Canoeing the Snowy River

Mike, there are plenty of books on river sections. I know McKillops Bridge down to the confluence of the Buchan and that was lovely over three days.

Best to train in what ever you are to paddle and don't do it alone. I know you will probably ignore that but that is where trouble usually ocurrs. Best to do a trip like that with company. I am not sure what the river level is, you never know it could be more of a bush walk though. Have a look at the River Heights data and refer to the advice book you get to judge.

I much prefer a plastic kayak and NOT the blow up type as they are dreadful to try to control

Hi Mike

I haven't kayak the Snowy for many years, and never done the section north of Mckillops Bridge.

What does bother me a bit however, is the statement that you have no experience canoeing, (and intending to do it by yourself). I certainty wouldn't recommend it without some form of training.

If you like, I can give you contact numbers within the Victorian Canoe Association to speak to.

Apart from gaining experience in using a kayak, canoe or raft, they will also teach you about water dynamics which is equally important. For instance, if you can't recognise a strong "Eddy Fence" it's likely that you'll part company with the boat.

Somewhere around the house I have an excellent book on this subject that you can have a lend of.

Don't use a white water kayak because a number of things will happen. You'll spend most of the day going around in circles, and a grade 3 rapid will almost certainly introduce you to a fish view of the river.

If you select a canoe, be aware that all steering is done from the back, not the middle or front of the boat.

Finally, the Snowy can be a treacherous river after rain (fed by numerous tributaries) and can result in a significant rise in water levels. Even in a drought this could happen.

The other respondents have also given good advice re storage protection etc

If you want to know more, give me a ring and we'll discuss it.

Regards

Kim

Not a lot of experience here on that Mike , but from the bits I have done a small inflatible has been easiest to handle and live with but not the fastest.

Pretty well always carry a small 2 man (coleman) unit in car these days , but these aren't tough enough for that trip and I remember ripping one from end to end on an overgrowing blackberry bush, sinking in about 10 seconds.

The better units are really tough these days and low water levels I have experienced there have meant a bit of pulling the boat over rocky sections.

Robin Miller

Just got back from a canoe trip down thje Abercrombie river using a 4.88m canadian and 3.7 Kayak. We use the canadian to lug all the gear and play safe with it and use the kayak for a bit of fun.
DO NOT go buy yourself even if you are very experienced, I believe this is a wld river , have read about it buy not experienced it myself. You have been given good advice Mike take it,
Dont give up on the idea just get swome experience and take a couple of mates, good luck
Cheers Pete

Mike ,

I always thought you were a fairly smart fella and so I am surprised that you have put forward such a stupid plan .

White water - unknown grades , no experience , crap gear , by yourself - you are having a lend of yourself ( I am being nasty in an effort to get you to see sense ) .

Do some more reading , for your own sake . Speak to some of the people in touring canoe clubs in Victoria for some good advice .

Willie .

Mike, I have spent many a Christmas at Jacksons Crossing. From memory, the usual finish point is at Balley HooleySnowy River NP .pdf file.
You will need water! One year of low water flow we picked up a group that had been walking the river & pulling their raft for a couple of days & were out of provisions.
They were the only people that we saw that year - I think 1999 or 2001? One bloke & 3 really cute young laddies - leave it to your imagination :-) Snowy River NP .pdf file

Sound like great fun.... if you can find enough water..... I'll come!

Mike, I've paddled the Snowy about 20 times. Your expression of interest concerns me.You are an inexperienced person wanting to travel solo and you can only think of upgrading an EPIRB to get you out of trouble. How about something like this instead?
1. Join a TOURING canoe club.
2. Learn the skills of canoeing.
3. Do the trip with other people who have some experience.
4. Leave the solo paddling trips until you are competent. Even experienced paddlers rarely paddle solo. 4 is the accepted safe minimum.
5. So, learn some skills, earn some experience and you will enjoy the trip safely - you could even leave the EPIRB at home.
Peter.

Thanks for your responses everyone.

John: I’m about to start searching bookshops and libraries and the raft is attractive if it will stand the conditions – it’s a long walk out of there :)

Kim: perhaps we could have a chat over a beer about it?

Robin: yep, the low water is not attractive, that was one of the things I was hoping to get feedback about.

Madfisher: thanks, sound advice.

Willie, me old mate :) – I hear what you say and I thank you for your concern.

Tony: that low water is an issue – I want to boat the river, not walk it!

Royce: the first one I want to do alone but on the second trip (I’m sure they’ll be one :) it would be my pleasure to accompany you.

Dingo: actually I could think of a few other things too but I knew if I didn’t mention an EPIRB on this forum I’d have 28 people telling me I needed one :)

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A few points:
I want to do this trip because I love the Snowy, it feels like a friend, a woman even and just like a woman I don’t wish to explore her with another :) I don’t know but maybe it’s something akin to the connection with the land aboriginals feel?

I am certainly inexperienced with all things boat like but I’m not stupid or suicidal. I have no desire to join a club, do training courses, spend time paddling rivers in groups. I shall spend time gaining some experience but, like everything else I have done in my life, I’ll do it my way (sing Frank! :) and not according to rules set up by others.

Of course; being less than expert in this mode of transport and entering into remote country creates a risk to life and limb – that’s OK with me – I have no dependants any longer, my responsibilities are fulfilled and, indeed, it is only by putting some risk element into out lives can we really remember that we are ALIVE! And I like that feeling :) In some ways I would prefer not to take the EPIRB but that, probably, would be foolish.

About 18 months ago I had lunch with a cousin of my own age who I have known since early childhood but only see every 5 or 10 years, we were chatting about my gold prospecting in remote areas and he said “so if we hear you died in the bush we’ll know it was doing what you loved” and he was dead (sorry :) right – if I die in the bush doing something like this I’ll have died happy and fulfilled – that’ll do me :)

So if you guys with direct experience of this trip would like to offer some practical advice I would be most grateful.

Mike Harding

Mike ,
I have been racking my old brain trying to think were I seen an articile on canoeing the snowy river. It was in (WILD ) magazine a couple of years ago. It was a reprint of a trip done I think in the 50s with a large canadian. I was entralled by the article but not adventrous enough to want to do it. lol
If you can find a current issue in a newsagent, and give them a ring they may help you out with a back issue or a reprint of the article.
I will keep on looking to see if I can find it for you.
They may even pay you to do a story on your trip lol.
Cheers Pete

Mike I found it. Issue no 89 jul sept 2003. Our Email address is hanrahanfamily@dodo.com.au
Cheers Pete