FLOAT TRIP TIPS
FOOTWEAR: GOOD - THE OLD CANVAS TOP VIETNAM JUNGLE BOOTS, HIGH TOP LACE-UP TENNIES, STRAP-ON SANDALS, WATER SHOES . BAD - BAREFOOT, LOW CUT TENNIES, FLIP FLOPS (OK FOR CAMP, NOT PADDLING). THE KAW RIVER SHOE EATING MONSTER JUST LOVES FLIP-FLOPS.
TENTS - SELF-SUPPORTING (NO STAKES) OR SAND STAKES.
LIGHTNING - GET OFF THE RIVER, GET UP ON THE BANK, STAY LOW.
WATER - MINIMUM 1 GAL/DAY, MORE IF HOT WEATHER.
LIFE JACKET/PFD - WEAR IT ALL THE TIME WHILE ON OR IN THE WATER, EVEN WHILE WADING, NO MATTER IF YOU ARE JOHNNY WEISMULLER OR ESTHER WILLIAMS.
ROPE - BRING PLENTY, PARACORD IS FINE. WHEN CAMPING PULL CANOES UP TO LEVEL OF CAMP AND TIE TO YOUR TENT, RIGHT SIDE UP, PUT COOLERS AND OTHER LOOSE GEAR IN CANOE AT NIGHT. THE RIVER CAN RISE FAST, AND YOU'LL WANT AN ALERT IF IT DOES.
TAKE AN EXTRA PADDLE. WHY? TRUST ME.
TRASH BAGS - AS THE BOY SCOUTS TEACH, LEAVE NO TRACE, AND LEAVE THE PLACE CLEANER THAN IT WAS WHEN YOU ARRIVED.
SMALL SHOVEL OR TROWEL - BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO SEE YOUR TP (OR WORSE) ON THE SANDBAR.
PRIVATE/PUBLIC PROPERTY - THE KAW IS PUBLIC PROPERTY UP TO THE NORMAL HIGH WATER MARK, PRIVATE PROPERTY BEYOND THAT.
CAMPSTOOL OR 5 GAL BUCKET - BEATS SITTING ON THE GROUND, AND A 5 GAL BUCKET HAS ZILLIONS OF USES.
ANYTHING YOU DON'T WANT WET OR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER, TIE IT TO YOURSELF OR THE CANOE, IN A WATERPROOF BAG OR CONTAINER.
LEARN THE J-STROKE.
SUNSCREEN AND BUG JUICE.
THAT PRETTY GREEN FOLIAGE ON THE ISLAND IS PROBABLY NETTLES - DON'T WALK THRU IT IN SHORTS.
PEOPLE FIND NEAT STUFF ON THE SANDBARS AND ISLANDS - FOSSILS, ARROW POINTS, EVEN A BISON SKULL.
HAVE FUN!!!
FOOTWEAR: GOOD - THE OLD CANVAS TOP VIETNAM JUNGLE BOOTS, HIGH TOP LACE-UP TENNIES, STRAP-ON SANDALS, WATER SHOES . BAD - BAREFOOT, LOW CUT TENNIES, FLIP FLOPS (OK FOR CAMP, NOT PADDLING). THE KAW RIVER SHOE EATING MONSTER JUST LOVES FLIP-FLOPS.
TENTS - SELF-SUPPORTING (NO STAKES) OR SAND STAKES.
LIGHTNING - GET OFF THE RIVER, GET UP ON THE BANK, STAY LOW.
WATER - MINIMUM 1 GAL/DAY, MORE IF HOT WEATHER.
LIFE JACKET/PFD - WEAR IT ALL THE TIME WHILE ON OR IN THE WATER, EVEN WHILE WADING, NO MATTER IF YOU ARE JOHNNY WEISMULLER OR ESTHER WILLIAMS.
ROPE - BRING PLENTY, PARACORD IS FINE. WHEN CAMPING PULL CANOES UP TO LEVEL OF CAMP AND TIE TO YOUR TENT, RIGHT SIDE UP, PUT COOLERS AND OTHER LOOSE GEAR IN CANOE AT NIGHT. THE RIVER CAN RISE FAST, AND YOU'LL WANT AN ALERT IF IT DOES.
TAKE AN EXTRA PADDLE. WHY? TRUST ME.
TRASH BAGS - AS THE BOY SCOUTS TEACH, LEAVE NO TRACE, AND LEAVE THE PLACE CLEANER THAN IT WAS WHEN YOU ARRIVED.
SMALL SHOVEL OR TROWEL - BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO SEE YOUR TP (OR WORSE) ON THE SANDBAR.
PRIVATE/PUBLIC PROPERTY - THE KAW IS PUBLIC PROPERTY UP TO THE NORMAL HIGH WATER MARK, PRIVATE PROPERTY BEYOND THAT.
CAMPSTOOL OR 5 GAL BUCKET - BEATS SITTING ON THE GROUND, AND A 5 GAL BUCKET HAS ZILLIONS OF USES.
ANYTHING YOU DON'T WANT WET OR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER, TIE IT TO YOURSELF OR THE CANOE, IN A WATERPROOF BAG OR CONTAINER.
LEARN THE J-STROKE.
SUNSCREEN AND BUG JUICE.
THAT PRETTY GREEN FOLIAGE ON THE ISLAND IS PROBABLY NETTLES - DON'T WALK THRU IT IN SHORTS.
PEOPLE FIND NEAT STUFF ON THE SANDBARS AND ISLANDS - FOSSILS, ARROW POINTS, EVEN A BISON SKULL.
HAVE FUN!!!