Mid June 2014 Paddle from Chokoloskee to Crooked Creek Chickee for Exploration up into New River

[shawn beightol]

I am interested in putting together an investigative paddle mid-June based out of the Crooked Creek Chickee at the lower end of Sunday Bay to explore up into New River and to explore a few of the clearings/reported mounds on the south banks of New River.

Its probably about 5 miles from Chokoloskee to Crooked Creek (2-3 hours paddling).

I'm not sure how many can sleep on the chickee.

The idea is to leave early in the week (I'm a school teacher starting summer break), set up camp on the chickee the 1st day, then do an exploratory paddle up New River to beyond the park boundary into the preserve to identify the possibility of a dry and bug free (yeah, right!) campsite just inside the preserve.  

If found, possibly move the gear to this campsite.  If not, either way, begin the investigation of the mounds/clearings of interest that may be associated with Ft Harrell.

Let me know if you are interested.

[shawn beightol]

Update on next Tuesday's crooked creek to New River investigation:

Our third had to cancel, leaving 2 of us planning to go, which means there is still room on the chickees if anyone else is thinking of going.

I've only camped in the glades once after May, that was a hike down and back to Clubhouse Beach years ago.  The bugs on the hike were treacherous.

Yet, I know people lived and still live in these environments, so part of my curiosity is how to deal with the insects.

So, I am open to any of your input.

The rain is another matter.  I lived on a sailboat on Biscayne Bay for a decade.  I learned that some people wait for "perfect" weather.  I also learned that each different weather IS "perfect" for viewing different sorts of phenomena, flora and fauna in diverse conditions.  I learned that being wet is not the end of the trip or happiness, but is something you can become accustomed to.  

I also learned the importance of a waterproof dry bag and nice warm dry clothes to change into and hot coffee! : )

Weather:  it's essentially summer.  Its gonna rain. (see below for extended forecast).  Solution:  Rain coat and bailer for the canoe.  Rain fly for the hammock. A tarp that can be moved from one side of the chickee to the other for shade or to block rain.

Bugs:  it's essentially summer.  I'm sure there's gonna be bugs, I just don't know how many.  Solution(s):

I just started my daily dose of a teaspoon per day of a 50/50 sulfur/cream of tartar to test an old timer's remedy (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XXNRM4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_... $10 including shipping for 2 oz, 12 days including prelude).

if, when I get to chickee or back in the mangroves up New River, the bugs aren't deterred by the sulfur, then I will break out the 100% DEET (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007S3KW6O/ref=ox_ya_os_product_re... $8.70 for 4 oz X 2) 

For the hammock, I bought a bug net: (http://www.amazon.com/Hammock-Bliss-No-See-Um-Net-Cocoon/dp/B0002Q2... )

Power:  I carry 2 "12000mah High Capacity External Power" backup batteries (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00910TXIK/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=... $15 each including shipping ), 

For charging purposes I have 2 "5 Watt Foldable Solar Panel Charger" that output 1 Amp 5 V USB to charge the batteries or run any USB <1 Amp device  (http://www.harborfreight.com/5-watt-foldable-solar-panel-charger-60... ).

I'll also be bringing a backup 12 V car battery.  Weather reports don't sound optimal for solar charging.

Water: I plan on carrying a 5 gallon storage container plus a few 2-liter bottles and camel-pak for the paddling.  I will sample the water up the New River to determine where the usable freshwater might be filtered.   

I still plan on leaving from the boat ramp (Outdoor Resorts) Tuesday morning by 10 AM (allowing time to register for chickee/back-country pass).

I intend to be at the crooked creek chickee Tuesday - Friday.

If you are interested in joining us for a day paddle or overnight, message me.

Weather report:

Tuesday 06/17 90%
Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then the chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 83F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

Tuesday Night 06/17 20%
Partly cloudy skies. Low 77F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday 06/18 90%
Thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

Wednesday Night 06/18 40%
Mostly clear in the evening then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms after midnight. Low 78F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Thursday 06/19 80%
Thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

Thursday Night 06/19 20%
A few clouds. Low 78F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.

Friday 06/20 80%
Thunderstorms likely. High 83F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

[vivian]

Some more things have worked for us you might want to consider. Thermacell has been very effective IF you are in a no wind situation. Keep a unit accessible in the canoe so you can run it while paddling in that enclosed river or while at the chickee. The other is buying some permethrin to treat your clothing, hat, gloves, buff and hammock. We spray the interior of the tent dome and corners as this is where they hide and entry door

http://www.rei.com/product/768970/sawyer-permethrin-pump-spray-24-oz

Water. - take double what you need, the heat is brutal

Rain poncho works better for me in the summer season. I don't bring a rain jacket or pants on day paddles anymore.

[Swamp Hunter]

If you are bringing a 12v car battery, you might as well bring a 12v fan.

[shawn beightol]

Thanks for the Thermacell tip Vivian.  I'll order today along with some permethrin.  I'll try these in stages and report back on each of their efficacies.  The first layer of deterrence is the sulfur.  After that I will try the permethrin treated clothing then move to the thermacell, then move to 100% DEET.

Anyone have any experience with the Insect Shield clothing?  This shirt claims to have permethrin woven into the fabric good for the expected life of the cloth: http://www.amazon.com/Zorrel-Insect-Apparel-Military-X-Large/dp/B00...

Good tip on the water, never hurts to have more, especially  when you can carry it effortlessly as in a canoe. It'll make good ballast forward since we are both canoeing single due to separate return days.  I'll freeze some bottles to keep the cooler cold.  Also thinking of putting a layer of dry ice underneath the regular ice.  I used to do that with the sailboat icebox (non-electric). Worked for a couple days, but that was out of direct sunlight.

The poncho is a good idea because they are versatile - can be used as splash guards for gear, rain fly, etc.  But I will still use my yellow rain suit. Did you give that up for range of motion or due to the hotness of the outfit?

[shawn beightol]

After a little more research on the permetherin, I'm going to purchase Martin's 10% permethrin and dilute it in a spray bottle 20 times to achieve the 0.5% Sawyer concentration.  The Sawyer 0.5% Permethrin runs $0.67 - $1 per oz and Martins diluted this way runs $0.09 per oz

(http://www.amazon.com/Martins-Permethrin-10-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B001E... ).

They do sell a quart of 36.8% Martin's Permethrin for flea control, which you could dilute down to 0.5%.  The quart runs $26 with free shipping from Amazon, that works out to a penny an oz (almost a hundred times cheaper than Sawyer).

Reading about its lasting effect on clothing and how to treat the clothing, I think I'll save the money and NOT buy the permetherin pre-treated clothing.  I'll treat my own.

here's a discussion on a backpacker forum (http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=Print... ):

OK, all done applying the Permethrin to our hiking / camping clothing.  All in all, we did roughly 12 pairs of pants, 8 pairs of shorts, 20+ performance tees, 12+ long / short sleeve hiking shirts, and 25+ pairs of wool socks.  We also did our hats (two Tilley T3's, two Columbia sun hats, one REI bucket hat, two REI Paddlers), and we even did our mosquito nets.  Oh yeah, I did my bandanas since I wear them around my neck and sometimes under my hat when i hike, they are an essential part of my hiking garb.

I started with 2 1/2 gallons of solution, and had to periodically make up another gallon and add to the mix due to loss from the clothes... I probably did this 4 times, so in total used 5-6 gallons of solution.  I added just under and ounce per gallon of the 36.8% solution, so I went full / extra strength.  The brand I used (Martins) left no odor after drying - my wife says she smells a little, but the clothes are 80% indoors after drying and I don't smell anything.

 

[Swamp Hunter]

I notice the Bug Tamer plus for $25 on eBay if Medium will fit you. Looks like a bargain. I notice my older suit does not work for no see ums but the new one claims it does.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shannon-Outdoors-Bug-Tamer-Plus-Olive       A few drops of deet in my ears at most I ever use if I dont have a hood net..

A little 12V fan in my tent always helped me.

[Swamp Hunter]

At least bring a headnet. It weighs next to nothing and takes little space.

[Connie Mier]

Vivian already mentioned this, but I would like to stress it more; 6 gal of water is not enough. Figure 2 gal a day and never count on filtering as an option. Summer camping essentially doubles your water needs. Permethrin treated clothing is also essential, I think. It works! But you need to treat the clothing a couple days ahead of leaving. At least a bug jacket is also essential. And with all your battery power, Dale's advice on bringing a fan is an excellent one.

Have you heard of Justine Riney? Google Riney Ranch and learn how this guy tried to cope a week or so ago in the ten thousand islands as he attempted to begin a 5-mon exile into the glades. Didn't work. He underestimated his water needs by as much as 1 gal a day. Got to him so much he high tailed it back to Marco and holed up in an AC hotel room for a couple days.

[shawn beightol]

Got it on the water.  Permetherin will be here tomorrow to treat clothes and dry by tuesday.

Thoughts on staking down tent to chickee?  wire?  bungees?  

Dale, will have headnet.  thanks for tip

Instead of a bug jacket, I'll go with permetherin treated columbia style outdoor long sleeved shirts and long sleeved hanes t-shirt treated.

I'll have 100% DEET on standby.

Too bad about Justin.

My wife warned me if the sulfur works too well (smells), she'll stay away from me too.

Shawn

[Jay]

These work great - easy to make - float when dropped in the water - etc.

Chickee Tie Down Stakes

[shawn beightol]

To those who will be watching, here's our intended routes:

 on google maps, try these:

http://goo.gl/maps/KtgXo

http://goo.gl/maps/su3ZQ

[vivian]

I will still use my yellow rain suit. Did you give that up for range of motion or due to the hotness of the outfit?

Shawn, those rain suits are so hot you end up soaking wet from your own sweat. They do not breath at all and even my breathable waterproof rain jacket and pants are way too hot. I'd just rather get rained on and put on my PFD for warmth afterwards than wear a hot rain suit.  The poncho works well and even the cheap ones are good to have a few at hand in case they get torn up in the creeks.

I carry several  no see um head nets and put one in my pants pocket for quick access the other in my ditch bag.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Survival-Technologies-No-See-Um-Blac...

Also have a coughlans bug jacket and cotton gloves for extreme conditions but there is another brand that is much more expensive and better made than the coughlans. For the price, it works very well and is not that hot over a Columbia fishing shirt.

http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-0059-Bug-Jacket-Large/dp/B000ECUD56/...

One thing about Crooked Creek chickee is that it really is buggy and the no see ums are relentless there. It is pretty enclosed in that cove.

If you forget anything, the hardware store in Everglades City has a good supply of last minute gear including bug suits.

Sawyer permethrin is proven the work by me :-)