“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends” –Martin Luther King Jr.
Written By Ryan Conti
Spring has sprung, and summer has come, that means we completed our annual Memorial Day float trip, affectionately known as Spring Break, 2016! No one was lost, and good times and debauchery were abundant. In company were Chris and Etta James, Brett (aka Jebb), Vince (aka Dishes, akaka Jimmy, akakaka Poop Head Vince), Sean (aka Hänsel), Dustin, Charity, Chuck, and myself, Ryan (aka The Dream). Later we would add the MVP of the weekend, Casey. Thank you Casey!
The original plans for the weekend started with a drive north to Paxon Lake, float the Gulkana River, and spend a few days rippin the .5(ish) mile class III/IV canyon. Sadly though, the lake was still iced over from the cool spring weather. So, we decided to focus on a destination further south.
We settled on a 30 Mile stretch of class I, lazy, good time havin portion from Lower Skilak Lake campground to Soldotna on the mighty Kenai River.
Initially some of us thought that the float would be too quick (not realizing the length) and with the input from Sean, suggested we run Jim’s Landing to Skilak leg first, camp, then run the lower half of the river the next day. Because of the 1.5-mile hike out and having a 16’ cargo barge, Chris decided to leave the upper portion to the pack rafters if they were so inclined.
On Friday evening, we all began our drive south. A few of us met for a delicious dinner at Sacketts BBQ in Cooper Landing, then drove onward to Skilak. We took the Skilak Lake Road to determine the location of the trail from the end of the upper river where we would walk out.
Jebb had already found a great camping spot in overflow parking at the lower Skilak campground as all the normal campsites were already taken. The spot sit atop a hill overlooking the lake and distant mountains.
Brett had started a fire as we rolled in and set up camp. The beers and Pendleton came out and we enjoyed the endless light of night. We got to know Chris’ new buddy Etta James, and Charlie, the fun police, made sure to completely destroy any of Etta’s attempts at play. STB!
The next morning came much quicker for myself as I snuck off to bed early. Dustin rolled in with a black Beamer packed full with his items and the two sleeping bags I forgot to pack. Charity was happy, because now I wouldn’t try and make her sleep in the cold AK air with only a moving blanket.
As everyone else woke around 10, Chris discovered how much Etta James likes tents. This is the first dog any of us had known to not only be reluctant to leave the tent but to keep sneaking into them to curl up and lay even when they were being dismantled. She is such a cute pup. STB!
Sean made gourmet pour over coffee for everyone, and the rest packed on some calories with either food or beer…or both. We then loaded up to launch the armada.
Since it was now noon, some people were suggesting we only do half the distance, to Sterling, so that we could have a float and some rapids, but also have the option to exit the river in time. But, NOOOOOO, Soldotna was the destination and there was no changing of “the minds”.
The drop crew left and we stayed back to slowly bring the gear to the water and to watch the dogs; mostly Etta. Once Vince skipped a rock into the lake, Etta would not leave the water. She was searching for the rocks nearly the entire time. It took over 2.5 hours for the drop crew to return.
At 3 pm, we set out. About 1.5 miles across the lake, and then another 3 miles of placid river moving about 1 knot. Of course, we still enjoyed ourselves with libations and loud music from DJ Dishes. At one of the sand bar breaks, we decided to see what would happen if we inflated a dry suit with someone in it. Surprise, they float.
Again, under way, we began to question the amount of river we still had to conquer. Everyone kept eyeing perfect beaches we could pull up to and have shelter from evergreens and plenty of place to spread out. I went off to check a site out and came back with very interesting news. I told the group there was a camp with a carved wooden salmon and a sign that read “fish camp”, “f-i-s-h-c-a-m-p”. My statement was now the focus of endless ridicule. But what I had imagined, in my half-inebriated state, was that someone had cleverly spelled fish camp. I did not realize my mistake until it was too late. Everyone was busting balls, including my wife Charity. All statements and phrases now were being spelled out, “b-e-e-r”, “c-o-c-k-a-s-s”, all the while laughing at the foolish mistake. Until…. Charity looks up and sees an eagle above and says, “there’s a hawk”, “H-A-W-L-K”. Oh man, if bellies weren’t rolling before, they were now. Our search for a place to stop for the night ended as we continued down the tranquil river enjoying tunes and nature.
Another hour or so later, we shored up to a beach that looked great for an overnight. On the bank, we decided that we were not going to make Soldotna, and we should give Casey a call to see if she would be willing to pick us up in Sterling and drive us to pick up our cars. While we were talking to her, we came to an agreement that we would paddle further down river to her cabin in the Kenai Keys and camp on her land. Then, in the morning, she would drive us to get our cars and transfer them to Sterling. It was all working out! We would get to see another friend, and we had the snafu of the cars straight.
I think this is the point where all hell broke loose. Because of the excitement of being with another friend, and a destination at hand, it turned into an all-out Fun Fest. We had about another 2 miles to go til Casey’s place, but the river had now picked up the pace to about 5 knots.
At some point, Charity had paddled up to Chris’s Booze Barge, the ‘Tuna Turner’, and asked for a beer from Vince. In his excitement Vince directed Char to call me a cockass in order to get a beer. So, she yells out “I’m supposed to call you a cockass, Ryan”. As everyone laughed, Sean belts out one of the most contagious laughs we have ever heard, repeating the offensive statement. “I’m supposed to call you a cockass, Ryan”. It was on! Half of the flotilla was full throttle on fun.
SHORT VIDEO DOCUMENTING OUR TRIP
We rounded the corner into the Keys’ canals. We were there…. almost. Since cool weather has yet to melt the majority of the ice and snow, the river was low. Nearly exposing the shallow canal bottom. Chris’s Beaufort Behemoth Boat had to be tethered to a person on either side of the canal (Panama style) to make it the ¼ mile back to the cabin. The packrafts were no better in the shallow water as Sean exited his raft sinking almost to his waist in silt. He was stuck there fighting not to lose his shoes. There was a neighbor yelling out to him if he was alright. We had all made it to the cabin by the time we started to wonder about Sean. He made it, but not without his dry suit and boat coated with silt and muck.
Being at the King’s cabin was amazing! We put dry clothes on, built a fire, and ate our dinners warming around the blaze. It was nearly 11pm by now, and Tim asked of us only one thing, to keep it down. Which we mostly did. A lot of this night was missing until I found this little gem on my phone. (insert gem)
A few more hours and we were ready for bed. Jebb, Sean, Charity, Charlie, and I were the dedicated ones and slept outside. Sean, the most hardcore of us slept on top of a cord of wood that was laying on the boat launch. Later I found out that when Sean went to bed, Vince, meaning to ensure Sean’s safety, built a shelter out of the logs over his sleeping bag. Needless to say, Vince is not an architect.
In the morning, the hospitality continued as Tim and Adrian had made endless coffee and flapjacks with ham. As people awakened, we sent a few to move the cars to get ready for a Sterling exit. On their return, we all got our stuff in the boats, including Casey, and set sail for another day of fun and sun! It was out, and proud! We were looking at about a three-hour day, not including any stops.
To start the float off, as Brett exited the canal system into Hole 3, a surprise came from the sky. As he looked up, a drone had made its way to him with a cool Alaskan Amber tethered to it. When he reached up to grab it, the line was cut and Brett was the richest man on the planet for that moment. We were all in awe. T’was a great day!
Today’s float was going to be shorter in time, and the highlight was the Naptown Rapids. A stretch that we had been warned about from many people. As we perched on the banks of the mighty Nappies, as we call them, Chris and Brett went to scope the dangers that lurked ahead. About 30 minutes later, they came back with a well devised plan of attack. The intensity and amount of maneuvering explained was enough to raise the packrafter’s senses. I know I became a bit nervous of our impending doom. “Stay to this side” and “DO NOT go there” and “cross quickly here”. Now, we all can appreciate a conservative approach to a perceived danger, especially when two pups are involved. Seriously, thank you Chris and Brett! But there was a hint of spite within a few of us as well. As soon as we launched, Sean and I paddled directly for the center rapids and did everything we were advised not to do. The rapids ended up being fairly benign for everyone, but AGAIN, we all appreciate the care, especially when precious cargo, like Vince, is on board.
The rapids were a fun ending to the trip. As we approached the Moose River, we rounded the turn to the landing. As we made the corner, there were a couple of ladies with their SUPs in bikinis…. leading us to feel kind of over dressed in our dry suits, helmets, and white-water decks. No worries! It’s all in the name of training.
We packed our cars and drove Casey back to her cabin, said goodbye and thanked Tim and Adrian for the amazing stay. Then, my car continued to Sacketts for a final meal while Chris took Brett and Dustin to their cars. Later, we found out that Chris needed the tote that was in my car for Dustin’s car keys. They got to do an extra trip to the Lower Skilak Lake campground.
“This one was for the books. We had great people and amazing times. And to those of you who did not make it this time, Screw You! There will always be next time.” – Ryan Conti
VRS SkiMo Team 
Still got my rubber boots from my one trip to AK. Have to figure out where they are or better yet, just get back out that way.
LikeLike
This looks SOOOOOOO FUNNNNN!!!! Ah! Thanks for sharing. Cheers and Rock on!!! 🙂
LikeLike