Now that spring is fully happening here and i've pretty much put the snowshoes
away my thoughts started turning to paddling. Two weeks ago the launches were choked with snow but what a difference two wks of warmer weather can make. I started getting my stuff ready a couple of days ago and thought if sunday was sunny i'll go out for a day paddle up the river . I'm still getting use to immersion gear so getting out on the lake with spring winds and waves seemed too much but hanging out on the river for a few hrs breaking myself back in seemed like a go. I drove up the valley to my launch site, now free of snow, and began getting the kayak and all the gear to the tiny beach there. I got all my gear on and felt claustrophobic but i new to breath and relax and things ill settle down. So different from warm weather/ warm water paddling when you have less cloths on and more freedom. I squeezed in the boat and headed up river.
The river was calm and i was relaxing. The water was 42f. I was trying out my new pogies ,,,,and i like them. Pogies are a big glove type thing that velcros onto the paddle so when you slide your hand in your holding on to the paddle and you hand is surrounded by a tunnel of neoprene. I was also testing my new Low Tide Neoprene boots that are about 16-18" high so you really keep the water out while getting in and out.
After a while i found a lunch spot. Its kind of a gravel bar on the river that i pulled the boat up on and relaxed having some soup, bread and tea.
From the gravel bar looking southish.
I had to make some adjustments to my foot pegs for the trip back as i needed a little more room with the extra gear on. I have to remember to move the seat back as well to make it easier to get my legs in with these boots. I was warm and toosty in my gear but i might wear one less fleece next time. I was wearing merino base, then a Farmer John, fleece top over that, then my kokotat tempest pants , Six Level Duke dry top over that and my Low Tide Boots,,,,i felt like the Michelin Man. While i was having lunch the weather was changing all around me but it wasn't raining or snowing on me. It looked like storms coming in from multiple direction on my way back.
It cleared off briefly, the sun came out and this little shack appeared, a little fish hut or something, they weren't selling anything today.
The sun was gone as i got back to the launch and the little beach.
So it was a good day breaking my paddling arms in a bit , testing some gear and learning to relax in this immersion stuff. Today i'm sore. My arms , my butt, my legs. It'll take a few outings to get back in shape. Looks like rain for the next week but maybe there will be some better weather soon.
bill
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Originally Posted by Jsaults
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