George River Solo 2018

Day 19
Start Time: 8/2/2018 0:00 PM
Duration: 0:00
Distance / Total (km): 0 / 237.5

Rain started around 3:00am, still raining at 6:00am, at 8:00am it seemed to be tapering off but the wind was picking up, the sound of the Pod flapping was beginning to concern me. I ordered up a new forecast, rain predicted to end soon, wind from the northeast to continue but at modest levels. This latter part did not seem right, the rain did stop by 9:00am but the wind continued to increase. Earlier in the overnight when I had gone out I put some stakes in the Pod, good thing as that might have been the only thing preventing a blowdown. I crawled out of the tent; the Pod was still standing and the contents undisturbed. I moved over and started to prepare breakfast, never had a chance as in a few minutes I found myself leaning into one corner to keep the pole from snapping, this was helping but now the fabric was taking the majority of the force. I stood there for a few minutes try to figure out how to take down the Pod and avoid having all my unpacked stuff being blown off the esker. The answer came when the Pod started to lift off, this is the critical point, and a full “launch” could result in fatal damage. I ran around like a crazy man (that I am), disassembling poles, and holding on to the fabric all the while trying to gather loose items. At least the rain has stopped and the bugs have blown away. After storing away the Pod and securing my gear, I tossed a bunch of things into the Marmot and climbed in for refuge. I am not sure of my plan, the sun has come out but that has not diminished the wind, given the rapids ahead, I was not keen on running them under current conditions. On the other hand, I was starting to bake in the tent.

It is about 4 – 5 hours to Three Gorges (plus my prep time), I would have to leave soon to not risk a late arrival. At 12:30 I made my decision, yet another “lost” day, the forecast for cool, dry & calm early Friday morning sounded good, If I can be on the water by 8:00 or 9:00am I can make Three Gorges by early afternoon and move a couple of loads across the portage. I spent the rest of the afternoon snoozing and then passed out completely until 2:30am, had a smoke and then back to sleep until 5:30am.