BUFFALO RIVER-MAR 20-22-Tyler Bend**Pictures

[Richard]

Here are the pictures I took. If there are any you want in higher resolution email me.
http://community.webshots.com/slideshow/570646420oZudrD" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Updates will be posted here.

UPDATE #4:
Here is the plan:
Friday: Camp at Tyler Bend Group site #1. You will see two large white tents with blue rain flies. Thats us. They are already set up so if you get there first you will know you are in the right place.
Saturday: Day float from Tyler Bend to Gilbert. Be at Group site #1 at 10:30am to run shuttles.

After the float I would suggest checking out the visitor center and trails in the area.


UPDATE #3: I just came from Tyler Bend and talked to a couple who paddled Woolum to Tyler Bend on Wednesday. They were in Kayaks and it took them 7 hours to get from Woolum to Tyler Bend. The had to get out a couple of times. They said from Baker Ford to Tyler Bend was no problem. The water level had dropped into the low but floatable range which means we will be dragging. Sooooooooooooo. We really need to rethink this one.

Ken Smith is at Tyler Bend at Group site #1. He said we are welcome to join him Friday night. The group sites are on the right as you approach the damaged launch area. #1 is the first area. Each group site has water. There may not be a cost for camping but if there is it will be $3 per person.

Here is my suggestion.
Option 1: Baker Ford to Tyler Bend and camping at Arnold Bluff. We could do some exploring or just take it easy.

Option 2: Tyler Bend to Gilbert. We could do this as a day trip or camp on a gravel bar at Lane Bend. I think I would prefer daytripping.[/color]

UPDATE #2 - Weather - Who is going
We are close enough to get a fair idea of what the weather will be like. Friday will be fantastic. Saturday should be good too with increasing chance of rain as we go into Sunday. Bring rain gear. You should do that on all these trips whether rain is forecast or not.
Its time to start seeing who is going. No rush but it would be helpful to know who is arriving on Friday. Who will be daytripping on Saturday.

UPDATE #1 MON 3-16: WOOLUM TO BAKER FORD - BE THERE BY 10:30AM - FIREWOOD - Good family float
We will camp at Tyler Bend Friday night.

We expect water levels to be at the bottom of ample. Expect to scrape at Little Niagra, and a few other places but you won't be needing to get out. And if you are light and masterful, no scraping at all. Be at Woolum at 10:30 so you can unload boats and get them ready to launch. Shuttles will run no later than 11am. We should be on the river by noon. Stop for lunch about 1pm. We will camp at Peter Cave Bluff. It is a beautiful gravel bar. We would suggest bringing some firewood. Its only about a mile to Baker Ford from Peter Cave Bluff so daytrippers will have company most of the way. We will paddle about 10 miles on Saturday.
[/color]
Buffalo River levels:
Upper (BOC) http://www.buffaloriver.com/riverlevel.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Upper (Ponca gauge) http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/uv?cb ... o=07055646" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Middle (Hwy 65 gauge) http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=07056000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Lower (Hwy 14 gauge) http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb_00 ... o=07056700" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Who's going:
Pam & Jon
Cartman
painterbob
sugarmtngal & friend
Karl
Doug
Paddlegal & Friend
Eric & Mary
Richard
Rodger



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 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.

[fryingsquirrel]

Hey Richard, I just found out yesterday that I gotta move, and I should be in the new place by the 18'th. So I don't know if mom or I can make it yet. I'll let her know about it though. Catch you later.
Jon Ellwood

[Karla]

Richard,
I would love to go then. Hope something further up is flowing. Only problem, I am out for undetermined amount of time for paddling myself. Sunday, I fell and hurt my upper right arm and shoulder. Skinned myself up on the pavement going to my van. Nothing broken, but awaiting MRI result if worse damaged. Now, I could go if someone were to paddle me in a raft or tandem canoe.

Karla

[Cartman]

This is my first post here after lurking around for a while. But, I might be able to make this float. Do you normally camp on the river or do you stay in the campground halfway? I have a new boat and gear that is ready to get good and broke in on the Buffalo!

[Clif]

Final vote is the conditions when the time gets here. River level and forecast. Campground or on a mid river gravel bar just depends how and where it all works out.

[painterbob]

i got side tracked last weekend. I stopped at buffalo river canoe's and ended up installing new stickers on 80 canoes, and hanging up new tee- shirts, and doing the big clean up into the wee- morning hours. then ended up camping at ozark camp ground(i was the only one !!) woke up around 10 am to the birds singing and choking smoke of the wood on fire! it was a control burn . i did end up paddling sunday from eurbie to pruit it was low ,I never had to get out. but did have to back-up a few times to find enough water to float through some skinny spots...... but i'm looking forward to this trip!

[Richard]

Cartman, Friday nights are in a campground. We camp on a gravel bar Saturday night when water and weather allows. So the answer to your question will come as we get closer to Mar 20th.

[Cartman]

Great! nothing better than sleeping on a gravel bar with the whip-r-wills blasting away!

[Kyle Milton]

Ill be there but I will be solo this time, hopefully it wont be as cold as it was in December when I fell in and got wet, burrrr. I posted info on this float on the Lewis & Clark website, hope no one minds. Ok, I look forward to seeing you all there.

[Richard]

The Buffalo is running much below normal right now and the extended forecast is not offering much hope for change. Regardless, the Buffalo is capable of doing its magic at any level. But it does mean that we will not have as many options as we like.

Rodger and I will be taking an LNT class the following weekend so its this weekend or none for the rest of the month of March. And who knows, weather forecasting is less than good this time of year.

Speaking of LNT (Leave no Trace), I feel we do a pretty good job but there is alway room for improvement. That's one of the reasons we have signed up for the course. We will be placing more emphasis on it in the future.

I am pleased to announce that when we got pulled over by the park rangers last week, we passed their inspection. The big issue was glass this time but be aware of all the laws posted at the bottom of the first post.

[GutIt]

Hey Richard?

Congratulations on the LNT sign-up! I bet you guys will have a blast. Good choice!

I was just curious. Did the Rangers pull you over on the water?

[Richard]

Terry, we were paddling along Cash Bend below Baker Ford when two park rangers walked to the edge of a gravel bar and motioned for us to pull in. They had driven to the area looking for signs of elk poaching. When they saw us coming they decided it would be a good chance to practice their ranger skills. :shock:

[sugarmtngal]

Richard,
Will be joining you for this float trip and may be bringing a friend (hiker) whom is interested in floating! SYOTR

[Richard]

UPDATE #1 MON 3-16: WOOLUM TO BAKER FORD - BE THERE BY 10:30AM - FIREWOOD - Good family float

We will camp at Tyler Bend Friday night.

We expect water levels to be at the bottom of ample. Expect to scrape at Little Niagra, and a few other places but you won't be needing to get out. And if you are light and masterful, no scraping at all. Be at Woolum at 10:30 so you can unload boats and get them ready to launch. Shuttles will run no later than 11am. We should be on the river by noon. Stop for lunch about 1pm. We will camp at Peter Cave Bluff. It is a beautiful gravel bar. We would suggest bringing some firewood. Its only about a mile to Baker Ford from Peter Cave Bluff so daytrippers will have company most of the way. We will paddle about 10 miles on Saturday.

[Richard]

UPDATE #2 - Weather - Who is going
We are close enough to get a fair idea of what the weather will be like. Friday will be fantastic. Saturday should be good too with increasing chance of rain as we go into Sunday. Bring rain gear. You should do that on all these trips whether rain is forecast or not.
Its time to start seeing who is going. No rush but it would be helpful to know who is arriving on Friday. Who will be daytripping on Saturday.