Bad River Paddle

In between blizzards we had nice weather on Saturday. High temperatures were in the upper 40's and the wind was maybe 10-15 mph. So, Pat and I decided to go for an afternoon paddle. Becauase I had some other things to get done we didn't get on the water until 3:30. The ramp along the casueway was crowded with fisherman launching and landing their boats. Where were these guys in January and February??? We launched from an area next to the ramp and headed over to Fort Pierre to check out the Bad River.I have only gone part way up it once before but ran into ice in December. Pat has gone farther before until the water got too shallow to paddle.

As we went up the river we found no ice remaining. We did spot a number of hawks, a couple muskrats, and a heron that kept just a head of us for a while until it finally flew away. We were able to go about 2 and a half miles upstream to a ways beyond the second railroad bridge. The wind picked up slightly and was a little rough on the Missouri on the return trip. Total time on the water was a bit over 2 and a half hours and we paddled about 7.5 miles. The pictures that follow are several of Pat and of the heron after he took off one of the times.

ANOTHER March Paddle

With the weather being so nice again it didn't take much convincing to go kayaking again. Temperatures were up into the 60's. Pat and I again met at the causeway and headed upstream. We started along the Pierre shoreline and after getting beyond town we switched over to the west shore. The temperature was noticeably cooler on that side, near what amounts to an island. In fact, it dropped from about 60 along the east shore to about 50. The water was still around 37 degrees and the wind was nearly non-existent. The water was clear and we could see fish at different times. Which would explain why we were not alone on the water. At least half a dozen boats had taken off from the same place as us. Walkers and bicyclists were all along he path next to the river. Something we had not seen much of the other times we have been out.

There was a noticeable current so the trip upstream took about an hour and 10 minutes to get to a point beyond the island where several people were fishing. It appears that this point is about half way between the causeway and the Oahe Marina. On the return trip we took a slightly more direct route and with the current only to 50 minutes to get back. Total distance traveled was about 5.7 miles.

Here are a few pictures of Pat, the dam in the distance, some of the houses in Pierre and the railroad bridge.

Another March Paddle (already)

The weather forecast for the last few days have been off to say the least. The forecast for Friday had been for highs in the upper 40's. Despite the fact that that it was only in the upper 20's Pat and I went paddling. The forecast for today was only in the 20's. But, that changed and it started to warm up by noon. So,with that in mind we decided to go out again. Chuck wasn'table to join us at 2:30 whne we planned to head out, but we let him know our plans so he could try to meet up with us at some point. The wind started out a little over 10 miles per hour and actually went down somewhat through the afternoon. The temperature was around 50 or a bit above and the water was as "warm" as 37 in some of the shallower areas.

At 2:30 we met at the causeway and decided to head downstream this time. There did not appear to be much flow, but the slight wind was at our face on the way down. A few others were out on the water fishing and a lot of people we walking along the casueway and on the island. Amazing what 50 degree weather will do. We spent about an hour going downstream and finally decided to turn around after going about 2.25 miles, figuring a 4.5 mile paddle would be enough. When we were about a mile from the dock on our way backe we saw another kayak heading towards us. It was Chuck. We met and the three of us went back to the dock.

Cold weather paddling is normally defined as paddling when the water is 50 degrees or colder. All of the paddling we have done for the past several months sure meets that definition. When asked by people about paddling in the cold weather and on cold water I always tell them that the water is only really cold if you fall in. That is the reason for being selective when choosing a day to go out and why I use my Spectrum instead of the Tempest. The Tempest is faster and somewhat easier to paddle, but it can feel a bit tippy and I don't need to get in a hurry this time of year. The Spectrum is simply a more stable boat. Proper clothing for cold water paddling is a real important thing to remember. There are a lit of different ideas about hat to wear and can go all the way to the extreme of wearing a dry suit. I don't have one and am not sure if I would need one. Layering is important. A poly base layer, fleece top, and paddle jacket along with splash pants. Neoprene boots, stocking cap, and neoprene gloves with liners finish the lineup. The only part of me that got cold when the tempreatures were in the upper 20's was my hands. Perhaps pogies or other heavier gloves would be better in those conditions. With the temperature in the 50's no part ofme was cold today. In fact, if anything I was warmer than necessary. But, that beats the alternative.

Here are some pictures from today. As usual, they are of Pat and Chuck. Anyone wanting to see a picture of me would need to go to Pat's web site.

March Paddle

The weatherman predicted highs in the upper 40's for the day and with the last couple days being about that we had no reason to doubt it. So, Pat and I decided to take some timeoff from work and go paddling. Unfortunately, the temperature never got above 33 and started to drop shortly after noon. When we met at the causeway at 2:30 it was about 30 degrees and the wind was coming out of the north at about 10 to 15 miles per hour. By the time we were done it was down to 28. The next few days don't sound too good so we decided to just head upstream and spend a bit of time out on the water anyway. We continued up and finally stopped to turn around once we got to the northern edge of town. It was interesting to see what the water splashing up from the river or dripping off of our paddles would do. Paddle leashes and deck cords really took the brunt of it. The current and the wind in our face made for some waves as we made our way upstream. The trip back was a bit quicker. We spent about an hour and 20 minutes on the water and traveled about 3.5 miles. With this I have now made it out at least once in 24 straight months. With spring beginnning soon, longer and warmer days are just around the corner and the streak should be easier to continue.

I have had people ask how long we need to paddle to count it as an outing. While it is possible to go out 50 feet, turn around, and call it a day, that has never been considered by Pat, Chuck, or myslef to be enough. The minimum we have ever gone out and counted has been about an hour of paddle time.