George River Solo 2018

Day 35
Start Time: 8/18/2018 2:37 PM
Duration: 3:38
Distance / Total (km): 9.34 / 432.8

I got up just after 8:00am, it was cold a grey outside (7°c inside), gusty headwinds from the NNW. I ordered up a long-range forecast, some good, and some bad. Wind changing to a more positive direction over the next 36 hours and then strengthening after that. Somewhat warmer air arriving in 2 days then the cold and rain returns. I did a little sweeping after breakfast then back to the sleeping bag to keep warm. At 12:30pm I decided it was time to go, I was determined to get on the water regardless of conditions; I should be able to reach the end of Indian House by dark no matter how bad it is.

For warmth I put on my dry suit with several layers, there was now some patches of sun but the wind gusts grew in strength as I did three trips carrying gear down to the water. Setting off at 2:37pm, the first kilometre or so was swift water, the headwind was kicking up small whitecaps and waves. I tried to stay close to the left shore, the wind kept pushing me out towards the middle and I would struggle to get back. After an hour of steady paddling I pull over for a smoke break, another hour followed with a break at a convenient beach where I could stretch my legs. At this point the wind moderated slightly but a light drizzle started, any idea I had about paddling on until after dark went away, setting up camp in the rain was bad, rain and darkness would be foolish bad. Instead, as the wind continued to weaken I set my sites on a marked camp not far ahead. With less wind, I was able to get my moving average up from a pitiful 2.3kmph to a mediocre 2.9kmph. The beach came into view in a small bay, unlike the earlier one, which was gravel this one was all sand, I didn’t care, tonight was a Marmot only night! I waited for a break in the rain, quickly set up, dumped what I would need inside and crawled in for a lengthy bug kill. The drizzle came and went, the wind died off completely. I snacked on cheese and crackers, nuts & salami before making tea and a bag of Lasagna with Beef (Mountain House), always a good fill up helped with some added chillies. I would be back on the river tomorrow so I charged up some GoPro batteries before dropping off to sleep.