV/s640/20161107_174928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The webbing and ropes will cut into each other after just a little use, especially somewhere as high pressure as the backband. If the rope were actually bar tacked to the webbing so it couldn't slide, it would be a better, but you could really only do this on one side if it needs to be removable. Instead we suggest the backband strap either connects to some plastic/metal hardware like at d-ring or buckle, or the webbing on the backband is sewn to the patch on the boat with 1/2 coming from the left, 1/2 from right, terminating with an adjustable buckle in the middle of the backband. We also think this webbing should be run through loops to let the backband move and not sewn directly on. As is, it doesn't allow any movement at all, only excessive pulling at the attachment point. We were told this rigid attachment was for rolling purposes, but Kirk has never had any problem rolling with a backband that moves when cinched up correctly.</div>
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The other items on the backband we think would be a good idea to replace are the 2 lateral straps going to the back of the boat with something non-rigid. A backband works better when it's fluid and dynamic and should move with you; bungee cord would be a better solution. The only reason those rear attachments are there is to keep the backband in a vertical position until your back comes into contact with it then it becomes an obsolete attachment. The way the backband is set up puts stress on the attachment patches, thus ripping at the patches...(<i>already happening...uh oh!</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MUz-bvRyZPAeW3JF2NkqMKIlDDykhQUXUZ_dfaAbEPKAkHZJbnYoDolRTxPxPIW7H54SYAZ6fRoMmyhdUqyqcs9yZQYOPveZz5c7K1eZuGXiVDXLXfFENfQ2gSaFNADl-2oDFUhSOyda/s1600/20161107_174941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MUz-bvRyZPAeW3JF2NkqMKIlDDykhQUXUZ_dfaAbEPKAkHZJbnYoDolRTxPxPIW7H54SYAZ6fRoMmyhdUqyqcs9yZQYOPveZz5c7K1eZuGXiVDXLXfFENfQ2gSaFNADl-2oDFUhSOyda/s640/20161107_174941.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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We think cam buckles would be much better than ladder locks or plastic buckles on the thigh straps. It makes it much easier to adjust, especially if it is not buried under your hip next to the boat. In addition wet webbing really does not glide through any plastic tri-glide buckle very well. Having the buckle out on your thigh makes it easier to adjust, and it is much more accessible if you need to release it for any reason. Everybody wants the lightest thing out there in a packraft, but shave too many ounces and the function and durability can suffer.<br />
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So yes...we will probably order a self-bailer, it rocks actually! And put in our own thigh-straps and backband just like <a href="http://adventureswithpackraft.blogspot.com/2012/09/outfitting-boats_10.html" target="_blank">we did before.</a></div>
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Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-18983417686987674632016-09-01T16:39:00.000-07:002016-09-01T16:41:30.983-07:00An Oregon Desert Trail Adventure on the Owyhee River <i>I wrote a blog about the 175 mile hike/packraft of the Owyhee River about my </i><i><i><a class="external-link" href="http://onda.org/blog/oregon-desert-trail-175-miles-along-the-owyhee-river-the-prep">preparation tactics</a> </i>on the Oregon Natural Desert Association website. <a class="external-link" href="http://onda.org/blog/oregon-desert-trail-175-miles-along-the-owyhee-river-the-prep"></a> Here is my trip report.</i><br />
<br />
Getting to the Little West Owyhee River where Oregon Desert Trail
Section 21 begins is a logistical challenge. I had arranged for a
variety of rides to get from Bend to the river for my mid-July
adventure, and after a full morning on the road finally set off with a
very heavy pack. I never weighed the overflowing load, but with 7 days
of food and packrafting gear, I’m guessing it was about 60lbs. Yikes.<br />
<br />
Since most of our past ODT hikers reported heavy bushwacking in the
first miles north of Anderson Crossing, I decided to hike an alternate
that would skirt the west side of the canyon rim to drop in at Flag
Crossing, about 13.5 miles into the canyon. I was happy to make easy
miles that first afternoon, but the heat took its toll, and as I reached
the river bottom that evening, I was completely wiped out. I made my
camp right there, and spent the twilight hours marveling at the jagged
canyon walls around me.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Little West Owyhee" class="image-left" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160715_140406.jpg/@@images/4ca1945a-b5eb-4724-9c84-2d3890db13a7.jpeg" height="360" title="Little West Owyhee" width="640" />The
next day I found myself in a boulder-choked canyon with a long drop
down to a deep pool of water. Even though I knew the terrain would be a
mixture of willows, boulders, and water, I decided to blow up my
packraft and see how much of the canyon I could float. I was happy that I
didn’t have to swim these sections, but the pools were short, and then I
was left picking up my boat and pushing through the thick willows until
I found the next pool of water to paddle.<br />
<br />
The Little West Owyhee is extremely impressive, and challenging. If I
didn’t have my boat I would be in for some swimming, but with my boat I
was worried some sharp willow branch or thorny bush would pop the light
inflatable craft. Fortunately the boat stayed afloat, and all in all I
was happy with my decision to inflate the packraft…at least that day!<br />
<br />
Plenty of fish and crawfish darted around in the water, and the
canyon walls narrowed to squeeze the river into slim channels of deep
blue-green water. Lots of sandy beaches dotted the canyon, and the air
was alive with birds. The day was blissful despite the challenges.<br />
<br />
At the end of the second day I put my boat away, and not a moment too
soon for I was in for some bouldering. Rocks the size of houses and
cars choked the river canyon, and I had to carefully pick my way up and
around the obstacles. The rocky terrain continued into the next day
before the canyon eventually opened to release the deep pools of water
into intermittent shallow ponds where fish darted and hid from my
shadow. I was thankful for my tall gaiters and thick-soled hiking shoes
since I had been walking in and out of water and through thick brush the
past few days. As much as I like to hike in a skirt, this was not skirt
territory.<br />
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<img alt="walking in water" class="image-right" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160716_091407.jpg/@@images/a7ccbe09-d475-4350-94a3-c1a08683597c.jpeg" height="360" title="walking in water" width="640" /><br />
Evening
on the third day found me a few miles from the confluence with the main
Owyhee River. Right before making camp on a sand bar, I looked up at
the sound of some rock fall to see two big horned sheep surveying me
from their lofty perch. I was thrilled at the sight, and felt it was a
good omen for the rest of my trip.<br />
<br />
The next morning I made short order of hiking the final few miles to
the confluence. I began to spot numerous caves in the canyon walls, and
imagined they had been used by the Northern Paiute, Bannock, or Shoshone
tribes that lived in the area for thousands of years. If these walls
could talk!<br />
I waded through the deep water and willows in the final stretch
before reaching the river, and had my fingers crossed that I would find
enough water to paddle… soon I saw I was in luck, the Owyhee had
current! It was flowing and I would be able to turn this hike into a
packraft trip.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="5 bar" class="image-left" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160717_090835.jpg/@@images/75f20b0e-57ef-4ccb-a36f-a0e34fd409fd.jpeg" height="640" title="5 bar" width="360" /></div>
After
all my gear was transferred into my boat (a very smart design in my
Alpacka Raft allows me to pack all my gear INSIDE the inflatable boat)
and my day bags were loaded with snacks, sunscreen, maps, and wag bags,
(all river trips need to provide for human waste, carrying wag bags on
Owyhee trips are necessary) I was ready.<br />
<br />
River time! I was laughing at how hard the first few days of the trip
had been, but now all the weight was off my shoulders (literally) and I
was floating. The canyon downstream of the confluence was nothing less
than spectacular with rock spires and hoodoos lining the shore; I spent
as much time looking up around me as looking down at the schools of fish
and fresh water mussels that sparkled along the bottom of the river.
Warm springs poured out of the canyon walls in numerous places, and when
it was time for lunch I pulled over at a cascading flow of water to lie
down in a shallow pool.<br />
Later in the afternoon I saw the first people of the trip a few miles
before Three Forks; Ron and his grandson Gavin were out for a few days
of hiking in the Owyhee area, and also happened to be ONDA members!
Small world. I paddled on and soon saw Three Forks warm springs where
multiple groups of people were floating in inner tubes and fishing. I
pulled over to climb up to the warm pools in the side of the cliffs, and
shared the soak with a family from Idaho who was out for the day. I
enjoyed the clear warm water and company, but desired my solitude more,
so after a short soak I continued down the river. The 11 miles from the
confluence of the Little West Owyhee to Three Forks was a very pleasant
float, and would be appropriate for boaters of all levels. The river
after Three Forks however, was another story.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="The Ledge" class="image-right" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160717_165725.jpg/@@images/1a4f6038-44a8-4a56-8d0f-aef4905936f2.jpeg" height="640" title="The Ledge" width="360" /></div>
<br />
After
passing the last car-accessible spot at Three Forks, I was soon to my
first big rapid: The Ledge. Rated as a Class IV+ rapid at higher flows, I
wasn’t sure if the low water levels would allow me to pass safely
through the big boulders that normally cause dangerous hydraulics, or if
I would need to find a safe way to walk around. I decided to scout the
rapid from both sides of the river, and soon determined there simply
wasn’t enough space between the rocks for my boat. That started a 45
minute expedition to carefully walk over and around the rocks until I
could paddle once again. The water levels were low enough to walk in the
water for short sections, but overall I found myself slowly picking my
way around the river edges. Whew, getting around some of these larger
rapids would prove to be a time consuming task, but as I had already
determined, each step needed to be intentional; my mantra became “one
rock at a time.”<br />
<br />
That evening I had to withstand strong upstream winds in camp, and
tried to keep the blowing sand out of my dinner and eyes as much as
possible. I brought a light-weight tarp to use as a shelter, but a clear
forecast had me sleeping out instead. Unfortunately the full moon got
in the way of the some of the darkest skies left in the whole country,
and in retrospect I will bring a light net-tent next time. I might have
avoided rain, but sleeping on the sand will bring out all sorts of
little gnats and bity things.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="image-left" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160718_075810.jpg/@@images/7025ee56-8dd7-4090-903a-4980cca4a29d.jpeg" height="640" title="" width="360" /></div>
<br />
The
next day I had some big rapids to contend with, but not before 5 miles
of calm flat water. I got into a steady paddle rhythm since there wasn’t
much current in the river, and when I got to Half Mile, a Class V
rapid, I got out for what would be an hour and a half portage. Again I
was able to paddle short sections between the boulders, but had to
carefully find my way around some of the shallower but rocky sections.
I’ll let you guess why the rapid is called Half Mile, and well into the
portage I realized this rapid had combined with Raft Flip (a Class III
below it) to make for one long rocky stretch at these low flows. When I
began my trip water levels were about 200cfs and dropping, but already I
was pleasantly surprised at how much of the river I had been able to
paddle at these levels.<br />
I had a few more mellow river miles before Subtle Hole (Class III),
Bombshelter Drop (Class IV), and Sharks Tooth (Class III). I was able to
run the Class III rapids, but Bombshelter was too rocky for the
inflatable boat. I was always aware that a sharp rock could puncture the
boat, so tried to be careful of sharp pokey things where I paddled.<br />
<br />
I pulled over at Soldier Creek to make camp, and was happy to see
there was a path up the drainage so hikers up on the canyon rim would
have an option to hike down to the river for water if they needed it.
Again the wind picked up, but I was so tired I wasn’t as bothered by it
as the night before.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Widowmaker" class="image-right" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160719_083414.jpg/@@images/897d06e4-4d88-49fb-9fbb-980acb684f08.jpeg" height="360" title="Widowmaker" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I
woke the next morning, made some coffee and psyched myself up for the
big rapid I had heard so much about: the Class V+ Widowmaker. If a big
giant boulder-strewn rapid wasn’t enough, the rapid was surrounded by 5
other Class III rapids. I repeated my mantra: “One rock at a time,” and
added “Don’t get lazy.” I added in the lazy part because I wanted to
remind myself to scout everything where I couldn’t see a clear line of
travel. Getting lazy could get me into trouble, and I wanted to be sure
of every move.<br />
<br />
The three smaller rapids before Widowmaker were passable for the most
part, and by the time I reached the larger rapid I could see the narrow
and steep canyon walls had crumbled into the water creating a big
barrier in the water. It took well over an hour to pick my way around
the rapid, huge boulders blocked the river, and my passage, and at times
I had to lift my full boat up onto rocks, climb up behind it, and lower
it on the other side with the rope from my throw bag. Again and again I
lifted and lowered, careful with every step. At one point I didn’t see
how I would get through, but found the extra bit of strength I needed to
hoist the boat up one more time, and felt incredible relief at finally
seeing the clear river channel below me. The next few rapids after
Widowmaker were somewhat passable, and I was finally able to lay back in
my boat and rest some as I floated beneath the towering canyon walls.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="lunch" class="image-left" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160719_130632.jpg/@@images/5a4aad7d-d3dc-4417-bc2b-517c57157822.jpeg" height="640" title="lunch" width="360" /></div>
<br />
I
took a nice long lunch complete with nap and swim, and the afternoon
passed smoothly as I got closer to Rome and the half way point in my
trip. Towards camp I realized I had sprung a leak in the boat and in my
inflatable seat, so took the time in camp to patch both and do a good
survey of myself and the rest of my gear. I had some scrapes and
bruises, had almost stepped on a little rattle snake on one of the
portages, had slipped and bruised my tailbone, had bug bites spread
evenly everywhere, but all in all I was in good shape and great spirits.
I was doing it! A paddle alternate is possible…for experienced boaters
not afraid of some extreme portaging.<br />
<br />
The next morning I had a 7 mile paddle to Rome where I had planned to
take the rest of the day off. When I arrived at the Rome boat launch I
met a group from Idaho fishing in the warm waters, and they were quite
interested to hear what I had been up to. I was even given a cold beer,
which made the chore of transitioning my boat back into my backpack a
much more pleasant task.<br />
<br />
As soon as I walked up to Rome Station, the staff knew I was the
Oregon Desert Trail hiker. I had called the store to confirm I could
send a resupply box there, and had also arranged to stay in a cabin for
the night; Rome doesn’t get too many hikers in July…could be the 100+
degree heat. Owners Joel and his wife and young son were welcoming and I
indulged in a huge burger while reading an abandoned newspaper. A lot
had happed during the week I had been on the river. Disconnecting can
feel so blissful, but even a week without news or internet can feel like
a slap in the face when faced with tragedy. Terrorism attacks, hate
crimes, floods…it was incredibly overwhelming news after spending 7 days
in the canyon, and after the peace of the river I felt vulnerable to
the tragedies of the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
I spent the rest of the day luxuriating in the air conditioning of my
cabin, eating oreos, and finding nothing good to watch on TV.<br />
<br />
The next morning I inflated my boat again. The first miles out of
Rome were slow and the shallow river wandered in and out of farm land. I
saw lots of deer and numerous fish sucking bugs off the surface of the
water. Can’t say I’ve seen that before!<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="image-right" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160721_094734.jpg/@@images/f948c4b0-9edd-4453-99f1-9b0fdac257f4.jpeg" height="360" title="" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I
was relieved to enter the canyon again, and floated by chalky pillars
of rock. Apparently the first homesteaders chose the name <i>Rome</i> after a well-known location in Italy…something about the white pillars of rock reminiscent of the Colosseum.<br />
<br />
Even though I knew water levels had dropped to 140 cfs, there
appeared to be more water, which could have been attributed to the
numerous springs that poured into the river channel. There were so many
springs that the flow became quicker; instead of the 2 miles an hour I
had been making above Rome, I was now making a steady 3 miles an hour. A
handful of Class III rapids were quite easy to navigate, and before I
knew it, I had gone over 20 river miles that day. I was astonished at my
progress, and pleased the boating was going so well.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="image-right" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160721_172600.jpg/@@images/21fafd3f-0ca3-484f-81d0-b601bd439f42.jpeg" height="360" title="" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I had purchased a book in Rome about the history of Jordan Valley, <i>In Times Past</i>
by Hazel Fretwell-Johnson, and was fascinated to read about the early
homesteaders and their struggle to exist in this beautiful, yet often
harsh environment. Harsh that is, when trying to farm or graze
livestock. Native Americans had lived in the Owyhee region for over
12,000 years and didn’t take to the settlers lightly. The Jordan Valley
was one of the most violent fronts in the clash between the tribes who
had called this area home for thousands of years and the westward
expansion. I’ve found it incredibly engaging to read about eastern
Oregon as I am traveling along the Oregon Desert Trail. An immersive
adventure like the ODT can be an incredible opportunity to know a place
at a deeper level. To learn about the history, geology, and wildlife can
all make a place come alive. I hope to provide resources to Oregon
Desert Trail hikers to not only learn about the area they are hiking
through, but to assist in really <i>knowing</i> a place like the Owyhee Canyonlands.<br />
<br />
I had a restful night camped near White Rock Creek, and started
paddling in the morning knowing I had a fun day ahead. The Class III
Artillery rapid was probably the biggest water I had yet on the trip,
and I splashed through the waves and holes with glee. The rapids
definitely had more water down here. I soon floated past the hot springs
near Lambert Rocks, and even though I love a good soak, found the water
too hot in the equally hot air. Turning the corner I was faced with the
incredible colors and striations of Chalk Basin. Simply incredible. But
the day would get better.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="image-left" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160722_154406.jpg/@@images/5f8f2d39-d4ef-4171-ab97-50064143db06.jpeg" height="360" title="" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I
had lunch after portaging the rocky Class III Whistling Bird rapid, and
entered the dramatic Green Dragon Canyon area around Iron Point. The
walls were vertical and the water a deep deep blue-green. Simply
astounding! I was envisioning another long portage around the Class IV
Montgomery rapid, but the low water made the rapid almost non-existent. I
lay back in my boat and watched slivers of sky float by the towering
walls.<br />
<br />
After few more rapids I was ready to make camp at an old road grade
near Morcum Dam. It looked like this would be a good alternate for
hikers to descend off the rim to walk along the river again. Part of my
goal on this trip was to identify other places hikers could access the
river, or walk along the banks. By leaving the rim and hiking down to
the river near Morcum Dam, people could stay low all the way to Birch
Creek. The alternate would increase miles, but be a nice change of pace
from the drier rim walking.<br />
<br />
<img alt="pictographs" class="image-right" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160723_074706.jpg/@@images/14b6301e-22ff-4933-aced-2b9988958af9.jpeg" height="360" title="pictographs" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The
next morning I pulled over to inspect some pictographs on the side of
the river. The remote nature of this area has done well to protect it
for thousands of years, but I fear increasing development could change
that in a matter of years. I started to understand on a much deeper
level why <a class="external-link" href="http://wildfortheowyhee.org/" target="_blank">ONDA has been working to permanently protect this area</a> for almost 30 years. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.<br />
<br />
I glimpsed the iconic Devil’s Tower from miles away, and as I
approached, the impressive basalt pillars appeared with more clarity.
The river continued to reveal many more geological wonders, and after
passing Greeley Bar (the hotsprings there were a bit too murky for me)
the canyon got even more interesting. Colors streaked across rock
pillars, rock pillars gave way to side canyons, and side canyons
revealed huge rock walls. It’s hard to find the right words for so much
beauty…this is an area that needs to be experienced first-hand.<br />
<br />
By the time I passed Birch Creek (the popular take-out for rafting
trips), I knew the river would slow and the canyon widen out. About half
way to the next boat launch, Leslie Gulch, the Owyhee river would turn
into the Owyhee Reservoir. Even though the dam was 50 miles upstream,
the lake snaked for miles to create the longest reservoir in Oregon
which in turn provided water to thousands of farms in eastern Oregon and
south western Idaho.<br />
<dl class="image-left captioned" style="width: 400px;">
<dt><a href="http://onda.org/blog/20160723_141919.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img alt="River sit" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160723_141919.jpg/@@images/030e7b5b-c785-4d0a-a171-dab790018515.jpeg" height="360" title="River sit" width="640" /></a></dt>
<dd class="image-caption" style="width: 400px;">It was so hot I took lots of swim breaks</dd></dl>
Because water levels were low, I passed the spot where the river
usually turns to slack water, and continued to see flowing currents in
the river channel. I was able to find moving water, and when I turned a
large bend in the river near Diamond Butte, the currents finally slowed.
I could see the high water mark about 15’ above my head, and the muddy
shores were now covered in bright green grasses. Unfortunately the
dropping water had left lots of carp stranded on the banks of the river,
and a pungent odor in the air.<br />
<br />
I passed another hot spring on a rocky outcropping, and made camp on a
gravel ledge around the corner. I had to flip a few dead fish away from
where I wanted to camp, and enjoyed the view despite the smell.<br />
<br />
The next day I passed Willow Creek where the hiking route meets the
river once again. At Spring Creek the hiking route seemed to cliff out
and I realized hikers will have to climb about 50’ above the river to
safely traverse over to Leslie Gulch. I believe this route had been
scouted when water levels were even lower than what I was experiencing,
and it had been possible to walk along the shore. This year there was
simply no place to walk north from waypoint OC163 unless hikers found
the faint trail up above.<br />
<dl class="image-right captioned" style="width: 400px;">
<dt><a href="http://onda.org/blog/20160724_090612.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img alt="packing up at leslie gulch" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160724_090612.jpg/@@images/b5cb3c64-339b-4324-b696-4bef82e317ac.jpeg" height="360" title="packing up at leslie gulch" width="640" /></a></dt>
<dd class="image-caption" style="width: 400px;">Packing up at Leslie Gulch</dd></dl>
I pulled over to the Leslie Gulch boat ramp and took the next hour
to pack my boat and transition over to hiking mode. It was very hot, so I
filled up on about 5 liters of water, and just as I was walking up the
road to where I would meet Juniper Gulch and begin my overland traverse
for the final 25 miles, a car pulled over. Ross and his friend were out
for a drive, and after chatting for a few minutes about how spectacular
the area was, they offered me some cold water. Yes please! Every cold
thing is most welcome. The day had to be over 100 degrees, and soon I
was laboring up the road, second guessing my plan to hike to the end of
the trail.<br />
<br />
I had only gone a little over a mile when I stopped in a bit of shade
from a large sagebrush and debated going any further. If I hadn’t been
carrying the extra boating gear the hike probably wouldn’t have been as
strenuous, but the added heat had me fearing heat exhaustion or heat
stroke. I didn’t think it was safe for me to be hiking, so after a long
break in the shade, decided to walk back to the water, inflate my boat,
and paddle the 25ish miles to Indian Springs Campground at the end of
the Oregon Desert Trail.<br />
<br />
I was walking back down toward the boat ramp when a car pulled over
and asked if I wanted a ride. I jumped in the back of the pickup and the
couple deposited me at some shaded picnic tables where I could unpack
everything all over again. They were out for a few days from Portland,
and were so taken with the area that they were considering forgoing
their plans to head to Zion for a family vacation next year, and instead
come back to the Owyhee. That’s how spectacular it is!<br />
<br />
My original hesitation in paddling the reservoir all the way to the
end was the packraft’s inefficiency in flat water. Because it’s an
inflatable boat, strong wind can blow the craft all over the place. It
tracks pretty well in moving current, but on a lake I would have to
paddle harder to go the same distance than in something like a canoe or
sea kayak. However, I didn’t want to suffer in the heat, so decided a
long hard paddle on a lake where I could swim frequently was preferable
to a hot and dry walk with a heavy pack.<br />
<dl class="image-right captioned" style="width: 400px;">
<dt><a href="http://onda.org/blog/20160724_194148.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img alt="sunset" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160724_194148.jpg/@@images/b5c40f9e-ee53-4df2-bd15-c9e51d81a97f.jpeg" height="360" title="sunset" width="640" /></a></dt>
<dd class="image-caption" style="width: 400px;">Relief only came when the sun went down</dd></dl>
The lake north of Leslie Gulch was stunning. It was late enough in
the afternoon when I started my paddle that I had only gone about 5
miles before the afternoon wind picked up and I decided to make camp. It
was probably the hottest evening I had experienced yet, and relief came
only after the sun set behind the west hills.<br />
<br />
<br />
I wasn’t exactly sure how many miles I would have to paddle on the
lake before getting to the end, but that morning I woke early and
decided I would try and finish the trail. The end was in sight, and that
is a powerful motivator! I was in my boat by 6am and took my coffee to
go. I paddled hard and made good time on the still water, only pausing a
few seconds in the first few hours of the day to take sips of my
coffee.<br />
<br />
I paddled, paddled, paddled. When I couldn’t tell where the lake
continued, I got out my smart phone. I had been using the Gaia gps app,
and was tracking my progress on the lake. Because the reservoir was so
large and had so many forks, I often checked the map so I could travel
the most direct route. Without it I surely would have paddled up some
dead ends…the perspective on the water made it hard to determine the
best path.<br />
<br />
<img alt="owyhee reservoir" class="image-left captioned" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160725_162403.jpg/@@images/e8d56c5e-5ef7-451c-9664-86095f66bf9c.jpeg" height="360" title="owyhee reservoir" width="640" /><br />
<br />
About
midday my shoulders were starting to ache and my hands were stuck in a
painful claw-like grip. I passed a bunch of lake houses, and saw a man
waving at me from the shore. Dave pulled up a while later with his dog
Clue. He had spent the weekend at his house, and because these homes
were boat-access only, had a motor boat to get him the 12 miles in from
the boat launch at Lake Owyhee State Park. He stopped to ask what I was
doing out there, and we chatted for a few minutes. He offered to take me
the rest of the way to the end, but I had come this far under my own
power, I wanted to complete the journey. I immediately second guessed
myself as I turned the next corner and met a strong headwind. Oh no.<br />
<br />
The next 5 hours the wind blew, if I didn’t paddle I would get blown
backward, so I had to dig deep and continue on despite the growing pain
in my arms and shoulders. I can be stubborn like that. The waves got a
little bigger, and I had to be sure to paddle directly into the wind so I
wouldn’t get blown over. This is why I was hesitant to paddle on the
lake, but I was already here and I could only go forward, so paddle!
Paddle! Paddle!<br />
<dl class="image-right captioned" style="width: 400px;">
<dt><a href="http://onda.org/blog/20160725_163609.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img alt="The end!" src="http://onda.org/blog/20160725_163609.jpg/@@images/6fd5dd4d-a08b-4cc8-8e17-30c03edb0994.jpeg" height="360" title="The end!" width="640" /></a></dt>
<dd class="image-caption" style="width: 400px;">The end!</dd></dl>
By late afternoon I had only taken a few short breaks, and a few
more boats had passed offering me rides. I continued on, and the last
few miles seemed to take forever. At about 4:30 I could see the rocky
jetty that marks the end of the Oregon Desert Trail behind Indian
Springs Campground, and I dug for the last little bit of energy I had
left. I made it to the boat ramp at just about 5pm. Done! Paddle
alternate complete!<br />
<br />
In 12 days I had thru-paddled the Owyhee River section of the Oregon
Desert Trail for a total of 140 miles of packrafting. There is a certain
beauty in an unmarked route that can be experienced through multiple
modes of travel. The Owyhee River hiked is an entirely different
experience than the Owyhee River rafted at high flows, or the Owyhee
River packrafted at low flows. What I explored from a lightweight
inflatable boat is a good example of how I see the entire 750 mile
Oregon Desert Trail. Whether on foot, on bike, in a boat, on a horse, or
even on skis, there are sections of this route that can appeal to
entirely different types of quiet recreation. If the goal of the Oregon
Desert Trail is to facilitate a deeper connection with our remote high
desert, to engage people on a deeper level to care for this land and
join us in wanting to see it protected, or simply to create the
framework for a grand adventure in an often overlooked part of the
country, than I think a trail that appeals to a variety of people is a
step in the right direction.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more information on packrafting sections of the <a href="http://www.onda.org/oregondeserttrail" target="_blank">Oregon Desert Trail</a>; my goal this winter is to identify sections appropriate
for all types of quiet recreation, all to help you get out there and
explore our public lands.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-16799643229178046242016-08-03T08:37:00.001-07:002020-02-03T13:41:28.844-08:00Addison's Scale, Gear List, Owyhee River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyi-4b1MrwYGPvOUTFAYW0k5NdukMGg8zcjOhYMUOSYZscdpG6MEOxIDvAVuUrXvwJ_TIXOaCtekbRKRA35jap3Kj_3EYCOIz9QMm4_Yvfh5yyOCGipPrLdaw646iNXfN6NlhQ0ElMcxO1/s1600/20160726_072220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyi-4b1MrwYGPvOUTFAYW0k5NdukMGg8zcjOhYMUOSYZscdpG6MEOxIDvAVuUrXvwJ_TIXOaCtekbRKRA35jap3Kj_3EYCOIz9QMm4_Yvfh5yyOCGipPrLdaw646iNXfN6NlhQ0ElMcxO1/s640/20160726_072220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been done with my Owyhee trip for a week now. Since starting work on the <a href="http://www.onda.org/oregondeserttrail" target="_blank">Oregon Desert Trail</a> late last year it's been my goal to hike/packraft the entire 750 miles. This Owyhee chunk has me up to 425 miles, and I'll complete the trail in September with the section between Bend and Plush, Oregon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYuORNN6Wc6xSGR2R0xBvtBJTW9SQ0NOZFYzhPhFK1QDExkWqnn6G_qtOYHTXo26RbIJQfZTxksVBQ8j-jpeO_J-gSOfaWRTeYazIC5KkHhFpzk36uO9cnalrmp7dc5FFHYBoRw3RS7Mn/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYuORNN6Wc6xSGR2R0xBvtBJTW9SQ0NOZFYzhPhFK1QDExkWqnn6G_qtOYHTXo26RbIJQfZTxksVBQ8j-jpeO_J-gSOfaWRTeYazIC5KkHhFpzk36uO9cnalrmp7dc5FFHYBoRw3RS7Mn/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a>For a packraft alternate in the Owyhee canyon, I'll be putting together specifics on which sections are suitable at low water to paddle; from 3 Forks to the area just after Iron Point I would recommend paddlers be comfortable scouting and running low flow to at least Class III. From Five Bar to 3 Forks and from Iron Point on I think less experienced paddlers would be fine (200 cfs and less). Stay tuned for more details.</div>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All this rating of rapids in a remote canyon however is a bit of a faulty science. After talking with Kirk at length about what a Class III looks like road-side, compared to a Class III in a canyon days away from civilization, it seems like there could be a better rating system. Not all rapids are equal depending on your surroundings. </div>
<br />
He shared this video with me about Addison's scale that separates rapids or rivers into ratings based on the <b>difficulty, danger, and exposure. </b>Based on this rating boaters can get a much better picture of the true risk involved in a rapid or river.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/96Xmr5KQPec" width="600"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
For example, with the trip I just completed at low flow on the Owyhee, there wasn't too much difficulty in the rapids, definitely some maneuvering and scouting, so I'd rate it a difficulty of Class III. The danger - risk of injury or death, was also in the realms of 3, however I think some of the portages may have been 4, getting around The Ledge, Half Mile, and Widowmaker involved some serious rock scrambling, lifting and lowering of the boat, climbing...even being very careful I slipped and cracked my tailbone good on one portage. Risk can be high, so I'm inclined to go with a 4. As for exposure, you are far far away from help on the Owyhee. If I had to hike out it would be days to help. I had a Delorum Inreach beacon, so that could have brought help to me, but that could take at least a day as well. So for exposure I would give the Owyhee a C rating. So for the Owyhee at low flow I give it a <b>Class III-4-C</b> rating.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now for my gear list. I definitely had some extras that I should have brought, but 4 pairs of socks??? Don't know how that happened. I brought 2 throw bags, but didn't need 2. So below is mostly what I brought, but leaving off the extraneous things that I regretted bringing.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col width="214"></col><col width="464"></col><col width="423"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Item"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Item</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Specific Item"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Specific Item</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Weight"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Weight</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pack"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pack</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/Flex.html","Six Moon Designs Flex Pack ")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Six Moon Designs Flex Pack "}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/Flex.html" target="_blank">Six Moon Designs Flex Pack </a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"51 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">51 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Packraft"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Packraft</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("http://www.alpackaraft.com/product/denali-llama/","Alpacka Llama with Cargo Fly")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Alpacka Llama with Cargo Fly"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.alpackaraft.com/product/denali-llama/" target="_blank">Alpacka Llama with Cargo Fly</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"8 lbs (with added thigh straps, back band and other modifications)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">8 lbs (with added thigh straps, back band and other modifications)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Paddle"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paddle</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("http://wernerpaddles.com/paddles/whitewater/player","Werner Player 4 piece")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Werner Player 4 piece"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://wernerpaddles.com/paddles/whitewater/player" target="_blank">Werner Player 4 piece</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"40.5 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">40.5 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Helmet"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Helmet</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("https://sweetprotection.com/sp_no/whitewater/helmets-and-protection/helmets/strutter-helmet-5962","Sweet Protection Strutter")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sweet Protection Strutter"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://sweetprotection.com/sp_no/whitewater/helmets-and-protection/helmets/strutter-helmet-5962" target="_blank">Sweet Protection Strutter</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"14.1 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">14.1 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"PFD"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">PFD</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("https://www.rei.com/product/722022/astral-hybrid-pfd","Astral Hybrid ")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Astral Hybrid "}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.rei.com/product/722022/astral-hybrid-pfd" target="_blank">Astral Hybrid </a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"(no longer available, sob, I want one!! I used Kirk's for the trip)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">(no longer available, sob, I want one!! I used Kirk's for the trip)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Throw bag"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Throw bag</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kirk made a small one"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Kirk made a small one</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Bow bag"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Bow bag</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kirk made me one"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Kirk made me one</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Patch kit"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Patch kit</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tenacious tape, aqua seal, boat patches"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Tenacious tape, aqua seal, boat patches</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sleeping Pad"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sleeping Pad</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gossamer Gear Air Beam 3/4 Wide (Air Beam is not available anymore)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://gossamergear.com/sleeping.html" target="_blank">Gossamer Gear Air Beam 3/4 Wide (Air Beam is not available anymore)</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"11.7 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">11.7 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sleeping Bag"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sleeping Bag</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("http://www.westernmountaineering.com/sleeping-bags/extremelite-series/ultralite/","Western Mountaineering Ultralight 20 degree")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Western Mountaineering Ultralight 20 degree"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.westernmountaineering.com/sleeping-bags/extremelite-series/ultralite/" target="_blank">Western Mountaineering Ultralight 20 degree</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"29 oz (I need to get a summer quilt, this was too warm)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">29 oz (I need to get a summer quilt, this was too warm)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Ground Cloth"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Ground Cloth</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tyvek"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Tyvek</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"5 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Shelter"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Shelter</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Six Moon Designs Deschutes Cuben Fiber"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tarps/DeschutesCF.html" target="_blank">Six Moon Designs Deschutes Cuben Fiber</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"7 oz (I should have brought a free standing net tent)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7 oz (I should have brought a free standing net tent)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Stakes"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Stakes</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"TOAKS Titanium stakes x6"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://toaksoutdoor.com/titaniumhookpeg-6.aspx" target="_blank">TOAKS Titanium stakes x6</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"1.3 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1.3 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Poles"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Poles</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Black Diamond Z-Poles with foam for tips when storing in boat"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Black Diamond Z-Poles with foam for tips when storing in boat</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"17 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">17 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Cook Pot"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Cook Pot</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"TOAKS Titanium 1100ml Pot"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://toaksoutdoor.com/titanium1100mlpotwithpan.aspx" target="_blank">TOAKS Titanium 1100ml Pot</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"4 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">4 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Spoon"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Spoon</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Oboz plastic spoon/spork"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Oboz plastic spoon/spork</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"1 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Stove"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Stove</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"TOAKS Titanium Backpacking Wood Burning Stove"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://toaksoutdoor.com/toakstitaniumwoodstove.aspx" target="_blank">TOAKS Titanium Backpacking Wood Burning Stove</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"7.9 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7.9 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"French Press"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">French Press</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I bought at REI 10 years ago, I use plastic inner cup"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">I bought at REI 10 years ago, I use plastic inner cup</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Water Containers"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Water Containers</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Platypus Hoser 1.8 liter"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus/hydration-systems/hoser/product" target="_blank">Platypus Hoser 1.8 liter</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"3.4 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">3.4 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Vapur 1 Liter Bottle"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://vapur.us/element" target="_blank">Vapur 1 Liter Bottle</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"1.4 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1.4 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Water Filter"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Water Filter</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sawyer Mini"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-mini-filter/" target="_blank">Sawyer Mini</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"2 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Water treatment"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Water treatment</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"eye dropper of bleach"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">eye dropper of bleach</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Camera/Phone"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Camera/Phone</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Galaxy S5"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/mobile-devices/smartphones/galaxy-s/SM-G900FZKABTU" target="_blank">Galaxy S5</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"5.1 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5.1 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lifeproof Case"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.lifeproof.com/en-us/galaxy-s5-cases" target="_blank">Lifeproof Case</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"1.6 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1.6 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"GoPro 3 (3 batteries)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">GoPro 3 (3 batteries)</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"(I lost my GoPro day 2)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">(I lost my GoPro day 2)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"External Battery"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">External Battery</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Anker 2nd Gen Astro E5"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.anker.com/" target="_blank">Anker 2nd Gen Astro E5</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"10.9 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">10.9 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Headphones"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Headphones</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Generic"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Generic</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"USB charger & 2 charging cords"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">USB charger & 2 charging cords</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Verizon"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Verizon</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"7 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"GPS/Beacon"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">GPS/Beacon</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"DeLorum InReach"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.inreachdelorme.com/" target="_blank">DeLorum InReach</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"7 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Umbrella"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Umbrella</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/raingear/Shadow.html" target="_blank">Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"8 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">8 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Headlamp"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Headlamp</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Petzel Tikka RZP Rechargable Headlamp"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.petzl.com/en/Sport/PERFORMANCE-headlamps/TIKKA-RXP?l=US#.VikQgzHF98E" target="_blank">Petzel Tikka RZP Rechargable Headlamp</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"4 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">4 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Stuff Sacks"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Stuff Sacks</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"OR UltraLight Dry Sack"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/ultralight-dry-sack-1l.html" target="_blank">OR UltraLight Dry Sack</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"1.6 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1.6 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Knife"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Knife</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gerber US1"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.gerbergear.com/Knives/Folding/US1_31-003040" target="_blank">Gerber US1</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"1 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Bag Liner"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Bag Liner</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Trash compactor bag"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Trash compactor bag</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Jacket"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Jacket</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=2001&p_id=2301177&gen_cd=2" target="_blank">Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"11.8 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">11.8 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Patagonia Hoodini"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-houdini-windbreaker-jacket?p=24146-0" target="_blank">Patagonia Hoodini</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"4.3 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">4.3 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Outdoor Research Helium II"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/womens-helium-ii-jacket.html" target="_blank">Outdoor Research Helium II</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"5.5 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5.5 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"hat"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">hat</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hikertrash trucker hat"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.wearehikertrash.com/#!shop-hats/c1kqc" target="_blank">Hikertrash trucker hat</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"2 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Outdoor Research Pinball Hat"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research-Womens-Pinball-Hat/dp/B00D8XXVVQ" target="_blank">Outdoor Research Pinball Hat</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"2.7 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2.7 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"First Aid"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">First Aid</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Misc"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Misc</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Long sleeve shirt"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Long sleeve shirt</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/catalog/product/view/id/56691/","Outdoor Research Reflection sun shirt")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Outdoor Research Reflection sun shirt"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/catalog/product/view/id/56691/" target="_blank">Outdoor Research Reflection sun shirt</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"7.5 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7.5 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pants"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pants</td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/women-s-ferrosi-pantstm-long-0-41056.html","Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/women-s-ferrosi-pantstm-long-0-41056.html" target="_blank">Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant</a></td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Skirt"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Skirt</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Purple Rain Skirt"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.purplerainskirts.com/" target="_blank">Purple Rain Skirt</a></td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Long johns"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Long johns</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Outdoor Research Essence Tights"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/women-s-essence-tightstm.html" target="_blank">Outdoor Research Essence Tights</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"5.2 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5.2 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Socks"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Socks</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"X3 pairs Point6 merino socks"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">X3 pairs Point6 merino socks</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"(should have just brought 1 pair of socks)"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">(should have just brought 1 pair of socks)</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Shoes"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Shoes</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Oboz Luna"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://obozfootwear.com/womens/low-hiking/luna" target="_blank">Oboz Luna</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"12.6 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">12.6 oz</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-formula="=HYPERLINK("http://lunasandals.com/collections/luna-favorites/products/luna-mono","Luna Sandles - Mono")" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Luna Sandles - Mono"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://lunasandals.com/collections/luna-favorites/products/luna-mono" target="_blank">Luna Sandles - Mono</a></td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Rain skirt"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Rain skirt</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"trash compactor bag"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">trash compactor bag</td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mittens"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Mittens</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gordini Stash Lite Touch Mitt"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://gordini.com/gloves-mittens/stash-lite-touch-mitt/" target="_blank">Gordini Stash Lite Touch Mitt</a></td><td style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gaiters"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Gaiters</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"OR Gortex Gaiters"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: bottom;"><a class="in-cell-link" href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens-crocodiles-b76dbcdb50233a9ac2503749fd0037a5.html" target="_blank">OR Gortex Gaiters</a></td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"10.2 oz"}" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 110%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">10.2 oz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-17523083103362676152016-07-27T07:45:00.005-07:002016-07-27T08:23:48.786-07:00175.3 miles on the Owyhee River - A solo packrafting adventure on the Oregon Desert TrailWhat an adventure! I spent the last 12 days hiking and packrafting on the <a href="http://www.onda.org/OregonDesertTrail" target="_blank">Oregon Desert Trail</a> in the Owyhee River from the Little West Owyhee at Anderson Crossing to the Indian Springs Campground on Lake Owyhee. It was a total of 141.5 river miles, and 33.8 hiking miles, mostly along the Little West Owyhee to get to the flowing river at 5 Bar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68qJhpubPLANbw3emUwzPafJhj3zw_ecnK6gEk1FLyQAt4J_M8C6mViRgnLiKQD3sn6VvYL46vEuoA2pEJoCrqppw2aUUHoqCzko8klmCfrPZiMN-btkoK-waIbeotlN2HmPrnYULgdh1/s1600/owyhee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68qJhpubPLANbw3emUwzPafJhj3zw_ecnK6gEk1FLyQAt4J_M8C6mViRgnLiKQD3sn6VvYL46vEuoA2pEJoCrqppw2aUUHoqCzko8klmCfrPZiMN-btkoK-waIbeotlN2HmPrnYULgdh1/s640/owyhee.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYvbW6YkZ-dH4woR2BsJzaNCxVLIpnCc9u1qBXSBUswVwWQq97NAxc5n5BhvZ3L-RD6Hz3YXu3tUL3RYlbRwEkyduErttr9NfR1j0DOpks9iUoHwabEC0SS7E7vPR2Ud_ryb0KObNTyfN/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYvbW6YkZ-dH4woR2BsJzaNCxVLIpnCc9u1qBXSBUswVwWQq97NAxc5n5BhvZ3L-RD6Hz3YXu3tUL3RYlbRwEkyduErttr9NfR1j0DOpks9iUoHwabEC0SS7E7vPR2Ud_ryb0KObNTyfN/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water levels at Rome during my trip</td></tr>
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Stay tuned for photos, a trip report, gear list and more, but here are a few images, and you can read my <a href="http://www.sherahikes.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">daily blog here</a>. (scheduled posts coming daily for another week)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSkYxqEFfOSC-re2IuiHUpIPywhd6JP1PE8pree1ClUDsIsj4-IrVM6Q-UKaQZEBQKoANOd1_xo9cIvFXzIg2fNdURN26P9GBDIKh4Sv24CQVYUd5YFi8RtMV-AquytXwZDirQLmHcbXU/s1600/20160717_162919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSkYxqEFfOSC-re2IuiHUpIPywhd6JP1PE8pree1ClUDsIsj4-IrVM6Q-UKaQZEBQKoANOd1_xo9cIvFXzIg2fNdURN26P9GBDIKh4Sv24CQVYUd5YFi8RtMV-AquytXwZDirQLmHcbXU/s640/20160717_162919.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Widowmaker was a bunch of rocks </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAGj33Jqbf907NQwFCVdnrrS5X4GDEOgI2Q2ZPQyVjg1ppIXDteYURt5FkY79mRk5XPreWpf6YQvAavhTZewVq74ig67nqdA55Qho3NV4W-XqrkZnAOwesVqeHGBl9uOTARZcUP2Jet-x/s1600/20160717_165725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAGj33Jqbf907NQwFCVdnrrS5X4GDEOgI2Q2ZPQyVjg1ppIXDteYURt5FkY79mRk5XPreWpf6YQvAavhTZewVq74ig67nqdA55Qho3NV4W-XqrkZnAOwesVqeHGBl9uOTARZcUP2Jet-x/s640/20160717_165725.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I had to lower my boat and myself over the rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyEVXNxJFZgNrLzzKE-vRhhN40hQfZ9i8LAi6DAvRG5s_Tl1u2kPAHrYY1cMVvkh_r_JnhwUE1reL6nj9aXAkt1zrVbLswmT9vVUG5khoDY3q7qHSV63-LG6tJLA5nJyHZbcIzLRgPNPK/s1600/20160719_083414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyEVXNxJFZgNrLzzKE-vRhhN40hQfZ9i8LAi6DAvRG5s_Tl1u2kPAHrYY1cMVvkh_r_JnhwUE1reL6nj9aXAkt1zrVbLswmT9vVUG5khoDY3q7qHSV63-LG6tJLA5nJyHZbcIzLRgPNPK/s640/20160719_083414.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Owyhee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuv0AaVbcV11QUB9qMRzYWLeXFGrYqhqUguJg2Q2f1Nltm88vIvwbqFDpO3i4PzWaaNnoAwauFGm95eS9fI0NMLTNJa_MiENSA4YAsP7QGiU_ZP1Onv_qTUFfCMHelIyLcsAZmZd_s2j8/s1600/20160719_130632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuv0AaVbcV11QUB9qMRzYWLeXFGrYqhqUguJg2Q2f1Nltm88vIvwbqFDpO3i4PzWaaNnoAwauFGm95eS9fI0NMLTNJa_MiENSA4YAsP7QGiU_ZP1Onv_qTUFfCMHelIyLcsAZmZd_s2j8/s640/20160719_130632.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of calm pools to swim in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun little Class II & III rapids at low flow</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sEgf0gZvINzN1HmVsdJ63OfbhtmSZnrTZl9bE7Y7rv0LxWeyLjZ_uq_mVLs-lqjrtjyxx0vivJJpzKaqpDOPvQVuXZhaJxljA_ln2uwOhKRUWylHr70-yNpglg_K5Igzg8Cg6FLKM1wW/s1600/20160722_144504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sEgf0gZvINzN1HmVsdJ63OfbhtmSZnrTZl9bE7Y7rv0LxWeyLjZ_uq_mVLs-lqjrtjyxx0vivJJpzKaqpDOPvQVuXZhaJxljA_ln2uwOhKRUWylHr70-yNpglg_K5Igzg8Cg6FLKM1wW/s640/20160722_144504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArGUnuxR_xohdgRVNZB2HWtDNbxIPljIa-y8ebRmJIQ2kCXIOJXYXOCdzwbDo9Bg5LNe7gZMZmiVEh3QmVw7NOHDr2kV1Y5bDTUGtf0aEMjw4A5Mg__2CIUxt1K9tAnbasFwQWWHzWEh3/s1600/20160723_082645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArGUnuxR_xohdgRVNZB2HWtDNbxIPljIa-y8ebRmJIQ2kCXIOJXYXOCdzwbDo9Bg5LNe7gZMZmiVEh3QmVw7NOHDr2kV1Y5bDTUGtf0aEMjw4A5Mg__2CIUxt1K9tAnbasFwQWWHzWEh3/s640/20160723_082645.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdim59vOq8w8RbmGaJpRPQdY8aE5Qg0KlCuLJDQ4bg1jlzpC1z0EVDyNe_4pQakOE8xyr0L8GdlwDGmIHJ4KG4xy6_rM7SX9G5N0cDVf5vUhSe3rmtvg4WuOyugkyaF2baRQEFEaAwYZlI/s1600/20160725_163609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdim59vOq8w8RbmGaJpRPQdY8aE5Qg0KlCuLJDQ4bg1jlzpC1z0EVDyNe_4pQakOE8xyr0L8GdlwDGmIHJ4KG4xy6_rM7SX9G5N0cDVf5vUhSe3rmtvg4WuOyugkyaF2baRQEFEaAwYZlI/s640/20160725_163609.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oregon Desert Trail endpoint at Indian Springs Campground</td></tr>
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<br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-64677766016620398452016-07-13T05:50:00.002-07:002016-07-13T05:50:39.070-07:00Low Flow Owyhee River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgIzWRs-Rch0q3mkxZDDoeoEe8OyUhqQOpLYU4EYDcCNbCFtXo_VM5lsBgSlhl-Mq8OdTUPwviUuRHarfBjVkeUBMoBEc55n8IrUy9GX0aa6gjv9f_Hdu0J32gYCp7QuMs6X7bXO122wn/s1600/20160706_185750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgIzWRs-Rch0q3mkxZDDoeoEe8OyUhqQOpLYU4EYDcCNbCFtXo_VM5lsBgSlhl-Mq8OdTUPwviUuRHarfBjVkeUBMoBEc55n8IrUy9GX0aa6gjv9f_Hdu0J32gYCp7QuMs6X7bXO122wn/s640/20160706_185750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm getting ready to hike/packraft 175 miles of the Owyhee River on the <a href="http://www.onda.org/OregonDesertTrail" target="_blank">Oregon Desert Trail</a>.</div>
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Patagonia just <a href="http://www.patagonia.com/blog/2016/07/the-last-darkness-running-170-miles-through-the-owyhee-canyonlands/" target="_blank">published a great series of photos</a> from ultra runner Jeff Browning's run in this section of the ODT in May, He had much higher flows, and where the "trail" follows the rim of the canyon for many miles, I'll stay in the river and float/walk my way downstream.</div>
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Did I mention it's my job to develop the Oregon Desert Trail?? I'm in heaven!</div>
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It's a heavy load, but my <a href="http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/" target="_blank">Six Moon Designs</a> Flex Pack seems up to the task. (Unfortunately this prep pack shot doesn't include 7 days of food. yet Ouch.)</div>
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Head on over to my <a href="http://www.sherahikes.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">hiking blog</a> for updates later next week (if I get reception out there).</div>
<br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-39132674630219024932016-03-29T16:30:00.001-07:002016-04-07T01:44:44.488-07:00John Day RiverIt was the weekend, and adventure was at our fingertips.<br />
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It has been a fairly wet winter and spring, so when we looked at the water flows around Oregon, we thought it would be a good opportunity to try our luck at some of the desert rivers and creeks. Now we knew the desert rivers were flowing, but were some of the smaller creeks? Many of these are only boatable in the spring, so it was worth a trip out to the John Day area to find out.<br />
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We first choose Burnt Creek which runs along the Painted Hills area, one because it would be a stunning float, and two, because why not?<br />
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When we got there we first checked out the Painted Hills.<br />
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Then soon determined Burnt Creek probably never has enough water to packraft, at least not while all the willows in the creek made for pokey sticks that might sink a packraft. Now a hardshell would be a fun bomb run at high water.<br />
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So we looked up the dirt road to the John Day River.<br />
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Water flows were 4,400 cfs, plenty for a raft, so plenty for a packraft.<br />
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We had neglected to throw a bike in the car, and these roads were so sparsely traveled, that we would need to float the old fashioned way...by walking upstream and floating back to our car.<br />
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We found a sweet spot to car camp on the river, and set out for a little hike.<br />
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This is a stunning area, and it left us wanting to spend more time over here. It's just over 2 hours from Bend, maybe we'll be back next weekend too!<br />
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The next day we packed up our packs for a walk upstream to the next boat launch.<br />
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Because there's a fair amount of private property in the area, there aren't many spots to access the river.<br />
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Once we got to the Priest Hole put-in, we pumped up our boats. I'm using my new bow bag that Kirk made for me this week. It will help to have small things accessible along our future packrafting trips.<br />
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It was a lovely float.<br />
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Spring was definitely still in the air, and the wind had a bitter cold hint to it.<br />
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There were a couple of splashy Class II sections, but mostly it was a mellow float.<br />
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I think we will be back next weekend...this time with our raft!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-41425365535625593782016-01-29T08:45:00.002-08:002016-01-29T22:44:09.415-08:00Packrafting at Smith Rock on the Crooked RiverWe've been wanting to packraft the Crooked River through the popular climbing area, Smith Rock, for some time. While the water is flat and calm as it passes the dramatic cliffs in the state park, right above it is continuous class IV with some short flat areas and only a few access points into the canyon. Below Smith Rock are some meaty Class IV/V sections when water flows are in the 2,000+ CFS range (only runs for a few days per year at that flow). Something Kirk has boated countless times before, but it's unlikely I'll find myself in those sections any time soon, unless we take our full size raft and R2 it.<br />
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However we always wondered if it would be doable at a much lower flow...perhaps the rocky rapids would become serene pool drops? When we saw water levels hovering around the 400 CFS range we decided to check it out. Most times of the year it is 50-80 CFS or lower.<br />
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We parked above the park, loaded our packs with boats and such, and after reaching the river, started heading upstream to find out how far we could get before putting our boats in the water.<br />
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We reached the north gorge where the basalt walls started to close in around a jumble of rocks choking the river channel.</div>
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Picking our way, we finally determined the water was too low to make it through the river rocks and sieves up higher in the gorge, so we put in just above here and ran the last few rapids of the lower gorge. It looks like high water is the better way to boat this section, but then it becomes continuous Class IV.</div>
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So we put on the river for our serene float.</div>
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And the sun came out too.</div>
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After about 4 miles on the river we rounded the back side of Smith Rock and I spied the famous "Monkey Face" rock formation, which looks much more like a monkey from the water than from on land!</div>
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We took off the river after an unrunnable rapid below Smith Rock State Park, yep, there was a big 2x4 board in the middle of the first drop in a rapid called Number 1 (class V), it could be moved but getting to it to move it could be hazardous (if the water comes up it should flush out, and or be covered by water). Below here you are committed to boating down another 12 miles of class IV/V with no exit from the gorge until Crocked River Ranch where there is a old skid road / trail that gets you up the 400 or so feet out of the canyon. At this flow you would probably find the same sieved out rock piles with not much passage for a packraft. There is another committing 18 mile class III-IV run below that but it has a spring on it (Opal Springs) that adds quite a bit of water, so that could be a future trip. So at this point we packed up our boats, and walked up and over the cliffs back to the car.</div>
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Not a bad day in the desert!</div>
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-42103637469229072442015-11-11T14:12:00.003-08:002015-11-11T14:13:16.787-08:00A Short Paddle on the Upper Middle DeschutesSometimes its easy to forget about sections of river that are right under your nose. In this case sections of the Deschutes River that run right through the middle of Bend.<br />
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Just above and below town there are some beefy Class IV-V sections that I may never boat, but just below the "Riverhouse Run" near Tumalo state park is a primarily flatwater section...but it's so close we decided to give it a try. Even if it's primarily flat, we knew it would still be a pretty float.<br />
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We called up our friend Brian who's been wanting to go out, and picked out a short 5-mile section of river.<br />
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We parked at Tumalo State Park and hiked upriver to a spot that was good to launch.<br />
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And yes, it was mellow, but we did come upon a few splashy Class II rapids that helped break up the flat water.<br />
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Next we want to do the next section that runs to the outskirts of Redmond...and beyond. Kirk has paddled almost the whole length of the Deschutes River, and that is one of the remaining sections left.<br />
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Not a bad way to explore your backyard!<br />
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<br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-17262946362418998122015-10-19T11:26:00.000-07:002015-10-19T11:27:24.252-07:00First Look at the Six Moon Designs Flex PackNew on the market recently is the <a href="http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/106-flex-pack.html" target="_blank">Six Moon Designs Flex</a> pack. Designed with water sports in mind, this could be a great addition to packrafting gear options.<br />
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I haven't had a chance to take it on a nice long hike/float yet, but loaded it up for a short paddle on the Willamette River in Portland this weekend.<br />
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I was able to fit boat, PFD, throw bag, smaller dry bag, and raincoat all in the large waterproof bag. Extra straps are included to help configure multiple combinations of strapping paddles, PDFs, ect. to the outside of the pack, and I think this pack holds great potential for winter ski touring trips as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland</td></tr>
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The heavier weights of a packrafting load (especially on overnights or multiple day trips) have made for uncomfortable trips in the previous packs I have used, but the bomber hip belt and back panel already look to make those trips more comfortable.<br />
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I've been working with Six Moon Designs (SMD) over the last year as their media manager, and used SMD's Fusion 50 on the CDT this year. The Flex uses the same suspension system as on the Fusion 50 (I often carried 6-7 liters of water and 5-7 days of food...probably around a 40-45lb load at times), and was very comfortable.<br />
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We are looking forward to putting this pack to the test!<br />
<br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1781111519203544556.post-78189781465939195212015-10-15T08:39:00.000-07:002015-10-19T11:27:48.331-07:00Packrafting the Yellowstone River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlcFe-EyfYUgCOpG4XE1eIz8df-ku3qvBasSq7xD55KhmZQYzMtIVQAy-v6RCLhZMTHs5X8QzFPPAOo_pdckHUnUoRpFSRNeU-DX4I6APslHHgwQ-HFDGmKQxlTVRj8eZ0ToiImEirrHT/s1600/20150927_191314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlcFe-EyfYUgCOpG4XE1eIz8df-ku3qvBasSq7xD55KhmZQYzMtIVQAy-v6RCLhZMTHs5X8QzFPPAOo_pdckHUnUoRpFSRNeU-DX4I6APslHHgwQ-HFDGmKQxlTVRj8eZ0ToiImEirrHT/s640/20150927_191314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had two weeks to play with after Kirk picked me up at the Canadian border when I finished the CDT. We spent most of the <a href="http://adventureswithpackraft.blogspot.com/2015/10/bringing-boats-to-glacier-bowman.html" target="_blank">first week in Glacier</a>, and after the forecast looked rainy for the rest of the week, decided to head down to the Bozeman area and paddle some of the Yellowstone River.<br />
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The Yellowstone River, while closed to paddling within the National Park, (<a href="http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/oct/08/house-panel-oks-lifting-ban-paddling-yellowstone-streams/" target="_blank">important legislation is on the docket</a> to open up the river!) is open to boaters after the north-flowing river passes Gardiner, MT.<br />
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Friends Tom and Laurie have boated many sections of the Yellowstone and they assured us there would be enough water to packraft a large section (about 1,500cfs at Livingston), so a bright and warm Sunday afternoon found us on the shores of the river in town, packing up our boats for a 5 day, 60ish mile float.<br />
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Much of the river contains Class I and II riffles, but the short section of the river in Gardiner has some bigger rapids at high water, and the Yankee Jim Canyon, about 14 miles above town, has some notable rapids. Because we were paddling in the fall at lower water levels, the normally large rapids were quite manageable. We did scout one rapid from the road and river-side as the large hole could easily flip a packraft. <br />
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The week was mellow and quite tranquil.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbCCF3GQkLb-z1N3A6yGus2HczC9_y_IuIQwrWcTE8FLy4_UZTl3UOozY8vMqg7Bpn49bWu1A-L4dKWX_jMIgjJUgyOKyz2w5ORvs_J5MUVn3kfnS7T_87PBMekD-FXxwrAP0s2PMxro7/s1600/12079887_952788934778871_6652617721731449314_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbCCF3GQkLb-z1N3A6yGus2HczC9_y_IuIQwrWcTE8FLy4_UZTl3UOozY8vMqg7Bpn49bWu1A-L4dKWX_jMIgjJUgyOKyz2w5ORvs_J5MUVn3kfnS7T_87PBMekD-FXxwrAP0s2PMxro7/s640/12079887_952788934778871_6652617721731449314_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Scouting Yankee Jim Canyon from the road (photo by Tom Jungst)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Lets do this! (photo by Tom Jungst)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cTwlqd-4ApdxvHSAlM1uNKYgJaL2uoie8EFVOZ1g9djXCJ_-63gvmGh0UqeJQ_dyceGjFGBUdgf9Px5ZMWx3wc2Epo802VwnaWY2myEChD1C9306ZR5WxGfObIevU2QecinJVvImyjVf/s1600/20150927_140652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cTwlqd-4ApdxvHSAlM1uNKYgJaL2uoie8EFVOZ1g9djXCJ_-63gvmGh0UqeJQ_dyceGjFGBUdgf9Px5ZMWx3wc2Epo802VwnaWY2myEChD1C9306ZR5WxGfObIevU2QecinJVvImyjVf/s640/20150927_140652.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Laurie & Tom, the most excellent hosts</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqW_YrrzfcT-5DDCI-sL0sIPijEhZr0j4d_pAPmDwdLYgd-_3TMR0xSrxkofpSiTVMUXGwxUwnIv9ng0goKdGYpVZwGJizQHMGJChb_073rJvAM4z2oz00sfyUjCI-B_TGR1jHjKq7uwp/s1600/12109829_952788768112221_4798707273906472364_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqW_YrrzfcT-5DDCI-sL0sIPijEhZr0j4d_pAPmDwdLYgd-_3TMR0xSrxkofpSiTVMUXGwxUwnIv9ng0goKdGYpVZwGJizQHMGJChb_073rJvAM4z2oz00sfyUjCI-B_TGR1jHjKq7uwp/s640/12109829_952788768112221_4798707273906472364_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Heading down the Yellowstone through Gardiner. (Photo by Tom Jungst)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Devils Slide</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IhruydCNq_9JXiW-8gONyx60IlmJbsbokXZ863yEWzotGFAwB2MUhkCaNQmmTxj-yb5OVSKN1kgc7eoSChtYSdJbJieaYACo_QfOEQQ1F3bi7G-8po9IN7dY9mU0DwGL_YG-pu0rh74B/s1600/20150928_074603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IhruydCNq_9JXiW-8gONyx60IlmJbsbokXZ863yEWzotGFAwB2MUhkCaNQmmTxj-yb5OVSKN1kgc7eoSChtYSdJbJieaYACo_QfOEQQ1F3bi7G-8po9IN7dY9mU0DwGL_YG-pu0rh74B/s640/20150928_074603.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Breakfast!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Break time on the rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCehJ-bQTYyD51hHV6Qd-OHJY_A_9jlAjmKTH1ZceNMx_fSXKdXkkVQUdkpAbalpbHXO58JI10legPsA6kkSGW-idgY-PutGviIm660y32oVcZri1Go53T8_efS9rLAwrZWl8afTY6zoqK/s1600/20150930_090820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCehJ-bQTYyD51hHV6Qd-OHJY_A_9jlAjmKTH1ZceNMx_fSXKdXkkVQUdkpAbalpbHXO58JI10legPsA6kkSGW-idgY-PutGviIm660y32oVcZri1Go53T8_efS9rLAwrZWl8afTY6zoqK/s640/20150930_090820.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Beach camping</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFgLkXUSv5rqFn5u6MxsbeqINNqslqNjlvRqBgxxPCtO0_1Twfnyk5G-ONRchKnDZX6sBAwIKwKeZYWfV61aUgZxgdO33NxeB533_AcMwLk2FV7zqPhMvqO3kqp1sBgeCWyk6WUfANh9O/s1600/20150930_091144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFgLkXUSv5rqFn5u6MxsbeqINNqslqNjlvRqBgxxPCtO0_1Twfnyk5G-ONRchKnDZX6sBAwIKwKeZYWfV61aUgZxgdO33NxeB533_AcMwLk2FV7zqPhMvqO3kqp1sBgeCWyk6WUfANh9O/s640/20150930_091144.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Is all that gonna fit in my boat?</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMthFISiRu8Y5Xvo8C-UbQK5vE5FAEES6QFBuT9b3ghwyEjpLGqdtL04qGLnFHkhqzVrtjfSQRoAgyjPFQwDExhYTSdmMCMaVAnl9VTD2yZvvpJxEde03Jnx1ex20dWpab2L7mZhcrfO0/s1600/20150930_095114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMthFISiRu8Y5Xvo8C-UbQK5vE5FAEES6QFBuT9b3ghwyEjpLGqdtL04qGLnFHkhqzVrtjfSQRoAgyjPFQwDExhYTSdmMCMaVAnl9VTD2yZvvpJxEde03Jnx1ex20dWpab2L7mZhcrfO0/s640/20150930_095114.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Yep!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEkf7GEC4NR4usQ8o0hQdhgit4V91VaVJDl-RmdRBFWAgqM-tDmFmv5XX5wKwpw6e72MQ6nbsKPgXLIB9Zu369SOKy3_vm9FIetJhidnSFoK1ZiZasZC9vIQ72IYF8R3igmE-wQsAhJQe/s1600/20150930_103318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEkf7GEC4NR4usQ8o0hQdhgit4V91VaVJDl-RmdRBFWAgqM-tDmFmv5XX5wKwpw6e72MQ6nbsKPgXLIB9Zu369SOKy3_vm9FIetJhidnSFoK1ZiZasZC9vIQ72IYF8R3igmE-wQsAhJQe/s640/20150930_103318.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">Lovely floating</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVbascb9ficHt835OzxMEvbXVZ7ODI_GwmkSgMv4NQxkYFCntnOHgCYT52ayqFnJQOXMx1-cPs5rxbz88gei3V_kJV6YZ92Oo3QyDgqg7MG9yv2XA5rHD2jYTewIoVPkoRMHXSwIU4lQb/s1600/20150930_134528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVbascb9ficHt835OzxMEvbXVZ7ODI_GwmkSgMv4NQxkYFCntnOHgCYT52ayqFnJQOXMx1-cPs5rxbz88gei3V_kJV6YZ92Oo3QyDgqg7MG9yv2XA5rHD2jYTewIoVPkoRMHXSwIU4lQb/s640/20150930_134528.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">We just took it all in</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv1nqSqkyoiuwH7zrb4FNqA_IlqJg0saaqLDZ4pR08cr9HIyf1ERbKDrCKNKyHs6QuOSEYOxWeuJas7_2DmTmxBLrgXczolDPTS9qPQZzSt37QRawCcHAlgKmewy2nhGWDSE42QYDbgzS/s1600/20151001_105746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv1nqSqkyoiuwH7zrb4FNqA_IlqJg0saaqLDZ4pR08cr9HIyf1ERbKDrCKNKyHs6QuOSEYOxWeuJas7_2DmTmxBLrgXczolDPTS9qPQZzSt37QRawCcHAlgKmewy2nhGWDSE42QYDbgzS/s640/20151001_105746.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">On the last day it got a bit rainy</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEfKflDS5oqYkAvPXYMnlJS5G1Ukb0nPMjZ625Ui_CGNTOra9nXxwy2wGvT0gI48M_YY3k1QSedaZhFC-jfU62m6lt5RQmMBAl5hvd4TPOsQHmJBz3xvEDX_E37PVwqhFPJrlMeM6VOuH/s1600/20151001_112229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEfKflDS5oqYkAvPXYMnlJS5G1Ukb0nPMjZ625Ui_CGNTOra9nXxwy2wGvT0gI48M_YY3k1QSedaZhFC-jfU62m6lt5RQmMBAl5hvd4TPOsQHmJBz3xvEDX_E37PVwqhFPJrlMeM6VOuH/s640/20151001_112229.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px;">But it sure was beautiful</td></tr>
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Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06352519073163189803noreply@blogger.com1