I recently attempted the entire Upper Iowa River from Lime Springs to Lansing. The entire stretch is 124 miles in length, with the last 8 miles being on the Mississippi. I attempted with 2 other paddlers, both of whom were very experienced. We packed our 7-days worth of gear, and tried to make the best of cold and rainy early May weather.
Unfortunately on our second day, we ran into a borderline impassible section of strainers that took out one boat and left another stranded with no option other than to get pulled into a spill. My boat was the only one that made it through the section, and that was pure luck. This section of river was deceptive, as the widest channel was also one that led into a blind curve that ended in a fallen tree strainer.
This section led to two boats being stranded on a cold and wet day, we had to contact the authorities for rescue. As we were in a valley with no cell reception, this proved to be difficult. We had to make lots of quick decisions, and that led to all of us making it through this. No drownings, no hypothermia, no casualties. It proved to be a fantastic learning experience, and that wisdom gained is something to be shared.
Unfortunately on our second day, we ran into a borderline impassible section of strainers that took out one boat and left another stranded with no option other than to get pulled into a spill. My boat was the only one that made it through the section, and that was pure luck. This section of river was deceptive, as the widest channel was also one that led into a blind curve that ended in a fallen tree strainer.
This section led to two boats being stranded on a cold and wet day, we had to contact the authorities for rescue. As we were in a valley with no cell reception, this proved to be difficult. We had to make lots of quick decisions, and that led to all of us making it through this. No drownings, no hypothermia, no casualties. It proved to be a fantastic learning experience, and that wisdom gained is something to be shared.
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