Are there any AI/TI's other than me planning on doing the WW and the Nightmare?
AI/TI doing the Nightmare
(22 posts) (14 voices)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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Sundance - I am glad you posed this question! I have been going back and forth on this. It will be my 1st Challenge and I am wondering if doing the WW/Nightmare might be too ambitious. It is the path I would prefer, however. As I understand, Penguin Man did the WW/Nightmare last year, being the 1st AI to make the transit. I was not able to find out much about his foray. For the Nightmare, I would assume that he must have folded back the Amas and dropped his mast, yes? I did notice also that last year, Chief came in at the half way mark on Ponce De Leon Bay, just below the Nightmare. Does that count for doing the WW?
I am very interested in you thoughts/suggestions on this.
Dorsalis
Posted 8 years ago # -
Dorsalis,
To get an AI or TI through the Nightmare, you definitly need to get things as compact as possible. See my video of the Nighmare section:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4rfdaOK5cc
To get a gator tooth, you need to follow the entire WW as marked on the offical maps. That means you start on Lopez River go through the Nightmare and Broad Creek, then to Flamingo through Whitewater Bay or Joe River.
Posted 8 years ago # -
EXCELLENT Video Macatawa! I notice that for the video, you went through on a rather compact sea Kayak (A Kruger?). Your companero was also in a narrow beam sea kayak. Do you think (if the Good Lord's Willin and the Creek don't rise) if I make it to CP2 that the WW/Nightmare would be doable for a 1st timer on an AI? It seems like historically, everyone except Penguin Man has taken the outside route on AI/TI's. There is probably a good reason for this.
Thanks for your input on this thread.
Posted 8 years ago # -
According to what the chief said here it seems that doing the Nightmare is one of two options:
You must complete the entire WW as shown on their official maps. You can exit at Broad River and return via Broad Creek. Using the Harney River from the outside is not allowed.
- The Nightmare is an option. Some people say that taking the Nightmare is easier than negotiating Broad Creek from the entrance. The choice is yours.
I'd like to do the WW this year and will do the Nightmare if the tides work out or if it's manditory.
Posted 8 years ago # -
http://www.watertribe.com/Events/EvergladesChallenge/Default.aspx.
The gator tooth rules are under special note 1 and 3.
I think Penguin Man towed his amas behind him through the Nitemare, but don't quote me on that.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I figure that if an 18' Kruger tank can do the Nightmare I should be able to get the 18.5' TI through it. My plan is to stow the mast, fold the amas and remove the mirage drives. If need be I will pop the amas off and tow them behind.
Posted 8 years ago # -
We got our 18.5' barge of an XCR through in 2012 with only a little difficulty and I blame a lot of that on the dark and the tide. We did have to take both amas off and some of the turns were a little tight. I don't know that I'd want to take a boat much longer or taller than that through though.
Posted 8 years ago # -
You can see Penguinman's set up as he goes through the Nightmare in "The Challenge", the video on this sites home page that follows last years race Fast forward to about 1:04:03.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I took the Broad Creek option on the WW last year, due to tides. It is longer, but I'm sure lower Broad Creek is easier than the Nightmare. Both routes go through upper Broad Creek, which I am told is the toughest part. I know in my 18' boat I had to make 3-point turns in a few spots, and sneak under some low branches. I would be surprised if you do not have to tow the amas, so be prepared. But it was the best part of the whole trip.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Upper Broad Creek is tougher than the Nightmare.
KB
Posted 8 years ago # -
By upper, you mean the streatch in from the gulf?
Posted 8 years ago # -
No, that is lower (nearer the mouth). Upper is from where Nightmare joins in with Broad Creek, then eastward.
Posted 8 years ago # -
So you end up doing the worst part of Broad Creek whether you do the Nightmare or not.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That is correct. Nightmare saves you distance vs going out Broad River and back in.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I remember a lot of the Nightmare being more like Macatawas video at about 3:50 into it. It was surprising to me how it would open up for a bit and neck down to nothing again, and open back up again and then back down to nothing. I thought "Really, they call this a Waterway" many times to myself. It was a most fun and interesting part of the trip, however! And I did it in the wee hours of the morning just before dawn.
Back to the OP. There will be some tight spots but nothing you can't negotiate. Just make sure everything is lashed down, and the fewer things for the mangroves to get tangled up with, the better.
Watching Ben's video, it got me to thinking about the EC. Not in chronological order. One day you are flying across Tampa and Sarasota Bays. One night you are paddling through Venice canal in the dark. Paddling through suburbia, marinas, and moored sailboats one quiet evening. Paddling off the coast near Naples. Shooting in through Marcos pass. Paddling twisting and turning channels against the tide in Estero bay heading for Wiggins pass. Busting out through the surf into the Gulf. Paddling the northern areas of the WW at dusk with the bioluminescent algae lighting up in your bow wave and paddle strokes. Finding your way through the mangroves in the Nightmare. Cruising down the Joe River with a good beam reach. Terror in Whitewater Bay in big waves and wind at night, and the eerie approach down the canal to Flamingo, only suffering mild hallucinations. Then there was FL Bay. It is such an awesome challenge that makes the hours fly by! What a cool venue, especially varied if you take the inside route....I digress.
Joe
Posted 8 years ago # -
I have lots of photos on my photobucket site.
Start here on page 8 to see Broad Creek ground site before entering the Nightmare http://s929.photobucket.com/user/scareman/library/EC2013?sort=2&page=8
It gets too dark for photos on page 15 to continue photographing just after entering Upper Broad Creek. http://s929.photobucket.com/user/scareman/library/EC2013?sort=2&page=15
I got my 22 footer and 26" wide kayak through both the Nightmare and Upper Broad Creek last year. Upper Broad Creek took some work, but it may have been cleared out a bit in this past year.
You can do it Jim!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Squirrel has her heart set on doing the WW & Nightmare. As for myself, I refuse to worry about it until (or if?) we actually get to Checkpoint 2. Since we're in a large TI fleet, my question is, what are you going to do if you get to CP2 and you're leading the fleet?
Posted 8 years ago # -
You need to think about what condition you are when you arrive at check point #2. I had all intentions to do the WW but I paid a too high price getting to CP2. The red tide did not help. I think it is doable by a TI just have a alternate plan. Getting through the nightmare, timing is everything. The tides are a major player...
Posted 8 years ago # -
I've done the nightmare before in my QCC at night. I know timing is everything in getting through. My first question was just trying to see how many other AI/TI's at least initially plan on attempting it. I want my daughter to get the full WW experience so my plan is to go for it.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Jim, she is a brave girl. It has taken me several attempts to even think about doing it. If everything falls in place and the stars and moon align, yes I will be there with you in the waterway...
Posted 8 years ago # -
Sundance, If you are keeping track, I'm on a TI and not interested in fighting off snakes gators and bugs.......LOL. Prefer the open blue water. But good luck! Roy
Posted 8 years ago #
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