BUFFALO RIVER - DEC 17-23 2011 - RED 17-18

[Richard]

subject has changed

[deakin]

I'm planning for the 18th through the 23rd if the water is there. Gonna be a bit nippy....

[Richard]

If you would like company, I may be able to paddle a few days, depending on weather etc.

[okieboater]

Keep us posted, my tolerance for boating in really cold weather is not what it used to be.

[Richard]

my tolerance for boating in really cold weather is not what it used to be.

Mine isn't either.

[Butch Crain]

Not trying to jack your trip, but....

...it'll be a lot warmer on the Red River trip we're doing the 17th & 18th. For sure the campfire will be a blazer.

Richard & Dave - you're 2 guys I'd like my grandson to meet

Deakin - it's a lot shorter drive from Houston and there's at least one guy in our group that wants to stretch it another day to take out above Texarkana, 49 miles, three days paddling. Bet he'd like to have the company.

[deakin]

The Red versus the Buffalo? No offense but I think I'll stick with the Buffalo...:) Clear water, Bald Eagles, and terrain have really been sounding good.

Richard, currently I'm waiting on the weather to see what's going to happen. If the rain is normal is looks like going from Gilbert to Buffalo City is the route. I've been trying to get a hold of Gilbert Gen Store but not getting called back. Not sure if the snow on Monday shut things down or if they're just running limited hours. If more rain heads in I'd love to move the trip up river. I've never done the upper or middle sections. Last year was my first year in my canoe (I always did kayaks) so I did the Kings to get used to it. If you're interested, PM me and let me know what you think.
My main problem is I have to be back home by Christmas Eve or face death....:) I should be able to do the trip from Gilbert to Buffalo City in 4 days if I have to and 5 easily depending on flow (even with short winter days).

[Richard]

Butch, you are really tempting me. It is two hours farther to the Red than the Buffalo for me and the Red has sand that gets into everything. Other than that I would love to meet your grandson. And I would be with you and my other LA friends. Very very tempting. Hmmm Maybe I could do both.

Deakin,
The Gilbert store is closed this time of year. It was closed in Oct. I would encourage using Silver Hill. Monte is a dedicated lover of the Buffalo.
I would also suggest putting in at Woolum and taking out at Rush. A much shorter shuttle and about the same river miles. 51 vs 54. You also avoid Clabber Shoals.
A bonus: You would be able to see my spring.

[deakin]

I'll give Silver Hill a call today and see what I can set up. I'm basing everything on The Weather Channels 10 day forcast right now which is not very accurate. I wouldn't mind putting in at Ponca if there's enough water. It looks like it might rain a day or two before the 18th but who knows...:) You guys that live up there are so lucky to have a river like that close enough to paddle whenever the water level is right. I have to plan months in advance....

Clabber Shoals? Since I've floated that stretch before I must have gone over them.

You have your own spring? I have my own rocks. You might have seen them. They are red and green on the very top. My canoe is drawn to them like a magnet. Where is the spring?

Gilbert is closed? You mean there aren't tons of people lined up for winter paddle trips? Weird... I don't enjoy the cold, but I enjoy many aspects of winter conoeing. As long as I don't have any accidental swimming events....I'm excited about this trip though. I have lots of new camping toys to try out.

[prophet]

we couldnt find a shuttle on Hwy 65 last weekend, (no notice). who is open in winter around there?

[deakin]

Just talked to Ben at Gilbert Store. They are open and running shuttles. Just FYI.

[Richard]

My son who lives in Frisco TX called and said his family will be here and staying at Fairfield Bay during that week so it appears I may not be able to be involved in either float. I wish you all a great time on the rivers.

[deakin]

It's not because you saw they added snow to the forcast on the 18th is it? (Just Kidding)
Have fun with the family.

[deakin]

Hey Richard,
You missed a great trip. Put in on Saturday the 17th at Steel Creek. Water was tad too low for Ponca. Saturday night was the only really cold night and it was not too bad. I have a link to my pictures on here and the ones with frost on everything are from Satuday night/Monday morning. The part between Kyles Landing and Carver was pretty slow and had some painfully long pools that made it seem more like a lake than a river but Monday night's rain fixed that. I went from struggling to make 2mph to making 4mph without paddling. The rapids were a lot more fun at higher water too. Strainers were there but not too bad. Most were easy to get around.
I pulled out in Gilbert on Wednesday the 21st. 73 miles in 4.5 days. I've now soloed from Steel Creek to Schipps Ferry. I miss it already. You guys that live up there are so lucky. I want to do it from end to end in one trip now.
The video is of Lick Creek Ford. It was the first really good rapid I came across on my first day. After not seeing white water for several months I was a bit nervous I'd turn over on my first day....:) I know, it's not like it's the Cossatot or anything but it was exciting to me in a 16' fully loaded canoe! I have noticed that the bottom of my canoe has a little more "character" now.

http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af50 ... o%202011/
David

[Richard]

David, thank you for the trip report and pictures.

Did you use Cliff Jacobson's books to make your spray cover? Nice job. Did you do the tarp as well? I like your set up.

I wish I could have been with you. It is frustrating when two things you want to do happen at once. Actually three in this case. Family comes first and I had a good time with the grandkids.

And yes, I feel very fortunate to have the Buffalo so close.