Oh, Yes, I Can!

I set out with, and without the company of friends to walk, or paddle.  I have certain rules that I follow: listen to sounds, greet fellow passersby and look them in the eye; smile.  Take a walking stick. Be aware of my surroundings. For paddling: paddle as far from the bank as I would want to swim; wear my PFD; go on familiar waters, and stick to what I know...mostly.  For the colder days now, shift to clothing to keep warm, but not constricted-after all, I may want to take a picture!   I don't want to get wet, and a dry suit is a welcome thought for warmth and protection, especially in water that is cold all the time anyway.  But, for now, silk or NorthFace mid-weight long underwear, is keeping me warm under fleece pants tucked into  neoprene boots.  Wool socks, wool finger-tipless gloves with a mitten cap, and a light knit hat on my head keep the far-points warm, and  two layers add warmth under my PFD.  That is what I face the cold with, determined to keep moving, to beat the cold.

Where you might ask would I want to go in such armour?  How about Spring Creek, where I saw ice in the mud on the stream bank?
I was looking for Aspen, and there were few here.  However, there were still  leaves turning color...just around the next bend.  The headwaters, and the end of the creek proved especially colorful.  It was there for the finding.

Other places, hinted at the change of color, or what was left of the leaves- and the clear waters never fail to entice.

This then is the draw to resist winterizing and putting my kayak away for the season.  The view from the water....is fine.

I found the camping spot near the springs of the creek with a fire pit, and used the Sterno stove and fuel to make myself a nice warm cup of tomato soup.  Perfect.  Warmth inside to take me back.

Enjoy the views!

Bumping Up

The Klamath River Irongate run stretches on for approximately 10.8 river miles to near  the R. Collier I-5 rest area.  It also has some stretches of class I and II rapids.  I learned a few things from this run, which fullfilled my mental check-off list:  #1.  Face fears.   It gets easier when I'm experiencing new or challenging things.  The experience becomes less huge with friends who have gone before.  #2. Use proper equipment.  While learning the way of the water on my 106 Dirigo kayak, I was also learning the importance of a well-fitted spray skirt.  The 7.0 that fits the 14-foot Dirigo, does not fit the 106 quite as well.  Once the water splashed over the deck and filled my lap with water, I was tasked with watching every splash over, leaving me to fiddle with with a distraction I didn't need or want.  #3. At the end of a run, even though you know where your key is...eyeball it again before you hop in the shuttle.... a whistle that is as black as the key will simply not start the car!

While thinking about this run and remembering the Rogue River last summer, it feels like the Rogue was more work.  I took it in a raft, which I thought at the time would  feel more controllable.  I am pleased to say, that the Klamath River was 'not so bad'.  It was taking on what I thought of as a bigger challenge.  After all, there were reports of others who had fallen in at some point.  I paddled the river, and 'bumped up' my experience.

Experience alone isn't the only way to 'bump up'.  Solid information fuels expectations and possibilities, even remote ones.  While waiting for the next paddle, I'm reading  related topics to paddling, learning about others experiences, what they've observed, and how they view their paddles.  In this week's  "In the Same Boat" by Tamia Nelson, on paddling.net  she discusses survival in the event of a capsize without  the day-bag stowed on board.  Worth thinking about.
Now, I just need more time on the water.

As a reminder- many of our paddle trips are listed under two links,  "Trip Reports" and "Put-in and Take-out Locations for Local Area"  on the right hand side of this blog.  You will find information such as time-of-year river flows, put-in, take-outs, notable features, and much more for your paddling enjoyment. Also, equipment can be found at the web sites, many of which we've used.  I think I'll go look up 'spray skirt'...