Countdown

We are down to the final weekend to prepare for the 2010 MR 340. I plan to get “My Dianna” back out on the local lake this weekend to make some final adjustments to her balance to compensate for my missing partner. I'm going over my list to be sure I don’t leave anything behind that I must have while paddling down the Missouri River. I’m disappointed that I don’t have a partner now, but at the same time I excited about a solo trip.

With the race postponed a month it will create a few new issues for us to deal with such as the earlier sunsets and later sunrise which translates into more hours of darkness and cooler temperatures which is conductive to producing heavy fog. We can deal with the darkness but the fog will put a stop to safe river travel.

There are too many hazards to even consider travel on the river during heavy fog. I can use my GPS to keep the canoe in the middle of the river but it will not pickup the buoys, wing dikes or debris that one must be careful of. Also sound is distorted in the fog (even for the hearing) so something that sounds like it’s on the port side may actually be anywhere. And then there are the barges both moving and stationary. If a heavy fog socks in the only option is to pull over and wait it out which more than likely will be several hours.

Last year we had a ground crew which is a great help but this year we have lost our ground crew too because of the date change. Without a ground crew I will have to carry additional baggage on the canoe so I can support myself. My wife, Dianna, is going to meet me at the 4th checkpoint which will be about 22 to 28 hours and 140 miles into the race to restock my supplies and once close to Callaway County I will get some local support from friends and relatives in the area. So I may not have a full time ground crew but will still have some support.

Last year we did it in 82+ hours so this year I’m shooting for 72 hours if the fog stays away. I will be at least a day behind the winners of my division but I have already decided that I’m going for the adventure not necessarily the win. We will know in a few days.

No partner, no ground crew, no problem!!!!

No partner, no ground crew, no problem!!!!

Just a few days to the postponed start to the big dance and I'm adjusting to a solo and unsupported run down the Missouri River. The date change has caused a lot of issues for a lot of teams but the Son(s) of Auxvasse Creek will continue on despite the loss of my partner and ground crew due to scheduling conflicts. I do have friends and relatives in Central Missouri who might come out and offer a cold drink of water in the Masters name so once I get close to Boonville I should have some ground support for a few hours.

I made a few adjustments and took "My Dianna" out on our local lake today to try to get her trimmed for a solo run. I attempted to simulate the gear and stuff I would have on board for the MR340 and made a couple of trips out on the water to see how it all worked out. I'm close to where I need to be. I going to pack an extra sandbag and move it forward as I consume liquids in an attempt to keep her trimmed and her nose down in the water.

Now down to making a list of the essentials I will need then cutting out about half to get to the actual amount of stuff I will need.

SONS OF AUXVASSE CREEK
MR 340 Projected Schedule
TUESDAY
08/24/10 Lexington trip 50 miles -7 hours -ave speed 7.1- 50 total
in 15:00
out15:30
River Mile 317
TUESDAY
08/24/10 Waverly trip 23 miles- 3hr 30min- ave speed 6.5- 73 total
in 19:00
out 19:30
RM 294

WEDNESDAY
08/25/10 Miami trip 32 miles- 5hr 30min- ave speed 6- 105 total
in 01:00
out 1:30
RM 262
WEDNESDAY
08/25/10 Glasgow trip 36 miles- 7hr- ave speed 5.1- 141 total
in 08:30 *5 hour break
out 13.30
RM 226
WEDNESDAY
07/28/10 Katfish Katy trip 46 miles- 9 hr 30 min- ave speed 5.9- 197 total
in 23:00
out 23:30
RM 180

THURSDAY
07/29/10 JeffCity trip 36 miles- 5 hours- ave speed 5.2- 223 total
in 04:30 *6 hour break
out 10:30
RM 144
(Mokane RM 124.7 may do 30 minute break???)
THURSDAY
07/29/10 Herman trip 46 miles- 9 hours-ave speed 5.1- 269 total
in 19:30 *1 ½ hour break
out 21:00
RM 97.7

FRIDAY
07/30/10 Klondike trip 42 miles- 7hr 30min- ave speed 5.6- 311 total
in 04:30
out 05:30
RM 56
FRIDAY
07/30/10 StCharles trip 28 miles- 4hr 30min-ave speed 6.2- 339 TOTAL
in 10:00
RM 29
74 Hours Total Time
Overall average speed 4.58 mph

Of course the speed of the current, my level of endurance and my mental attitude will impact the actual times but this will be my goal for each checkpoint and I may do a quick stop at Mokane just to step on the firm soil of the Kingdom once again before "We Proceed On".

13 days

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Amos 5:24 KJV
The river is still high but seems to be going down. If the wing dikes are underwater it could make for some interesting night travel.

Here we are counting down the last few days, again. Kyle couldn't change his vacation, Jeff has other obligations, Chris can't change vacation either, the other Chris has to go to a meeting, Tom will be Seattle, Chad will be starting class and Matt will be away at school. I do have a couple of other options out, we just need to see if Steve or Glenn can make it work. Otherwise, I will go solo.

Next I need to recruit a new ground crew. We will have to see what shakes out the next few days.