Yard Sale on Lower Richland Probably to Buffalo by Now

[bmartin]

I wrapped a 12' Blue raft on lower Richland today (May 25) and got it unwrapped by releasing air out of some of the chambers but when it unwrapped it want bye bye faster than we could run/swim. We did not make it a mile before the carnage started and hiking down stream and watching the take out did not produce any results. Needless to say a long day made worse by lack of gas in a shuttle vehicle making a hike out all that much longer. No one was hurt but should anyone run lower Richland or heck the Bufalo below Richland and see a blue raft snagged or what little pride I have left somewhere let me know. It is an Aquacraft self bailer and had my throw rope attached. I think my throw rope had my name on it but not sure. Somehow we managed to save the floor which looks like that will make a nice sturdy pool foat now. Its 11:30 at night and will read this tomorrow to make sure anything I typed makes sense.

Thanks, -Brad
5o1 six 2 six 15 84

[Owl]

I've never seen a "lost raft" post before. I hope you find her.

It's a great story, though.

[painterbob]

call silver hills, and Buffalo river outfitters . they put-in @ woolum and would be the first to see it. and call the park service and report it lost. your window of recovery is small . the lower buffalo has been closed due to high water levels. and a body recovery going on up stream of there.

[NoQuarter]

Raft was pinned on some small trees river left about 1 mile below Richland Campground. Looked like it was stuck pretty good yesterday and would not be too difficult to recover with a team.

Hope the best for y'all with the recovery.
Jon

[bmartin]

Just retrieved a voice message from Jack Z with same info. Thanks guys. Will be heading up there this weekend to extract.

If anyone runs the lower and see's it hung in a different spot or has designs on being up there this weekend, please let me know. I'm working on getting my own crew organized.

[Cowper]

I have to work in the morning, but, this is almost too good to pass up. Depending on what time you head up, I might be able to meet you in Atkins. Will touch base with you tonight to see what kind of schedule you're on. (check PM's)

PS - Are you sure you guys are not just pulling my leg to watch me get all excited?

QUESTION: How far from the mouth of Bobtail Creek is the raft pinned? Is it upstream or downstream?

[Cowper]

Thanks JackZ and Jon for the location intel. Beautiful afternoon to be out playing on the creek. And Mission Accomplished.


Raft recovery craft

[JackZ]

Nice job Cowper , was it hard to get out. I wish i had a picture of you towing that thing down the river.

[Cowper]

Brad couldn't get off work as early as I could so I headed out first as the advance scouting unit. We had pre-arranged that I would send out one message with the Spot GPS messenger to let him know if I was still on the move and looking, and a second message to let him know when and where I had found the raft; the idea being that he would get these updates as he drove up to join the effort and know where to go on the four wheeler.

Found the foot pump as I floated down to the raft, then one paddle near the raft. The beer cooler and throw rope were still in the raft; it was the cooler which had snagged a willow. Tied off a rope to an upstream tree; lower water made it relatively easy to wade out to the raft. Tied the raft off, then once freed from the willow the rope pendulumed it to shore. The raft was a little less than 1/2 mile downsteam, but your "10 to 15 minutes paddling" estimate was right on. Just by shear luck, the place it was pinned happened to be where the old road (now a four wheeler trail) gets within 30 feet of the river.

Paddled on down to the mouth of Bobtail but found no more loose gear. Carried the yak the one mile back upstream to the campground bridge; then made another round trip down the trail to the raft location and carried up all the remaining loose gear. Made a third trip, dragged the raft up on the trail; had it folded up and was carrying it back up the trail when Brad arrived with the four-wheeler for some much appreciated assistance.

I know it's a cliche, but I love it when a plan comes together.

[okieboater]

And, Mr Recovery Man's plan gets the job done.

If you are in trouble on a creek, Cowper is the answer!

Thanks Cowper, for all the help you give us boaters.

[bmartin]

Cowper is a Hereo!!!! THANK YOU, Danke Schein, Mucho Grassies (sp?) Merci beaucoup.......

I couldn't beleive my eyes when I was driving down the trail and seeing what looked like either a bipedal pack mule or a sherpa carying that raft over his shoulder. I was worried I would miss the rendevous spot and no mistaking it when I saw Cowper with that raft.

I had to let Cowper drive the 4 wheeler back to the camp with raft in tow for the victory lap.

You are a prince of a man Cowper. Thank You.

[Cowper]

Let's see, paddling richland (even just a little bit, and low), savaging gear for friends, sunny weather, swimsuit not a drysuit.

There is no device which can measure how much this beat the alternative of staying at work after lunch.