Type of Trips
When I went on my first KCKA trip, I asked lots of questions and still felt pretty much in the dark until I actually completed a trip. With each trip I learned more and began to see a pattern. The purpose of this document is to share with you a few things that might help you on your first trip.
Trip coordinators are simply individuals who like to paddle. They schedule trips and invite members to join them because one person can’t run a shuttle and it is generally accepted as dangerous to paddle alone. Most of us also enjoy the company of other paddlers. A trip coordinator could be experienced or novice. Some are certified instructors with rescue training while others are neither an instructor nor have they had rescue training. Remember you are responsible for making decisions that affect your own health and safety.
Having said that you are responsible for your own safety, you should know that most all paddlers will be very responsive to help you in any way they can especially if you get in trouble. On the river we try to stay in view so no one is left behind or gets to far ahead of the group. Paddlers are anxious to share their sport and will give you plenty of advise. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and be prepared to hear more than one opinion. Paddlers help each other shuttle, carry boats, load boats, gather firewood, etc. If you are not a helpful person you probably won’t fit in. If you get in trouble you can bet there will be several paddlers there to help you. Just know they are not legally responsible to do so. They are just paddling friends providing help.
Once you have made a couple of trips with a specific coordinator you will know what to expect with them on subsequent trips. They tend to do things in a similar way each trip.
Trips can be flat water, white water or a mix. Anything greater than Class I will have some whitewater. Class definitions are explained in books and on websites. Although the class system is objective the grading of the river is subjective. Two paddlers might grade a river slightly different especially if the two paddlers have different experience levels. Be sure to discuss your capabilities with the trip coordinator and learn all you can about the river before making a decision to join the trip.
As an example, I have been on a trip where the coordinator rated the river as Class I-II and it was suitable for novices except for one rapid that could be portaged. I have also been on a novice whitewater trip that was rated as Class I-II that I found to be pretty wild. I swam three times. The point is that if you are new to the sport be sure to ask about the river before you decide to go.
Although trips can be designed in an infinite number of ways, most trips can be classified as a Day Trip, Overnight Trip or Extended Trip.
Camping is usually done on the river or in a base camp.
Day Trip:
You will usually meet the trip coordinator mid morning at a designated place. Details vary with each coordinator. This meeting place will most likely be the put-in or the take-out. A shuttle is organized to get all the boats to the put-in and transportation to the take-out. Popular float trips usually last between 2 – 4 hours and are usually 8 – 12 miles in length if the river has a good current. Trips almost always include a lunch/snack break and one or more additional breaks to get out, stretch and take care of personal needs.
An exception to the normal mid morning launch is a sunrise float. When it is really hot, I prefer to launch at first light (the coolest part of the day) and be on my way home before it gets too hot. I camp the night before the trip so I don’t have to get up so early.
Overnight Trip on the River:
An overnight trip on the river means that you will float part way the first day or evening, set up camp on the river and finish the trip the next morning. It does not mean you will paddle at night. You might launch late in the day, float for an hour or two and set up camp or you could have a normal length float on each day. You will need to camp with things you can haul in your boat. In the morning you will eat breakfast, break camp and finish the trip to the predetermined take-out. Tent camping is the only option I know of for camping on the river. If your trip is on the Kaw River or Arkansas River you can expect to pitch your tent on a nice clean sandbar with plenty of driftwood for a campfire.
Overnight Trip with a Base Camp:
With a base camp you can have access to your vehicle and all the goodies you can haul. You can sleep in your vehicle although most paddlers will pitch a tent. You can expect a Day Trip on both days. The campsite could be at a friend’s property but is usually at a national park, a state park or commercial campground so a camping fee is usually required.
Extended Trip:
This kind of trip can last several days or weeks and can involve camping on the river, utilizing a base camp, staying in cabins, motels or any combination. Some extended trips are designed so you can join a portion of trip and not be gone so long. Be sure to get all the information you can from the trip coordinator.
© 2005 Chris Collins, All Rights Reserved