Winter Boating...lessons (re)learned

 Winter boating is beautiful!

Well its finally became time to dust off the poagies and extra layers and hit the river.  For me breaking out the poagies is the official start of winter boating.  Its easy to take going to the river for granted when it becomes such a routine procedure.  However, once the air and water temps start approaching freezing the room for error decreases and the consequences greatly increase.  Snow and ice make routine scouting and portaging epic and swims can quickly become life threatening.

I love paddling in the wintertime, especially in the snow. There are, however, a few more considerations that should be taken when heading out - no matter if its an old favorite or a Personal First Descent.  This past weekend was a great couple of days on the river getting in two laps on the Upper B on Friday and a run on the Top Yock in the pouring snow Saturday.  Although there were no serious mishaps, a few things happened that had me thinking about my personal and our group's preparation for the trip.

After a swim and a lost paddle, Steve busted out a breakdown - that turned out to be a lefthand control paddle and didnt know it, better than nothing but better to know that sort of thing in advance.  We also learned that duct tape is not good for the connection so dont tape the ends the residue sucks!  Fortunatly Russell had his own breakdown and was fine.  However, losing a paddle means no poagies.  I generally carry extra gloves should I need them for any rope work or other emergencies.  But left them in my truck back in DC.

I started to think about what else we had as a group and individually to be prepared for the worst.  Russell brought along a down puff jacket and a winter hat, two great things to have should you have to spend the night in the woods.  We all had some extra food and water, headlamps and drysuits which are really nice, but also a piece of safety equipment in my opinion when it comes to winter paddling.  After looking back, I realized I was so pumped to go get on the river, that i had forgotten a few key things I always bring along for winter paddling, so I brainstormed and made a small list here of things i think everyone should carry along when heading out to boat this winter.  Its a little extra weight, but if its an easy get-in and get-out than no big deal, if its a hike-in than its great training for Cali! 

Here is a list of the stuff I think anyone paddling in the winter should carry along individually to make for a prepared trip to the river and should the occasion arise, a survivable night in the woods:

Pin kit
first-aid kit
waterproof matches and starter material
limb saw
neoprene gloves
dry beanie
an extra dry layer (down puff or fleece)
emergency blanket
headlamp
glowstick
breakdown paddle
2 throw bags
water and or purifying tablets
knowledge of surrounding area - access/egress points

-nice to have:
compact stove + fuel
liquor
dry gloves
cell phone if you think it might work



If you carry other essential items please comment!