Phew! It seems I have angered the gods.

Thank you all for your concern. Let me assure you I have no suicidal tendencies. Couple that with a healthy respect for the power of moving water.

We are not talking about a swift, deadly cold mountain stream here. I have canoed many happy miles on the river in question. I have a fair sense of its moods, its sweepers, where an eddy might form, and most importantly when to stay off (ice, breakup, flood stage). I have also floated several spring miles in a lifejacket just for fun. (Not related to canoeing, for the record.)

Still, I duly ponder the (unlikely) scenario of needing to cross without my usual kit, especially considering that bridges on the upstream sections are an hour's drive apart.