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BuckFlicks
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Ponca to Pruitt is tough... most of the year there isn't enough water. When there is enough water, it's not an easy paddle. In nearly 40 years of outdoor experience, that was the only time that I felt like my life was in danger. There was a fallen tree across the water that we didn't see until it was too late and desperately tried to steer around it but only succeeded in turning the canoe perpendicular to the current, broadsided the tree, and got dumped out upstream. I got pushed under the boat and against the tree by the strong current.
I love the Buffalo, though. I wouldn't hesistate to go back, but I'd probably put in at Pruitt, regardless of the water levels.
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Winemaker
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The Current, Jacks Fork, Eleven Point, and Buffalo seem to share weather patterns, outside of local thunderstorms of course.
The trip was great, Ponca to Kyle's was a bit more exciting than expected with rapids and necessary maneuvers. They rent on this section? Kyle's to Ozark was fun, Ozark to Carver was more as expected, consistent current was nice. Took out at Mt Hershey and enjoyed a long Ozark style drive out to the highway, interesting road surface....
Hmmmm....
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Winemaker
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On our way, hanging out at Montelle winery in Augusta, MO. Monday we will put on at Ponca and do four days on a nice water level!! Thx to the recent rain, we have excellent watter to paddle-camp our way downstream! Sometimes you get the breaks...
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ozarkpaddler
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Jackfish: "Just curious... what does that have to do with Buffalo?"
LOL!
Winemaker, I tell people that Ponca section can be tough with 3-4' standing waves at times and they are skeptical because they may have seen it almost "Empty." When some friends were down there last year they were searching for someone whom drowned. You'd better have some moving water skills and be prepared to swim. I've never been able to get very many pics of that section as the PADDLE is in my hands instead of the camera. Oh, and Jackfish, HERE'S your Buffalo, although; I've never seen any near the Buffalo (LOL)!
 
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ozarkpaddler
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Have a great trip, it's a beautiful area. Good luck with the weather, it's been schizophrenic here in the MO Ozarks!
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Jackfish
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Just curious... what does that have to do with Buffalo?
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