Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 64 ROUTE SELECTION Choosing the right float on a stretch of river or lake is extremely important. e right choice matches your skill level and your choice of craft. e length of trip and weather help define some equipment choices but make sure you always have the minimum. On your selected route you want to know what your up against. You don't want to get into a situation you were not ready for. Know your put-in and take-out points and have a river map. People do lose their boats and have to walk out so a map will help in many ways. e map will also show river miles, man-made obstacles, and river features, which need to be watched out for to ensure a safe trip. Talking with experts who have experience with your chosen route is also a smart part of planning. When you are better prepared it is always rewarded somehow whether you notice it or not. If you're better prepared an accident or mishap will be easier to deal with. SELF-EVALUATION AND CRAFT CHOICE Are you physically fit for the float you selected? Is your craft the right choice? Is your partner or group capable? ese are simple questions with fairly easy answers. Over the years most boat wrecks I've seen have involved inexperience, with poor choice of craft coming in a close second. People often over-rate their abilities or under-rate the river's forces. As a result you are set up for the possibility of confronting a challenge you or your gear are not ready for. You must practice to prepare for the challenges. Running rivers is fun—that's why we are out there. Building more skills will make you more mindful of what is required for success and what is required in case of an accident or unplanned event. Someone on the trip should be designated trip leader to help make the best choices. A good trip leader with the right level of experience will be best able to react if a problem arises. A good trip leader will always set the tone for safety first and more than likely teach you something while you're out there. M ONTANA IS BLESSED WITH MANY WONDERFUL RIVERS CARVING THROUGH VAST VALLEYS, WILD CANYONS AND PLACID PLAINS. Floating these rivers safely requires a wide range of skill sets, knowledge from experience and the right choice of craft. Proper plan- ning and preparation include: a plan (your river or lake choice), your selection of craft for your route and a minimal gear list which should always be along to help if problems arise (see more below). Proper planning and execution from start to finish must be done whether the trip is one hour or one week. You never know when a harrowing incident will happen. Every year tens of thousands of people float on Montana's waterways most without incident; however, many have close calls and some don't make it home. ose who do not make it home more often than not had poor overall planning and preparation. Please pay attention while floating. article & photos by MIKE GARCIA ARE YOU R I VER RE AD Y ?

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