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Houston, Texas
77292-5516



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HCC Paddling Forum

Introducing a 2018 Boquillas Canyon Trip
Author Last Post
I'll try to join, too.  I got to run the Santa Elena stretch a month ago.  Water has been high (600 cfs±) and we had a 3+ mph current.  water reservoirs are full, and the expectation was for continued releases at these levels for most of the winter.  It should be a great trip.
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I did carry all of my water (3-4 gallons for 3-days).  I'm told that the Rio Grande has high levels of heavy metals (from upstream industrial releases).  It is additional weight and space to consider, as you plan your "self-support weight" ☺.
I am going. I will be willing to share a ride and gas to Big Bend, with someone else's vehicle, or in my truck with someone else. Contact me if interested in sharing a ride. Will probably be camping one night on the way to Big Bend, and one night on the way back. My truck can carry a couple of boats, but alas, only one other passenger.
Harmon Everett

We will be posting the 2018 Big Bend / Boquillas Canyon Paddle / Camp within the next week.  In preparation, we want those who may be interested to think about their schedule, equipment, health and experience in connection with the event and reserve a spot only if everything lines up well.  There appears to be a lot of demand, and we don’t want to see a lot of churn in the registrations with placeholders and scalpers (ha ha).

 

Here are the general parameters of the trip:

 

DATES: Feb 16-19 (includes the shuttle day) – on the water Saturday through Monday (3 days, 2 nights) - Please note that it takes about a day to travel to and from Big Bend National Park, and you might want to spend additional time in the area with that kind of investment – please consider carefully

 

DISTANCE: 33 miles

 

CONDITIONS: UNKNOWN – can be hot, mild, cold, calm, windy, rainy, snowing, cloudy, overcast or sunny, or combinations of each, and once you start paddling on Saturday morning, you finish, no matter what – you have to be ready for anything

 

SKILL SET: HCC Skill Level “Novice +” – comfortable in wind, chop and Class 2 rapids, with camping/backpacking experience.  Although most of the river is suitable for a lower classification, the remoteness factor bumps up the experience/safety requirement a rung or two. Comfort with maneuvering in moving water and handling Class 2 rapids is a minimum requirement. Ideally, participants should also have some self-rescue knowledge and be experienced with “Wet Exit”.

 

EQUIPMENT: Kayak/Canoe and camping equipment capable of sustaining conditions, distance and skills mentioned above

 

HEALTH: Sufficient with margin to handle distance and conditions mentioned above

 

ANTICIPATED EXPENSES: Entry to Big Bend National Park will depend on your age and if you already have a National Parks pass of some kind.  I think it costs about $80 per vehicle.  There is a $5 per day per parked vehicle and $5 per person charge at the take-out, payable in advance.  We also buy a case of beer for Fred to make him extra happy to take care of our vehicles at Heath Canyon / La Linda.  Campsites, permits and pot luck food contributions will make up the balance of anticipated group expenses – probably another $5-$10 per person.  Of course, there will be gasoline, meals, etc. for your own transportation to and from Big Bend, for border crossing if you want to do that, and for however you prepare your camping food.

 

SLOTS: We are limiting the number of people to 12

 

If you have any questions, please contact the trip coordinators:

Kent Walters: 713-306-6668

Joe Coker: 281-778-3283


Best Regards,
Kent
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