Rendezvous-Canoe Camping-NOTE! 12:30pm next to dining hall

[Richard]

UPDATE:12:30pm!!! NEW TIME same place. We will meet on the lawn next to the dining hall at Camp Couchdale at 12:30pm. As you are facing the dining hall from the road, we will be on the lawn to your right. (the side closest to registration)

I am presenting a canoe camping session at the Rendezvous again this year. Last year we had about six attend. Canoe camping has become a lost art over the last 20 years as whitewater kayaking has become the paddling activity of most interest.

Bucking the trend, this past year we had some pretty successful weekend floats on the Buffalo. Rodger and I plan to do the same again this year. Water has been good all summer on the lower Buffalo so we may have the first float in late September or early October.

The canoe camping session at the Rendezvous will help those who would like to canoe camp but haven't yet taken that first step. Experienced canoe campers are welcome also. We never get to the point where we know it all so the more input the better. I will have the recommended gear and show how to have an enjoyable time "roughing it".

As we get closer to Rendezvous I will post some websites of interest. Since this is intended to be for the benefit of the participants, any questions and suggestions are welcome.

[sugarmtngal]

Richard, as of yet I have not registered, but would be very interested in attending your class! See you there. :)
gretchen

[lbaker]

Richard, sounds great! Count me in!
Leigh Baker (newbie)

[sugarmtngal]

Richard, please reserve a spot for me.
Gretchen

[WhiteBuffalo]

Richard, canoe camping is alive and well but you have to go where it is at. Any of the three summer months go to the Gammon River or the Bloodview River in Manitoba and you will see that this sport is doing alright. It might not be faring as well here in the South but Canada holds her own in this department.

White Buffalo

[Richard]

White Buffalo, I agree with you about Canadians. That would also go for Minnesotans because of the Boundary Waters. A few years ago Byron Eubanks gave me ten years worth of Canoe (Canoe & Kayak) magazine. It spanned the years from 1989 to 1999. It was amazing to me the evolution that took place in those ten years from emphasis on canoe camping to whitewater kayaking. The ACA and ACC would be more accurate in reflecting their membership if they were AKA and AKC.
Having said that, we have a core group within the ACC that really enjoys canoe camping . . . as we discovered this last year. And I think it will grow as more members discover the enjoyment of canoe camping.

Gretchen and Leigh. There is no class size restriction for this activity but if there was you would be on the top of the list.

[okieboater]

River Camping is not just for Canoes!

As Richard knows, I enjoy his winter Buffalo River floats a ton. Canoe camping is great for me cause I can carry my Silverback Paco Pad, my Dutch ovens and recliner chair. Floating the Buffalo with Richard and Roger is like having professional historians and guides as these guys know a lot about the Buffalo and are glad to share.

But, another little known fact is white water kayaks can still be camped out of. More and more folks are exploring pretty challenging multi day floats in WW kayaks. I have done it. The freedom you get is just awesome. A kayaker in a WW Creek boat, does have to cut the extras down quite a bit from canoe camping. But it can be done. I have done 4 nights and 5 days out of a WW Creek boat and was ready for a shower and hot meal at the take out, but that is not much different from any river trip for me.

Bottom line is river camping is very special to us boaters - and I love to river camp. Does not matter if it is my big 18 ft Cataraft loaded with goodies, my canoe loaded with a nice but smaller selection of goodies or my WW Creek boat loaded with freeze dry and ultra lite camping gear --- it is all fun, just different ways to float a river!

[Richard]

Dave, thats a good point. On our Buffalo River floats we have Kayaks, solo and tandem canoes, and Bob Stout even brought his raft. No boats barred.

I would like to stress that, like Vous, our floats are family friendly too. The only concern one should have about bringing children is weather related. We want them to have a good time and if they have a bad experience because of weather then they may never want to try it again. My grandkids love river camping.

[RomanLA]

But, another little known fact is white water kayaks can still be camped out of. More and more folks are exploring pretty challenging multi day floats in WW kayaks.

I wouldn't mind trying that in my creek boat. All of my backpacking gear is extremely small and lightweight. My pack was only 15lbs before food and water for my last trip...and 4lbs of that was my pack! lol By the way, there are some companies starting to make whitewater kayaks with dry stern storage compartments too. That would definitely come in handy on a long trip if it was bombproof.

[Richard]

Never assume a dry bag or storage compartment will keep things dry. They normally will if the dunking is a quick one. But if water is allowed to stick around it will get in.

[RomanLA]

Never assume a dry bag or storage compartment will keep things dry. They normally will if the dunking is a quick one. But if water is allowed to stick around it will get in.

Yeah...I think I would have to pick up some Watershed bags for peace of mind.

[Richard]

This is a pretty good site for canoe camping information:
http://www.canoe-camping.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Look at the left hand column of the home page:

Under
General Info about canoe camping:

you will see
Gear checklist

[Shark Attack]

Thanks for that link Richard. I just found out I've been forgetting my halter top

Wes

[lbaker]

Thanks Richard, I will be helping with registration Friday night. Looking forward to meeting more of the great folks of the ACC.

Hey Shark Attack, thanks! I needed that laugh!!!!!
Leigh

[RomanLA]

I'm setting up a vendor tent for Bliss-Stick. I'm hoping I get a chance to sneak off to a class though.