My first year of kayaking, 3 of us set out to kayak camp along the Delaware (all 3 of us were relatively new to kayaking). We had heard there might be afternoon rain so our goal was to paddle down and set up camp before any rain hit. Actually what "hit" was a rare tornado. The tents had been set up but not fully staked out (but full of gear-even so, one went airborn). It hit quick with incredible wind, pouring rain, lightning & thunder. Not knowing any better, we each sought the only shelter, our tents. Two of the boats had been pulled way up on shore, but we didn't know you should ALWAYS tie them up. The following morning, they were both afloat, offshore, but stuck in some debris. When the rangers came boating through the following morning to make sure everyone was alright, they informed us that the water level had already risen 8 ft. and was still on its way up. It was a very fast trip to the take-out. Arriving home there were several messages on my answering machine from kayakers who lived up in that area and knew of our trip. The news/weather bulletins issued in that area had shown the path of the tornado to be exactly where we were. They were very happy when I called to say we had made it out safely. Debbie Reeves Sandy Hook, NJ > ---------- > From: Patrick Maun[SMTP:pmaun_at_bitstream.net] > > What would you do in a very bad storm situation? > > Snuggle deeper in to your sleeping bag and hope the seams hold? > > Tie yourself to a big tree (or perhaps Canadian Ballast Rocks)? > > Hide under an overturned canoe? > > Crawl into a kayak cockpit? > > Tie a towrope to a tree and then to a canoe/kayak and set yourself > adrift on the water (avoiding falling but not airborne trees)? > > Run screaming though the woods? > > -Patrick > ************************************************************************** > * > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > ************************************************************************** > * > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Jul 07 1999 - 08:22:54 PDT
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