I mentioned earlier that I thought a litter adversity made a trip special.
I don't disagree with people that say they don't actively seek "hard times" that eventually they'll find you but I still think that on some primitive subconscious level seasoned paddlers "enjoy" a little hardship now and then. ;)

Maybe I'm reading between the lines and projecting my inner McGyver, but everybody is still planning to trip again and having learned from the past will see what a "newbie" sees as a disaster, just another reason you brought the gear you did. ;D