On Global Warming - Paddle Oregon 2022

On Global Warming:

This is the third time we have done Paddle Oregon since 2017 and never has the heat been so brutal. And it turns out we were lucky and the temperature didn’t get nearly as hot as was originally projected (101). Down on the river wasn’t so bad. You can wear a hat and long sleeves and keep both of those wet and then when you get too hot, you can swim in the cool (or cold) river water for 5 or 10 minutes and that brings your core right down to ‘happy’. 

But when you reach your camping spot and climb up out of the river bottom to where your gear is, the sun starts bouncing off of the rocks and dirt and if you can’t find some shade, things can get quite ‘grouchy’.  In the Albany area we were at a local farm that the farmer had graciously offered for our use. The 100 of us were spread out in some trees and a field that had been made available. The field had no shade and around 5 the sun came out from the cloud cover and it was very hot. Everyone was seeking shade. The dining area was in full sun and it was very hot to sit there. Myself and some others grabbed a couple of tables and moved them into the shade of the caterers truck (That was prime real estate, let me tell you).

Hard to have a group experience and build comradery when everyone is hiding from the sun. This didn’t used to happen on these trips. Oregon is having more and more 90-100 degree week long stretches. I believe we had 4 this summer with one more coming next week. The event planners are struggling to deal with the situation but their choices are rather limited.

Shade tents?  Renting a big tent is expensive. Not only that, but you have to move it every day as the group goes down the river. That would add too much to the cost of the event and really doesn’t add all that much to the perceived value of the experience. Perhaps a few smaller shade tents with misting devices? Sort of distributed cooling stations? That could work. Hell, you could probably have one of those per pod and beg some tarps from participants, I have a shade tent that could hold 6-10 people sitting in chairs. Then just add some of those hand held plastic bottle misters and some cold beverages. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Though that doesn’t get you through a dinner.

How about this – do a time shift. Have the evening experience later. Right now they expect you to get into camp between 3-4.  Live music (really good live music) and refreshments start at 4 with dinner at 6. Sundown is around 8. The sun goes behind the trees (in some places) around 7. I say push everything back an hour. Tell people to start later in the morning or just hang out swimming in the river for another hour or so. Perhaps even move some enticements down to the river (perhaps have cold non-alcoholic beverages at some beach stop). 

I guess you could also move the entire trip to a different month, though it is unclear when that would be. In the spring, the water is VERY cold and also may be a little too high and swift in many stretches for this kind of event.  Once July rolls around, the heat could come at any time. In September, well, now you are getting into the rainy season. I guess I would have to look at some average rain and temperature predictions to see when the best week would be. Probably middle of August (smiley face).  There is also the problem that if you move the event away from summer you are going to lose your capability of attracting college kids on break. And as mentioned in other sections, we are going to need them to carry our boats when we are 90.