Paddling, Climbing --- 8/2/2020 --- Adirondacks
Chug and Dump 2020 (aka Drones Don't Float)
Started Sunday in Old Forge. Shuttling cars in the pouring rain, conditions were ominous. But the weather cleared as we started paddling. Choppy water and a short paddle brought us to Alger Island and our first camp site. The final 20 minutes of paddling was in a downpour, so it was nice to have a leanto for cooking and drying.
Monday was beautiful weather. Choppy lakes, long twisty river, tailwinds, and swimming at a beautiful campsite.
Tropical Storm Isaias on Tuesday. At least the lakes weren't crowded. Continuous rain, some high winds, long portages. A challenging day. Close to 12 hours of paddling.
Another long day Wednesday. Much better weather and a nice river. But we passed up some sites earlier in the day and ended up paddling late into the evening, finishing with a long upstream section of Stony Creek. Two hard days in a row.
Thursday was another long day, but mostly easy paddling. Five portages! Though one had a drainage culvert option that obviously Jay and saw as the best option. Might have been one of the trip highlights for me :) Great campsite on Long Pond with excellent swimming.
Sad time Friday morning as we learned that drones don't float. If anyone has scuba gear and motivation, I've got GPS coordinates for you. Finished early at the last free campsite on Upper Saranac. Great afternoon of swimming and finally reading the book I've been lugging the entire trip. Highlight of the day was watching loon babies and their mom.
Awake at 4:30am Saturday for a sunrise paddle in the mist. Through the lock and finishing at the north end of Lower Saranac just as the heat of the day was beginning to feel unbearable.
Trip totaled exactly 100 miles! 90 miles of paddling and 10 miles of portaging.
Coda to the trip: Since I was in the Dacks with a canoe, I convinced Jackie and Calvin to join me at Roger's Rock. Rough paddle out, some water in the boat (Jackie!) Very rough paddle back, but stayed upright! Climbed to The Matrix and Little Finger. Been wanting to climb that slide forever, so it was fun to finally get an opportunity.
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No low bridges! Ithaca -- 8/2/2020 |
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First night dessert can be heavy. Adirondacks -- 8/2/2020 |
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Sun showers on Alger Island Adirondacks -- 8/2/2020 |
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First portage Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Anna Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Let's go that way Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rain Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rainbow photo shoot Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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The last of the heavy food before the first big portage Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Octogimli Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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62lb canoe + pack Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Team J-Stroke! Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Team Rawbanana? Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Paddling Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Paddling Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Paddling Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Paddling Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Wide angle makes arms look long Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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1.3 mile portage Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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1.3 mile portage Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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1.3 mile portage Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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1.3 mile portage Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Camping Adirondacks -- 8/3/2020 |
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Rain all day Adirondacks -- 8/4/2020 |
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Resting tropical storm faces Adirondacks -- 8/4/2020 |
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It's like having an umbrella Adirondacks -- 8/4/2020 |
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Finished a portage Adirondacks -- 8/4/2020 |
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Tropical Storm Isaias. We paddled for nearly 12 hours. Adirondacks -- 8/4/2020 |
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Sunny morning! Adirondacks -- 8/5/2020 |
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Much nicer! Adirondacks -- 8/5/2020 |
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Until it started raining again :( Adirondacks -- 8/5/2020 |
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But it eventually cleared Adirondacks -- 8/5/2020 |
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And we paddled all day Adirondacks -- 8/5/2020 |
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And FINALLY reached a gorgeous site Adirondacks -- 8/5/2020 |
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Ahhh Adirondacks -- 8/5/2020 |
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camping Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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camping Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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camping Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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I poke you in the head! Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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Culvert portage! Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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River paddling Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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River paddling Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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River paddling Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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River paddling Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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Lit tent on Long Pond Adirondacks -- 8/6/2020 |
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Misty morning Adirondacks -- 8/7/2020 |
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Misty morning Adirondacks -- 8/7/2020 |
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Upper Saranac camping Adirondacks -- 8/7/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Early morning paddling in the mist Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Bird poop island Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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No low bridges! Adirondacks -- 8/8/2020 |
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Roger's Rock with Jackie and Calvin Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |
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Roger's Rock with Jackie and Calvin Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |
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Roger's Rock with Jackie and Calvin Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |
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Party on Little Finger Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |
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Calvin leading The Matrix Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |
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Party on Little Finger Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |
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Calvin and Jackie Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |
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Jackie in airplane mode Adirondacks -- 8/9/2020 |