Don't Forget the Kitchen Sink: A Self-Support Whitewater Kayaking Tutorial

With the weather rounding into form and river levels ramping up, I decided it was time to put together a multi-day self support kayak tutorial to get everyone fired up for their upcoming trip to California, Idaho or wherever your plans will take you. This is how I like to do things. I'm sure there are 100 other ways to go about packing and loading your boat. This is just my own private method that may or may not provide you with some tips that you hadn't previously thought of. I'm by no means an expert when it comes to self-support, but I have completed enough trips to know what works for me.

I'll break the tutorial down into sections and even make a few product recommendations if you're in the market for some new gear.

For your viewing pleasure, I've also included a few shots from our recent self support trip on the Middle Fork Feather, CA.

Christie Eastman on Day 1

Part 1: Gear List

This is a list of gear that I typically pack when headed out for a multi-day self support trip. The list can get considerably longer with an inclement forecast. I've left off items, such as my dry suit, PFD, and other items that are basics for all kayaking trips.

Storage:

-Watershed Ocoee dry bag

-Watershed Futa Stow-float

-One small Sealline Dry bag (where I store my pin-kit) (often leaks like a sieve)
-Thermarest Dry Sack (came with my sleeping pad and doesn't contain room for much else)

Sleeping:

-Sleeping Bag (20 degree down) (I use the Kelty Cosmic 20. Great warmth and compressability for amazing price point. Just don't get it wet.)

-Sleeping Pad (Thermarest Prolite size Small, includes Thermarest Dry Sack)

-Shelter (I use one light weight tarp, a throw rope, and twigs from around camp to serve as stakes) (the more time you spend building your shelter, the happier you'll be at 3am when the rain rolls in)

-I use my jacket as a pillow

Around Camp:

-Crocs (light and waterproof)

-Warm Jacket (I use a Synthetic Down jacket: REI Spruce Run Jacket, highly compressible and light)

-Polartec Union Suit (I wear this layer on the river and around camp)

-Polar-fleece lined hat

-Smart Wool Socks
-Head Lamp

Safety Equipment:

-Pin-kit (2 prusiks,3 carabiners, 2 pulleys, 15 feet of webbing, belay device)

-Breakdown Paddle

-Spot Unit (We use a spot, but I've seen others keep a Satellite Phone handy)

-Topo Maps (If you're running a new river, it helps to know where your headed and the best way to hike out in the event of an emergency)

Cooking:

-Camp Stove and fuel (MSR PocketRocket, usually 1 stove per 3 people)

-Pot (pick your lightest backpacking pot)

-Tupperware (I store my lighter, spork, and some paper towels inside and use the plastic my bowl/plate)

-Lighter (obviously) (bring backups)

-Water Filter (MSR Miniworks EX, one filter for the entire group) (some folks use iodine or chlor tabs, which saves weight, but I don't like to wait for my water)

-Nalogene

Loading up our kayaks at the Put-In for the Middle Feather. It's all gotta fit.

Finishing touches.

Part 2: Food

I'm fairly minimalistic when it comes to cooking on Self-Support trips. That being said, those dehydrated meals are expensive and often don't taste very good. I try to keep the cost down while still minimizing the weight in my bags.The following details what I usually bring for a 3 day (2 night trip). That includes 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners. It's also worth noting that it's preferable to have too much food, compared to not enough.

Breakfasts:

-Oatmeal (2 pack per morning)

-Walnuts (sprinkle on oatmeal)
-Coffee/tea

Lunches:

-Summer Sausage/Salami (1/3 sausage per lunch)

-Tillamook Cheddar Cheese (1/3 block per lunch

-Crackers (I prefer Wheat Thins) (1/3 bag per lunch)

-Misc granola bars

-EmergenC (electrolytes at lunch time help with the food coma effect)

Dinner:

-Pre-cooked chicken brats (I usually buy one package, 5 brats total, and roast over a fire) (2 brats per night) (since these are pre-cooked and sealed, I don't mind them not being kept cold)

-Pre-mixed Bag of Salad (these bags usually don't last past the first night on the water. I really like eating something green and fresh) (Can be shoved in front of bulk head)

-Couscous (I substitute couscous for the salad on night 2) (pair with 2 brats)

-Candy (I personally like dark chocolate while camping)
-Whiskey of choice (plastic bottle)
-Powdered hot chocolate (pair with whiskey of choice and drink by the fire)

sneaky tip:
-if you end up sharing food with others and are feeling a little beat after day 1, offer to share your meal with others on the first night of the trip and rid your boat of a little weight. then they can return the favor on subsequent nights. only attempt if you're feeling extraordinarily out of shape, or if you don't like your friends..

Below Franklin Falls on Day 2

Rob Bart running Franklin Falls

Part 3: Packing

I start by pulling my foot braces out a bit and shoving some items into the front of my Nomad. These are typically items that don't have to remain dry and are heavy enough to counteract the extra weight that will be placed towards the back of the boat. I usually shove my crocs and sleeping pad (contained within a dry sack) to the very front of the boat. I then fill out the remaining space with the bag of salad and packet of brats (both sealed in plastic wrapping). Once I move by foot pegs back into place, I shift my focus to the stern.

Typically, I put all of my soft stuff (clothes and sleeping bag) inside the futa float and place the bag behind my seat on one side of the bulk head. This bag isn't easily accesible and will only be opened once I arrive at camp. On the other side I place my throw bag, breakdown paddle, and the seal line dry bag containing my pin-kit and waterfilter. Since these items are not stored inside one single dry bag, they are easily accessible and be used when needed. The items on the right side of the bulk head usually add up to roughly equal the weight of my filled futa. Make sure to attach all bags and equipment to the boat in some way. Attaching to the contact points coming off the seat in my Nomad keeps the weight closer to the center and cuts down on the swing weight. 

Finally, I fill the ocoee dry bag with everything else that needs to stay dry. This includes food, the spot, and misc camp equipment. Since this bag contains your lunch, it will need be more accessible than other items in your boat. I like to keep this bag between by legs so it's easily accessible and helps center the weight of the boat. By running a cam strap around the bulk head and through the straps on the bag, I can keep this bag locked in place until I need to access it.

Andy McMurray dropping in on some typical Day 2 Boogie-Water

Michael Freeman boogieing

Part 4: Navigating the River
Even the best paddlers feel a little wonky when they paddle the first rapid in a loaded boat. Make sure you take your time getting warmed up and really try to put the boat through its paces before you go dropping into any large rapids. I find that the extra weight makes your boat harder to turn and more effected by every current on the river. When paddling a loaded boat, I often approach each rapid as I would from the perspective of a raft captain. Plan to execute your moves earlier than you would normally and be prepared for eddies to have a stronger 'gravitational pull' than you usually feel. That being said, what you lose in maneuverability  you make up for in sheer force. I've dropped through wave holes with a loaded boat and come out the other side when I would normally find myself hanging ten. My loaded Nomad is quite the battering ram. Although this isn't always helpful on creeks, it's certainly beneficial when you're running the Middle Feather above 2500 cfs.

California Dreamin

Approaching camp above Devil's Canyon on Day 2

Part 5: Leave no trace
The last thing I want to mention is in regards to Leave No Trace Ethics. It doesn't matter if your campsite was trashed before you even arrived, always leave the wilderness in the same state (or better) than you found it. Break up and disperse your fire ring (after making sure the flame is dead-out). Barry your human waste (unless regulations dictate otherwise). Only use dead/drift wood for fires (don't go chopping down trees to burn). We all love the feeling of being out there in the true wilderness, lets keep it wild.

Rob Bart in Devil's

Part 6: Group Dynamics
The elements of a group dynamic become even more important when participating in a multi-day trip. First and foremost, be confident in your ability before putting on a long section of river. If you haven't be paddling recently or have been stuck behind a desk at work for the last few months, maybe a multi-day trip isn't the right choice for getting back on the horse. Make sure that your up for the challenge so you don't end up causing strife between a group as you become worn out. Self-support kayaking can be both physically and mentally grinding. The flip side to that coin: If you're leading a group, make sure to have a solid gauge on how everyone is doing at all times. Don't be hesitant to stop and take a break if someone needs a rest, despite the desire to make good time. As a group, always keep a firm grasp on the bigger picture (the trip as a whole) and not just making it from point A to point B. Open communication will keep the group as a whole happier and will allow for everyone to remain on the same page.

As with all kayaking, don't rely on one person to do all the scouting and/or do all the probing. If you alternate who hops out at each rapid and who probes each drop, it will keep the group happy and conserve valuable energy/time. It helps to have done multiple trips with your group prior to taking on a multiday river. Familiarity breads trust and can mean the difference between routing a drop on verbal beta and having everyone hop out and scout the class III boulder garden.

Congrats on winning the weekend

Conclusion:

That's about all I can think of at the moment. I apologize for the text-heavy post, but hopefully someone out there took away something from my rambling. Again, let me reiterate that I'm not an expert, but I'm learning and I try to adhere to these steps to insure that I enjoy myself on the water. This post is by no means and comprehensive guide, but rather, a jumping off point to help you prepare for your upcoming adventures.

Feel free to leave comments or additional suggestions.

Until next time,
Nate Merrill

 

Bear Creek; Wind River Tributary

All shots extracted from Nate's helmet cam footage.

I first scouted this creek a few summers ago with my dad at summer flows.  We found a neat, locked-in mini gorge with a number of class III-IV drops, then a class V exit falls complicated by a log.

I hadn't mustered the motivation to go back, but recently Pete Giordano (who had also been interested enough to scout the creek) mentioned the creek to Nate and it came back onto our radar.  After the 2013 Wind race a group of rafters joined me on a bushwhack scout of the exit drop which I felt was runnable in a kayak even with the wood.  The rafters decided to hold off, but Nate and I decided that if nothing else was in the next day we would paddle the gorge if for no other reason than to see something new.

We met up with a partial contingent of Team Corvallis in Carson and took one last scout of what was later dubbed Freeman Falls.  Most of the team had committed to helping inspire a new member of the kayak community on the Clackamas, but Michael Freeman was game to scrape some plastic from his boat so we headed up to the put-in and geared up for a micro-adventure.

The gorge started as soon as we were below the bridge, and was doing a good job of committing us downstream.  We had exploratory levels, and one portage.  We scraped down some small slides and before long were in the eddy above Freeman Falls.  At higher flows scrambling up a large tree on river left would be necessary to take a peak, but at this level it was possible to walk through the creek to the lip.

Nate, fully committed.

The drop itself was a unique reconnect.  Nate went first and came through, avoiding the right wall.  I followed his advice to let my bow drop as I tried to keep my nose pointed left away from the wall, which I made slight contact with but got a line I would be happy to repeat.  Michael came next and the reconnect directed his bow straight into the right wall where a vicious spinning piton occurred.  He kept it upright, but certainly felt the effects.

Nate, seconds from leaving the gorge behind.

A view of the pit.

We dealt with a couple hundred yards of mank before the tri-confluence with Panther Creek and the Wind.  Floating out on a couple-few thousand cfs was a nice contrast to the 100 cfs we had come from.  The run out was fun, the Flume was wild and we portaged Beyond Limits and Shipperds.  During the throw and go at Shippereds I realized my relief zipper was undone and I took on a lot of water into my drysuit, foolish mistake!  We had one more moment of interest chasing down a rogue paddle before the class two float to the end.

I think a certain type of boater would be into running this short stretch.  It's a neat gorge and Freeman Falls ups the pucker factor.  If Panther Creek is runnable, then Bear Creek should be too.

Freeman Falls from below

* Freeman Falls:  A tilt to Michael's piton and the sense of freedom that comes from exiting the gorge.


  -Jacob

ACCESS:  The take out is the same as the Lower Wind, at the Wind River boat ramp (45.71813770591512, -121.78907840808252)

To get to the put in, drive up like you are going to the Lower Wind put in, but instead of turning left off the Wind River highway, cross over High bridge and in 0.7 miles turn right onto Bear Creek road.  Continue 2 miles (crossing over Panther Creek in half a mile) and turn right onto Bear Creek Lane, the put in bridge is in 350 feet (45.76678002876646, -121.82288989078613).

FLOWS:  Visual, if you pear over the put-in bridge and think the creek is at all floatable, you can explore the gorge with a boat.  High flows would make scouting and running Freeman Falls pretty exciting.  I'd venture to guess this creek has water when Panther Creek does, so maybe when the Wind is around 7' ?  I don't recall the flows the day we ran it.

The Upper Wind Festival

Last weekend marked the start of festival season in the Pacific Northwest. The Upper Wind Race features a mass start format and consisted of around 50 competitors this year, with several divisions. I competed in the Mens K1 division. There was also a Womens K1 class, a long boat class, and a r2 class.

The event is organized by The Oregon Rafting team, namely Tim Brink, and is heavily supported by Next Adventure, along with several other paddling related entities in the Portland area.

Seeing as this event was initially designed as a 'raft race' the course is quite long and a rather large portion of 'flat water' class III after the initial mile and half of IV+ whitewater. All combined, the course is just over 3 miles in length and takes over 20 minutes to complete. Needless to say, by the time you're at the bottom, everyone is pretty tuckered out.

The week leading up to the festival had been uncharacteristically warm for this time of year, but right on cue, we woke up on Saturday morning to rain and cold temps. Spring is in the air! The rain did bump the water level up to approx. 5.8 feet on the Stabler gauge, which made for a nice flow for racing.

After the long boat class took off, the K1 Mens Division was up. All 30 of us lined up along the banks above the bridge at the Stabler put-in. This year, someone decided to have us start with our bows towards the bank, so the first paddle stroke that everyone took was actually a back stroke. We were seeded based on a poker card we had been issued upon registration. Naturally, I had drawn a 7 of hearts and was towards the back of the pack to start.

The whistle blew and the river erupted into a flurry of boats and churning paddles. This was by far the most challenging part of the race for me! Trying to keep myself in the current while avoiding the serrated fiberglass blades of the guy next to me, the first 1/2 mile of the race was overly tiring and seemed to go on forever!

Just as the racers began to thin out and fall into line, we entered the meat of the run. Initiation down through Climax features a nice blend of class III and IV boulder gardens with one obvious crux at a rapid known as Ram's Horn. Having only paddled this river a few times in the past, I focused on keeping an eye on the guy in front of me as we dropped through the goods.

By the time we came to the last real rapid on the run (Climax) I was overly tired and kind of forgot the line through this often sticky ledge hole. Luckily, I was able to orient myself at the last moment and came through the hole in big stern squirt. Just another mile of flat water to the finish line!

I spent the last mile of the race jockeying for position with Jesse Becker and Michael Freeman. Jesse ended up winning the duel and I came in just a nose in front of Michael. After it was all said and done, I finished in the middle of the pack (9th place) and was a full minute+ behind Dan Rubado (1st Place) and Trevor Sheehan (2nd Place). Times were unofficial and haven't been posted as of today, but you can view the standings at http://www.wwchampionship.org/k1-men

In the Women's class, which featured 7 racers, Kim Becker edged Heather Herbeck for 1st place and had a pretty exciting duel at the finish line with Nicole Mansfield and Katrina Van Wijk, who were charging in the topo-duo. I believe Kim held them off in the end.

Below is a collection of photos taken by Eric Adsit, Nick Hymel, and my girlfriend Claire, who was kind enough to hike all the way into Ram's Horn in the pouring rain to watch the show. I've also put together a video of my headcam footage.

Hope everyone can make it our next year! And remember, the Northwest Creeking Competition is only a month away!

Until next time,

Nate

Dan Rubado, way out in front at the start of Initiation (Photo: Nick Hymel)

 The front pack getting into the goods. (Photo: Nick Hymel)

 More K1 Men routing through Initiation. (Photo: Nick Hymel)

 Dynamic Duo. (Photo: Nick Hymel)

 R2 Class (Photo: Nick Hymel)

 More rubber. (Photo: Nick Hymel)

Nicole and Katrina rocking the topo below Ram's Horn (Photo: Claire Rothstein)

 Jesse Becker, Leif Anderson, Harrison Rea, and Nate Merrill in the middle. (Photo: Claire Rothstein)

Random chargers below Ram's Horn (Photo: Claire Rothstein)

Dan Rubado trailed closely by Lewis Hooker (Photo: Claire Rothstein)

 Christie Eastman in the long boat division. (Photo: Claire Rothstein)

Harrison Rea and Nate Merrill (author) routing through the top of Ram's Horn (photo: Eric Adsit)

 Follow the leader. (photo: Eric Adsit)

The video!

2012 In a Nut Shell

Things have been pretty mellow around the Into The Outside Headquarters for the last few weeks. Matt's been paddling down in Ecuador and Argentina (reports to come) and weather hasn't really be cooperating here in the PNW. The abnormally dry January and February did allow for some nice days on the Little White, but there just hasn't been enough water to bring in anything noteworthy. I did have a fun day out on Hagen last week with a rather stompy flow, but that window closed nearly as quickly as it had opened.

The lack of water has left us at Into the Outside with a proverbial paper jam. PC Load Letter, what the %$#@ does that mean? With that in mind, I began going over some of the trip reports that I started, but never got around to finishing. After searching for awhile, I decided to combined a few of the highlights from 2012 into one gift wrapped photo dump and treat you all to a casual Friday send off.

disclaimer: This is really mu personal summary of 2012. Both Jacob and Matt were able to get on some amazing rivers of their own.

The year started off in fine form:  Punch Bowl Falls, Eagle Creek, OR

Before too long, heavy rain brought the Little Klickitat up to an amazing flow. Dan Rubado demonstrates how to punch a hole at 1400cfs. 

In what would become a theme for 2012, I found myself on McCoy at a juicy level. 

The morning after at the NW Creeking Competion. Racers keeping themselves in peak physical condition with the breakfast of champions. PBR.

Given the crummy snow-pack in California, we headed South earlier than folks usually do and were rewarded with perfect flows on the Middle Feather and South Branch. Late April in Cali!

Late spring means Little White Salmon! Rubado basking below Spirit.

We managed to catch a late season Robe lap on our Northern Exposure trip in July. Brett Barton runs Catcher's Mitt while I get ready to sneak to the right.

After Robe, we decided to make for better weather and spent a day on the Cooper River in Central Washington. JD Gaffney checking out from Norm's Resort.

Somehow, we decided it would be a good idea to hike into Salmon River Canyon from the bottom up. Poor decision, next time we'll bring two cars and do the long shuttle. Alex Kilyk mid-suffer-fest.

Final Falls to the Left and Vanishing Gorge to the Right

 Late summers means it's time to head up Highway 12 into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Two of my favorite rivers in the world come in just as everything else is falling out: The Ohanapecosh and the Upper Upper Cispus.

A bustling secret camp on the Ohane.

A random hero dropping through triple drop on the Ohanapecosh.

Jacob with a perfect line on the Upper Upper.

Fall/Winter boating is always means cold temps and obscure rivers. John Edwards on the hike into Silver Creek near Salem, OR.

That about sums up my kayaking in 2012. I was able to get on quite a few new rivers (which is always the best part of kayaking) and kept the carnage to a minimum. 2013 is already well underway and I can't wait to get into the thick of boating season. So many rivers remain on my list and with any luck, I'll be able to knock a few off by the time 2013 comes to a close. I'm looking at you Hoffstadt...

Until next time!

Best regards,

Nate