Extending the paddling season into fall and spring

[Crash]

In the past, I’ve only paddled during the summer months. I am now pushing into the fall and I expect next year, to start earlier in the spring. This brings forth questions on cooler weather paddling:

1) Cold Water Safety: I found the following American Canoe Association link interesting: http://www.americancanoe.org/safety/coldwater.lasso

I am an OK swimmer, I expect to only paddle flat water in spring & fall (for now at least), I have not ever accidentally flipped my kayak, and I tend to paddle where there are few others (at least that’s a goal). From that article, I conclude that once water temps are 60 degrees or colder, I need to seriously adapt my paddling: Wear a wet/dry suit AND stay close to shore. In the summer, when the water is flat, I often do not wear my PFD – but I have it with me as the laws require. Not wearing a PFD is an even dumber idea in colder water temperatures. Anybody have a guess on what is the typical time of year that waters are cooler than 60 degrees? I’m going to guess that it is between about October 15 and June 1. Once ice-out occurs, how quick are waters to warm up?

2) I presume I have little concern of hunters mistaking me for game if I stay on or near waters or main trails. But I should wear bright colors during hunting season. Not being a hunter, I have little clue about when the major hunting seasons are. Can anybody help me here?

3) Finding solitude – this is certainly one of the motivations for paddling in fall and spring. I’ve seen that after Labor Day, there are far fewer people than in summer – but still quite a few. What about pressure from hunters and fishermen on backcountry resources – like lean-tos and campsites? When is the big pressure from fisherman – between ice-out & black fly season?

4) Bugs - After Labor Day, although still present, the number of mosquitoes falls off rapidly. Blackflies I believe start in mid-May, and last through mid-June – and can be quite brutal at times.

5) Access Roads – Some gates are closed due to snow, and may not be reopened until mid-May

Many of my assertions above may be wrong – I am just trying to make some guesses. I’m interested in all of your comments on the fall and spring paddling seasons.

[pico23]

no wetsuit needed. you'd use a wetsuit if you were planning on hitting the water (as in whitewater canoeing or kayaking). Wetsuit, plus fleece over, plus a paddling jacket for cheap warmth (along with a hat under the helmet). For a more expensive but more comfortable setup you'd opt for a true dry suit.

for flatwater wear what you'd wear for a rainy 35F fall/winter day.

base layer, some fleece, and goretex. pack extra fleece/wool in a dry pack incase you do go for a swim.

having gasketed sleeves is nice if its raining since rain likes to go up paddlers sleeves. SealSkinz makes a gasketed waterproof glove for about $60.

I posted a similar thread on seal skinz water blockers socks. I'm getting a set of these for paddling as they are almost a dry sock. Neoprene socks are typically not waterproof and the nature of neoprene is water gets in and astays in thus warming you with the thin layer close to skin.

my neoprene socks are not that warm and tend to be clammy when I don't get them wet. I'm hoping seal skinz are a bit dryer and also warmer.

Oh and wear your PFD. It's made of foam and will insulate you as well.

My guess from growing up in coastal NY and spending considerable time at the beach early and late in the year, the water in many ADK lakes is at about 65F right now, I'm sure it drops off rapidly by early October when you start to get some below freezing nights. Below 60 you start to feel pains (in the mid-low 50's). You'll know when it drops below 60F.

[Keithk]

brrrrrr

My guess from growing up in coastal NY and spending considerable time at the beach early and late in the year, the water in many ADK lakes is at about 65F right now, I'm sure it drops off rapidly by early October when you start to get some below freezing nights. Below 60 you start to feel pains (in the mid-low 50's). You'll know when it drops below 60F.

Unless I'm greatly mistaken, our water is WAY colder than 65 these days. We've had many, many nights in the low 40's and 30's. It's supposed to be 28 tonight. I'd be shocked if the water wasn't in the 50s already.

[pico23]

Unless I'm greatly mistaken, our water is WAY colder than 65 these days. We've had many, many nights in the low 40's and 30's. It's supposed to be 28 tonight. I'd be shocked if the water wasn't in the 50s already.

We took out September 9th and my wife and I swam every day but the 9th for 9 days.

But it's now been another week, and while I was atop St Regis today it was darn chilly. I didn't bring any gloves and my hands we like iceicles working with the camera. I typically don't get cold even in the winter (goretex shell, and a base layer is the most I wear) but the wind was brutal, not super high winds, just a consistent 10mph.

I'd believe it's probably in the upper 50's at this point, maybe just bordering 60 on the bigger lakes that hold temps a little longer. I doubt it's colder than that because most years we paddle into October in either light neoprene socks or barefoot sandals without any issues.

I just remember as a kid my friends would go in 55F water run out screaming and saying jeeze man the water has to be about 33F. I'm like, nope, checked today before we left, it's a toasty 55F. Just feels a lot colder.

[Keithk]

so true

I'd believe it's probably in the upper 50's at this point, maybe just bordering 60 on the bigger lakes that hold temps a little longer. I doubt it's colder than that because most years we paddle into October in either light neoprene socks or barefoot sandals without any issues.

I just remember as a kid my friends would go in 55F water run out screaming and saying jeeze man the water has to be about 33F. I'm like, nope, checked today before we left, it's a toasty 55F. Just feels a lot colder.

Heh that's so true, always seems way colder than it actaully is. I get spoiled swimming at middle saranac all summer, it's like bath water at the beach, so pretty much anything would seem cold by comparison.

Was 26.1 degrees when I left Vville this morning, brrrrr. Huge amounts of mist rising off the water these mornings, so I'm sure it's cooling down quick.

[fisher39]

2) I presume I have little concern of hunters mistaking me for game if I stay on or near waters or main trails. But I should wear bright colors during hunting season. Not being a hunter, I have little clue about when the major hunting seasons are. Can anybody help me here?

I definitely wouldn't count on not being mistaken for a bear or deer just because you are along a shore or on a trail - a bushwhacking hunter may think he's a long ways away from a trail when he's only just through the brush from it. October 20th is when the main season for deer and bear opens, but early bear season has already opened (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10003.html). Hunter's orange at all times from now on would be a very wise idea. I'm a very careful hunter, as are all the others I know of, but I never take a chance with my gun-toting brethren and always wear orange. As for other colors, I'd stay with the orange - I heard about a woman in New Hampshire that was shot dead in her backyard because she was wearing white gloves that a hunter mistook for a deer's tail.

[Outsider]

Cool weather cold water paddling

Great question. Like most other precautions, it depends on your risk assessment, caution and resources. The presumed priority is survival, preferably intact. Having to stay in cold water for more than a few minutes is life threatening, with paddling fatalities every cool season around the country.

The problem with paddling in water below 70degF is how quickly the body can be incapacitated. The time is exponentially decreased as the temp goes down. [The coast guard have a table somewhere outlining the (short) time it takes to be incapacitated] Simple things like the ability to haul yourself back up into a paddling vessel can be significantly affected in a matter of minutes, as can useful finger movements. [I speak with some personal experience gained in the Adirondacks one autumn a few years ago.]

Added, is a potentially fatal gasp reflex that kicks in on first exposure to cold water, especially if the head is immersed. It leads to inhaling a significantly dangerous amount of water, and often death in the first few minutes after immersion.

I suspect that everyone assumes they are not going to get dumped. However, IF you are, then the lone paddler is up against the odds of returning intact, or at all. All it would take is a unexpected sudden gust of wind in a light canoe; or waves generated on a larger body of water to upset either a canoe or a kayak. The Adirondack weather is often predicted, but in my meagre experience quite changeable, and rapidly so.

So, if your individual risk assessment includes the possibility (even if remote) of involuntarily taking a swim in cold water, then some precautions are wise.

1. Paddling with competent partners - I think it is foolish to do otherwise in cold water conditions.

2. Practicing rescues with them in different conditions. Most groups assume that they would be able to rescue each other after an unexpected swim. Respectfully, that is too much to assume.

3. Learning and practicing how to roll if you are in a sit-in kayak. Still good to practice panic free wet exits, and reentry techniques even if you have a bombproof roll. You may be surprised at how long it can take to be in the boat, upright and in control, especially after cold immersion. Best to find out voluntarily!

4. Neoprene hood - full, or with a strap. Wool hat over that. Critical.

5. Insulation layers - polypropylene, fleece, wool etc. of your choice. Rainproof layer over that. Good fitting PFD ON - next to impossible to put on while in the water. Probably impossible in cold water.

6. Drysuits [especially one-piece with integrated booties and relief zippers] are more effective, more versatile, more comfortable [if breathable], however they are also more expensive than:

7. Wetsuits: most paddlers get the farmer John type, which leaves the arms unrestricted. Downsides - the armpits are a major area for heat loss in immersion; needs to be close fitting, can and usually do get clammy. The more effective thicker wetsuits are also more restrictive to movement. Need a layer of water next to the skin to work. That layer can come from immersion, in which case there is a net loss of body heat, or by dumping some warm water on yourself before you paddle - usually inconvenient. Should still have an overlayer to reduce evaporative and convective heat loss.

8. Good hand and finger insulation. Most allow the hands to get wet, which is an inherent disadvantage. I prefer gloves through loose fitting pogies, but that adds to the cost.

9. High-energy giving food in your stomach, more in your day hatch.

10. Vacuum flask of warm/hot [sweet] beverage of your choice.

11. Spare dry warm clothes, food, shelter, fire-starting kit etc. etc.

12. Some knowledge of hypothermia and its treatment. The pdfs provided by Redhawk in a recent message are a very good starting point.

13. Evacuation time to a hospital where they have people who know how to effectively resuscitate a hypothermic patient, is something I often consider when planning a trip. There is a whole lot more to it than just attempting rewarming!

I know that this is more than most people will bother with, but I urge anyone planning cold water paddling to just wade out to neck level for up to just 5 minutes - if you can stand it - and check out what it feels like, before assuming too much.

See you on the water.

Outsider

[bbowen]

sealskinz waterproof socks

I bought a pair at the Floodwood base of St Regis Outfitters on Sunday, then went for a paddle in the pond right by the outfitter. Socks were waterproof but they weren't warm for me. I'm thinking of trying a thin pair of thermal socks underneath the skinz.

[Crash]

Thanks for your thoughts.

Outsider, especially your comments - lots to chew on.

[Simon1]

good advice Outsider

My personal experience has taught me all of the things that Outsider has mentioned previously. The dry suit is key in my opinion especially if you want to paddle late into the fall and even with snow on the ground. A good thing to remember is to dress for the swim. Good base layer insulation and keeping your hands and head well insulated are very important to staying warm in the water. You'll be a little warmer while you are paddling but if the situation arises and you find yourself in the water sub 50 degrees, your body slows and cools very quickly. I was really amazed at how fast I could feel the blood leaving my extremities and how hard I had to concentrate on moving to shore and crawling out of the water. Fortunately it was a very sunny day and the air temp. wasn't too cold. The water temp was around 35 degrees. It was soon after ice out. I was with a friend and he rescued my boat. I was able to re warm myself and continue on. I bought a dry suit the next week.

There is another thing to remember while paddling in the cooler months. Enjoy it! You'll get to see the water and woods in another way. If you like the challenge of staying warm and pushing your limits, paddling and camping in the winter can be a whole new realm of exploration.

Every year a friend and I paddle on New Years day. We've been doing this now for the last five years I believe. Last year was interesting because it did not get really cold and freeze the water until the third week of Jan. This really extended the paddling season though it did bring on thoughts of global warming...

[Riosacandaga]

Limit open water crossings and stay closer to shore so that if you do swim you do not have to swiim as far or try to re-enter in open water. Insure there is adequate floatation in your boat or that the bulkheads are sealed. Surface currents and wind may carry you away from shore. Attach bow and stern lines so that if your boat gets away from you, you will not have to swim as far to recover it. Practice re-entry in your boat, self rescue and group rescue in warm water and be profiicent before you need to execute these skills in adverse conditions. Don't rely on equipment..remember Murphy's Law(s).

[Grey-Jay]

Outsider's in-depth advice and information is so detailed and valuable, that I sense he/she is someone I know from paddling. . . one of perhaps the region's most knowledgable people on cold water safety.