American Whitewater Memberships

We are now listed with American Whitewater as an affiliate club. This should help bring extra awareness to our club. Visit the American Whitewater club affiliate page to check it out.

Winter Meeting

Mark your calendars and don't miss out on the first annual Bardstown Boaters Winter Meeting.

Saturday, January 28th 2006
at Bardstown Mills
204 West Muir Ave.
Bardstown, KY 40004

Bald Eagle

I saw a bald eagle during the Thanksgiving break at our house in Frankfort along the Kentucky River. Very cool to see such a majestic bird. I only got this long range picture above, of her.

Website Updates

What features would you like to see on our homepage? I have been trying to add things like the BoaterTalk and American Whitewater RSS feeds to make this site your one stop access point for all things boating related to us Bardstown Boaters. But if there is something I am missing, something that you use regularly and would like to be able to access from right here at BardstownBoaters.com, please let me know. Use the "comments" link below do this. Get creative, help me think of new ways to make this site better.

Sheltowee Trace Begins

from Jay Thomas:

We are planning a trip this weekend, the beginning of the journey from one end of the Commonweath to the other.  We have the gear, the transportation, and the will.  All we lack is the weather.  The forecast is cold, mid forties for highs, upper twenties for nightime lows.  Also saturday carries a thirty percent chance of rain.  Cold I think that I can handle, but I don't want to get wet.  We will watch the weather and make a determination on Wednesday whether or not to postpone.  I would like to start at the beginning of the trail in Tennessee at the Picket State Park.

Google says that it's little over five hours drive to Picket State Park.  We could try that or we could try something closer and a little more familiar to us, like the Red River Gorge section or the Rockcastle River section.  I ordered a good guide book that should give us a better idea of the sections.  I'm down with any.

Team River Runner

This Thanksgiving I am thankful that there is an organization out there like the Team River Runners.

Team River Runner (TRR), established in August 2004 by kayakers in the Washington, DC, area, is an all-volunteer organization run by a council of nine kayakers and overseen by a board of directors.

Working in partnership with The Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA, TRR helps veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) find health, healing, and new challenges through whitewater boating on the Potomac River.

While the focus of TRR’s work is on soldiers recuperating at WRAMC, TRR also provides whitewater boating opportunities for family members as well as for other wounded veterans.

eBay Steal

So I have been looking for a Thule 56 Fit Kit to put my old rack on my new Ranger. Well I thought I should brag a little about what a steal I got off of eBay. Normally it's $50 but I got it for $1 on eBay. Now I just need to complete the bed with the Yakima Outdoorsman and I'm all set.

Bardstown's Water Worries Haven’t Dried Up

by DAVID MANN

City leaders will decide in January if mandatory water rationing will be necessary in Bardstown, following a report by city engineer George Greenwell. The city of Bardstown’s primary water supply, Sympson Lake, is still down — as it has been for the better part of the last five months. Bardstown Mayor Dixie Hibbs said they will continue to monitor the situation and agreed to make a decision on mandatory water conservation by Jan. 15.

“At that point we have to determine which way we have to go,” she said. “There is no reason to panic at this point.”

Though the lake level is close to three feet lower than “full,” November and December are typically wet months for the region, she said. Additionally, water demand is lower in the fall and winter when residents aren’t as concerned with watering their lawns and gardens. The city is currently under voluntary water conservation.

“We asked for voluntary because we were treating and delivering so much more than we anticipated,” Hibbs said.

The water supply in Nelson County has been a concern of late for both city and county leaders. Earlier this fall, Nelson Fiscal Court announced it wanted to work together with the city of Bardstown to solve the issue. Citing recent water supply concerns and recent calls for voluntarily conservation, Nelson Fiscal Court announced its intention to find a new water source in September. The city supplies about 90 percent of Nelson County’s water. The city also pumps water from the Beech Fork River.

Right now, the Beech Fork supplies the city with about 3 million gallons per day.

Bachelor Party Expedition Trip

We plan to run 2 rivers in 2 states in honor of Jay getting married. This will be the weekend before Easter.

Thursday April 6th - Sunday April 9th 2006

Chattooga River, Georgia
Section 2 class II 7 miles
Section 3 class III+(IV) 13 miles
Ocoee River, Tennessee
Middle Ocoee class III+

The Plan
Drive down on Thursday, camp and setup.
Paddle section II on Friday, camp.
Paddle Section III on Saturday, drive to Tennessee.
Paddle Ocoee on Sunday and head home.

Big South Fork in Trouble?

This was taken from a post at BWA's forum:

Premium Coal Co., a coal company from Kentucky, wants to blow up Buffalo Mountain in the New River watershed. Not only will the mine destroy five intermittent streams, it will destroy the watershed on the mountain and result in a massive release of sediment into Ligias Fork.

Ligias Fork is a direct tributary of the New River, which was recently designated critical habitat for five species of endangered mussels. Mussels require pristine waters and will die if the water becomes sedimented. That means that Governor Bredesen and TDEC are about to violate the Endangered Species Act (applicable to state agencies) by issuing a permit allowing Premium Coal to murder five endangered species and annihilate their critical habitat.

Even worse, however, the New River joins with Clear Fork to become the Big South Fork, one of Tennessee's (and Kentucky's) most beautiful wild rivers and the centerpiece of the Big South Fork National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service. Designated an Outstanding National Resource Water by TDEC, the Big South Fork is supposed to be protected against pollution and degradation. Indeed, federal law and TDEC's own rules forbid new discharges of pollutants, including sediment, into the Big South Fork, unless the discharger can affirmatively demonstrate that the discharge will not result in degradation or pollution.

Unfortunately, however, TDEC and Gov. Bredesen have embarked upon a pattern and practice of throwing the Clean Water Act, the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act and TDEC's own rules out the window. TDEC and Bredesen have already issued illegal permits to allow the destruction of tens of thousands of feet of headwaters in the New River watershed and for the discharge of untoward amounts of sediment. In doing so, they've ignored both the plain language of the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act and the pleas of the Park Service to address the cumulative impacts of the mining in the watershed on the Big South Fork.

Premium Coal's mine will destroy even more headwaters and result in the release of even more sediment into the New River and the Big South Fork. This will cause pollution in violation of the Water Quality Control Act and degradation in violation of the Clean Water Act, the Water Quality Control Act, federal regulations and TDEC's own rules. In other words, the only way that TDEC and Bredesen can issue these permits is to flagrantly break the law.Don't let them continue to get away with it. The only way to make them stop is to speak out and tell them "No."

Tell TDEC and Bredesen that their duty is to uphold the law and protect the public and citizens' rights to unpolluted waters and to use and enjoy one of Tennessee's most beautiful wild rivers and National Recreation Areas. Come to the public hearing and stop Premium Coal Co. in its rapacious, coal grubbing tracks.

What: Public Hearing on Premium Coal Co.
When: 7 p.m., November 15, 2005
Where: Cove Lake State Park

Jury Town

Don't F with a Jury.



Twin or no twin, he'll lop all your hair off!

Dominica

I'm back from Dominica so it's time to get things going again on here. I have a video slideshow from my trip, I hope to put some more video together later on.



Dominica does have whitewater and probably much more of it than I even saw. Most of the rivers were too low while I was there, but during the peak rainy season I am sure there is plenty of it. Dominica has lots of rocks in the rivers and steep drops, high class stuff. Beautiful rivers though.

Also more photos from the beautiful Dominica can be seen in the picture gallery.

I also registered us as an American Whitewater affiliate club today. I don't know if I have received my new journal yet, but we should be in the next one sent out, not the new one.

Winter News

The membership fund raising is going very well.  Soon I will have us listed with American Whitewater as an affiliate club.

Also last night Justin and I discussed the January meeting a little further, so be ready for that come this winter.  We'll make this an annual event and from now on this is when we can renew memberships.  We may start raise club funds so we can expand club operations.

The first goal in that field will be to hold winter roll sessions in Bardstown.  Justin is going look into Nazareth and try to get the pool there once a month.  It'll be around $5 to help cover the cost of renting the pool and to raise money for the club.

So get ready for these up coming events!

January 2006 - Winter Meeting
*Paddle Pick-Up Report
*Membership
*Club Trips
*2006 Expedition Trip
*Roll Sessions
*Gear Swap

December 2005 - March 2006
Rolls Sessions at Nazareth Pool
$5 per person

Lost Dog

Our dear friend Beastie has been lost in Frankfort, KY. She has been missing since Friday October 21st. Hopefully she will return soon. She is the best damn river dog that ever was and we need her back.

Russell Fork with the Vikings

Russell Fork River

Release level ~800cfs

Jay and I went to the Russell Fork with the Viking Canoe Club and had a great weekend.  On day 1 we ran the Pound and Upper Russell Fork at the standard release level.  There were about 25 Vikings in the group.  A very strong showing.  It was fun to run a rapid then turn around and get to see about 20 more runs of what you just did.  We camped at the Breaks Interstate Park ($9 per night), we were off by ourselves there in section B.  The camping down at Ratliff Hole ($10 per night) looks cool too.  This is where the gorge runners camp.

The upper has some really good technical rapids. I always forget the order and how far until 20 Stitches each time I go. But after the Railroad rapid there is one more rapid and then you are at 20 Stitches. It's right after a big turn in the river. Afterwards there are 3 or 4 more good class II-II+ rapids.

After our run down the upper we hiked into the gorge and checked out El Horrendo and Triple Drop.  We hiked in from the Garden Hole side. I think hiking in from Garden Hole or the road close to the gorge take out are about the same in time walking the tracks.  The more I look at the gorge section the more I start to think I can run it. But I ain't going to. Yet.

On day 2 we rant the Lower Russell Fork, putting on above Rat Hole which is a pretty good surfing spot.  The damn released water didn't reach the lower section until 12:45 so we had to wait for that.  It was cool to watch the water rise so fast and I was able to get 6 kayaks onto my truck. A new record.

Meat Grinder on the lower section was the scariest rapid.  It turned out to be pretty easy, but it was exciting to run.  I guess it shouldn't be rated higher than 20 Stitches, but it looks like it should. I have video of my run through on it here.

Awesome trip.  I hope to do the Russell Fork every year in October.  Great weather and a great river that's only 4 hours (from Louisville) away!

Rockcastle Trip

Canoeing, Kayaking, Camping

Canceled due to lack of water, but we hope to reschedule this for November.

This is a trip for anybody of any level.  It will be in honor of Jay's 31st birthday.  The Rockcastle is an amazing and beautiful place.  If you haven't been you should really check out this Kentucky jewel.

It's a 16 mile run that we will cover in 2 days.  Day 1 consisting of calm class I water, great scenery and a cool night camping.  Day 2 will have the whitewater and the excitement.  Class II and III drops through an awesome gorge. The Rockcastle is hella fun through here!



You can choose to run only day one stuff and/or you can give the narrows a try.  We'll be taking canoes and kayaks.  Maybe we'll even give the raft a try if we can squeeze it through.  They don't call it the narrows for nothing. If you have been watching this website, seeing us do these paddling trips and wishing you had joined in, this is the time join us. The Rockcastle is my favorite place and it is close to home. Only 2 1/2 hours away.

Go to the forum and let us know that you want to go to the Rockcastle in honor of Jay's 35th birthday.

Zach in Hawaii

Our resident Bardstown Boaters check in from Hawaii:



Hey Everyone, I have seen and done so many things over the last couple of weeks its hard to explain it all. Here is kind of a run down, There are classic pictures of the infamous chair jumping party in evansville. My personal favorite is of the chair jumping champion himself, i wanted to get his autograph but he brushed me off. So i named my fantasy football team and this email after him. If you dont understand this explanation, give me a call and i will gladly catch you up on it.

The next set of pics are from my trip to Reno NV were Jack let me fly the plane over Tahoe, These pics are beautiful but it should really make you wonder about the status of our nations homeland security when a yahoo like me can pick up the sticks and cruise around. Seriously, thanks jack and christy for the time of my life.
The next set of pics is of the USS Missouri. Check out the guns on this bad boy. It is nicknamed the Mighty Mo and for good reason. This day was awesome because for those of you who may not know. this is the ship where the Japanese surrendered WWII. Really cool stuff. In the background you can see the USS Arizona that was sunk during the attack on Peral Harbor.


 
The other pics are going to be kind of hard to pick out. Some of the pics (like the sun sets and the spearfishing guy) are from the North Shore. Check out the cloud that looks like Kentucky. I poured a splash of beer out to pay homage to the homeland. just kidding that would be wasteful. The pics that look like they are airial shots of Hawaii are from on top of diamond head. That was simply amazing. The pics of the waves splashing on the rocks are from the eastern side of the island called the windward side. Words cannont discribe this, you have to see it
There should be one pic left to talk about. that is the urinal. This is special because if you will notice it has a headrest. Not just any head rest, a very used head rest. im sure there have been times in my own life where i could have used a headrest. Bless the man that thought that up. lol

Well thats about it. i expect to see all of you out here with in the next two years.
love to all

Zach

Bear in the Woods

John checks in from Hawaii:

New River Again

3 ft
McCreery to Stone Cliff

We decided that once wasn't enough so we put together a new crew and headed back to the New.  Emerson Ballard joined us for his inaugural journey, along with Kenny, Jay, Toby and Beastie.  The water level seemed lower than last but it was still great paddling.  The weather was great and camping at Stone Cliff was great.

I started catching a cold at the start of the drive there and by Sunday morning was too sick to paddle.  So in all we only paddled from McCreery to Stone Cliff on Saturday.

We took our time at Silo scouting and taking pictures.  I got to run the canoe through and got that old feeling of whitewater canoeing back.  It made me wish more than ever that I had not missed the Rio Grande Paddle.  Now I have a huge urge to go canoe camping on some whitewater. Maybe I'll look into getting a good deal on a used whitewater canoe. Maybe a Dagger Rival for $300 from a guy in South Carolina.

Emerson swam some this trip.  Beastie did too.  And Toby once, while tearing up some surf.  I know that everyone enjoyed themselves as this easy section of the New is a whole lot of fun to different types of boaters at all levels.  We'll probably be back out there again soon.  Maybe not this year.  But next year is quickly approaching.

Water Shortage Solutions

Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:21 AM EDT
DAVID MANN The Kentucky Standard

Nelson Fiscal Court and Bardstown City Council want to work together to solve a perceived water shortage in the county.

County Judge Executive Dean Watts said Tuesday during a meeting of Nelson Fiscal Court the two bodies will schedule a joint meeting to address the issue.

Court members as well as councilman John Royalty, who attended Tuesday's Fiscal Court meeting, agreed a joint meeting between the two bodies would be productive.

A date has not been set.

Bardstown Mayor Dixie Hibbs could not be reached for comment. Watts, pointed out however, that she approached him for the meeting. She also mentioned the potential joint meeting at last week's City Council meeting.

Citing recent water supply concerns and recent calls for voluntarily conservation, Nelson Fiscal Court announced its intention to find a new water source.

The Court approved a motion last month allowing Watts to seek federal grant money for a feasibility study to find new sources of water for the county.

For now, Watts said, federal money will have to wait. Congressman Ron Lewis is asking the federal leaders to halt spending on local projects because of hurricanes Rita and Katrina, he noted.

The city supplies about 90 percent of Nelson County's water, according to Hibbs.

Sympson Lake is the primary source of that water. The city also pumps water from the Beech Fork River.

The Beech Fork supplies the city with about a day's supply of water, around 6 million gallons. There are limits, however, on how much the city can take from the source.

According to the Center of Urban and Economic Research, county population is expected to increase by more than 80 percent in the next 30 years.

Watts said last month he would prefer a lake as a solution to the shortage.

A lake would give the community self-dependence and provide an additional recreational area, he said.

Elkhorn is Back

400cfs

Jay and I finally got back on the Elkhorn, after hurricane Katrina finally gave the area some water.  We all thought the huge downpours would bring everything up and for a good while.  That wasn't the case.  New Orleans got obliterated and all we got was a 3 day window on the Elkhorn.  Luckily we got on the Elkhorn by Friday at the last moment.  400 is a good level, plenty of fun to be had at that level.  The weather was magnificent too.  Now we have our sights set back on the New.

The Future

During our past camp trip we decided that for next year we may try to install $10 membership dues. Then use the money to get us listed as an official whitewater club with American Whitewater. This cost $75 per year. Thus giving us more exposure by being listed on there website and in there bi-monthly magazine and hopefully a larger membership base.

We want to also organize another charitable event, maybe something tied in with the Bourbon Festival next year so we can get exposure by being listed in their literature and website as an official bourbon festival event. Something like a Bourbon Float. "Travel down the old Beech Fork river to see the old dam where Evan Williams was first distilled". Something like that.

2006 is all about adding new membership and promoting paddling to the Bardstown community.

Falls of the Ohio

Jay and I finally checked out the falls last night. We ran what I assume to be rebar alley. The water was fast and scrapy on this day. There were a few little waves but nothing special for surfing. We slowly, as slowly as we could, made our way down the 400 yard stretch. It goes by very quickly. Next time we want to check out the lower site. Not too bad of a spot. We'll be back.

Full Moon A Risin' On The Beech Fork

Dam to Camp to Dam
20cfs

Beastie led Tim, Toby, Zach and I up and down the mighty Fork this past weekend. This was a send off trip for Zach, his last Kentucky wilderness trip. He shoves off to Hawaii soon. The water was low, so we couldn't make our planned route of 49 to 31e a reality. But quick on our feet we decided to go from the dam up and then back the next morning. This worked perfectly. Plenty of water held back from the dam.

I also found the perfect route through the dam to modify. We need to move 8 rocks to the side and build up a small ledge. It would be a great chute and ledge drop when water runs through it. A wench on a tree and a long cable could get the job done.

Nantahala

Jay, Sarah, Jennifer and I spent the weekend at the Nantahala. We made a raft trip down the river on Saturday and a kayak trip stopping short at the Pizza Shack. Beastie went with us again on the raft trip. Jay and I were able to patch up the raft very good and get it back in action for this trip. The second day Jay and I ran the falls a couple of times in the morning and then we hit the road driving through the very scenic highway 28, followed by the very curvy dragon's tail section of 128. Don't know if it was faster or not going that way, the highway is probably the best route. Everyone seemed to have a great time on the river and everyone is interested in doing it again. We stayed at Freeman's motel. Secluded little place, very basic. They lost power Saturday night after a storm hit the area. We also drove along the blue ridge parkway at night and stopped at an incredible place along there. Good trip, for sure.

Paddle Pick-Up

This Saturday was not so much a paddling adventure but was certainly an adventure. I never thought we would have pulled out so many tires and the amount of garbage that we did, but with 32 volunteers we certainly put the dent into the cleanup of the Beech Fork that we were hoping for, and more.



We ran 6 canoes from the fairgrounds to 31E and had 4 wheelers, a tractor and trailer shuttling garbage up the hill at the bridge. We estimate that we pulled out 125 tires and around 1 ton of trash from the river. Next year we might go from 49 bridge to the fairgrounds and do it in May to coincide with the National River Cleanup week.
Everyone put in a lot of hard work this day and the preplanning could not have been more perfectly executed. Also the cookout afterwards was a huge success.

Rockcastle Day Trip

300cfs

Jay and I got in a day trip to the Rockcastle. A great river day with lots of combat rolling for me, the has helped my confidance on the river I think. After jumping into a whole on Screaming Right last week and now getting worked a touch in the Narrows I feel better about my cobat rolling. I am calm under the water in rapids. The details: We left at 7:30am from Louisville and shoved off at 11:30am on the river. The shuttle setup and getting to the put-in is long. Stair steps was god, we walked around Beech Narrows which looked very grabby this day and then had a blast on the 6 drops of the lower narrows. The lake was at 717ft, this gave us 6 rapids in the Narrows, covering one small rapid that I know of, that was exposed last time at 711ft. So there really aren't a whole bunch of rapids for such a long shuttle, but the Rockcastle is beautiful and no one else goes down there. We got lost trying to get back out to Highway 80. The road signs and maps don't jive very well. When taking Squib-Ano road out take a left at the Adkins/Arthur crossing. I may be getting to a point where I would like some more excitement in my kayaking, but I still love the Rockcastle the best. I think the rating on AW.org needs to be class II-III(IV) Next time I go I hope to get pictures of all the rapids and update the website on AW.

Cumberland Below The Falls

1500cfs



Jay, Scott and I headed for Corbin, KY yesterday and ran the section of whitewater below the Falls of the Cumberland. It's a bout a 3 hours door to shove off after gearing up, checking in, walking down to shore from the parking lot. We set up a shuttle through Sheltowee Trace, it just sucks having to wait around after the trip for a ride back to our car and to waiting for the kayaks to come back to the outfitter. But the trip was well worth the visit. We had a great time, Jay sam Center Rock, Scott styled it. Scott swam Screaming Right, Jay styled it. I was flipping all over the place improving on my combat roll. I thought I had taken a bad line on Screaming right, but it turned out to be okay. We really should be running this stretch more often since it is so close to home. But it still falls short to the Rockcastle.

New River Trip: John's Last Paddle

Day 1
Prince to Thayer

Day 2
Thayer to Thurmond

4 ft
3260 cfs



Toby, Cory, Zack, Michael, Zach, John, Johnny and I went to the new river this past weekend. It was a great time on the river. Day one was much longer with lots more playing in the rapids. We had 3 canoes and 5 kayaks running in our group. There were lots of Outfitter duckies running this section. At our Thayer camp we invented our own rock throwing version of corn hole. Day 2 was short and sweet with Silo being the highlight. Cory had a little swim here, got to use my throw rope to pull the boat to shore before it fell over the next drop. I definitely would like to go back hit this again some time.

Back at White Cloud

level:
Fredricksburg: 300cfs-390cfs
White Cloud: 700cfs

Went to White Cloud with Jay and Beastie tonight after work and surfed the madness. The wave was actually decent at somewhere between 390cfs and 300cfs on the Fredericksburg guage. So if it is ever reading that low and you are itching for some water to get on, go on out. I was glad I did.

White Cloud Surf Spot

level:
Blue at Fredericksburg: 400cfs
Blue at White Cloud: 950cfs

Kevin Hisel and I went over to Indiana Saturday and surfed for a few hours on the Blue at White Cloud. It was a decent little wave to play on. Something different, pretty fun. Would be cool to have that option more often.

Elkhorn Creek Again

320cfs

Ran the Elkhorn after work with Jay and an intern at Jay's work Scott. It was Scott's first kayaking trip. The water level wasn't too bad, I expected worse. The surf wave was good. The weather was perfect. We put on about 5:45 and we're off at 8:00

Viking Clinic

May 14th
150cfs
Clear Creek
Barnett to Jett

This past weekend at the Viking clinic was a lot of fun. All the students did very well and the ones that were in the water alot kept a great attitude about things. We had very low water in the Obed system on Saturday and ran Barnett to Jett. Needless to say, it was a long, slow day on the river, but the students in our class progressed alot even in the difficult conditions.

May 15th
575cfs
Big South Fork
Canyon Section

The second day, we went to the Big South Fork and ran the canyon section below the gorge. This is a big step up from the day before with substantially bigger rapids and much, much more flow.

Cinco De Elkhorn

430cfs

May 5th
Toby, Michael, Jay and I made a run down the Elkhorn after work this day. I saw an Oriole out there and a goose stuck on top of a pole. The dead cow was mighty rotten. That thing needs to go away now. Found a good surf spot at the damn rapid. Toby swam a second on S turn. We took out at the quick stop.

Green River through Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave Gauge: 16ft - 24ft

Jay, Sarah, Zach, Jennifer and myself paddled the Green River through Mammoth Cave National Park this past weekend. This was after heavy rains so the water level was very high, but the Green is a calm river in this the Green River Ferry to Houchins Ferry. That current kept us moving at a speedy 3 mph without even paddling. At our campsite the river rose about 8 feet while we were there overnight. This was a fantastic trip and the weather cooperated beautifully through out. Some highlights through out were the confrontation with the ferry man and Zach's wood gathering rampages. Beastie became the "Best Dog Ever" after continually jumping in the river to retrieve sticks. I got a speeding ticket driving home. Pretty weak ticket, 10mph over the speed limit. The coolest part of the section we paddled was one spot where an underground spring came in. The only way to get here was to paddle to it. The rest of the scenery along the river was nothing too special. We camped on Boardcut Island.

Dead Cow Elkhorn

400cfs

400 is just a great level, lot's a little play spots out there when the Elkhorn is like this. The Dead Cow was still there and we took some pictures. Took out some beginners today, including Toby, David and some Vikings. Had a great time spending about 5 hours on the water.

Little River

680cfs

So after a quick few days of planning I ended up on my way to Tennessee at 7am to run the Little river in the Smokies. I met up with John along the way and transfered my gear to his truck. Then at the Elkmont campground we met up with Kyle, Gary, Paul, Meryl and Stephanie from the Vikings. This day we ran a 10 mile section from Elkmont to the Sinks. It was a fantastic run with non stop class II the whole way, the whitewater never stopped, never. And there were 3 real good class III+ rapids mixed in there.

I wasn't expecting those, but not knowing they were there only helped in running them. It was after you finished the rapid that you look back and realized what it was. The craziest one was hidden from the road, which normally runs the entire length of the river. The river becomes about 4 feet wide in a fast chute that falls on it's self. I ended up backwards half way through but managed to stay upright. In fact I never flip this day, so I never had to test my roll on my newly healed right shoulder. Plenty of times where I almost did though. That rapid before the Meanies especially. It was a hard right turn that comes very unexpectedly, where the water rides along the side of a rock, I was all the way under that rock wall on my side scraping my other side against it going through. I had to hold the top brim of the rock to stay up right. John fractured his canoe repair this day, thus re-exposing his canoe leak. Kyle then ran the Sinks while we watched. We camped after eating a steak dinner in Gatlinburg and then drove on home Sunday morning. Great run that could be run from anywhere to anywhere due to the roadside pull offs the whole way. We should go back if there is enough water in it. It was a little low this day at 680cfs. Very boney and technical. We even had a couple of pins. The right amount of water should make the run a little easier. Plus there is a class II section down lower.

Elkhorn in April

1300cfs

Well it was just one of those after work runs that Jay and I made. The river was fast, but void of any of it's real good features. There is just a certain level where the Elkhorn gets weak and this was it. We ran from the put-in to the first take out in about an hour and 10 minutes. We were trying to beat the darkness and we did so by a long shot. The interesting thing that happened this day was that Jay forgot to wear his nose plugs!!! Can you believe it! We also got to see the dead cow. I'm sure that cow will be real ripe next time we go through. We were the last ones onto the river, but we were not the last ones off.

Polar Paddle of the Elkhorn

700cfs

Well it was our first paddle of the year and it was mucho fun to be back on the river after a 1 month hiatus. We managed to get a new paddler out with us, Phillip Ice. This also ,marked the return of Justin Janes to the club after spnding last season out of the country. Beastie went with us as well but stayed in the car at the take-out. Jay and I rounded out the list of paddlers. The weather was around 55 but there was no sun. Wasn't bad at all though. Next up, the Rio Grande.