Epic Canoe Trip Fail, or, The River that Ate My Family

[Vicarious_Lee]

Good tale, good lessons learned, and good story overall.

Gonna disagree with Crypto on this one. If the outfitter was truly "blah-blah" ing all the risks associated with this river at this time, then he aught not have done that. Look, I like nuclear power plants and I want more of them built, because they're safe. Why are they safe? Because someone that is an expert in that field deems them to be so. I sure as hell don't know how to run a nuke plant.

The point is that I've been whitewater (up to class 4+) several times. The outfits that I went with did not skimp IN THE LEAST on every possible safety detail and every possible rescue scenario. This last time, when the water was only mildly entertaining and barely dangerous at all (according to the experienced guide himself), I got the same half-hour lecture on everything that could go wrong and everything you should do to avoid and survive it.

I've rented out boats on a flatwater lake with no current, and from the time I was 11 I could give a 5-minute safety briefing to anyone. Also from the time I was 11 I could figure out when it wasn't safe to be out there, and stop renting based on MY judgement based on MY experience, not the customer's.

I didn't expect any of my customers to know shit about boating or safety. They relied on me for that. I'm the guy that knows, even if I'm just a kid. Adding further credence to this story is that the officials and other boaters seemed shocked that this outfitter downplayed the safety risks.

However, you guys stayed cool. This is a prime example of Mindset>Skillset>Toolset.

Good job on getting out of that situation.

[crypto]

maybe I'm just used to the lax attitude from the canoe rental places around here. Typically they just throw you some oars and PFD's before turning you loose on the river, and tell you not to get too drunk.

That said, every weekend a few people die on the various rivers in this state. The idiots pay no heed and never learn how to canoe, and take themselves out of the gene pool. The rest of us heed the example that they have provided.

[airballrad]

I'm with VL; as I mentioned earlier in the thread when I have been on whitewater trips with groups of novices the organizers have always gone with guided tours and the safety measures taken were impressive; both in terms of information imparted and personnel/equipment deployed. I understand that the paddlers in question here were a bit more experienced, but outfitters usually serve as weathermen for river conditions to their clients.
The closest analogy I can come up with for this river trip would be an outfitter renting out snow skiing equipment on a day when the slopes were known to be a moderate to high avalanche risk, but telling his clients that conditions aren't too bad and if you were to get stuck in an avalanche just curl up in a ball and you'll ride the surface of it or something crazy. It's one thing if the guy was just not paying attention that day and gave bad information, but it also needs to be considered that there is a conflict of interest; if he tells them to stay off the river for safety reasons he makes no money from their portage. Negligence is one thing, but it's a bit more sinister in appearance when there's money riding on it. I agree that our society is overly litigious, and it often sucks when a small business goes under because of a lawsuit. But sometimes when egregious mistakes are made, especially when greed could be a factor, litigation is a valid recourse for the injured (physically or otherwise) party.

[mystic_1]

Continuing the post-analysis, what do all of you think of the fact that two of the adult men left the party and located the missing party members?

mystic_1

[JTNieman]

Wow, canoeing compared to running a modern day nuclear power plant.


Talk about your fucking hyperbole.

[airballrad]

Wow, canoeing compared to running a modern day nuclear power plant.
Talk about your fucking hyperbole.

Sorry, JC, you're a little late to the flame-fest.

And honestly, I don't think the comparison is invalid. When engaging in a hazardous activity, seeking the advice of experts is a common and good practice. When the expert is mistaken or careless, Bad Things can happen. Whether those Bad Things involve getting trapped underwater or the China Syndrome don't much matter to you if you listened to the expert and you're the one in a world of hurt.

[mystic_1]

Nope, I'm not a canoe fitter, I just hate seeing lawsuits that I consider frivolous.


On another topic, wow the pelican has no deck over the stem or stern? Thats no good. I dont think Ive ever seen a boat like that.



I'm not sure what I'd do about that, to be honest. Maybe silicone or rivet some plastic to the sides of the hull make into a box, then use the foam to fill that. That seems pretty ridiculous.

Yep, no enclosures fore and aft. Even worse, the Dare Devil you posted seems to have a central storage/flotation unit whereas ours has another seat there:



Ours is not a "Colorado" either but simply says "Pelican 15.5" on the side. It is identical to the Colorado pictured, and apparently used to be sold as the Coleman Journey. Interestingly the Journey specifically says it has foam filled seats. Ours are not foam filled.... yet.

In this pic you can see the seat support pillars, which are the only place there's any emergency buoyancy at all. Also as I mentioned before the seats are hollow and filled up with water, probably through the screw holes. I'd like to fill the insides of the seats with foam as this would add buoyance near the top where I want it, but the oracle at Google says I shouldn't use Great Stuff as it may absorb water. I'm researching marine-grade foam.

In addition I see that there are foam blocks on the market that'll fit an open canoe like ours, they apparently attach to the top of the gunwales with rivets or screws. I'm thinking these would be a good investment before any future river trips for this canoe. It's become apparent to me that this is a fairly low-end canoe, we perhaps exceeded its capabilities?

Won't go too crazy on modifications to the canoe, because doing so would cost almost as much as simply buying another canoe, but this one has sentimental value to us now for obvious reasons.

mystic_1

[mystic_1]

Here's the pics I promised:

You can see most of our party here:



Here's the rapids that took out me and Tinyang:



It looks pretty innocuous until you look at the USGS data for the Black River for that date.

Here's river depth:



and here's flow rate:



Keep in mind that's a logarithmic scle. In the time we were on the river, the flow increased from around 1000 cubic feet per second to nearly 8000. It was already on it's way up by the time we launched.

Here's the data from the last 5 years. The flow rate has only been this high on five occasions during that timespan.



So, pictures of the bent canoe. Here's the bent keelson:



and the dented hull.



Thats about all we've salvaged picture-wise.

[CryHavoc]

A few things for you to look at possibly for your next canoe trip:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/8c52

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travel-outdoors/a6b6

[Invis]

First let me start by saying I'm glad everyone made it home safe.
Tinyang, as chapter barista (and maker of the best espresso ever) you should check with the rest of the chapter before undertaking dangerous adventures. A great barista in a bugout is hard to find!
Now down to business.
One of my clients is the areas only canoe outfitter. On a good weekend they rent out 150 -200 canoes.
After taking care of his computers for many years now (and renting many canoes myself) I have seen what is legally involved with the outfitting business.
Each morning before any canoes are shuttled upstream my friend must call the local river authorities and get current and expected conditions for the river that day. The State of Illinois has regulations about river safety and monitors outfitters. If the river is too fast or too high the days rentals are cancelled! If the river is full of debris (downed trees and large branches) after a storm rentals are cancelled.
This outfitter supplies each renter with a copy of the State of Illinois river safety regulations and gives a 5 min. safety class. Detailed river maps are available to purchase for a few dollars.
Having lived on the Kankakee river all of my life I have gotten to know it pretty well. I can't count the times I have been down it. But I have learned this ...add 3 inches of rain fall in a 48 hour time and it is a whole different river. What was once a peaceful 5 hour river float becomes a 2 hour nerve wrenching workout.
I see it this way...The outfitter in your case was a bad business man. It is not only about the renting of canoes, it's about the experience and memories you take away. I am sure you did not meet as a family group an decide "hey let's all go for a life threatening adventure " . I sure it was more like "hey let's get the family together and have a nice trip downstream"
It's the fun of doing something together that you purchased. Not just renting a canoe.
Shurly the outfitter saw the people in your party and the age range. They should have known the river conditions (shame on them if they did not). If the river was unsafe they should have not let you leave. Period!
When you go to the carnival the guy that runs the Ferris wheel is responsible for the mechanical condition of the ride as well as the weather safety. He should not let you ride in a lightning storm.
I am sure that you and yours have learned from your experience. Thankfully the lesson came at the low price of some electronic equipment.

[CryHavoc]

mystic_1 and tinyang, I think you both need these:

http://wandererimports.com/index.php?ma ... ex&cPath=1

[mystic_1]

Thanks for the comments guys. CryHavoc, I'm trying to figure out how hte Annoy-a-tron would have helped, perhaps if I used one on Tinyang then she would have killed me before we went on the trip?

mystic_1

[GirlTracker]

First off, was it the outfitters fault? I always thought that you can rely on a professional for professional advice. If you pay a tax professional to do your taxes, knowing the current tax law, etc. then aren't they responsible if you are audited due to faults in the tax preparation? According to my tax guy, yes.

That being said, I think this was a great adventure story with a lot of lessons involved. We probably wouldn't have an interesting personal experience section if we didn't make mistakes from time to time. Mistakes happen, we're human, moving on. I know I can personally take something away from this story so I appreciate the OP having the humility to right it!

[tinyang]

First let me start by saying I'm glad everyone made it home safe.
Tinyang, as chapter barista (and maker of the best espresso ever) you should check with the rest of the chapter before undertaking dangerous adventures. A great barista in a bugout is hard to find!

Thanks!! I'm barista-ing left handed only for now...

Now down to business.
One of my clients is the areas only canoe outfitter. On a good weekend they rent out 150 -200 canoes.
After taking care of his computers for many years now (and renting many canoes myself) I have seen what is legally involved with the outfitting business.
Each morning before any canoes are shuttled upstream my friend must call the local river authorities and get current and expected conditions for the river that day. The State of Illinois has regulations about river safety and monitors outfitters.

I need to check if WI has similar regs!!

If the river is too fast or too high the days rentals are cancelled! If the river is full of debris (downed trees and large branches) after a storm rentals are cancelled.
This outfitter supplies each renter with a copy of the State of Illinois river safety regulations and gives a 5 min. safety class. Detailed river maps are available to purchase for a few dollars.
Having lived on the Kankakee river all of my life I have gotten to know it pretty well. I can't count the times I have been down it. But I have learned this ...add 3 inches of rain fall in a 48 hour time and it is a whole different river. What was once a peaceful 5 hour river float becomes a 2 hour nerve wrenching workout.

No kidding! When I went for my walk in the rain on the April mock bug-out, I was following the river back to the campsite. After all of that rain that fell that weekend, the Kankakee was swollen and moving very fast. The shore became a mudslick real quick, and I almost fell in a few times.

I see it this way...The outfitter in your case was a bad business man. It is not only about the renting of canoes, it's about the experience and memories you take away. I am sure you did not meet as a family group an decide "hey let's all go for a life threatening adventure " . I sure it was more like "hey let's get the family together and have a nice trip downstream"
It's the fun of doing something together that you purchased. Not just renting a canoe.
Shurly the outfitter saw the people in your party and the age range. They should have known the river conditions (shame on them if they did not). If the river was unsafe they should have not let you leave. Period!
When you go to the carnival the guy that runs the Ferris wheel is responsible for the mechanical condition of the ride as well as the weather safety. He should not let you ride in a lightning storm.
I am sure that you and yours have learned from your experience. Thankfully the lesson came at the low price of some electronic equipment.

Low price is right! And stop calling me Shurly!

[tinyang]

Thanks for the comments guys. CryHavoc, I'm trying to figure out how hte Annoy-a-tron would have helped, perhaps if I used one on Tinyang then she would have killed me before we went on the trip?

mystic_1

Haha (yes I would have Mystic, lol)

I'm also wondering why Cryhavoc suggested the Annoy-a-tron?

[CryHavoc]

Weird. It was supposed to be this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/outdoors/cdd8

[Tater Raider]

Now down to business.
One of my clients is the areas only canoe outfitter. On a good weekend they rent out 150 -200 canoes.
After taking care of his computers for many years now (and renting many canoes myself) I have seen what is legally involved with the outfitting business.
Each morning before any canoes are shuttled upstream my friend must call the local river authorities and get current and expected conditions for the river that day. The State of Illinois has regulations about river safety and monitors outfitters.

I need to check if WI has similar regs!!

Even if they do I think that because you two used your own canoe that you would not be entitled to damages should your group pursue a lawsuit nor would anyone else who used their own watercraft.

Having said that, and having read everything, I'm very happy the entire group survived. People userestimate water constantly and it sounds like you folks learned a lot.

Thank you for sharing the pictures and story. I appreciate the lessons shared.

[BunkerBuster]

River - check
Water - check
Rapids - check
Electronics - wait...what? Electronics?

If you didn't pack the electronics in waterproof bags, you kinda bought yourself the trouble of replacing them all. Glad everyone's safe, but why didn't you guys question the water conditions a bit more? Especially with the kids?

Oh well, glad everyone's safe.

[mystic_1]

If you didn't pack the electronics in waterproof bags, you kinda bought yourself the trouble of replacing them all.

Yup I agree. The iPad and some of the cell phones in the group were indeed in bags. In the case of the iPad the entire bag went missing (backpack it was stowed in came open but remained attached to the canoe) and in the case of several of the phones the bags failed and allowed ingress of water.

Glad everyone's safe, but why didn't you guys question the water conditions a bit more? Especially with the kids?

In my own case I'll plead inexperience. The water did look quite vigorous to me but there were others in the group with far more experience than I (including some of the kids) and they didn't seem concerned. Not speaking up in spite of this is one of the personal lessons I'm taking out of this, as is the previously mentioned point of scouting and researching river conditions first-hand and not simply relying on the outfitter.

Not to mention that whole "don the PFD before launching the watercraft" thing

mystic_1

[CryHavoc]

These might also help on your next trip:

http://www.modernman.com/gear/gadgets/w ... n-14072010

[Woods Walker]

I take my yak out all the time. I wear a PFD even on flat water as there are just too many variables outside of my control. I am glad everyone is ok and gotta say that there is no shame in making mistakes, only in not learning from them.

[mystic_1]

I take my yak out all the time. I wear a PFD even on flat water as there are just too many variables outside of my control. I am glad everyone is ok and gotta say that there is no shame in making mistakes, only in not learning from them.

One of your sig lines seem especially appropros to this story:

"Do not mess with the forces of Nature, for thou art small and biodegradable!"



mystic_1

[jclaudii]

Mystic_1...What a great story about what all can and will go wrong on a happy day! Thanks for sharing. Now I would also like permission to post your tale on our local canoeing forum and/or have you go become a member over there so you can talk to some like minded water folk. http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com We are a close knitt group over there as well and I would encourage you and tinyang to seek your local club...especially if canoeing is something you two like to do.

One of the benefits of our club is they offer Canoe School and even white water and swift water training. My wife and I are going to stay under class II because we do not have the proper training on how to do some of the advanced creeks and rivers. Even some of our local rivers that are class I can become class III with enough rain and I think that is what happened to your party. Once you guys take a few courses, it would be super easy to teach these skills to your family members.

Another great sight just to get some extra info is http://www.americanwhitewater.org/ Hopefully these sites and your local club can get you and tinyang to be better prepared for the next event!

As for the canoe, I would look at some float bags like those at
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... oat%20Bags
They are for your fore and aft positions and since your canoe is a good size you may even get by adding a center float. This will usually allow you to remain in your canoe and maintain some control even when the canoe is full of water from a swamping. Granted you will loose some gear room, but since most trips are day trips and only last a few hours you may be able to get by with less room. Also, this site has throw bags and it is one of the pieces of gear we have acquired for us or if we happen upon a grim situation.

Also, when you go to swift water rescue/training school they usually teach you how to recover a pinned boat. I have been on a few rivers that are slow moving and pass right over a canoe that is pinned from a few days ago...and if I had the right gear with me it would be as easy as changing a tire. Basically the technique is to use carbiners and rope to make system of pulleys and a leverage point on the rope for the pulleys to pull from. This technique is called a "z-line" and it is something you can look up and practice on your own.

All in all I think it ended very well and I would loose all the gear in the world for everyone to come out like yours did!

[mystic_1]

Hiya jclaudii,

Mystic_1...What a great story about what all can and will go wrong on a happy day! Thanks for sharing. Now I would also like permission to post your tale on our local canoeing forum and/or have you go become a member over there so you can talk to some like minded water folk. http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com We are a close knitt group over there as well and I would encourage you and tinyang to seek your local club...especially if canoeing is something you two like to do.

By all means, feel free to post this story elsewhere. If even one other person learns from our mistakes and this story, I'm happy.

I'll certainly look at the arkansascanoeclub site but I cannot take on another online forum at this time, just too busy.

One of the benefits of our club is they offer Canoe School and even white water and swift water training. My wife and I are going to stay under class II because we do not have the proper training on how to do some of the advanced creeks and rivers. Even some of our local rivers that are class I can become class III with enough rain and I think that is what happened to your party. Once you guys take a few courses, it would be super easy to teach these skills to your family members.

Another great sight just to get some extra info is http://www.americanwhitewater.org/ Hopefully these sites and your local club can get you and tinyang to be better prepared for the next event!

Yup, the rain the night before (and I suspect the possibility that a hydro plant upriver opened up it's floodgates) made the river MUCH more vigorous than it was normally. According to the USGS numbers, the river had an EIGHT-FOLD increase in flow during the time we were on the water.

Training is undoubtedly a good idea, we're casual boaters at best and no one in our group intended this to be a whitewater thrill ride, but this story illustrates the fact that you can never be sure as to conditions and the more prepared you are, the better. Other, more experienced members of our party later described the conditions as "insane".

As for the canoe, I would look at some float bags like those at
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... oat%20Bags
They are for your fore and aft positions and since your canoe is a good size you may even get by adding a center float. This will usually allow you to remain in your canoe and maintain some control even when the canoe is full of water from a swamping. Granted you will loose some gear room, but since most trips are day trips and only last a few hours you may be able to get by with less room. Also, this site has throw bags and it is one of the pieces of gear we have acquired for us or if we happen upon a grim situation.

Yup, we're looking into bags like those and other similar products. There seems to be a lot of options on the market. Loosing capacity for gear won't be much of an issue as we never pack for more than a few hours on the water so don't need much unless we're fishing, which would probably be on flat water anyhow. I like the idea of a center float for when there's just the two of us on a river but would probably skip it on a lake or if we have a third passenger.

Also, when you go to swift water rescue/training school they usually teach you how to recover a pinned boat. I have been on a few rivers that are slow moving and pass right over a canoe that is pinned from a few days ago...and if I had the right gear with me it would be as easy as changing a tire. Basically the technique is to use carbiners and rope to make system of pulleys and a leverage point on the rope for the pulleys to pull from. This technique is called a "z-line" and it is something you can look up and practice on your own.

This approach occurred to me recently, and we did have sufficient gear along to do something like this, if I hadn't been able to free the canoe myself. Looking back on it, doing something like this would have probably enabled us to get the boat up out of the water and drain it, at least enough to give us some control as we proceeded downriver.

All in all I think it ended very well and I would loose all the gear in the world for everyone to come out like yours did!

Thanks, I don't really bemoan the loss of the gear much at all, in light of the fact that everyone made it out relatively unscathed.

cheers
mystic_1