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.

[Pavel]

I just tested the therma cell system last night while fishing stationary on the mangroves for more than two hours (with no breeze).  I Think only 50% of it worked, i don't believe all of what others say in the reviews.  Long-sleeved shirts and long pants is the best way to block bugs! 
Shawn: We were soon battling a legion of mosquitoes in Harrell's territory!  It's going to be a blast being on the trip!

 

[shawn beightol]

I treated 17 articles of clothing today (not taking them all! did some for my wife also) with 3X1.6 oz of Martin's 10% permetherin diluted to 32 oz (should yield 0.5%).  There's still about 20 oz left in the mixed bottle.  I used 4.8 oz of the 8 oz of Martin's 10% solution leaving 3.2 oz of Martin's 10%, or 64 oz of diluted (0.5%), left, all for $14.75 (I used a 32 oz lysol spray bottle to mix: 1.6 oz Martin's diluted to 32 oz with water). 

Just came home and the clothes are dry and ready to pack.  I sprayed them on their exterior until they appeared wet over every inch.  Probably more than I needed.

I bought the thermacell and a 4 pack refill kit for evenings.  I have the "no-seeum" proof net for my hammock that hammock bliss makes, they both pack up into one small bundle.

I have 2 tarps to block half of the chickee and will also burn the coleman mosquito coils (they contain the same allertherin as the thermacell, at a fraction of the concentration and cost (http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000004915-COLEMAN-MOSQUITO-COIL/dp/B... ).$5 for 10 coils.  Coils burn hours, up to 8 hours.

BTW, Walmart carries these.

See you Tuesday at the Ranger Station!  Its gonna be something!

[Swamp Hunter]

I owned the Thermacell for about 5 years before I realized it really works. At least it helps.  It takes time to warm up and the pads need to be fresh. You can turn the pad over and use both sides.  You may be able to refresh the old pads to save money. Check online for u tube video.  

I wouldnt use it or the coils inside a tent. Set the coil outside the door and spray down the zipper. Run around or make a bunch of movement before entering the tent to prevent mosquitos from hitching a ride. Shine your flashlight on the ceiling and kill the ones that made it inside.

[shawn beightol]

Wagers, anyone? (doesn't matter, we're going!):

There's a big discrepancy between weather.com and weatherunderground.com on the weather for Tuesday through thursday:

Weather.com says this:

Tue Jun 17
PM T-Storms

High 89° Low 73°
CHANCE OF RAIN:60%
WIND:E at 8 mph

Wed Jun 18
Scattered T-Storms

High 86° Low 72°
CHANCE OF RAIN:40%
WIND: E at 7 mph

Thu Jun 19
Scattered T-Storms

High 86° Low 74°

Scattered T-Storms
CHANCE OF RAIN: 40%
WIND: ESE at 7 mph

Weatherunderground says:

Tuesday 06/17 90%
Scattered thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. High 83F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Tuesday Night 06/17 20%
Partly cloudy. Low 77F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday 06/18 100%
Thunderstorms likely. High 82F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night 06/18 20%
A few clouds. Low 76F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday 06/19 90%
Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 82F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Thursday Night 06/19 50%
Scattered thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 77F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Wagers, anyone?

[Pavel]

NOAA forecast for the area looks not too bad:

Monday Night E wind around 7 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Seas 1 ft or less. Dominant period 1 second. Bay and inland waters smooth.

Tuesday ENE wind around 7 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Seas 1 ft or less. Dominant period 1 second. Bay and inland waters smooth.
Tuesday Night E wind around 6 kt becoming variable and less than 5 kt in the evening. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Seas 1 ft or less. Bay and inland waters smooth.(30% chance of showers and thunderstorms)

Wednesday Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming E around 6 kt in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Seas 1 ft or less. Bay and inland waters smooth.
Wednesday Night Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Seas 1 ft or less. Bay and inland waters smooth.(40 % chance of precipitation)

Thursday Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming SE around 6 kt in the afternoon. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Seas 1 ft or less. Bay and inland waters smooth.
Thursday Night Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly cloudy. Seas 1 ft or less. Bay and inland waters smooth.

[Swamp Hunter]

The chance of rain would make for a good opportunity to collect extra water.

[Dennis Golub]

I'm watching this discussion with REAL envy. I know what it is to camp in the Everglades. The bugs are unbelievable in the summer! I will wait till the end of October for my next outing there. Hope to hear all about this trip when you return. Sad, but I'll be drinking beer in the air conditioning, for now.

[shawn beightol]

There will be cold beer in the glades

[Swamp Hunter]

I think Shawn will have his cold beer. Im in envy too. I got word from my boss that I will be working the Addition Lands in August. I need to ride out to Miller Drive to check out my living conditions. I hope there is electric and water would also be cool..Most of all I hope I am alone. 

[Chris H]

Good luck on the trip guys. Great thread with lots of good info on the war on bugs. I've had good luck with the Thermocell too as long as there is no wind. It has cleared thick bugs out for me many times.  My wife is super sensitive to bugs. She gets torn up by them when I can't feel them at all.  When camping I set a Thermocell under her seat and she can sit by the campfire for hours without being bitten.  Remember to shut it off when you are done with it or you will empty the cartridge.  I have not had a chance to try it in noseeum infested areas yet like the WW.  Looking forward to hearing how the trip goes.

[SteveS]

Sounds like fun. I've been at Crooked Creek in winter, spring, and fall. Never had any bug problems. Summer though...good luck gents.

[Swamp Hunter]

I remember driving down the Loop Road in the Summer. We stopped the truck near the halfway point at the old Pinelands Campsite (commonly called the Hump) and were overwhelmed by a large group of horseflies. There must have been fifty. We jumped back in only to have the large flies follow the truck. We had to get up to speed to finally lose them. It was unbelievable! I never saw anything like it and it was midday. It appeared the horseflies were attracted to either the heat or the exhaust emissions. It would have been a horrific experience if we didnt have a fast vehicle. Its not possible to escape biting flies on foot..