Preview of Lucas_y_lolo'sblog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: www.travelpod.com This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Bryce Canyon National Park, United States Entry Title: "Are you hoodoo attitude?" Entry: "Apres la route de Lucky Luke et le majestueux Grand Canyon, on continue vers le Lake Powell, histoire de pouvoir se baigner un peu sous cette chaleur. Decor superbe: le lac (artificiel) est entoure de rochers rouges, beiges, quelques canyons, avec une eau tres bleue a 26 degres (agreable par cette chaleur), ca fait un tres joli contraste! On decide de louer des kayaks pour pouvoir explorer la cote en face, malgre l'orage venant: petite baignade, puis hop on repart pour la pause dejeuner sur une plage. On explore la baie au fond, c'est paradisiaque. Mais au retour, le vent s'est leve: impossible d'atteindre la rive (nos pauvres petits bras, meme Gildas et Guenaele les sportifs n'avancaient pas)...donc on s'est fait ramener en bateau par le surveillant du lac...On a fini par un bon BBQ pour feter ca! Despues de la ruta de Lucky Luke y el grandisimo Gran Canyon, continuamos hacia el Lago Powell para poder pegarnos unos chapuzones y refrescarnos de esta calor. El decorado es esplendido: un lago (artificial) rodeado de rocas rojas y marrones, varios canones y un agua super azul a 26 grados (niam!) hace un contraste precioso. Decidimos alquilarnos unos kayaks para explorar el borde de enfrente (a pesar ...
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Masai Mara Safari
The Masai Mara is known as one of the greatest wildlife reserves in all of Africa. It is located in South-West of Kenya, measures around 1,510 Kilometres and is mostly made up of open grassland. It is by far the most popular park in the country, but what makes this park so great and famous? You have more of an insight into why this park is so legendary after reading about some of the things you can expect to see and do there.
The wildlife within the Masai Mara is very diverse, with predators such as leopard, lion, cheetah, crocodile, African hunting dog, Augur buzzard, crowned eagle and Serval cat. But, there would be no predators without the prey, which you can see in the forms of topi, steenbok, impala, duiker, eland and zebra. For all the leftover scraps of meat from a kill, you will also find the well known scavengers nearby, such as the hyena and Lappet-faced vulture.
As well as the general wildlife viewing you can see at the Masai Mara, you will also be able to witness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world, the great migration. This is the travelling of over one million wildebeest and various other ungulate from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. There are various crossing points such as the Mara River which prove to be deadly to the wildebeest, as some may drown whilst crossing the sometimes deep river, and others may be snapped up by hungry crocodile. There is also the possibility to witness predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard take their chance to pick off weaker or tired individuals from the herds for an easy meal. There are numerous lodges that you can stay at in and around the Masai Mara which make excellent locations for viewing the migration in its crucial stages.
Some of the accommodations you may wish to stay at whilst venturing into the Masai Mara include: Sarova Mara Game Camp, Mara Safari Club, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Mara Leleshwa Camp Siana, Mara Bushtops, Siana Springs and Masai Mara Sopa Lodge.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Cold Water Protective Clothing Guidelines
After their raft flips in the cold waters of the South Fork Boise River, Russ Campbell and Amy Gerver cling to the upside down raft through a long rapid. They are experienced rafters and are dressed in "Farmer John" neoprene wetsuits, neoprene booties, neoprene gloves, waterproof paddle jackets, life jackets, and helmets. However, within only a few minutes in the very cold water, they are unable to respond to instructions, or swim to shore. They die soon thereafter of hypothermia or drowning. Their unfortunate deaths have been a catalyst for my research into water temperature ranges, survival time in cold water, and protective clothing for cold water boating.
Water temperatures March - July, in the Northern Rockies. These temperatures are a summary of measurements taken on Fish Creek, a tributary of Idaho's Lochsa River, and at the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery near Stanley on Idaho's Salmon River.
* Month / Fish Cr. Temp / Salmon R. Temp
* March / 35-39°F / 33-43°F
* April / 39-43°F / 36-47°F
* May / 43-46°F / 41-52°F
* June / 46-54°F / 45-58°F
* July / 54-66°F / 51-59°F
Fish Cr. measurements, courtesy of Idaho Dept of Fish & Game, Alan Byrne 1998 ( My Lochsa River pundits tell me Fish Cr. is one of Lochsa River's warmer tributaries. I use it because of good temperature data from Steelhead study). Salmon River measurements, mean temps 1999-2000, courtesy of Sawtooth Fish Hatchery, Idaho Dept of Fish & Game
Water temperature is influenced by air temperature, percent of snow-pack melting, groundwater temps, and solar warming. Expect colder water at higher elevations and at further north latitudes. Also, dam control water may be significantly colder in the months of June-August. This is a major factor on South Fork Boise River, South Fork Payette below Deadwood River, and in the Grand Canyon below Lake Powell, where river temperatures remain in the 40°F range at mid-summer.
Cold Water Temperature Survival Time
Water conducts heat 22 times faster than air, quickly reducing body temperature.
Water temp °F Time before Exhaustion or Unconsciousness
- 32.5° - Under 15 minutes
- 32.5-40° - 15-30 minutes
- 40-50° - 30-60 minutes
- 50-60° - 1-2 hours
- 60-70° - 2-7 hours
- 70-80° - 3-12 hours
- Over 80° - Indefinite
This table is widely available on line. Based on Alexander Report
Survival time in cold water is also affected by: body temperature, glycogen (blood sugar) level, percentage of body fat, physical conditioning, mental attitude, exertion, and most importantly------- protective clothing worn.
Protective Clothing & Hypothermia
Protective clothing is important in the boat, as well as in the water. Kayakers will experience direct conductive cooling from cold water through the bottom of their boat. Both kayakers and rafters will cool down when out of direct sunlight. Also wind, rain, and wave splash will cool down boaters rapidly. A cold boater will react more slowly and is at higher risk of accident.
The very best Cold Water Survival advice is: Stay Warm while out of the water!! If shivering starts: RE-WARM by stopping! Add more dry clothing, eat high sugar foods, and drink hot non-alcoholic fluids. Some dry-land exercise may help re-warming. Alcohol should not be consumed by cold boaters: it dilates the capillaries and causes further cooling of the skin.
As humans cool down: available glycogen (blood sugar) is depleted and core temperature drops from the normal 98.6 F. to the mid 90 degree range. A boater who is shivering, may show signs of weakness and fatigue and will probably be less coordinated (symptoms of Mild Hypothermia). They can make really stupid decisions, and may be irritable or apathetic. They are much more likely to have an accident and be forced to swim.
Since water is much denser than air: it conducts heat from the body approximately 22 times faster than air. When boaters with Mild Hypothermia enter water below 60 degrees F: remaining body heat is quickly lost. They will cool down very quickly into Moderate or Severe Hypothermia, because their body temperature is already lowered and their glycogen stores are depleted. Within a few minutes in water below 60ï,°F ------ hands will lose dexterity; then the mind fogs and swimmers may be unable to save themselves.
Warmer boaters have a longer survival window in cold water because: higher body temperatures and higher glycogen levels allow a longer period of physical and mental agility.
Clothing for Cold-Water Survival.
There is some agreement among cold-water survival experts as to what protective clothing should be worn to survive in water below 60°F. Most experienced boaters have a good idea about what water temperatures may be, and what clothing should be worn for a particular situation. Unfortunately a lot of beginning and intermediate boaters don't have a clue about water temperature, or correct clothing. In many cases, these are the people most likely to swim and least likely to have the right clothing for cold conditions.
The major choices are DRYSUITS and WET SUITS.
DRYSUITS are designed to keep you dry. They are generally constructed of waterproof nylon fabric, with a waterproof entry zipper. Neck and hand openings are sealed with waterproof latex gaskets. Feet may be encased in the suit or stick out through latex ankle gaskets. Drysuits are worn with a light insulating layer inside for warmer water, heavier insulating layers for colder water. Insulation worn under dry suits should be synthetic insulations or wool. Cotton or down will hold water and lose all insulating value when wet.
Survival time in a drysuit is lengthy, even in very cold water. Coated nylon drysuits can be sweatboxes in air temperatures above 60°F, but Goretex and some other water-proof breathable drysuits may be worn with relative comfort in air temperatures up to 90°F. Drysuits have become standard garb for most experienced cold-water boaters.
DRYSUIT PLUSES: They really are waterproof! Except for your head, there is no entry shock of cold water contacting your body. Trapped air inside adds considerably to swimmer buoyancy. (NOTE! Kayakers must immerse themselves in water and remove most trapped air from dry suits, "burp the suit," to retain neutral buoyancy needed to Eskimo roll). Dry suits also maintain body warmth when paddlers/rowers are experiencing cold air temperatures, shade, wind, rain, and wave splash
DRYSUIT MINUSES: by nature of their technical construction, drysuits are expensive: prices range from 0.00 to ,000.00. Some new users find the latex gaskets, especially the neck gasket uncomfortable. The neck gaskets can be pre-stretched over bowls or smooth helmets, or cut to fit larger: but most users don't mind the snug gasket fit. Drysuits can be sweaty in warmer temperatures, but Goretex suits do have a very wide comfort range. The suits are somewhat time consuming to put on and take off, and bathroom stops do require partial suit removal, unless extra option zippers are installed.
Drysuit gaskets are natural latex rubber, should be regularly treated with 303 Protectant, and depending on use, will probably need to be replaced every two to five years. Drysuit fabric should also be periodically treated with durable water repellency treatments (DWR) to prevent heat loss from the fabric "wetting out." (Note on pricing: drysuits are generally less expensive than funerals.)
WETSUITS were originally made from neoprene, but now come in a wider range of stretchy fabrics. Suits range from one piece full coverage "STEAMERS" that are the warmest, to vests and shorts. Thickness of material also varies, but 1mm to 3mm thickness is available for river users, because thicker neoprene limits movement. Per the name, water enters the suits and is warmed by body heat. Fit should be snug to prevent circulation of cold water. Boaters can combine wetsuits with waterproof paddle tops to increase warmth when out of the water.
WETSUIT PLUSES Wetsuits are much less expensive than drysuits, ranging from .00 to 5.00. Other than occasional washing, there is little maintenance. The thicker suits do improve buoyancy and pad against impacts. Wetsuits help protect swimmers from hypothermia in all but the coldest water.
WETSUIT MINUSES The suits lack breathability and can be uncomfortable in hot weather. Full wetsuits can be difficult to put on and take off.
Swimmers have died of hypothermia in relatively short times in cold water in "Farmer John" wetsuits that leave the user's arms unprotected. The deaths of wetsuit wearers Amy Gerver and Russ Campbell, is a sad lesson that wet suits do not maintain body warmth for survival in very active cold water. I have checked float time through the rapid they died in-----as less than 5 minutes. I believe they were already suffering Mild Hypothermia before the accident. That is the most likely explanation for why they became incapacitated so quickly.
People get hypothermia in wetsuits most quickly when the suits drain and refill: thus cooling body core temperatures. This can happen repeatedly when swimmers are clinging to the side of a raft that is going up and down through a rapid. It also happens when a boater is constantly getting slapped with waves while paddling. There can be a considerable loss of body heat from wind and water related evaporative cooling of a wet wetsuit. Some new wetsuit materials are designed to reduce evaporative cooling.
Insulated head, feet, and hand coverings will keep paddlers warmer both in and out of cold water.
Recommended Clothing for Water Temperature
Water Temperature Recommended Clothing
Over 80° F Minimal.
- 60-79° F - Light wetsuit vests, paddle tops, Kayakers-drytop 60-69°F.
- 50-59° F - 3mm body, 2mm arms/legs Full or "Steamer" wetsuit, or drysuit with light insulating layer, Kayakers add drytop with insulation.
- 40-49° F - Drysuit-light to midweight insulation inside. 5mm "steamer" wetsuit (availability limited). Kayakers need heavier insulation: drysuits with head, hand and feet insulation.
- Below 40° F - Drysuit with midweight or heavier insulation, head, hand, and feet insulation. Or just say no!
The U.S. Coast Guard, which has Gore-tex drysuits available for its small craft crews, mandates those crews wear drysuits when water temperature is below 50°F.
In Closing, I must agree no boaters expect to be swimming for more than a few minutes before they are rescued or make it to shore. Unfortunately, long swims take place. My experience with this was: chasing my sister-in-law down the very cold and flood swollen Bruneau River (3,300C.F.S.), after her raft flipped right in front of me. She was in the water, in a drysuit, for about 15 minutes in constant Class IV rapids, clinging to the flipped raft. When rescued she was very tired and slightly cold, but alive.
Further Suggestions:
- Read a book on river rescue -Les Bechdel's "River Rescue" is the classic.
- Take a swift-water rescue course.
- Take a comprehensive first aid course with a CPR component.
- Boat with people who have taken the above suggestions.
Dress smart to stay warm, both in and out of the water. A cold shivering boater is going to cool down and become incapable of self-rescue much more quickly than a warm boater, when plunged into cold water.
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Saturday, November 12, 2011
Wakeboarding Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Califorina, Idaho, and Colorado
Wakeboarding one of the fastest growing water sports sense it's beginning. Evolving from just a few select areas where it began to a world wide sport within just a few years. Pro's have continued to come up with more difficult tricks as the year pass. Manufactures have pushed the limits on board and bindings with new designs allowing better manuverability. This article is here to give some infomation about wakeboarding and the lakes you can visit in the Western states to wakebord on.
BEAR LAKE (UTAH)
Located in Garden City, Utah, Bear Lake is one of the prettiest, clear, aqua-blue lakes known. With this large body of water, and it's sandy beaches to camp, fish, and boat, this is the perfect get away for an unforgettable vacation.
LAKE MEAD (NEVADA, ARIZONA)
If you like a long hot boating season, this is the place to come. Lake Mead is know for its size where fishers, boaters, swimmers, hikers and sightseers can come to enjoy this fresh water lake. Lake mead offers house boats, and camping areas for any size group.
LAKE POWELL (UTAH, ARIZONA)
Considered by many to be the ultimate water sports, fishing, boating, and hiking vacation. Lake Powell is one lake that almost everyone must visit. Known also as Glen Canyon it is 186 miles long with a shore line of 1,986 miles. The crystal clear water and red sand stone rock make it the perfect place for all your outdoor activities. Lake Powell has countless canyons to make you can fine smooth water to wakeboard, wake skate, wake surf, knee board, tube, air chair, water ski and more. To learn more about wakeboarding visit Wakeboarding / Water Sports Info
DEER CREEK RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Enjoy the mountains of Utah surrounding Deer Creek reservoir. This reservoir is usually calm during the morning and nights. Deer Creek offers camping, boating, and fishing. After a nice day on Deer Creek visit Park City or Sundance just 30 minutes away from this gorgeous reservoir.
LAKE HAVASU (CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA)
This lake is 45 miles long, just imagine the possibilities of getting your own place on the lake to throw down your favorite wakeboard tricks, first shove-it on the wake skate, or 360 on the wakesurf. Lake Havasu offers all the amenities for a great vacation including boating, fishing, camping, hiking and more.
UTAH LAKE (UTAH)
This is one of the most visited lakes by Invert Sports. We can almost calculate every day when the water is going to be good at Utah Lake. It is the largest fresh water lake in Utah, offering all kinds of outdoor recreation including boating, fishing, camping, and more. Although the water looks brown because of how shallow the water is, this is one of the cleanest lakes in Utah.
LAKE TAHOE (NEVADA, CALIFORNIA)
Whether you are into winter sports, water sports or both, Lake Tahoe is the place to come for all your outdoor recreation. One place that must be visited by everyone, this huge lake is the clearest lake known, its like you are looking through glass. Covering some of Nevada and California, Lake Tahoe is the place to be for wakeboarding, wake skating, wake surfing, water skiing, airchair and more. Enjoy boating, camping, lodging, hiking and more at this amazing lake with Invert sports.
EAST CANYON RESERVOIR (UTAH)
East canyon is tucked away in northern Utah. This reservoir is a great destination for boating, camping, fishing and water sports. This is a fresh water lake that is located in Morgan, Utah.
GUNLOCK RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Gunlock offers boating, swimming, fishing, camping and more. Located in Hurricane, Utah this is a great destination in the warm summers, but also mild in the winters, allowing the extreme wakeboarder and water skiers to continue their water sports through the winter months. Gunlock Reservoir has sandy beaches to enjoy, so reserve your spot and have Invert Sport worry about the rental boat or charter.
HYRUM RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Surrounded by maple, box elder, and willow trees, this is a great reservior in Hyrum, Utah to get away and see the outdoors. Allowing boating, fishing, camping and other recreation Hyrum Reservoir is a great place to take your family for a camp fire at night and water sports through the day.
JORDANELLE RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Right by Park City, Utah, this reservoir is a great place to enjoy the fun of water sports, boating, fishing, camping and more. Stay at a hotel and enjoy activities of Park City at night, and come out to amazing Jordanelle Reservoir with Invert Sports and glide through the clear water on the latest water sports equipment. We offer a vacation package with everything included; please visit our vacation page for more details.
MILLSITE RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Located in Huntington, Utah, Millsite Reservoir has clear blue waters offering boating, camping, water sports, and hiking. Surrounding Millsite Reservoir are desert mountains to hike and explore; bring your off-road vehicle to enjoy the surroundings of this great reservoir.
OTTER CREEK (UTAH)
This is a quiet getaway in Antimony, Utah known for the bird migration and great ATV trails. But what we are concerned about is the great water sports and boating that can be had on Otter Creek.
PALISADE RESERVOIR (UTAH)
This is a great place to spend a whole day of recreational activities. Enjoy a round of golf at the Palisade golf course. Then, set up a camp site down at the lake, and take you four wheelers on a get away through the canyon. This is not a big reservior, but the clear water and the water sports are amazing.
QUAIL CREEK RESERVOIR (UTAH)
This is a great get away in Saint George, Utah. Quail Creek Reservoir is another lake where you can boat, fish, camp, and enjoy the night life of Saint George almost all year around. With the desert mountains to enjoy and the ATV trails to go riding on. Quail Creek is the boarders, campers, and fishers dream. Invert Sports can line you up with a Saint George vacation package where you can visit all the near by lakes and reservoirs.
RED FLEET RESERVOIR (UTAH)
With all the dinosaur tracks, Red Fleet Reservoir has some history to it. There is a desert landscape that you can enjoy from your camp site or on the water. Red Fleet Reservoir allows boating, fishing, camping, water sports, and more.
ROCKPORT RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Not far away from Park City, Utah, Rockport Reservoir is a beautiful lake to visit. With all the boating, camping, fishing, and snowmobile trails in the winter, Rockport is a fresh water reservoir that is calm in the morning and glass in the evenings.
SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Sand Hollow Reservoir is the closest you will come to feeling like you are at Lake Powell, just on a smaller scale. Located near Saint George, in Hurricane Utah with the red sand stone rocks and amazing clear blue waters, this is a get away you can't miss out on. Sand Hollow offers activities for everyone including camping, fishing, boating, and most important water sports. Enjoy Sand Hollow reservoir all year around.
SCOFIELD RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Boat, camp, fish, hike, and more at Scofield Reservoir up in Hunnington, Utah. Stay at a cabin to enjoy the scenery of the lake and surrounding mountains. Take your off-road vehicle to explore the back country. Scofield reservoir is a nice place to get away from the city.
STARVATION RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Located in Duchesne, Utah, Starvation Reservoir has an great shape, always allowing good water - you just have to be in the right area. The water is blue and clear offering boating, fishing, camping and trails. Starvation is so large that, even on the busy holidays, you can get away and enjoy your boat rental or charter.
STEINAKER RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Fish for rainbow trout and large mouth bass at Steinaker Reservoir, located in Vernal, Utah. Enjoy the sandy beaches while you camp, then jump in the fresh water to cool off. There are many activities you can do while you visit Steinaker Reservoir.
WILLARD BAY (UTAH)
Much like Utah Lake, Willard Bay is known to be calm during the day while everyone is working. Located in Willard, Utah, and not far from north Salt Lake City, Willard bay has beach areas to camp, fresh water to boat, fish and water sports. Take a business party to this lake, and let us supply the new MasterCraft boats and Hyperlite equipment.
YUBA RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Yuba reservior is unique in its own way. With fresh water and sandy beaches, this is fun lake to visit in Levan, Utah. Offering camping, hiking, and ATV trails, about an hour away from any Utah Valley location.
PINEVIEW RESERVOIR (UTAH)
Invert Sports highly recommends that you visit Pineview Reservoir. The beauty that surrounds this water is amazing with green mountains and cabins to stay in. This is a favorite place for people living in or around Ogden Utah. The water is clean and blue with lots of sandy beaches to enjoy, watch the boaters, fishers, and water sports. We will take care of everything you need at Pineview Reservoir; lodging, food, and all the boating one can handle.
Invert sports offer Lessons on Wakeboarding, wake skate, wake surf, water ski, air chair, kneeboard and more.
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