Sep 16, 2023: Dead River at 3500cfs

Kayakers: TC’s Suzanne and Gary Cole, Ken Gordon, Clyde Mitchell, Devon Carter, Pat Cavanagh, Paul LeClerc, Jeff Bickford, Jeff Swett, and in a Shredder: Bud Gilbert, and Scott Gee.

Hurricane Lee was looming large, but after carefully checking the weather, we decided we could probably get a day in on the river before the winds and rain hit. As it turned out, we had a couple of strong gusts and maybe some light rain, but the real rain held off until we were off the river. With nine kayaks and one shredder, we had an early start and as a result were off the river by 2:30. We made our way down stream, surfing our favorite spots and enjoying a more relaxed river than at 5500. Since we were early, we waited to have lunch below Elephant Rapid at Poison Ivy Beach (poison ivy easily avoidable). Braces and rolls were working well until the second half of Lower Poplar where we had two swimmers. It was not an easy place to get boats and bodies to shore, but we managed and no one was worse for wear.

There is currently no Webb’s shuttle, so we ran our own. Three of us hung out in a car at the public takeout, while another car took the drivers back to the put-in to get theirs. Addie Webb said she would be running Webb’s Shuttle next summer. We really hope she does!

Jul 23, 2023: Kennebec River, Ballfield to Forks Plantation Takeout

We had beautiful weather for our Kennebec River trip from the Ballfield in West Forks to a takeout in Forks Plantation about five miles downriver.  Held on the second day of the summer picnic, we waited for the 5,000 CFS release to arrive.  John and his friend paddled a tandem canoe and Nancy and Ron solo kayaks.  We were the only hard boats on the river but there were lots of tubers.  It was a very pleasant way to end a busy weekend.

Participants:  John Preble, John’s friend, Ron Chase, and TC Nancy Chase

Jul 8-9, 2023: Dead River, 1800 and 1300cfs

Thanks to Kyle Duckworth, he sent out an email asking if anybody would like to do the Dead and gave my phone number.

Sat at 1800cfs (which turned out to be 2400-2800cfs): The shuttle turned out bad. Lindsey Feldman went off the road and had to be towed out by a tow truck – 4pm to 9pm the tow truck took her car to Skowhegan, so she was without a car for the next few months. We all felt bad where she volunteered to do the shuttle. Participants: Lindsey Feldman who came up from Baltimore MD (Kayak), Nicole Grohoski (OC), new club member Brandon (OC), Scott Gee and Bud Gilbert (Shredder) TC: Bud Gilbert

Sun at 1300cfs (maybe actually 2000cfs): Andrew McDowell paddled an inflatable kayak. Lindsey Feldman’s kayak helped a lot on rescues. Paul Sarli paddled a Canadian boat which was very tippy, but he conquered it by the end of the day. Great job! TC: Bud Gilbert

Aug 19, 2023: The Magalloway River, 1200cfs

Bryan and Alyssa Wolf, Jake Bourdeau and Jean Miller (TC)

We had two fine runs of 1200 cfs on the Magalloway River.   A beautiful scenic river that starts with a bang.   This was the first time for Alyssa and Bryan, and the first time in a long time for Jake. No swims just smiles.  We all agreed it was a perfect day.

Jul 22 and 23, 2023: Dead River, 2400 and 1800cfs

The two trips on the Dead river during the PPCS Summer Picnic were both well attended.  We had over twenty boats on Saturday and 11 on Sunday.  The scheduled releases of 2400 and 1800 cfs were a bit higher than advertised on each day, but we’ve gotten used to “going with the flow” in these circumstances.  We had some swims, starting on the very first rapid on Saturday, but they were all easily managed by the group.  Deft self-rescues or quick assistance from a few boaters kept the drama to a minimum.  This left us to focus our attention on the gorgeous setting, great company, bald eagle sightings, and a river that never disappoints.

Saturday

John Brower TC, Helen Hess, Sue Schaller, Shweta Galway, Steve Fortin, Lynn Meehan, Mason Galway, Will, Ryan and Kria Galway, Kenny DeCoster, Koa Farnsworth, Charlie Berliant, Dan Bennis, Ron Chase, Donna Jean Kaiser, Jules Petot, Kyle Duckworth, Andrea Reising, Allan Fuller , Cath Kimball, Jean Miller, Clyde Mitchell and Jessa Solis, Paul Sarli, Justin Schlawin

Sunday

John Brower TC, Helen Hess , Sue Schaller, Troad Richmond, Allan Fuller, Donna Jean Kaiser, Mark and Ellen Nelson, Scott Nelson and Lynn Hempen and Cam, Kevin McKenzie, Paul Sarli