Floater Found Safe On The Buffalo

[Danoinark]

I read the same thing Wayne did.. as in Floating body found dead on the Buffalo.

Thank goodness they are both alive and now safe. You just gotsta heed weather warnings anytime on these waterways.

Sorry fellas I should have caught that when I titled it. Edit done.

[Danoinark]

If an outfitter put them on the water they should be sued and put out of business. That is just downright irresponsible since we all knew the rain was coming.

If I know it's gonna rain like it did, I stay away. If all they are predicting is a 10-20% chance of rain with little or no accumulations, I will go but not on a float. That predction could change at a moments notice. Always gotta be aware of the weather out there.

Growing up near Lake Michingan, I learned to never trust the weather when on the water. The wind could change and the waves will be up several feet in a heart beat.

I think they were floating on their own. Buffalo River Outfitters are not allowed to rent equipment if the river is at flood stage or closed per the National Park. They left on Sunday and I am not sure what the conditions were at the time. Bobber can probably give a better explanation and he was there.

Dano

[Danimal]

To my knowledge, there are no outfitters launching boats or running shuttles on that part of the Buffalo. It takes a huge rain to even make that section runnable. They simply overestimated their abilities. Dan-o

[Guest]

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[Ham]

I'm all for people being responsible for their own actions, BUT an outfitter has a much better knowledge base and should know when people should be kept off the river for their own good. I'd bet most of them can read people and get a good guess at their paddling skillz.

I floated Saturday.

The people I floated with had paddled the upper section on Friday. It was at a moderate level and running clear for them on Friday.

I took us further down river knowing that a rise was going to happen on the upper end AND I had looked at the water levels. We were on a pretty mild part of the river that I'm pretty sure I could handle with a much higher flow, but like I said before. I paddle to fish and if the fishing isn't going to be a viable option, I won't be there.

Water was starting to rise and had a little stain, but was not muddy.

We floated 10 miles in 5 hours with minimal paddling adn I whacked the smallmouth.

I knew a rise was going to happen, but I was pretty sure it was going to happen after we got off the river.

I would never do an overnight trip under those conditions, but I will plan a day trip ahead of a bulge.

[Danimal]

Which stretch were they running Danimal? Hailstone?

That's correct. Mostly class II/III with a couple of drops pushing class IV at normal levels. It's a really beautiful area but I wouldn't want to hike out of there in these conditions. That's some very steep terrain in there. Glad they got out OK. Dan-o

[Ham]

They were in inflatable yaks. Really?