San Juan River prep

Awwww hey!  I just scored a permit for the San Juan River for this weekend!!  It's a 3-day, 27 mile float from Sand Island to Mexican Hat.  Most of the rapids are rated between Class I and II, although there's one Class III at mile 17.  This will be the first ducky trip of the season -- can't wait!

I thought there'd be no way I'd get one of these permits.  (Check out the Monticello BLM's website for more detailed information about getting one.)  Usually they book up waaaay in advance, but this low water year does have its perks.  The San Juan is only running at 500 cfs (check the current levels here,) which is the bare minimum for float trips.  I think a lot of the bigger rigs are backing out, which opened up a spot for our little ducky.  Hells yeah!  I'm sure we'll scrape bottom, run into some sand bars, and negotiate a few more rocks, but it'll be worth it.

San Juan River -- Sand Island to Mexican Hat

Packing up!

Pack List for 3-day Ducky Trip

Getting packed is definitely putting my Tetris skills to work!  Our two person ducky is pretty small and we need to pack enough stuff for 3 days out.  The BLM also requires some extra gear, which is going to make it even tighter.  Even though the forecast is calling for highs in the mid-80s, it's still only April, so I think I should bring some warm gear to be safe.

Ducky gear

Ducky (Sea Eagle 370)
Air pump
2 paddles
Dry bags (2x30L, 2x20L)
Loads of carabiners
Rope

Safety

Life jackets
1st aid kit
Ducky patch kit
Extra valves
Bilge pump

Etc.

Wallet

Cell phone

Camera w/ waterproof case

Book

Pen

River guide
Headlamp
Pocket knife

Lots of ziploc bags

BLM required gear

Extra paddle

Fire pan

Wag bags w/ammo can

Camping

Tent w/ stakes and poles

Sleeping bag

Sleeping pad

Inflatable pillow

Clothes

Sunglasses

Swim suit

Shorts

Chacos

Ball cap 

Watch

2 short sleeve T-shirts

1 long sleeve button-up

Long johns

Stocking cap

1 pair socks

Fleece jacket

Camp shoes

Toiletries

Sunscreen

Bugspray

Chapstick SPF

Contact solution, contact holder, glasses

Deodorant

Toothbrush / toopaste

Hair ties

Bandana

TP w/ Purrell

Food / Water

Food for 3 days

Water (1 gallon per person per day) 
Pots/pans/dishes/sporks

Camp stove + gas

Scrubbie

Ode to Maps

I have a terrible sense of direction.  Seriously, I can still get lost driving around my hometown or if I hike too far back into the goblins!  It’s super embarrassing and pretty unfortunate, especially considering my favorite activities are hiking around a remote desert, exploring Asian cities where I can’t read the road signs, and busting out on long road trips.

To compensate for my mediocre skillzzz, I’ve developed a fetish for maps.  All kinds – atlases, 7.5s, Trails Illustrated, the flimsy ones in Lonely Planet books, etc.  I can easily dink around all afternoon on Google Earth.  Playing around with these maps has made my sense of direction a little better, but it's still not effortless or intuitive.  Basically, if I’m discombobulated I can usually whip out a map and compass and crunch my way out of a tight spot.  (Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Jordan has a bombproof sense of direction!)

Goblin Valley from Google Earth.  Sweet, eh?

My latest map obsession is National Geographic TOPO -- a computer program Jordan got me for my birthday.  Basically, the software contains 7.5 maps for the entire state of Utah.  You can zoom in and print off maps for the specific area where you’ll be hiking.  I’ve also been messing around with the “route” feature, which lets you draw out your course to see total mileage and an elevation profile.  My favorite is the 3D flyover, which gives you a sneak preview of your hike as it zooms through the mountains and canyons of your route.

Screenshoot of Little Wild Horse / Bell Canyon hike:  3D flyover, topo, and elevation profile.

A feature I haven’t used yet is synching the route with a GPS.  You can map a route on the software, then load it to your handheld GPS.  It also works in reverse – you can take waypoints during your hike, then upload it into the software.  (“Oh!  That’s where I was!”)  So that brings me to my GPS dilemma.  I’ve been holding off on buying a handheld GPS forever, partly because I was worried it would become a crutch and an excuse not to build up solid map skills.   That was probably true a few years ago, but now I think I’m decent at reading maps.  A GPS could also come in handy in an emergency.  And -- let's not lie -- I want to play around with this software!

So now I’m scoping out GPSs and reading lots of reviews.  Do any of you own a GPS that you really like?  Any good/bad/ugly reviews?