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Newbie Journal - Freeze Trip, Take Two
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Anna and Buddy King Yes, she does have a husband. Click on image to enlarge.
Last year, this column began with the Freeze Trip, held annually and aptly named by
the San Antonio Rivermen. After my disastrous first real attempt at a winter
river trip, I felt compelled to return to the scene of the crime this year and see if
I'd really learned anything.
For starters, we didn't freeze.
After last year's miserable cold, I put out the word: Mom doesn't want perfume or doodads that need dusting. Give me camping gear, please.
My kids responded with some amusement. Beth, Keith, Andy, and Amy pooled resources to dazzle me with a huge gift certificate at REI.
My sister Corky and brother-in-law Ralph sent a 10 degree sleeping bag. My Christmas stocking bulged with hand warmers, tent repair stuff, and other goodies.
This time I was ready. I would not be cold again.
I had packed carefully, double-bagging my newly acquired
Capilene, polypropylene, fleece, and Gore-Tex clothing.
REI could have used me for an ad.
A complete change of clothes suitable
for the North Pole was compressed in a new compression sack, wrapped in a compactor trash bag,
closed and packed in my new dry bag. The dry bag has shoulder straps for portaging. Another change of clothes
was packed equally well.
Everything was secured in the canoe with quick-release straps. See, Paul? I did listen when you told me that as you wrestled with my crazy system last year.
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Natalia Canada Click on image to enlarge.
photo by Anna King
I took lessons and practiced with a pro. Bring on the rapids.
And the weather got down to, oh, maybe,
65 degrees... not exactly freezing even by my standards.
I was grateful for a light shirt as well or it might have become the melt-down trip.
Not only did it not freeze, the rain had perfect timing, waiting until we were snug in our tents
on Friday night and politely quitting in time for our morning coffee on Saturday. When we unpacked our wet
gear Saturday afternoon, it had plenty of time to dry before the rain began again.
The paddling was great, with no messy losing-dessert-in-the-river events. Two of us went swimming but it was
by choice, not by accident. I admit to having help but still, what I recalled
as great raging rapids were really pretty tame stuff.
A few lessons and trips sure made a difference!
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Martha, Mary and coffee Click on image to enlarge.
The whole trip seemed to be charmed this time. We enjoyed good talks and great food. The rain seemed to
enhance rather than dampen spirits even when umbrellas came out to protect the charcoal cooking our
Dutch oven dinner.
The rain quit again so we could enjoy the bonfire where Mary Z got selected by
the falling paddle. We observed the tradition of burning an old paddle and letting it fall to select the honorary leader.
It fell once and Mary objected so it was put upright only to fall more clearly at her feet again.
Some things you just can't fight.
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Click on image to enlarge.
photo by Anna King
On Sunday morning, it was sad to break camp and leave. The rain had stopped, the sun shone, and flocks of birds kept us company.
All in all, it was a vast improvement over last year. I have to go next year.
Hey, all those nice, warm clothes
are still waiting to be initiated.
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The members who went on the Pre-Freeze trip included:
Adding to our group on Saturday and Sunday, 4 more paddlers,
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