Did a similar trip. Missed the high water by a few days and ended portaging a fully loaded canoe through mud for most of it. Saw gar big enough to tip the boat. Went through what I thought was rain, but was actually a mosquito swarm. Went over and under felled trees and saw spiders as big as my hand. Saw a moccasin get ripped in half by something… When the river finally opened up, I ended up paddling on pure adrenaline and screaming Tenacious D songs for motivation until the landing appeared. I was only out two days.
The over and under trees was what mostly kicked my ass. I was standing on one, 6’ above the water line, thinking, “There is no way in hell I can drag this gear straight up and over.” Sat there for 15 minutes looking around and thinking. Only option? Under the trunk there was a tiny triangle clear, 10" at the high point. I stomped the kayak under until it popped up the other side. Win!
Did a similar trip. Missed the high water by a few days and ended portaging a fully loaded canoe through mud for most of it. Saw gar big enough to tip the boat. Went through what I thought was rain, but was actually a mosquito swarm. Went over and under felled trees and saw spiders as big as my hand. Saw a moccasin get ripped in half by something… When the river finally opened up, I ended up paddling on pure adrenaline and screaming Tenacious D songs for motivation until the landing appeared. I was only out two days.
One of my fondest memories.
The over and under trees was what mostly kicked my ass. I was standing on one, 6’ above the water line, thinking, “There is no way in hell I can drag this gear straight up and over.” Sat there for 15 minutes looking around and thinking. Only option? Under the trunk there was a tiny triangle clear, 10" at the high point. I stomped the kayak under until it popped up the other side. Win!