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Apr 27-29, 2023: Machias River

As usual, the spring Machias River trip came with an assortment of logistical problems.  And, although several people expressed interest, only Ken Gordon and I could connect all of the dots.  Gate closings prevented access to upper portions and bad weather left only a 3-day window of opportunity.  Ken and I persevered and met at Airline Rapids to run a shuttle to complete a trip from 3rd Lake to Holmes Falls.  For the first time in the 45 years I’ve been running the Machias, the Holmes Falls Road was gated.  Undaunted, we pivoted to a 3-day trip from the Airline to Smith Landing.  Our determination paid off as we had an excellent trip.  The weather and water level were outstanding.  We met a great group of six canoeists on day one and camped and navigated rapids with them throughout.  Ken and I used expedition kayaks and everything went well – another wonderful Machias trip.

Participants:  Ken Gordon and Ron Chase, TC

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Apr 15, 2023: Souadabscook Stream

While much of the local paddling world was participating in the Kenduskeag Stream race, a few of us chose a quieter paddling venue for the day.  We had a sunny day and a cheerful group on the Sou, including some new members as well as some very experienced PPCSers.  The water level was low, but we still had plenty of surfing at all the usual spots and even a little excitement at the lip of the Emerson bridge rapid.  One kayaker got hung up in the midstream alders above the rapid and nearly flipped.  In the process of providing help, another kayaker did flip and then hit their combat roll before successfully running the rapid.  Although they were not needed today, it was good to know we had lots of excellent rescue skills at the ready.  We ran the full stretch of river down to the water works station and enjoyed some milling over munchies and beverages at the take out.  We’d parked our vehicles in a little group, including a few that were on the lawn; those cars had notes on their windshields requesting that we not park on the grass in the future. Ooops!  We’ll try not to do that again.

K-1 Tom Rutka, Jeff Bickford, Charlie Berliant, Devon Carter, Ron Chase, Franklin Jacoby, Millie Jacoby, Bud Gilbert, Gary Cole, Suzanne Cole.

IK-1 Erin-Kate Sousa

OC-1 Patti Rutka, Whit Whitney, Sean Kluttz, Kyle Duckworth, Helen Hess (TC)

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Apr 8, 2023: Skip Pendleton Memorial St. George River Trip

The sixth annual Skip Pendleton Memorial St. George River Trip was held on a cool, breezy, but sunny day.  Eighteen paddlers in sixteen boats met at the takeout on Route 105 in North Appleton.  This was one of those rare days when river activities went very smoothly.  Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable experience and it was a swim-free event.  Many in the group retired to Thresher’s Brew Pub after.  We enjoyed a great day of paddling while recognizing an exceptional member from the past. 

Participants:  My count at the put-in was 18 people in 16 boats.  However, only the following 16 people signed the waiver form – Bruce Weik, Mike Eastman, John Lightner, Bud Gilbert, Andrew Kelly, Dave Boyle, Mike Bridges, Glen Widmer, Bob Price, Justin Schlawin, Merlin Schlawin, Helen Hess, Suzanne Cole, Gary Cole, Carolyn Atwood, and Ron Chase HOC (Herder of Cats)

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Apr 2, 2023: Sheepscot River, 650cfs

Participants: Bruce Weik C1, Helen Hess OC1, Paul Plumer OC1, Reid Anderson OC1, Daniel House OC1, Peter Hubbard OC1, TC: Kenny DeCoster OC1, Ron Chase K1, Greg Gerbi K1, Ken Gordon K1, Catherine Kimball K1, Dan Bennis K1

The plan was to hold a weekend paddle festival in Winterport area on the Marsh on Saturday and Sou on Sunday- a repeat of last year’s schedule. But mud season weather can make scheduling trips a nightmare. When Saturday was predicted to be rained out, I forfeited my trip on Sunday, so we all would get a chance to paddle the Marsh again. On Friday, the Sunday outlook deteriorated and Charlie canceled the Marsh trip. I gave up on the weather until Ron called Saturday morning asking where I was going to paddle on Sunday. Within 24 hours, 12 people showed up for a glorious sunny day on the Sheepscot River. Although the temperature was below my threshold of 40 degrees, the full sun and breeze at our backs made up for the pool of water in the bottom of the canoe freezing my toes.

We had great diversity in the participant list: the entire PPCS executive committee plus Reid were present, Paul Plumer made a rare appearance and used his Stearns award fame to delay the meeting time to noon, I recognized Greg this time around, Bruce finally took a day off of work to join us, Catherine, sea kayaker extraordinaire, paddled a much shorter boat, I finally had the pleasure of surfing with Peter, and new members, Dan and Dan, paddled with us for the first time.

The water level was 650 cfs and the rocks dotted the waterscape. There were many attempts at surfing to limber up the dormant paddling muscles, and plenty of time to float down the current and enjoy the sun and everyone’s company.

I’ve only paddled the Sheepscot once in the past decade and struggled to find the take out (no GPS) to meet everyone. 18 years ago as I was learning to solo paddle, I would join Carolyn Welch and Dave Lanman on their class II weekends: Sheepscot, Ossippe, Saco, Sandy and Carrabassett. Today brought back a lot of memories. There are still a couple more class II trips this spring- SYOTW.

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Apr 8, 2023: Millers River

TC’s Paul Leclerc K-1 & Pat Cavanagh K-1

Joint trip with RICKA (RI Canoe and Kayak Assoc. and PPCS

Participants: PPCS Kenny DeCoster OC1, Ryan Galway OC1, Brendan Regan, OC1

Erik Eckilson OC1, Ben Gorman K1

It’s Millers Time!

With poor snowfall over the winter, leaving no snowmelt and virtually no early Spring rains, the whitewater rivers of southern New England were low. Fortunately, the Millers River in north central MA has an annual April release. Being a member of RICKA (RI Canoe and Kayak Assoc.) and a proud Chowderhead, I thought it would be fun to make it a joint venture. Kenny, Ryan and new Chowderhead, Brendan joined me, Pat and 2 other RICKA WW boaters – Erik, and Ben.

Whitewater boating is done on two sections of the Millers – the Upper Millers, a 7 mile stretch through mostly remote forested land beginning in South Royalston and ending in Athol and the Lower Millers, a 5 mile segment beginning in Erving and ending in Millers Falls. The Upper II/III section is more technical. The Lower is abundant II/III wave trains and a powerful class IV rapid (the Funnel) in the middle. Today, we would be doing both.

With a sunny, but chilly (40 degrees) start we put in at the Upper and headed out. All was going well, until we came to the last class III rapid – a fairly strong rapid requiring quick technical maneuvering. Erik decided to challenge himself by entering the section dodging what most boaters would rather avoid and quickly found himself going over a large pour-over. Immediately he was separated from his boat and in the water. Knowing what lay ahead, he quickly and safely swam to shore. Fortunately, Pat was behind and able to push his canoe into an eddy. Ben, being fairly new to whitewater, found himself too far right and unable to escape another large pour-over and quickly capsized. Unable to successfully roll his kayak, he ejected and hit his forehead above his right eye on a shallow rock.

Leading the group, I spotted an old large limbless tree just under the current, but it was too late to safely paddle around, so I paddled hard to get over it. Not having enough speed from the short distance, my boat came to rest on top of it. I turned to warn the group and spotted Ben in the water floating helplessly towards the tree. I blew my whistle. Either not hearing me above the turbulence or being disoriented from his injury, Ben headed for the tree and got sucked under. In those heart stopping seconds, he was pushed through underneath and came up gasping for air.

At this point the current was calm enough for him to swim to shore. His impact resulted in a cut and a golf ball size swelling. Had he been caught under the tree it might have been a very different outcome. Luckily it was near the end of the river, and he finished the run. We provided an ice pack for the swelling and a bandage. As it turned out, Brendan is a nurse and said he’d be ok.

Four of us continued to the Lower Millers: me, Pat, Kenny, and Ryan. We scouted the Funnel – it looked nothing like the video. They never do. After deciding our lines, Pat went first and went through clean. I entered next and went river right – too right and got flipped off the edge of a powerful hole. After two unsuccessful rolls in the turbulence, I waited for the rapid to lose its fury, then rolled up further downstream. Kenny was amazed I could hold my breath for so long. Being late in the day, and witnessing my rolling demonstration, Ryan and Kenny opted to skirt the rapid and stay dry. Off the river, temps had risen to the upper 50’s. You can’t beat twelve miles of whitewater fun with a few good friends. Be safe out there. SYOTR.