In the last few years we have been able to get the kayak onto the South Thompson River in February.   In 2015, it was Feb. 24 and in 2016 it was Feb. 29.   If the ice doesn’t clear until later, we will have to wait until we get back from hiking in the Death Valley area.

To paddle early we need:

• access to a launch area (usually Pioneer Park)
• we use a kayak cart to get past the locked gate
• open water (we just paddle around ice shelves)
• a wetsuit for safety
• a pad to sit on
• neoprene booties
• a quick change of shoes for cold feet
• a mild day with no wind

We paddle for about an hour for the first couple of days going upstream,  staying warm by keeping up a good pace.