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

[Richard]

I just checked the levels
Ponca to Kyles will be perfect.
Pruitt gage is not fixed but most likely will be in the upper end of ample or lower end of Experienced.
Hwy 65 - St Joe is in flood but dropping rapidly.
Hwy 14 - Harriet is in flood and just crested.

I am thinking Carver to Woolum on Saturday will be on the high side of ample and doable.
The haystacks below Mt Hersey will be BIG . . .
but hey! . . . it is going to be 90º so who cares if we swim.

Anyway, Camping tonight at Ozark Campground. My tent if I put it up is a white box with an orange top.
My car is a grey Subaru Forester with a red Wenonah Prospector on top.

[Karla]

Gary and I may be there. What time on Saturday to start shuttle?

Karla

[Richard]

Karla, look for Rodger to update.

We will be at Ozark tonight and most likely go Ozark to Carver. If that is the case then we will have the boats at Ozark and run shuttle from there to Carver. Most likely leaving Ozark about 9:30am or shortly after to run the shuttle. We will be launching about 11am from Ozark.

For those planning to gravel bar camp Saturday night we will be camping about a mile upstream from Carver. Daytrippers, we will be together for most of the way. Shortly after leaving us you will see the Carver bridge. The Carver takeout is just beyond the bridge on the left.

Ozark to Carver is 13 miles of Class I water with a good flow. Should be very enjoyable and relaxing.

[Karla]

I thought with the level up ya'll would be doing Ponca to Kyles, or Kyles down. What is this section your doing like related to the Ponca to Kyles section? I want more whitewater.

Karla

[Eric Esche]

Mary McFann, Chloe (the dog) and I will be there in the morning to run shuttle. We are going to be day tripping it.

Eric Esche

We will be coming over in the blue over gray Suburban with the orange noodles on the front racks and a Mad River Canoe on top. Hadn't decided which canoe to take yet, so it might be the old red 16' Endurrall or the 17' green Northwoods.

[MikeBeebe]

My son, Michael and I will also be day tripping tomorrow - see you at 8:30 AM

Mike

[aquagirl]

Since the water levels are so great on the Upper, we're going to opt for a "bumper-boat" float . . . planning to put on early ahead of the masses that Painter Bob was talking about. . . when you're 14 stuff like that doesn't matter so much!

Ya'll have fun, maybe get to catch a more serene float later.

Beth

[71dartswinger]

We will be playing bumber boats also on the upper. We have never had the chance to catch it at this level. It has always been low when we have went. We might even make it a two day trip.

[painterbob]

when you're 14 stuff like that doesn't matter so much!

that's a true sign , HE'S GOING TO BE RIVER RAT !!

[Eric Esche]

We had such a great day, We are going back tomorrow to do Ponca To Kyles Landing, hopefully will less of a bumper boat crowd than they had today. We saw folks all day on Ozark to Carver here and there, but not enough to detract from the scenery and the wonderful weather and water. Outr group was Mike Bebee and son Mike, Roger Keesee, Richard McFadden, Mary McFann, Chloe ( her wonder dog) and my self. We found a wonderful shaded rock shelf to take lunch on and Mike, Mike, and Roger fell asleep. Just a great day on the water with good friends.

If anyone wants to join us tomorrow, we are leaving to run shuttle from Ponca at 9:30AM sharp.

Hope you had a great day as well.

Eric Esche

[MikeBeebe]

Maybe Eric will allow me to make one change for tomorrow. We will be ready to float at Ponca at 9:30 AM It was a fantastic day to be on the water today. Looking forward to floating tomorrow as well.

Mike

[MikeBeebe]

P.S. - Breakfast 7:30 AM at Ozark Cafe before floating tomorrow if you want to join us.

Mike

[Karla]

Ponca was a great fun level Saturday. Had I not been so tired I would have stayed for today plus didn't want to get back so late as I have to work Monday.

Karla

[Eric Esche]

Today was another great day of good water, good weather, good friends, and treasured memories. It was Mary's and Chloe's first trip down Ponca to Kyles, and my first tandem run there. Wish you could have heard Mary's reaction when we went over her first ledge.

Mike Beebe, and Mike the younger, Roger, Richard, Painter Bob, Mina, Beth, and Zac made our group of 9, but Painter Bob hung back with Beth Mina, and Zac most of the day to play and polish strokes.

Painter Bob showed me a new way home via HW21 that is much shorter. I had always avoided it in the past when it was icy in the winter and in Elk season, but I will take it again when the weather is not icy.

Again, Thanks to everyone for such a wonderful weekend. Thankyous also for helping me load and unload my heavy old canoe. It's one of those things I can do If I take long enough, but it is ugly, and it really hurts my neck. Guess a canoe trailer is somewhere down the road for me. Mary has ordered one for her car for the sea kayaks.

I'll try and post a link to some photos with in a week.

Eric Esche

[aquagirl]

Such a wonderful week-end on the Buffalo!! Enjoyed meeting new friends & catching up with ole ones.

Many thanks to Painter Bob for all the "tutoring" - - you're the bomb

Hope to see ya'll again soon.

Beth & Zach