What can I say, I love classic multi-day River Trips. Â There is something about casually floating downstream for a bunch of days, living next to the river without a care in the world that keeps me yearning to do more. Â When my friend Dorrie asked me if I wanted to go to the Selway, I jumped at the chance. Â I also thought it was a good opportunity to see how much crap I could cram into the Fusion.
The Fusion delivered in every area. Â It paddled well loaded, Â accepted an incredible amount of gear, handled the mini-Heineken keg that I strapped to the deck beautifully, and glided effortlessly through the long flatwater stretch before the take-out (with the skeg down of course). Â The hatch made packing the boat so easy, and was as dry as dry could be.
The Selway delivered also. Â The clearest water I have ever seen, absolutely beautiful lush scenery, sandy beaches for camping, salmon, awesome hiking, and incredible fishing. Â It is no surprise to me that the access to the Selway River restricted to one launch per day during permit season. Â Such a desirable setting would be overrun with people if such regulations were not in place.
Our team of 11 gelled together nicely. Â Â It always surprises me how a group of strangers can become best friends after a multi-day river trip no matter what the length.
I am back in the Northeast now and summer is winding down, but the paddling is just beginning to heat up. Â In a couple of weeks it will be Labor Day weekend, the official beginning of the whitewater dam release season in Northern New York.
