Disaster on the Buffalo river Rush to Riley 24 Miles

Did around 24 miles from Rush landing to Riley's. Had a crazy first 10 mins on the first bend of the river but everyone was ok and we were able to continue our journey. We went when the water was high. This video demonstrates how dangerous this river can be at certain levels. Always respect the river and the condition it's in!
Check out our take out spot - www.rileysoutfitter.com/ for rentals on cabins and kayaks.
We always go with Wild Bills for our put in - www.wildbillsoutfitter.com/ they will take your vehicle to the take out you request.
Thank you Ben & Kristen for getting this together! Was a blast with both of you like always.

[@arkansasjon2171]

This is my home river. Next time you'll want to leave the drone at home. It can land you a $5000 fine unless you have a permit (which is impossible to get unless you are a movie studio). Nice video and congrats on saving your stuff at the beginning.

[@KeenKayak]

Glad you pointed that out. At the time I relied on the app to tell me where I can and couldn’t fly. Had no clue about the rules of flying in a national park. Got my head nearly bit off when I tried posting to the Facebook group lol. Lesson learned but I’m glad I got the shots I did because that place is incredible! Thanks for the feedback and watching.

[@arkansasjon2171]

@@jerrywatkins8889 sorry, but you are wrong. You won’t get a permit to film legally. It’s extremely restrictive on the Buffalo National River. You can’t just use your commercial license and fly anywhere you want. You HAVE to have a permit to do it legally, and you aren’t going to get one unless it’s for something very special.

[@shelliglasow609]

Thanks for the content. I gained a lot of valuable knowledge watching this. Planning a float trip next Spring. Glad everything worked out for y'all at the beginning. Looked scary for sure.

[@KeenKayak]

Glad I could be of any help with your planning. Just don't let it freak ya out, honestly if the water is looking muddy, and at the turn in the river looks like that I'd say just paddle back and float the white river as a plan B. Have had to do that before and it was still a good time. Thanks for watching

[@OverlandPNW]

Good recovery! Glad everyone is ok !

[@KeenKayak]

Yea glad everything went well, I do however plan to take some swift water classes. Definitely couldn’t hurt to have more knowledge when stuff like this happens. Thanks for watching!

[@deannemarcella5052]

Awesome video Brian! Good lord, that first day was crazy.

[@KeenKayak]

Yea it was pretty nuts! But still was a lot of fun. Thanks for watching!

[@thebrotherbrothershow7807]

Wow! Awesome video though! Glad everyone’s okay!

[@KeenKayak]

Yep it was crazy! Thanks for watching

[@Michael-ft3rc]

What was the river height when you made this float? Thanks!

[@jaredbarker8904]

Nice video! That first curve after Rush put in is Clabber Creek Shoals. Can get scary for sure and right out of the gate too. We walked our canoes down it last time.

[@KeenKayak]

The water was so high I don't think walking was possible this time. Lesson learned, probably won't do again if water levels are in the yellow. Thanks for watching

[@jaredbarker8904]

@@KeenKayak Yeah we were chicken. Didn't want to risk it in our canoes right at the start of the trip. Haha Now I'm ready to go back! Water is a 5.4 right now. Near perfect!

[@fatgirlsoutdoors831]

Brian is my HERO! I

[@saltyw1]

Awesome

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man the beginning of that trip was something else. I'm glad everyone was okay though. You're a good man taking the risk in that dangerous water to say someone else. I would have done the same thing to. But the rest of the trip turned out nice which was a good thing. Good video man good video.

[@KeenKayak]

Lol the kayak was a must getting back. I honestly didn’t want to get the other stuff but it was necessary. That was their food, tent and clothes. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching

[@koof1776]

Nice memories~

[@KeenKayak]

Lol yea, always a good time!

[@brandoncaro82]

Had a scary episode like that last week up near Ozark Camp. Glad everyone is ok! Respect the River..

[@KeenKayak]

Yea that’s usually the worst part of the river all the way up to the white river. Prob won’t go on it again when it’s that high. Appreciate ya watching!

[@michaeltaylor9080]

Always fun watching inexperienced people on rivers

[@KeenKayak]

Glad we could be entertaining to you! Just your average joe here getting into some sh*t 😂

[@matthewdean8070]

I'm going on the 1st of July, 5 day float, hear their are amazing sites on it, lots of paths that lead to sites, Not worried abut rapids,

[@KeenKayak]

yea usually the rapids aren't terrible, we just happen to go after some heavy rainfall. Never been in July but I'd be prepared for some horsefly action and some heat. Be safe and enjoy the trip buddy!

[@unstoppablezone4980]

I floated the Buffalo River in 1985 with my best friend and my brother. We had 3 uneventful days. On day 4, we were on the outside bend of the river, on the far side, and foolishly tied up to a sapling on the far side of the bend, wanting to fish a big pool, that was adjacent. We failed to take into account the velocity of the outside bend, and the john boat was quickly pulled sideways in the current. My brother gunned the motor and tried to move across the current towards the other side of the river...he moved so fast that we ended up jamming the boat up against a sapling on the other side...the bow went down and the boat immediately sank. It was incredible how fast it sank. We were caught in the current...and all our stuff in the boat...which we had tied up in garbage bags...went floating down the river, while we were stranded on a sand bank. We watched, helplessly, as all our stuff floated on down the river in the bags. For the previous 4 days we had not seen another soul on the river. Suddenly, a canoe appeared with two forest rangers on vacation. I went with them and collected all our stuff, packed in garbage bags, and they contacted the sheriff, who drove down to where we were. The rangers then went back and collected my brother and my friend and we were reunited. We only lost our fishing gear! The next day we went back, with our outfitter, and retrieved the john boat, minus the motor! It was an amazing experience I will never forget. This is a powerful river and it cannot be underestimated! )

[@KeenKayak]

Wow! You’re crazy fortunate that there were rangers floating down! That lower part of the river most times you don’t run into anyone on 3 day trips. Glad things mostly worked out for ya and thanks for sharing.

[@cbrown9555]

Did you get killed

[@cbrown9555]

Did you get killed

[@unstoppablezone4980]

@@cbrown9555 Yes of course. Reporting from the other side.

[@deathunknown666]

When was this taken? I'm assuming 2020 right when they opened it back up

[@KeenKayak]

Yes sir, we camped the night before on a private campsite and then hit the river the day of the re-opening.

[@Thestripper1]

What time of the year is this and do you know what the water level was?

[@KeenKayak]

I wanna say in April, and the water levels were I believe in the yellow/red at Harriet on this site www.buffaloriver.com/river-levels/ sorry don’t remember exact levels. Hope this helps

[@Mindfeels]

Testicular fortitude!👍🏿

[@KeenKayak]

Seen this comment right when I got home from work 😂 thanks for making my day!

[@Mindfeels]

@@KeenKayak Thanx for showing us how it's done man! Salute!

[@donsixpack6779]

I've practiced capsizing with most of my kayaks. At the boat ramp. Not in a raging river

[@theonemodifier]

What month are you doing this?

[@KeenKayak]

Mid to late April

[@suckthebigoneforalongtime793]

I have been fortunate enough over the years ( beginning in the late 70s) paddle almost all the Buffalo- except for a few miles on the upper portion. Clabber Shoals is the wickedest part of that River. Also remember when the Buffalo was privately owned land. Land owners would charge for accessing across their land launching a canoes and swimming. During the days of the battle of the Buffalo when people would string barbed wire across the river keep folks off their land- Good ole history.

[@KeenKayak]

Awesome to hear about the history of this river! That’s pretty crazy it used to be like that. Feel pretty fortunate now that everything is settled. Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching !

[@cesarhinostroza9370]

IT WAS GOOD

[@trishlovelace7808]

Do you happen to know what the river level was at that time? We are floating that same float tomorrow and they said the level now is a little over 51/2.

[@KeenKayak]

We used the Harriet gauge and it was mid yellow on it which was probably 6 1/2 to 7 feet. I'd consider that high and recommend only experienced kayakers going. 5 1/2 I believe should be a really nice float. Just check that first corner at rush and keep an eye out for the tree in the water at Elephant rock. Let me know how it goes and enjoy your trip!

[@trishlovelace7808]

@@KeenKayak Thank you! How far down would you say is Elephant Rock?

[@KeenKayak]

@@trishlovelace7808 I usually hit elephant rock on day 2 so I'd guess at mile 15 or so cause once we pass it then ya hit rock garden and then we find a campsite for the final night.

[@jefflanham1080]

That spot y’all ran into is known as Clabber Creek………..clobbered at Clabber is the local saying. Glad you guys were okay.

[@mobydickhead1]

I just did upper buffalo. It was my first adventurous paddle and that didn't involve calm water, a cooler full of beer and a decent amount of alcoholics. This looks way more frightening than what I did.

[@KeenKayak]

Thanks for sharing, lol yea It’s a tuff decision to not bring that cooler of beer. Glad I decided not to bring mine on this one. Hoping to do again soon

[@RandyMitchellQuasarKid]

I’ve never floated that part of the Buffalo. No doubt it’s a nice stretch of river. River was definitely up.

[@KeenKayak]

lol yea I might of underestimated a bit when I said water levels looked perfect... When the levels are right it's an amazing float! This was the fastest I've ever done this section! Thanks for watching

[@volff9569]

just did a week long trip on the Buffalo from grinders to Riley's good trip has about 35 people

[@KeenKayak]

Dang! Week long on that river would be amazing! Glad ya made it through ok. Ya have a lot of horsefly’s along the way ?

[@volff9569]

@@KeenKayak yeah I was killing them suckers every night in my tent I go for group called the Ozark society we did it this year for the rivers 50th year since it became a national River we only had to pay $150 each that includes food for the whole week and a shuttle it was a great time I enjoyed it it was my fourth year doing it

[@volff9569]

@@KeenKayak wasn't Lucky's you getting on the white we hit it like 9:00 in the morning they're still fog on the water it was cold

[@KeenKayak]

@@volff9569 that’s a price that would be totally worth it for this river. Lol yea those horsefly’s can really suk during the hotter months. I try to go either in April or middle to late October.

[@fatgirlsoutdoors831]

Ready to go back?

[@KeenKayak]

Was invited for possibly a mini trip coming up soon. Not sure what to expect. We do need to definitely go back, been really missing it!

[@suckthebigoneforalongtime793]

Clabber Shoals is wicked.

[@ronn6471]

Not prepared related to proper white water equipment, skills, and securing items.

[@KeenKayak]

Lol yup, thanks for watching

[@littleokie4885]

Is this the Buffalo National River in Arkansas?

[@KeenKayak]

correct, need to go again sometime soon

[@littleokie4885]

@@KeenKayak I went 2 weeks ago! Mount Hersey to Woolum. Our group tries to float a different section each year!!!

[@littleokie4885]

Good video!

[@KeenKayak]

@@littleokie4885 o nice! appreciate ya watching and hit me up on here if ya go again. Might try to join ya hopefully during better conditions lol

[@littleokie4885]

@@KeenKayak we meet up usually in May every year 👍🏻

[@weshuber8055]

I have a single person canoe and the first time doing the buffalo i bought a marine water pump and strapped that thing to the poll holder 😆

[@KeenKayak]

Yea I always bring a pump no matter if it’s a river or lake, ya just never know. Hats off to ya doing this river with a canoe. I feel like it would be a challenge

[@weshuber8055]

@KeenKayak did ponca to Kyle's at about 3ft. Was an amazing time. Be safe out there

[@zefor313]

More content!!!

[@KeenKayak]

It’s coming!

[@mkwy8782]

Good lord-such incompetence.

[@KeenKayak]

Least I don’t have a branch stuck up my butt. Go blow your money on swimming classes…

[@timmkkt]

I would consider a white water course after watching this logic. Be safe.

[@KeenKayak]

Thought about it, but if I would of followed white water course “rules” nothing would of been saved and the trip ruined.

[@hdanielnoble6572]

Break out the banjos boys!

[@cbrown9555]

Did you get killed

[@KeenKayak]

Lol no, just haven’t had the time to get back out lately. Work keeping me busy. Will be getting some more content out there here in a few more weeks.

[@cbrown9555]

@@KeenKayak 👍

[@405scottjohnson]

Need more content

[@claytonjohnson4629]

Idk, ive been white water wrafting and kayaking on the Ottawa river in Canada and 0 of the Buffalo looked bad in this video

[@KeenKayak]

I’m sure you had a proper white water kayak too…

[@claytonjohnson4629]

@@KeenKayak idk ive kayaked on some pretty shitty kayaks im my life

[@stevendavis1940]

Overloaded, inexperienced, and documenting every move.

[@KeenKayak]

Got you to watch 😁 thanks

[@405scottjohnson]

Got me too ☹️ totally overloaded

[@thunderdownunderfishing6378]

I mean technically this guy was just fine, his group however

[@j.a.1785]

Drones don't belong here.

[@andreadaleyutronebel5894]

Dangerous river. A 25 ft one ton snapping turtle came out of the water and snapped my friend's head right off and then ate the whole body