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

[sugarmtngal]

Deana will be joining us Sat morning! She hasn't
been in a canoe in 5 Yrs!

[Louiscov]

Really looking forward to enjoying hanging around with the group some this weekend & bringing up the gumbo and bread to go with it.

Richard, please plan your itinerary/float/camp without regard to me. I won't be able to pick up my new boat until late Saturday, but may bring my Kevlar Rendezvous just in case. Best to do your planning assuming I won't be paddling, but Friday night will be awesome at the campfire. I'll leave Shreveport/Bossier early Friday and get to the Jasper/Gilbert/Buffalo Point area by noon.

Saw Jack Land March 5 - 7. I'm supposed to bring a message from him about a permitting system for the Buffalo. (He says 4 trips per year, 2 for Arkies since y'all have so many options up there. Ha!!) He and Marsha really enjoy it when y'all end up on an event.

Louis

[Richard]

Just got off the phone with Rodger. Paddling looks pretty iffy for the weekend. Three sets of weather systems coming through between now and Saturday. The Highlands Chapter of the Ozark Society will be hiking Indian Creek on Saturday. If you are physically up to it, this is something you must do. The rest of us could just hang out on Saturday or hike the Ponca-Steel Creek section of the Buffalo River Trail and possibly go up to Lost Valley or the Glory Hole. If the water looks good then of course we will be paddling. Louis, I may bring the Wenonah Rogue and you are welcome to paddle with me on Saturday if we decide to paddle. It is too early to tell what the weekend holds for us. Again, this is the Buffalo. If you can't paddle then there are other wonderful things to do instead. AND ITS SPRING!

[sugarmtngal]

Steele Creek it is!
Water levels up, some sunshine expected to peek
out at us, and so happy to be able to paddle with
y'all again!
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!
Ozarks are so beautiful!

[sugarmtngal]

Music too!
We have banjo and guitar players bringing along there
instruments.
if you have a musical instrument bring it.

Maggie isn't coming due to Three Acre Penney playing
this weekend in Mena! They may paddle with nxt time!
:shock:

[Richard]

It now looks like the wind is going to be a big factor on Saturday as well. Steady winds of 25mph - gusting higher. The river got more rain last night and it is again rising.

I would highly suggest bringing hiking boots, daypack and water bottles for hiking as an alternative. Rodger is likely going to take able bodied people to hike into Indian Creek area. It is spectacular but you need to be far more fit than me.

I plan to be there Friday. Hopefully around noon. Depending on how things play out I may be returning home on Saturday.

No matter what the weather, the Ozarks are fabulous this time of year.

[denergyo6]

Richard, please sign me up, just found my boat under sum leaves in tha back yard, must have been the wind!
Karl

[Richard]

I am hoping to be at Steel Creek at Noon on Friday. Friday evening should be beautiful. Nearly full moon.

Just met with Robert Miller. We will be paddling the full length of the Buffalo beginning early Tuesday morning. Anyone wishing to join us for all or part is welcome.

[Louiscov]

Looking forward to seeing y'all Friday evening. Save room for the gumbo!

[sugarmtngal]

Look forward to seeing Karl again!
Not bringing instruments due to weather conditions and
Deana can't make it this weekend. Gotta finish
packing; SYOTR

[Eric Esche]

I was looking forward towards seeing y'all, but rain has got my joints so stirred up, that I would say right now not to rely on my being there.

Sorry, but camping out in probable rain and paddleing in high winds while having to take pain pills round the clock is not something I need to do right now, and I'd rather not be a drag or possible hazzard to a group. This neck thing comes and goes without a reason sometimes, so I still might drop in, but don't place any bets on it.

Hope things mesh for another trip real soon with y'all.

Eric Esche

[sugarmtngal]

Eric , you will be missed!

SYOTR next time-

[Richard]

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 to leave with him for Kyles. This is for serious hikers. It can be dangerous and you need to be experience 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 as well as 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.
IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL NOT BE AT STEEL CREEK BY NOON. MORE LIKE AROUND 5PM TODAY.

Here is the current hour by hour forecast:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... &dd=0&bw=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sugarmtngal]

Awesome weekend with weather cooperation!
All day Friday we paddled and enjoyed the sunshine,
Sat a mere stroll on Indian Creek; I didn't fall
off after climbing on a steep muddy trail and lots
more sunshine! Thank goodness for ROPES
Stephanie and I kept pace and noting
"why the heck are we not on the river"!
Ahhh what a spectacular scene! I hugged lots
of trees and lived!
After getting back to Kyle's Landing we
all got hit in the head by hail-
Big THANKS to Roger and Terry, our trail leaders-
Sunday the sun came out and we got to do some
Buffalo paddling! Sparky from Lewis and Clark was there
with a Two Brothers canoe, also great camping out with
Karl and Louis! Thanks everyone for a wonderful
weekend!
Richard is on his 8-12 day Buffalo trip now!
Lots of great pictures also, stand by.