Lost Paddler on Richland

[Cowper]

I think Dr Dale is going to spearhead exactly that. (Paddler's Guide to Hiking Richland Creek)

Yes, I believe the lost paddler did a fair amount of bushwhacking, and there are easier routes out. But in fairness, I know of two cases of paddlers who attempted the hike out on the left side; those weren't cake-walks either. In one case, the paddler chose poorly and followed a faint road which led away from the river. In the other case, multiple creek crossings were involved; hypothermia was an issue. I remember when they were removing some of the paddler's dry gear at the ER that night, a big chunck of ice fell out. (yes, it was a VERY cold day)

Having been involved in one or two of these incidents, my comment would be this: Those of us who know the creek well, are always tempted to stay with the "downriver" crew. But we are also the ones best able to find the optimum trails out, without side-tracking and diversions. I have been telling myself that if there is an injury or severe weather involved, I think we need to consider biting the bullet and hiking out with our friends if there is any doubt. A verbal description of "the way out" just may not be adequate to insure their safety.

My other comment would be this: If you have to hike out, just hike out. Don't feel like you "must" drag/carry the boat. Richland is a short run; there are few places where you couldn't return when conditions are better to recover the boat; often, the easiest thing would be for a friend to hike in the next day and just paddle it downriver at lower water. Leave it above the high water line (assume the river will rise), but leave it where it can be seen. Get back to the cars before dark. We'll pull together like we always do and help you get your boat back the next day.

[canoe]

No it is not the first time you have heard that phrase. I was involved a bit in the LOST PADDLER incident. Pam and I were headed home Sunday evening, when we met Billy Williams on the road and he told us that somebody had hiked out above Crack, and they were looking for him. Being on call the next day, I felt I had to go home, but we talked with the group staying at the cabin several times, Billy called the Rescue squad in Newton Co., someone else staying at the cabin called the family, who drove up late that nite and spent the nite in their cars at Ben Hur church, meanwhile some of the folks at the cabin took our 4-wheelers riding the ridges to the south of Richland till near midnite. From what I gather, they were on an old logging road just North of the Garrison's farm, and were probably only a few hundred yards from the Lost Paaddler at a couple of points, but couldn't make connection. At daybreak everyone was back looking, and the LP walked up on a forrest service guy on the same logging road that the folks on 4-wheelers had been on the nite before. Ther is an old logging road on top of the ridge on river right at the point where he got out, but not till you are at least a mile or two from the river. i agree with Lazer that for the most part, above Knucklebuster, the best route out is on river left, upstream. You can cross the ridge down into the private property at Big Eddy(a rough road down to there ,but doable, plus be real respectfull to anyone who might be there"read between the lines",). there is also an old road that starts on river left just above the first big cliff face on river right, that will take you out to Rosmond Cemetary on the north shuttle road. From Knucklebuster to Cindy's hole, the next best route out might actually be up thru the Big Devil's Fork drainage. Once you get above Big Devil's falls, you would have to bushwack upstream on river right till you get below Little Big Devil's Falls, scramble up to the bench on river left, and find the old logging road that goes back uo to Hill Cemetary, south of Icelado Gap. If you are at Cindy's or below , the best route out is on river left along the hiking trail(not the OHT) that comes out on the north road about 3 benches above Richland. Overall, good thing that the LP could make fire and some backwoods experience. However, next time I would recomend leaving the boat and coming backfor it another day. I thik the Paddler's Guide to Hiking Richland, plus a paddler's Guide to Paddling Richland may have reached it's time to be... Dale

[Ryan Center]

Or you could just build a fire with your dry top gaskets and wait for help.

[canoe]

By the way, Pam and I are thinking about converting the old hog barn into a hostel type bunk building for paddlers/hikers. any thoughts? dale

[paddledog]

I disagree personally with the idea of a public guide to Richland.
Richland has always had the mystic of the graduating creek.
It is a standard that other creeks and paddlers are measured with.
"Have you run Richland?......Successfully?"
Where is the mystic of the Ocoee?
Although it has happened I'm sure, I have never heard of anyone
finding Richland on the map and trying to run it without the help of a
veteran. (When was the last time you were there the water was
up and there wasn't a crew of the locals to paddle/talk with?)
Instead I propose this community become more familiar with the
info that is presented in this thread and on the creek with
the veterans. When was the last time you were being shown down
a new creek that you asked about the walk out? This should be as
common of a question as river levels or rapid lines.
Is your E-kit up to snuff?
Fire, compass/GPS, headlights and the like are as important as pin kits.
Cowper is right on about decisions on what to hike out with, I walked a
friend out that dislocated a shoulder at Cindy's hole. Both of our boats
were shuttled down river by our group by putting the skirts on the boats
and shoving them ahead of the group. Unless you can see the trucks from
where you are, I personally don't think anyone without
the intimate knowledge of Richland should be allowed to walk out alone.
Just my 2¢...........

[Clif]

Good point... maybe not "PUBLIC" but perhaps stuck away somewhere for those who know and are gonna go it could be a good resource.

[Zach]

'Public' or not seems a moot point. The American Whitewater page has just about all the beta anyone would want.

[Trismegistus]

Oh no!

[Zach]

sorry, double post

[okieboater]

I agree totally with the idea that Upper Richland Creek has a certain mystery and feeling of pride when one makes their first successful run.

My memory is not what it used to be, but I can clearly remember just about every move a couple of my Okie paddling buds and I made on our first trip down Upper Richland.

In my opinion - that thrill of first discovery is one of the great things about Upper Richland.

Again, in my opinion, knowing that if something bad did happen a boater should stash their boat and bushwhack down river left side either up or down the creek - is just added safety factor and does not take away from the mystery of this classic Arkansas Creek run.

I know from personal experience that walking the sides of Upper Richland involves walking through a lot of camoflauged rocks that can easily break or sprain one's ankle. I think it would be a good thing if this group got the required permits and made some sort of rough paddler walk out trail. Not a big time backpacking route but something that would give a hurt boater a better chance of making it out.

This is a great thread and can result in some really great safety factors for boaters.

[ARzach]

I think Dr Dale is going to spearhead exactly that. (Paddler's Guide to Hiking Richland Creek)

While we're at it maybe we could make it into a "Paddler's Guide to Hiking in Arkansas".

We could add things like best way to hike out of....

Boen Gulf
Hurricane Creek/Boss Hollow
Osage
Fern Gulley
Hailstone
etc
etc

I know a few fellas who may have some very valuable information as to how to hike out of several creeks in Newton County :twisted:

--Zach W

[pearson]

hey guys i know im new to the site and not familiar with richland creek area and i am new to paddling but i have been in and around the woods my whole life. I was just wondering if someone might could walk richland and put markers up to mark the best walk out with a boat like they mark the OHT maybe this could be a weekend project for some of the canoe club members. I think this would be a good way to help people stay in the right direction without having to ruin someone elses paddling. I think cowper is right that someone familiar with the creek walking the boater out is a good idea but my only concern with that is someone may continue with the trip so they dont feel like they are ruining someone elses day by making them walk out with them. Even though i think marking a good trail out is a good way to avoid this problem. I feel the buddy system should be used whenver possible. I also like the book ideal but i think there still needs to be trail markers up for people who dont read the book and to aid those not familiar with the area.

[prophet]

A Paddler's Hiking Guide to Richland Creek. This is not the first time this idea has been floated, is it Marcel?

can you add chapters for the Hailstone and Hurricane Creek wilderness areas too?

[canoe]

I don't believe that the Forrest Service will allow us to put up any markers or mark/make any type of trails in the Richland Creek Wilderness Area(It's wilderness) That's why the OHT swings south of Richland down to Falling Water. As far as Hurricane, the OHT follows the creek from the trailhead on river left, crosses the creek twice, although there is a high water cutoff on river left that takes you to Fort Douglas. Dale

[Trismegistus]

Guides. Markers. GPS Points. Maps. Trails.

Hell why not just install a paved handicapped accessible pathway running the entire length of the creek? Put in a few firepits, helipads and rest rooms and we'll be all set.

Can't we just keep a little bit of our state "wild and wonderful"? Making it tough to have a real adventure anymore.... I say if a paddler can't deal with the consequences of being on a wilderness paddling adventure stay home. We don't need more Rockports.