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Buck,
I have enjoyed reading your many adventures and all the information that you provide. I have some questions on the Yellowstone…if you were to do it again would you use a canoe? and what length? Do they require a permit? What is the best time of year to travel, not interested in white water…just want to camp, fish and paddle thru to Ft. Union, my skill level is good but not professional, I’m looking at middle to late Aug, early Sept of 2016…any advice would be appreciated.
Blane
Hi Blaine,
Thanks! My buddy and I used a raft until we got through Yankee Jim which was some serious whitewater. https://www.facebook.com/notes/gregan-wortmann/yellowstone-river-montana/10202179021582647. If I were to do the Yellowstone River again I’d probably follow the same general plan or just launch the canoe after the last big rapids below Yankee Jim. A raft on the lower Yellowstone would be stable but too slow. A canoe or kayak or some other hard-shell boat is the way to go for a long trip on the Yellowstone in my opinion. 14 feet is probably a reasonable length for one person with a reasonable amount of gear. You shouldn’t need any permit or canoe license but of course you’ll need a fishing license.
I did it in July and August and it was great. Seems like September would be good month to be on the river.
I think if you wear your life jacket, keep gear secure in case of a mishap, and stay flexible you are going to have a great trip.
Have fun!
Buck
Buck,
Thanks for the reply I do appreciate it! I’m going to take a canoe and I did plan on putting in below the canyon, at my age I don’t need to swim the river! Lol… I do have another question . What did you do for your general drinking water? Thanks again.
Blane
Hi Blane,
I started out with a bunch of drinking water and cooked with river water. Further down the river I topped off my drinking water supplies in towns, at a park in Glendive, for example. I also had Aquamira to treat river water as necessary, although I don’t remember actually using it on that trip.
Have fun!
Buck
Buck, Thanks for the speedy answer to my question. B
Just finished watching your film of your Brooks Range Traverse! Wow, that was great, thanks for sharing. The wolf hunt footage was particularly incredible as with all your wildlife documentation. My wife and I live in Fairbanks and we going to do a trip in August in GAAR. Can’t wait! We plan to start in Anaktuvuk Pass walk east till we hit the N. Fork Koyukuk and then float to Bettles. Your probable busy with all the fires up here but if you get a spare moment, we’d be grateful in you could answer a few questions. Also saw you are a fellow PCT hiker, I was on the PCT in 2010 as well. Cheers and thanks again!
Hi James,
Thanks for the comment. Maybe we crossed paths on the PCT. I’m glad you enjoyed the DVD.
I like the sound of your plan. Are you using pack rafts? I’ve never floated the N. Fork but I’ll try to answer what questions I can!
Buck