ARG to Richland (3-28)

[davidbob]

Rubber and hard boats on Richland tomorrow (Sat., 3-28). ARG will be at full strength.

Marcell's already up there (he's still banned). We're trying to track down Tim Man.

Ranger Rick (aka The Gauley Shaman) and I have to come back to LR tomorrow. Cap'n Downstream, Ross and Lippo are hanging around to run upper or lower on Sunday, depending on the how much rain falls tonight.

[Tim Eubanks]

Due to fatherly obligations and cold weather, I must accept a trip report from ARG instead of first-hand experience this time.

Now that Jay can paddle, he opts to do just that. Riding in a raft will not compare with piloting his own craft down a river. After today's run on the Upper Tot I have to feed the machine. I think he'd be fine for lower Richland in warmer weather, with ARG support (thanks again, JimBob).

Will Marcel be along to throw ropes?

[Ryan Viser]

ARG?? What the heck is that?? David Bob, I thought you were a proud outstanding member of the RBF?? You can't have dual citizenship ya know!

[davidbob]

Will Marcel be along to throw ropes?

Marcell will be going in case sun spot activity disrupts radio signals to the space shuttle and NASA contacts us looking for an alternative way to communicate with it.

Ryan - My RBF brothers have entered a kinder gentler stage. They don't do Richland (they're afraid their skills will humiliate the kayakers) or rafts (lest they be mistaken for kwakhead raft support). So, what's a whitewater junkie like me to do? Embarrass myself on the Poonanny section of the Mulberry or hide my shame on Richland?

[Rotifer Thalweg]

Ryan - you asked "what is ARG?"

ARG deploys its fleet of Super Pumas on most every stream in Arkansas, including the Hailstone, Upper/Lower Richland, and the Cossatot.

ARG = Arkansas Raft Guides. ARG is the only Arkansas whitewater organization devoted exclusively to the principle that we don't need to know how to tie pretty knots or stand waist deep in cold water for 2 days to certify ourselves as rafting experts.

[A Savage spanke]

I looove super pumas

theres one on the tellico video

[canoe]

Heading up to BpaddlinRichland Ranch in the nxt 30-45 minutes. See you there. Dale

[Cowper]

Looks like it will be a big day on Richland. Sunday will be good too, maybe even better when you consider the forecast for Sunday is sunny and warming...

Note for Rafters: The ice storm damage did not fully block any rapids, but there are several spots with tree tops in the water or where one of two possible routes is blocked, one tree that is only 2.5 feet over the water across the entire channel (could be 1.5 feet at today's level), and other similar "wood" issues that Richland has generally not had much of in the past.

Kayakers and open boaters have not had any major issues, but this could add an extra challenge to the rafting equation. A few spots have already been slightly trimmed, but we will probably be dealing with wood and moving wood for the next several years.

[Zach]

Anyone heading out of LR area? Is so give me a call. 479 283 9744

[davidbob]

Note for Rafters: The ice storm damage did not fully block any rapids, but there are several spots with tree tops in the water or where one of two possible routes is blocked, one tree that is only 2.5 feet over the water across the entire channel (could be 1.5 feet at today's level), and other similar "wood" issues that Richland has generally not had much of in the past.

We lined 4 rafts around the tree across the channel below Green Room. Great day - trip report to follow.