How to be prepared for river canoeing
When you’re on the river, there are certain things that you should always bring with you. We all know we should be wearing our life jackets and use waterproof bags, but what else should we consider? It’s all about being prepared for the worst case scenario.
Our last trip of the season on the Bow River from Banff to Canmore brought the paddling season to a dramatic, and not ideal, close. Luckily, no one was injured and we didn’t loose any of our gear, but the situation reinforced what we already knew and taught us some important lessons.
Check weather and temperatures
Always secure ALL of your cargo
Bring a change of clothes
Assess river conditions
-Things such as time of year. Runoff can be a very dangerous time, especially in the mountains. Research and observe river features before you attempt them, especially if you know there is some feature that is a little more involved.
Calling for extra help
Sometimes, if you really get into trouble, you’ll need to get rescued. Think of how you would call for help if you need it. Find out if you’ll have cell coverage for your trip, and then you can just rely on that. Otherwise, you might need to get a satellite phone or Spot device, which can be rented at most outfitters.
It’s surprisingly easy to capsize and loose paddles in this stretch of the Bow River, and most mountain rivers. Uneven terrain and rocky, undercut shores mean the river will meander, and when water speeds are fast, this can be scary.
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