Buffalo in Arkansas must be done early
Because of the low water found later in the summer. I may try to do about a shorter version of the entire length this summer if my BWCA plans fall through. Something like Pruitt to Y City on the White.
Another option is to do the White River from the Dam at Bull Shoals to Batesville a good warm up at only 140 miles… Flat water not many rapids.
Bruce
Hey wrangler88
– Last Updated: Jan-15-09 5:16 PM EST –
nice to see someone else under the age of 40 around here.... seems the vast majority of folks here are crusty old paddling vets lol
im 23 and have been paddling since I was 15-16 and amongst our 'paddling peers' the only other young folks (besides the drunks in canoes) are these folks kids that come with them. nice to see more folks our age getting out and discovering paddling on their own.
so youre thinking a 1-2 week trip? what youre doing is very easily attainable, and the only thing to complicate it would be what river and how tough/remote it is. for example, i paddle ozark rivers here in Mo and some of them are sparsley popluated with houses along them every so often. they are still remote and very beautiful but it is an easier paddle. On the other hand you can get some wilderness streams you are far away from anyone and it would be more challenging.
Ive paddled a few streams from start to finish, but nothing over a weeks time. smaller streams are all ive been able to get time for, no large rivers. ive done long sections of large rivers but start to finish is a hard trip to make happen with real world obligations like work and family.
ive got a few suggestions on trips if youd like, based on personal trips.
food for thought, if youre looking to cover a great distance with alot of pddling you may want to look into the Missouri River 340 race. 340 miles of the missouri river, 100 hours to finish. of 'cool shit' on MY bucket list thats a big one. Little more exciting/challenging to me than one river start to finish. probably just my take on things though. also you can still paddle 50-75+ miles on some rivers and see some terrific scenery without doing the whole thing.
anyway, ill check back in here in a few days and hopefully with more specific info for ya.
edit: seems like I read in here this will be a late summer trip? if so, late summer your only options are larger rivers. majority of smaller more scenic rivers will ahve little flow in the late summer and can only be paddled in their entirety in the spring. if youre restriced to a 2 week trip in late summer your options for 'entire river' are limited. there are several good ones locally here in missouri that I can think of that would work for such a late summer paddle. and along the same train of late summer though, the MO river 340 is in august if i remeber right
Susquehanna
I just did the Susquehanna this last summer(444 mi). Although you will face portages as I am certain with most entire river scenarios - generally it offers reasonable paddling conditions for a less experienced paddler. I do suggest however you take a buddy. I did the last half by myself with a couple of near mishaps. The prep and security doing the first half with a partner gave me the confidence to complete the latter on my own. The issue is that one small thing that can go terribly wrong - so the usual advice to paddle with someone is to be considered.
Linda M.
Camp Hill Pa
Susquehanna
I just did the Susquehanna this last summer(444 mi). Although you will face portages as I am certain with most entire river scenarios - generally it offers reasonable paddling conditions for a less experienced paddler. I do suggest however you take a buddy. I did the last half by myself with a couple of near mishaps. The prep and security doing the first half with a partner gave me the confidence to complete the latter on my own. The issue is that one small thing that can go terribly wrong - so the usual advice to paddle with someone is to be considered.
Linda M.
Camp Hill Pa
Check this out!
This may be helpful. His Florida trips can be done any time of the year. Many rivers of various lengths are available.
http://www.solitaireboats.com/Tours.html