10-10-10 Multi Event Night Paddle
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:
Sunday, October 10, 2010
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Join me for a night paddle down the Econ River, starting Saturday night, 10-09-10, gathering at the posted coords just after Midnight to celebrate 10-10-10!
Sounds pretty darn kewl, huh?
The details:
This event is D/T rated for paddlers, but can be attended by hikers as well. Paddlers should plan on getting to the canoe launch at County Rd 419 * Willingham Rd by around 7:00pm Saturday night, so we can get vehicles shuffled to the takeout point, the Snow Hill Rd bridge. Then we'll meet back at the launch for an 8:00pm splash. The total run is about 8 miles, and takes the average paddler 6 hours. We should reach the posted coords, the foot bridge, which is about 6 miles downstream, around Midnight, where we'll gather to celebrate this auspicious occasion with lots of schmoozing and whatever snackage you care to bring. Then we'll hop back in our boats and paddle the remaining 2 miles, reaching the end around 2:00am, give or take an hour or so. Hikers can hoof in from the Jacobs Trail trailhead, off Snow Hill Rd, hoofing north about 2.25 miles to the foot bridge. Parking for the trailhead is just a little ways east. Coords for all the aforementioned spots are listed below. Because it's really hard to get a grill and/or a large cooler to the foot bridge, I was not planning on having a formal meal for the event. The only grub will be what you bring.
The warnings:
This run, under ideal daylight conditions, contains certain hazards which are an integral part of any wilderness paddle. Paddling is an inherently dangerous activity. Drowning, physical injury due to running into pokey things, animal attacks, (alligators, venomous snakes, etc), and bites/stings from insects have all been experienced by previous paddlers on this run. These dangers are greatly increased when paddling at night. You must decide for yourself if your level of experience is sufficient for you to survive the journey. I have no way of measuring your experience level, and I won't be held accountable for your demise. By participating in this event, you agree to not hold me, Seminole County or the State of Florida liable for anything that happens during the paddle.
Suggestions:
This run is about 8 miles long, and is rated "Moderate" by most experienced paddlers, in that there are comparatively few places where you'll need to duck under, skooch over or wiggle around obstructions. It takes an experienced paddler roughly 5 hours of non-stop paddling to reach the end. Because I enjoy the night paddling experience, my preferred illumination is a fairly dim headlamp, (which stays off most of the time), along with my LED navigation lights. A bright headlamp will cause light to reflect back into your eyes, blinding you to all the uniquely beautiful things that night paddles offer. I also bring along a powerful LED D-Cell MagLite for when gobs of lumens are called for. Bug spray is an absolute must, as the skeeters will be out in full force. I wear pants with zip off legs, a long sleeve shirt and a hat any time I paddle at night. You should bring a dry box, (Lock & Locks work good for this), to store your electronics, wallet, and anything else you don't want saturated. Leaving anything more valuable than a Tootsie Roll Pop wrapper in your vehicle is a bad idea, as there have been many break ins here in the past. Although it is night time, and it will be relatively cool, you should still bring about a gallon of water, so you stay hydrated. Dehydration leads to fatigue. Fatigue leads to frustration. Frustration leads to bad decisions. You should also bring sufficient snackage to refuel along the way. Paddling is an activity that often ends up with soggy participants, so a towel and change of clothes would be a real good idea.
The rules:
Being in this state forest after sunset requires a camping permit, which, thanx to Senior Forester Joy Schlusmeyer, I have in my grubby little paws. This permit will cover all attendees, both hiking and paddling. Seminole County and the Division of Forestry patrol these woods and the parking lots, looking for folks who are there without a permit. You should print out this cache page and have it with you, in case anyone questions you being here at night. If they need further details, they can call me at 407-474-5132. Night time navigation rules apply. Paddle vessels less than 20' must have on hand a lantern capable of displaying a white light in all directions. Paddle vessels must also have a noise making device, such as a whistle, and one PFD for every occupant. Division of Forestry rules specific for this event require that the PFDs be worn, not just carried, and that each person have a glow stick affixed to the back of their PFD. I will have a few glow sticks on hand in case you forget to bring your own. Paddlers must adhere to the float plan. I will need one person, who is familiar with the river, to volunteer as the lead boat. I will take the rear of the formation. As part of the float plan, paddlers should not pass the lead boat, nor fall behind the rear boat, in order to ensure everybody who starts the run finishes it.
Hope to see y'all there!
-Sean
Launch site: N28* 39.316 / W81* 10.104
Take out: N28* 40.662 W81* 06.848
Hiker's parking: N28* 38.954 / W81* 07.784
Hiker's trailhead: N28* 38.941 / W81* 07.828
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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