Aug 11, 2024: Dead River at 1800cfs

K1: Ron Chase, Brent Elwell, Clyde Mitchell, Matt Nathaniel, Jessa Solis
OC1: John Brower, Kenny DeCoster TC

Shredders: Don Skolfield and friend, Chris and son, Skip Morris and Brian Perver
After all the rain on Thursday and Friday and a great many emails, many decided against paddling the high water. Still on Saturday, about 20 people paddled the Dead at 4000+ and resulted in a little bit of carnage. By Sunday, Spencer dropped from 1650 cfs to 750 cfs and all the feeder streams were lower. 10 paddlers put in at Spencer with about 2500 cfs and ended the day with 3000+ cfs on the lower Dead. This was not the “beginner”/ 1800 cfs/ Throwback Cruise level that I advertised, but a mid-level run that our experienced group enjoyed.

Temperatures in the 70s and partly cloudy skies greeted us on the river. Skip and Brian joined the group at the gravel pit to retrieve the canoe that was lost on Saturday. We had an uneventful ride down the river riding wave trains and surfing waves until Mile-long Rapid. 1/3 of the way down, a kayaker flipped and tried to roll. Another kayaker paddled up to the overturned boat, grabbed both sides, and righted the boat and paddler in midstream. I had never seen anything like it before. A long nasty swim was probably averted. The rescuer’s paddle was picked up and returned so he could stop paddling with his hands.
Further on down the rapid, Brent was already on the rock with the broached canoe that had disappeared underwater the day before. Overnight the canoe had broken free from being submerged to broaching higher up on a rock further downstream so it was actually accessible. I paddled over to join him. I steadied the boats balanced on the rock and tied in the retrieved gear bags as Brent wrestled the canoe off the rock and sent it down lower Mile-long. It broached again in a quieter stretch of river and Skip and Brian took over installing an airbag and towing the boat to the Upper Poplar Portage, where it was paddling out on Monday at low water.

The rest of us made it out to the public take out without further incident. One thing about paddling the Dead is that it’s often an adventure that generates stories to be told around a campfire.

Sep 15, 2024: Kennebec Gorge at 5000cfs

Suzanne and Gary Cole TC, Greg Winston, TJ Farnum, Peter Hockmeyer

Another gorgeous day for mid September. We had the pleasure of showing TJ, who had done the river once before, our favorite surf waves and the lines we run through the rapids. We lingered here and there, enjoying the river, the day and each other’s company.

Sep 14, 2024: Dead River at 3500cfs

Suzanne and Gary Cole TCs, Patti and Tom Rutka, Paul Sarli, Paul LeClerc, Eric and Jack Kingsley, Jessa Solis, Kevin McKenzie, Loren Starcher.

We couldn’t have had a better day on the Dead. Warm and sunny, in our 6 kayaks and 3 inflatables, we made our way down river. We had a couple of people who were unfamiliar with the river and we enjoyed showing them the way through the more challenging rapids. Although 3500 is gentler than 5500, we found plenty of excitement. 

We wondered if we were ahead of the bubble as surfing at Quatro was not as good as usual, but it was hard to tell and we paddled on. It seemed too early to have lunch above Hayden’s, so we continued on and ate at Enchanted Stream. Some of us wanted to run the chute next to Elephant rock, but it was clogged with North Country rafts going round and round. We had to make a quick left and run the other side of Elephant.

Mile Long seemed pretty calm (we were probably comparing it to 5500) until the last bit. Our discussion after we made our way through the slot at the bottom was, “I don’t remember that big wave hole, do you?” On we went, some of us surfing here and there. Spruce Ledge wave was flat and things were uneventful until Poplar. We made our plans, where we were running it and who was following who.  A few had to switch to Plan B, but we all came through in good shape. 

We floated to the takeout reveling in our adventurous day. Two of us were enjoying our conversation so much that we floated right past the takeout. We ended up dragging our boats through the alders and up an old road back to the takeout.

Sep 6, 2024: Sea Kayak to Wood Island Lighthouse

TC: Shweta Galway

Trip Participants: Shweta Galway, Ryan Galway, Jean Miller, Bill Stafford

The original day was supposed to be Saturday the 7th. However mother nature waved her mighty hand, and with higher than expected seas on saturday, we quickly made plans to try for the day before. The predicted weather for friday was fog to start that was supposed to clear up as the day progressed.

We put in at Marblehead boat launch in Biddeford on the Saco River. The planned excursion was estimated to be about 4 miles out and 4 miles back, with a half mile walk to the lighthouse from where we landed.

We started on the Saco river and kayaked out to the end towards Saco Bay, dodging some boat traffic. The  4-6 feet long jumping sturgeon kept us entertained as we made our way out and kept our minds off the fog. We could not get behind some protected islands as quickly as we hoped due to the long breakwater, but the seas cooperated and we were able to navigate forth. We had a GPS device that helped point the way which was definitely needed as visibility was lower than hoped. We stopped at a midway point, Stage island, to regroup and gauge feelings about going ahead. Everyone agreed that we had come this far and we could make it out to Wood island which was visible in the distance, about another mile. So back into the boats we went. We avoided the daunting surf waves that were crashing along the right side of the landing dock as we approached and got in just fine.

Wood Island lighthouse is situated on the other side of the landing dock and is not visible when you land. However the beautiful boardwalk just beckons you. The walk was about a half mile on a well-maintained boardwalk and as you approach, the lighthouse and the keepers quarters are so quaint and inviting. We could not go into the lighthouse itself, but there are tours that are available from Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse.

The predicted clearing of fog was incorrect and in fact, on our approach back to the boats, it seemed the visibility had gotten worse. Thankfully someone in our group was smart enough to bring a light! We masterfully skirted the surfing waves as we took off, and quickly realized the waves were picking up. Fortunately we made our way back with a little more shelter from the island and with help from the tide, the mouth of the river did not seem as far out. Jean even caught some surf- unintentionally – or so she said!

All in all, we were very happy that we completed the trek. The TC learned to be better prepared, and that mother nature does not care what the weather person predicts, she will do what she wants!

Jul 21, 2024: Dead River at 1800cfs

On Sunday, July 21, 2024 four intrepid paddlers comprised of 4 open boats- all canoes (!)-paddled the Dead River at 1800 cfs. It was a lovely day on the river, made especially nice with an eagle sighting downstream of Minefield. The water was warm, and the paddlers made good time downriver fully enjoying the perfect summer day. Lunch was enjoyed at Enchanted stream due to no issues along the way and the small nimble river group. One swim in Poplar Hill Falls interrupted the perfect day- this rapid is always challenging-however was more tolerable simply by the very warm river water, which is typical this time of year.  Our river group was strong and had a fabulous day paddling on an uncrowded river.  Lastly, it’s always good to practice safety on and off the river, including reviewing boat outfitting to ensure the whitewater craft can be rescued in any dump situation. Proper outfitting for an open canoe includes adequate airbags to displace water in the event of a capsize, and also bow and stern painters which allow boat rescue easier access and ability to tow the boat to shore.  The paddlers returned early enough to leave plenty of time to break camp and get on the road to return home, after enjoying light snacks and more sunshine and few bugs.  There is simply nothing better than a fabulous day paddling the Dead River with wonderful paddlers- this time all canoeists together.   Paddlers included: Donna Jean Kaiser (TC) – OC1, John Brower- OC1, Glen Widmer- OC1, Kevin Morrissey – OC1.