BUFFALO RIVER - May 21-23 2010 - Update #2

[Richard]

Here is where the pictures will be posted after the trip. Bring your camera.

Updates will be posted here.
Update #2: I am going to check out the river then have Rodger update as to which section we will be floating. Look for Rodger's post at the end of this thread. Most likely Ozark to Carver but it may be Carver to Woolum. In either case we will camp at Ozark tonight. I drive a grey Subaru Forester with a red Wenonah Prospector on top. If I put up my tent it is a white box with an orange top.

Update #1: Moon will be high in the sky at sunset. Water and weather will dictate where we will be paddling.


WHO IS GOING:



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GENERAL INFORMATION:
By now you know the drill. Arriving Friday is optional. We shuttle Saturday morning and do most of the paddling on Saturday. We try to be off the river and headed home by noon on Sunday. Sitting around a campfire Friday and Saturday nights and enjoying each others company has become a tradition.

Questions and suggestions are welcome. You may post them here or email Richard at rmmcfadden@yahoo.com

Some things you need to know. We have never had a problem but just so everyone knows on the front end:
1. For liability purposes this is not an ACC/Ozark Society sponsored activity. You and only you are responsible for your own actions.
2. This is a family friendly float. Children are welcome.
3. Alcohol is not forbidden but drunkeness and abusive conduct is.
4. If you use "fowl" language or need to smoke, please do so away from the group.
5. Treat others as you would have them treat you. Maybe even nicer.

We have been doing these trips since Oct 2007. In that time we have never had a problem. Quite the contrary. On the floats so far, we have been impressed with how well everyone has adhered to #5. That is one reason we keep going back.

If you have never been, we look forward to meeting you on the river.

FOOD:
Because of the various arrival and departure times of participants the simplest approach to meals is for each person to be responsible for his/her own. That does not preclude participants from getting together and pooling efforts. It also does not preclude pot lucks. So if you want to get with others to plan meals thats good. If we decide to pot luck a meal or two that is fine as well. But the responsibility lies first with the individual.

Breakfasts and Suppers will be at camp. We will stop for lunch on the river. BYO. Nothing is provided.

This has worked well so far and creates the least hassle. And we can gather around the campfire after dinner. Campfires have been great.

If need be, we will have a kitchen tent set up with tables for food preparation.

GEAR:
Each person is responsible for providing their own food and gear appropriate for the weather and water conditions. If you are just getting into canoe/kayak camping and are lacking some items please let us know. So far no one has been turned away because of lack of gear.

State Laws
15 MPH speed limits within the park are strictly enforced.
A PFD is required for each person. It must be worn by those under the age of 13.
The use of glass containers is prohibited within 100 feet the river.
Containers used for transporting food and beverages must be properly sealed.
When out of the cooler, beverages must be in a holder that floats or prevents the beverage from sinking.
A mesh container must be attached to the vessel suitable for collecting trash that can be securely closed.
All refuse, waste and trash must be transported to a place where they must be safely and lawfully disposed.

[aquagirl]

Richard,

After watching all the posts about the Buffalo River floats, this finally looks like one we can make if it's still on . . . .

Right now just myself & 14 y/o son but possibly others, should know later in the week.

Look forward to meeting you.

Beth & Zach

[Richard]

If the current weather and water forecast holds this should be the pick weekend of the year so far. Absolutely perfect for families. That means others will be thinking the same thing so my recommendation is Carver to Woolum but there are other options as well and suggestions are welcome. We just don't need to go where we will be playing bumper boats or find ourselves wishing for some elbow room.

Keep in mind . . . If we get a bunch of rain it may require us to change plans. Most of the rain will be Wed night thru Thur night so by Friday AM we should know what we can or can not do.

[Clif]

busy with a church group. Hope we can be on the river, too.

[denergyo6]

Richard, please sign me up for another tour of duty.
Thanks,
Karl

[aquagirl]

Well, I may have spoken too soon . . . not gonna be able to leave Hot Springs until late Friday pm after work so am thinking of just day-tripping or doing something closer to home. Zach really wants to get up to the Buffalo & paddle some "big water" so will just watch this thread & the water levels & decide Friday.

Beth

[Richard]

Beth, I think we are all waiting to see what the weather is going to do to this weekend. We set these floats up so that daytrippers can participate. Arriving on Friday is optional. Rodger for example, because of his work, normally comes Saturday. We paddle most of the way on Saturday so daytrippers can be with us most of the trip.

[okieboater]

Ladies and Gents,

Now thursday evening 10:12 pm and here in Tulsa we have been under attack since evening time. Big time tornado laden cells one after the other now heading towards Ft Smith and NW Ark line top to bottom.

After the twister threat we have all kinds of flooding rains as I type this.

So, who knows what will happen when this line hits AR, if it holds together, gonna be plenty of water in AR friday.

[Clif]

Shoulda heard my son last night.. suggesting their group postpone. I'll get to go anyway he said. On something more challenging than the Buffalo. He was right. I told them we could go anyway even if the river was too high to float. Fish, swim, hike....

Please no storms.

[MikeBeebe]

Richard, my son Michael and I will be joining you this weekend at least for the day trip but also looking at camping with you as well. We'll watch for your posting of when and where.

Mike Beebe

[Richard]

Its 7 PM on Thur.

What appears to be is . . . outstanding water at Boxley and Ponca. Boxley will drop out some by Saturday but Ponca should be about perfect. Just one problem . . . someone let it out of the bag and the entire world is going to decsend on that section on Saturday. Can you say Bumper boats . . . Elbow room cried Daniel Boone!

Pruitt gage does not appear to be working. Floods can do that and especially at Pruitt. So not sure what the level is there. Most likely in flood but dropping to where it would be high but OK below Pruitt by Saturday. It would make a pretty fast run from Pruitt to Carver.

Hwy 65 and 14 are in flood and climbing. Hard to say if they will drop below flood levels by Saturday morning.

So we wait . . .
Next report tomorrow morning.
Comments and suggestions are invited. What I think may not reflect what you think.

[Louiscov]

Hi, Richard:

A couple of us are going to meet at Ozark Cafe in Jasper Friday at noon to paddle Boxley - Ponca; then Ponca - Kyles/Erbie Saturday. I'd be great to have you join us. If not, we hope to hang around your campsite Friday evening a while if you're in Newton County.

Louis Covington

[painterbob]

when i went over today ,about 3 ft of water was rolling over the top of ponca bridge and the water was into the parking lot, and pruitt was still coming up . the landing at pruitt is underwater . we have 89 canoes going in. along with the other outfitters all at steel creek . and coming out at kyles landing. plus last weekends people coming back from being flooded out . and with great weather ahead it will be wall to wall.. kyle's to eurbie doesn't get near the traffic. the last time we floated from ponca the parking lot filled up before 10 and everyone after that was out of luck.

[Richard]

Thank you PB for the report. I would think Saturday would be a great day to float Kyles to Ozark. The downside is the shuttle into Kyles . . . One lane road carrying two lanes of heavy traffic. Yuck!

Ozark campground to Carver is a 13 mile float but at this level it would be easy. Some interesting things to see along the way. I think Carver to Woolum is out for this weekend.
So . . . till we know more, I will try to meet Louis at Jasper and plan to camp at Ozark tonight (Friday). We can make a decision there on Saturday. It may be that we will have some heading upstream and some downstream and some staying put. Can you say flexible?

[Wildwood]

Richard, that poor 'coon is gonna need some Prozac to deal with all the traffic! :roll: Y'all have a fun, safe trip.
Jan