Day 4 (Time for plan B) 12/09/2009
I knew all along that starting a trip like this on the Wisconsin river in December would put me precariously close to winter freeze up and real winter weather. However, because of the way things worked out with other things going on in my life, December was the earliest I could start. I could have launched further south (as any sane person would do, and my mother suggested) but my dream has always been to paddle from Portage all the way back to Portage. My stubborn streak wouldn’t waver from that idea and so it was that I launched from Portage on that beautiful sunny winter day just last Sunday. The first day was pretty much the sort of weather I expected and planned for. Day two brought some snow but was not a surprise this time of year. By day three when I launched in falling snow and ended the day in a driving snow storm, I was grateful to have my parents shadowing me as a support crew… Then the hammer fell. 
Over night we watched the small town of Boscobel Wisconsin go from early December with snow to late January-like blizzard conditions. Six inches of snow had fallen over night with strong winds with sub zero temperatures (and dangerously low wind chills) to follow. I had based my planning on the historical average temperatures and the memory of only wishing for a white Christmas this time of year. Call me naive if you will but this weather was a surprise.   As we sat in our motel room this morning it was obvious that the thought of getting back on the water was out for today. Not that I couldn’t have paddled, our main concern was that my parents wouldn’t be able to get to me with the truck later in the day. Take outs are far and few between down here and tend to be on back roads that are the last to be plowed open. With paddling out for the day we turned our attention to the weather and to figuring out what our plan of action would be for the next few days.  Snowy highway  What it boiled down to was this. We’d wait another day for the temperatures to go up to something more reasonable than the minus 11 wind chills that were predicted for tomorrow. Then, if the river was still unfrozen I would resume paddling with plans to finally reach the Mississippi and finally turn south. If the river was frozen then we’d be forced to head south to find open water to resume paddling. With this plan in place we anxiously watched the weather channel and reports of how hard Iowa and points south of here were being hit by this storm. The reality remained that even if the river wasn’t frozen, and I could continue from here, I would still be firmly in full on deep-winter conditions when my parents head back home six days from now. The idea of just cutting our losses and heading south was in the back ground until we drove to the river to have a look, what we saw there removed all doubt that it would be wise to do just that. People have paddled in worse conditions (remember it was Eskimos that invented the sport) but I believe it would be irresponsible to paddle solo in a river choked with slushy ice packs in wind chills at or below zero. This trip is supposed to be an adventure not a death defying stunt.  Rafts of snow and ice  The sign says it all
Here is where luck and good timing come into play. Doug Klapper is the gentleman that joined me the first day to escort me out of town on a stand up paddleboard. I enjoyed his company and conversation for the first few miles of this trip. While we talked he mentioned that he knew some folks on the Mississippi that might be a good source of information and I asked him to please direct them to my web site. A day later Tammy Becker e-mailed me offering up a meal, shower, and warm bed to sleep in when I made it to the Quad cities area around Davenport Iowa. She said that if I needed help with anything to just let her know. It turns out that Tammy’s boyfriend is Chad Pregracke. Chad started Living Lands & Waters, a nationally-renowned river cleanup organization (when he was just 23 years old). Tammy, Chad, and their crew have 4 barges, one with a house on it and we travel up and down the Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois and other rivers collecting debris off the shorelines and islands for about 9 months out of the year. Check out their website if you have the chance what they‘re doing is incredible: www.livinglandsandwaters.org I figured that if there is anybody that would be a good source of info to figure out my next steps. While I was writing an e-mail to beg for information from her, Tammy was writing a follow up e-mail wondering how I was doing with this big storm. Long story short we have come up with plan B. Tomorrow while the winds are driving temperatures to a point that can freeze exposed flesh, we’ll be driving south a couple hundred miles to rendezvous with Tammy and Chad. Once there, we’ll spend a day tracking down a couple bits of gear that will make my life easier then re-group and get back on the water. There is still a lot of snow on the ground down there but, the thought is that with my parents following me for a few more days, I’ll finally be far enough south to not have to worry about any more storms like this. Knock on wood.
This decision has not come easy to me as the continuity of the trip has always been intriguing to me. At the same time I’ve also been a bit disappointed that, it being winter, I wouldn’t be able to meet as many people on the water during the first leg of this trip - I haven’t seen a soul since Doug the first day… go figure - By jumping south now it leaves a gap in the loop that will need to be filled. Next October after I make it back to Portage I intend to come right back to Boscobel do just that. Perhaps then I will be able to convince some of the local paddlers in the area to join me for a beautiful week long trip to enjoy the fall colors as we float down the river to Davenport. Commentsjanice 12/09/2009 5:44:30 pm "I believe it would be irresponsible to paddle solo in a river choked with slushy ice packs in wind chills at or below zero. This trip is supposed to be an adventure not a death defying stunt." Ann D 12/09/2009 5:50:39 pm I am so glad you're not risking your life by insisting on your original plan, come Hell or - frozen - water. I love Plan B. toni Roth 12/09/2009 6:05:50 pm wow... snow scraping a kayak... didn't really think I would ever see that. Aaron Stachovak 12/09/2009 7:20:42 pm Dude, plan B? common, if the river gives you ice chunks you make it into a plan "A" "white" water course. Man up and get back on the water until the real cold hits - All that California paddling has turned you soft - where is the guy that is not afraid to polar bear a crappie? Luke 12/09/2009 7:39:05 pm Plan B??? What the heck is a plan B? Rename this the Davenport to Davenport project. I agree with Stove. Man up and get back in the water! Lynn 12/09/2009 8:06:41 pm JAKE!!!! Jan Kleck 12/09/2009 9:19:46 pm Unbelievable!!!!!!! Glad your good sense prevails! We can't go along on this fantastic ride unless you are there to take us. The kids are very excited - Mackenzie wished she could have been one of those middle school kids to have heard you!! Continue teaching us all - even when making wise decisions like Plan B!! Neil B 12/10/2009 5:45:49 am I agree with Luke and Aaron. I mean did we have a plan "B" when we sent Luke down the sledding hill to test our new jump over the road? Or bombed Rib Mountain on our bikes helmetless? That's why they created the prestigious "Darwin Award" for people who stick with plan "A". Becky 12/10/2009 7:45:51 am It doesn't look like it's going to be that much warmer down in Davenport but the water should be clearer since its the Mississippi. I don't know Jake I'd just wait till Saturday when the temps get back up out of the single digits. Either way stay warm! John Cronin 12/10/2009 8:00:36 am Considering the conditions, Plan B sounds like a pretty good idea to me Jake. Take care. Ken Fry 12/10/2009 8:04:50 am The snow storm hit the news last night and I was thinking about you. Plan B sounds good to me. Great Blog! Thom 12/10/2009 10:45:17 am My sentiments align with your brothers... man-up and get back on the river. Museman 12/10/2009 2:26:08 pm Man, this forum is great! We get to tease you without any back talk. I though Wisconsin boys were tough, but I guess you are what you eat! It's only the beginning buddy, so follow your gut. Weather layovers will happen...you'll just have to deal! Amber L 12/10/2009 9:14:27 pm Sorry that you got nailed with this when you're just starting out...I thought you were a bit nuts to start off in Wisconsin in December, but since it is a 10 month journey it's better to start here now than come across the Great Lakes in these sort of conditions (or worse) next December. While Plan B wasn't your ideal strategy, carrying on and continuing the trip is what matters most. Already manned up 12/10/2009 9:30:47 pm Ha! Listen to all these guys sitting in their warm homes at their laptops and computers telling you to man up! Ha! Tell these guys to actually come out and paddle with you. dug 12/10/2009 10:26:24 pm While not for everyone let me say that it is a joy to paddle while watching ice form in the river and if snow is coming down all the better! Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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