BUFFALO RIVER - MAR 26-28 - Update #5 What

[Richard]

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

Updates will be posted here.
Update #5 Thur PM - Options
We have two factors that may keep us off the river (wind and flood) so the backup plan is to hike and sight see. Rodger will be at Steel Creek at 9am Saturday morning and those wanting to do the strenuous but incredibly beautiful Indian Creek need to be ready at 9am to leave with him for Kyles. This is for fit and serious hikers. It can be dangerous and you need to be experienced with use of ropes and rock climbing. For the rest of us Ponca to Steel Creek by river or on the Buffalo River trail are options. Also Lost Valley, the Elk Center and other places in the area.
Regardless, of what we are able to do it will be a great spring weekend in the Ozarks.

Update #4 Wed AM:
LOUIS COVINGTON NEEDS A HEAD COUNT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT LOUISIANNA SEAFOOD GUMBO AND JAMBALAYA
Post here, PM or email me if you are going.
WHO IS GOING:
Stephanie
Gretchen
Kyle
Rob
Jeff
Mark
Louis
Rodger
Richard
Update #3 Tue AM:
The Buffalo Flows! We will have above average flow and there is more rain expected on Thursday. That means the river will be fast but friendly for the most part. Weather and water will be cool so plan accordingly.

Here are the options Let us know your preference. Post here, email, PM or call 501-327-7089.

1) Upper Buffalo Basecamp. Arrive Friday night at Steel Creek. This is spring break which means the campground may be crowded. Paddling options: Day paddle Boxley to Ponca. Day paddle Steel Creek to Kyles.
2) Carver to Woolum 15 miles: This is normally too long for a weekend but at this level it becomes doable. There are some big haystacks at either end of longest pool. We will camp at Skull Bluff.
3) Woolum to Baker Ford 11 miles: This will be a fast run so plenty of opportunity to go with the flow and take in the scenery. We can stop at Richard's spring for lunch and camp at Peter Cave Bluff.
4) North Maumee to Hwy 14 10 miles: Scenery includes Spring and Water Creeks, Jack Pot and Kimball Bluffs, Camp would be below Jack Pot. Be prepared for racoons.
5) Hwy 14 to Rush 9 miles. Our most run section. This is is alway nice. Camp at Bice Bend.

Forecast:
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 44.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 61.
===========================

UPDATE #2: Sat Mar 20: After that long cold winter it looks like we are going to have warmer than normal temps. If the water levels are as they are now we will be on the lower Buffalo however we have two days of rain before then. Stay tuned. Things are looking good.

UPDATE #1: Fri Mar 5: We will have a nearly full moon. It is still a long way off (river/weather time) so just make a note on your calendar and we will see how the weather and water are like as the date draws near.
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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.

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.

[sugarmtngal]

Richard,
Plse put me and my son(Kyle) on your list for this trip,
however, if the clouds come and obscure the full
moon .......well we may not show:)
This will be Kyle's first Buffalo River trip in his kayak-oh and he's lifeguard
certified.
Eric notified me and really need to paddle the Buffy soon! Look forward
to paddling my canoe with everyone! See you soon.
Gretchen
PS Was thinking of bringing a dog?

[Richard]

Gretchen and anyone else thinking about bringing dogs. Dogs can come but with this understanding:
(I learned this the hard way when I brought a couple of dogs)
Because you love your dog does not mean others do.
Your tolerance of your dog's actions is far greater than it should be and more than what others will tolerate.
Not all paddlers are dog lovers.
Even dog lovers have their limits when it comes to another's dog.

Dogs must be constantly under the owners control and be fully obedience trained.
The dog will be asked to leave if there is a problem.
There is a pecking order. Paddlers first, dogs second.
If a choice has to be made it will be made in favor of the paddler.
If a dog becomes disruptive in any way, the owner must understand it may require them to leave.

It was very inconsiderate of me to expect others to treat my dogs the same way I did.
We have had dogs in the past and only once have we had a problem.
Learn from my mistake.

[sugarmtngal]

Understand and will leave 'Scruby' home with my other canines!
Hope the weather rains tremendously this week to be able to
surf On Lee Creek;
and that the Buffalo River trip is a go!
SPRING TIME

[sugarmtngal]

Eric are you maybe going with Susan/Mary?
I've got a definite group :)

[sugarmtngal]

Sounds good Richard and Eric- received your communications.
Dillard's Ferry is my request :) yeaaaaa! Will be hauling some
boats. See you'll Friday March 26th.......

[Richard]

UPDATE: Sat Mar 20: After that long cold winter it looks like we are going to have warmer than normal temps. If the water levels are as they are now we will be on the lower Buffalo however we have two days of rain before then. Stay tuned. Things are looking good.

[Richard]

The Buffalo Flows! We will have above average flow and there is more rain expected on Thursday. That means the river will be fast but friendly for the most part. Weather and water will be cool so plan accordingly. Here are the options Let us know your preference is. Post here, email, PM or call 501-327-7089.

1) Upper Buffalo Basecamp. Arrive Friday night at Steel Creek. This is spring break which means the campground may be crowded. Paddling options: Day paddle Boxley to Ponca. Day paddle Steel Creek to Kyles.

2) Carver to Woolum 15 miles: This is normally too long for a weekend but at this level it becomes doable. There are some big haystacks at either end of longest pool. We will camp at Skull Bluff.

3) Woolum to Baker Ford 11 miles: This will be a fast run so plenty of opportunity to go with the flow and take in the scenery. We can stop at Richard's spring for lunch and camp at Peter Cave Bluff.

4) North Maumee to Hwy 14 10 miles: Scenery includes Spring and Water Creeks, Jack Pot and Kimball Bluffs, Camp would be below Jack Pot. Be prepared for racoons.

5) Hwy 14 to Rush 9 miles. Our most run section. This is is alway nice. Camp at Bice Bend.

It is time to see who will be going.

Forecast:
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 44.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 61.

[sugarmtngal]

I vote 1,2,3,4, or 5!
Sending email.........
SYOTR my paddler buddies!

[Shark Attack]

Dillard's Ferry 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgZnJH6dU-E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope you guys have a good time. I've got to move my business into a new office this weekend.

[Louiscov]

Richard:

Finally I am getting to participate in one of your camping weekends!!

Definitely want to camp & hang out with y'all Friday night, maybe paddle Saturday (got to be in Ponca late Saturday afternoon to pick up a new canoe). I'll either paddle or at least help with the shuttle.

I'd love to bring some good Louisiana seafood gumbo and jambalaya for all Friday night to be served over rice. Sending a PM.

Louis Covington

[Eric Esche]

I can't get there until Friday night late or Saturday morning due to family issues, but neck willing, I am planning on coming with y'all. Option 2 Carver to Woollum would be my pick if the water isn't too high, but I will go where ever y'all pick.

Right now, I'm planning on going solo in the Endurall rather than the Northwoods, as Mary has to work, but I would entertain taking a bow paddler, if someone needs a seat, and contacts me in advance, so I can plan for it. Mary says I do not work her too hard when she paddles bow, and so far I haven't flipped her. The Endurall is a very stable canoe barge.

If the water is up as high as I think it could get to, 30 miles is real do-able as a day trip in 5-6 hours of limited paddleing and mostly drifting. Mary and I did 21.4 miles last fall in 5 hours, back paddleing the last 10 miles from North Maumee to HW 14, and taking lots of shore breaks with her dog Chloe, after doing the first part from Gilbert to N.Maumee in 90 minutes and not paddleing hard at all after we passed some drunks at the Gilbert put-in at about 8 feet on the HW 14 gauge. It was in the Northwoods for it's first run with us, and it is a fast 17'cruiser designed boat, but at these levels anything is faster than half to a third of this level. We were also not loaded down with my typical camping gear, although I did have my normal amount of food, pads, spares, rescue gear, and a full cooler.

WE thought afterwards that Gilbert to Rush would have been a shorter shuttle than Gilbert to HW 14 and doable as a day trip at high water. If anyone tries this, do not try to take the "short cut" back dirt road up to Gilbert if they have a low clearance vehicle OR in anything if the water is up. That slick rock ford on the dirt road could be impassable if it has been rainy, and the rock and dirt road was very bumpy in the Suburban last fall. Remember - if you can't see the bottom, you do not want to drive through it, and that is a fast water ford with nothing to gauge the level by. Mary said it wasn't just my neck or my driving, that road was rather rough. NOT a time saver. Scenic and interesting to have done once, but rest of my shuttles there will be on the paved route.

Definately would plan on picking a higher ground campsite than normal given chances of a rising river.

Hope to paddle with y'all.

Eric

[Richard]

I am thinking basecamping might be the way to go this time because of all the rain we are getting. Also there will be increased SE wind on Saturday. If we do the Carver to Woolum run that will put the wind right in our face.

Basecamping will make it easier for Louis Covington as well. I am leaning toward Basecamping at Steel Creek unless there is a good reason not to. Here is the latest data. We have more rain coming in beginning tonight so expect river levels to rise.
Another reason for base camping. If the river goes into flood there are some wonderful waterfalls we can hike to.[attachment=0]BR 2010-03-26 Forecast2.JPG[/attachment]CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

P.S. LOUIS COVINGTON NEEDS A HEAD COUNT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT LOUISIANNA SEAFOOD GUMBO AND JAMBALAYA

[sugarmtngal]

Love gumbo!
Plan to camp at Kyle's Landing Friday evening
after we play around all day on the river:)
Gretch, Kyle, Rob, Jeff, and Mark.
Roman should come on up with hid ladyfriend!

look forward to lots of paddling and sitting around a
fire! Rain is welcomed also

[Richard]

Gretchen is right. Louis, you should bring Roman and Butch too! Add Jack Land if Marsha can spare him for a weekend. I was just talking with Rodger. We have a distinct possibility that the river will go into flood by Thursday night so keep that in mind. Flexibility needs to be the keyword for this weekend.