Hi guys,
A friend of mine scored a Main permit in late August and we re taking our families for 6 nights/ 7 days - neither of us have been there but both have solid class 3 skills (with several class 4 rapids run as well). Four kids on trip (age 9 - 12). Kis have a fair bit of time on multi-days, and we are a safety conscious group. I realize there have been a ton of threads on the Main but I had some specific questions (but open to any general advice as well).
1. Camping at Corn Creek: Do most folks camp at Corn Creek the night before put in? How are the camps? Is there much competition for them (i.e. if we show up late will we be SOL?). Someone once told me the yellow jackets were pretty bad there. How long is the drive typically from Salmon?
2. Yellow jackets/wasps: this has been covered a lot on the Buzz. I have some general strategies in mind to deal with it - teach kids to be zen and not freak out/ swap, Epi pen, prednisone, Benadryl (though no one with allergies), traps, and will bring a large screen shelter where at least the kids can maybe eat in peace. My question - the yellow jacket problem seems to change year to year. Is there rhyme or reason to this? Will the higher snowpack, colder Winter influence things one way or another?
3. Smaller camps/ layover days? If anyone is willing to share any favorite camps for a small group would love to hear from you. With a 6 night trip at probable low flows do you think there is time for a layover day? If so, recommended places?
4. Scouting: we have a low threshold to scout. Which rapids are must scout for first timers on the Main?
5. Recommended guidebook/ map?
Sorry to re-hash a subject that has been covered a lot on this forum. Thanks ahead of time for your responses!
A friend of mine scored a Main permit in late August and we re taking our families for 6 nights/ 7 days - neither of us have been there but both have solid class 3 skills (with several class 4 rapids run as well). Four kids on trip (age 9 - 12). Kis have a fair bit of time on multi-days, and we are a safety conscious group. I realize there have been a ton of threads on the Main but I had some specific questions (but open to any general advice as well).
1. Camping at Corn Creek: Do most folks camp at Corn Creek the night before put in? How are the camps? Is there much competition for them (i.e. if we show up late will we be SOL?). Someone once told me the yellow jackets were pretty bad there. How long is the drive typically from Salmon?
2. Yellow jackets/wasps: this has been covered a lot on the Buzz. I have some general strategies in mind to deal with it - teach kids to be zen and not freak out/ swap, Epi pen, prednisone, Benadryl (though no one with allergies), traps, and will bring a large screen shelter where at least the kids can maybe eat in peace. My question - the yellow jacket problem seems to change year to year. Is there rhyme or reason to this? Will the higher snowpack, colder Winter influence things one way or another?
3. Smaller camps/ layover days? If anyone is willing to share any favorite camps for a small group would love to hear from you. With a 6 night trip at probable low flows do you think there is time for a layover day? If so, recommended places?
4. Scouting: we have a low threshold to scout. Which rapids are must scout for first timers on the Main?
5. Recommended guidebook/ map?
Sorry to re-hash a subject that has been covered a lot on this forum. Thanks ahead of time for your responses!