Time to strap on the floaties and paddle the once a year environmental release of the Snowy river. The release will happen on the 17th but will take about three days to get to running waters campsite. So we are looking at one day of shuttles, four of rafting and one more day to return to canberra.
Kayaking difficulty: Mostly class I and II. Tulloch ard George will take a day to go through and has 3 to 4 class III rapids. It is worth remembering that this is a remote trip with some areas out of both mobile and sat phone coverage.
I have secured a 10 foot raft which I can either paddle alone or with others and we can use it as a gear raft for food and cooking equipment. Pack rafters can take their own sleeping stuff and personnel gear. I have limited space for kayaker gear.
Cooking: Was thinking also that we pair up to do group cooks. We just need to make sure we take notes of dietary requirements. Also hoping we can take Xaviers camp stove and do some good old camp fire cooking.
Water: snowy water is fine to drink after a boil or treatment with tablets
Camping: lots of sand, pretty consistent trees, lots of firewood
The final composition of the trip will depend on experience and my own discression. I do need some other experienced paddlers to come with us but there is some ability to take newer paddlers. For this I will be looking to take those who have been committed to training oer the past year. Anyone who has participated in learning whitewater weekends and rolling sessions.
Day #1 Shuttle Day : 19 Oct (camp at running waters camp site)
This day is an epic drive! We will need to drop equipment and rafts off at the Running waters camp site firstly. Then some drivers will need to drop cars off at the end of the river 2hrs away (4hrs return)
5Hrs Canberra to Running Waters 5Hrs
2 Hrs Running Waters to Balley Hooley Campground
2 Hrs Balley Hooley to Running Waters
Start of raft:
Running Waters campground, Running Waters Access, Kosciuszko National Park
End or Raft:
Balley Hooley Campground, Balley Hooley Rd,
Day #2 on water: 20 Oct (Camp near Mcillops bridge)
Head toward mckillops bridge
Day #3 on water: 21 Oct (Camp at boulder garden)
Pass mckillops bridge camp past boulder garden
Day #4 on wate: 22 Oct (Camp in Tulloch Ard George)
George fun
Day #5 on Water: 23 camp before (camp at cliff jump campsite)
End of george fun. Just fun.
Day #6 on water and Shuttle Oct 24 (return home)
2 hrs left of river and 6hrs return drive from:
(Buchan River Junction)
Balley Hooley Campground, Balley Hooley Rd, Buchan VIC 3885