Small Towns, Wisconsin Southwest Region Summer 2014 | Page 24

are first come, first serve and proper etiquette dictates that if someone is on a sandbar, you should continue on to the next one if one is readily available. I recommend starting early and finishing early in order to have the best chance at getting a great sandbar to yourself. In the middle of summer, mosquitoes along the river bank and in stands of trees can be intense depending on how much rain has fallen in the area. Your best bet to avoid mosquitoes at your campsite is to aim for a spot in the middle of the river and away from trees and grasses. The light breezes in the evening and the distance from shore helps keep the annoyance to a minimum. The ideal sandbar has a small stand of trees and grass at one end of the island that serves as a privacy area for bathroom breaks. No bathrooms are provided on the sandbars (though portable toilets are located at most landings). Speaking of bathrooms... Taking Care of ‘Business’ If you’re a regular camper/backpacker, you know you’re always told to do your business at least 200 yards from any water source. That isn’t the case here, mostly because it’s not possible. Proper bathroom technique is to dig a 6-8 inch hole in the sand, do your thing, and cover it up. Ideally, toilet paper should be packed out but in practice, this rarely happens. If you’re not going to pack it out, please make sure to completely bury your toilet paper in the hole - there’s nothing worse than dodging ‘landmines’ on your way to making one of your own. Weather Hazards The water level can fluctuate depending on the amount of rain in the area. If dry weather or very light rain is expected, the river is not likely to move more than an inch or two a day. If heavy rains have been in the area, the river can rise as much as a foot or more overnight. In order to minimize any risks, set up your campsite in a place at least 16 inches above the waterline and pull your canoes way up onto shore (you can place a stick in the sand at the waters edge to keep track of changes in water level). If rising water is a serious concern, you can also tie your canoe to your tent, which will keep it from floating away without you. p.24 Small Towns, Wisconsin | 2014 Southwest Summer Edition | www.smalltownswisconsin.com | e. [email protected]