This section of the Eastern Paddling website contains my thoughts, comments, ambitions and river & trip descriptions as a new kayak paddler beginning with my first ever whitewater trip in November of 2005.  The views expressed are completely my own and will probably be ever changing as my experience grows.  I hope you enjoy reading about my first year kayaking experiences & how I became the Rive Rat in my Chronicles as well as checking out all the rivers I have had the awesome opportunity to run in my River Logs.  I truly feel that Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland offer some of this country's best whitewater and am blessed to live so close to it all.  I have strived to provide accurate information which I have obtained from various sources including American Whitewater, A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to West Virginia, the USGS & USACE websites as well as word of mouth.  If you find any inconsistencies or can provide additional insight, please let me know.

I want to thank Bruce Fleckenstein for introducing me to paddling, for taking me down most of the rivers listed in my logs and for all of the time he has spent working with me trying to improve my skills as a paddler.  I know I must be driving him crazy!  I am also grateful to him for allowing me to create this area on his website.  In addition, I would like to thank Dave Brissell, Rodney Kickle, Zeth Zajac & Bob Alexander (all of whom have helped save my butt on various occasions) for putting up with my inexperience & multiple swims and for all of their help and direction. To everyone else I had the honor to paddle with in 2006, I look forward to many years of paddling with you all.  Please sign my guestbook and let me know what you think & check back often because my current River Log will be updated after each run and new chapters will be added occasionally.

Updated 12/3/2009 - 2009 River Log Updated~ Check out my Weblog - click the link below ~
Individual river pages can be accessed from the river logs. (See links below)

Although I haven't been paddling much and there hasn't been much to update on this section of the site, I would still like to stay in touch and keep everyone who visits updated on what's happening in my paddling career, so I decided to start my own blog.
Click the link below and check it out.

 

The "River Rat" Chronicles:
A new paddler's perspective
By Patty Hachick A.K.A. the "River Rat"

 

Chapter 1 - Welcome to the Sport     Chapter 2 - The Addiction Begins     Chapter 3 - Can You Say Kaituna
Chapter 4 - So You Want to Roll     Chapter 5 - The Accelerated Course     Chapter 6 - The Legend Begins

Chapter 7 - Fear and Other Thoughts     Chapter 8 - Spring 2007 - What a Disappointment     Chapter 9 - Just Like Starting Over
 

"Bear Creek Falls"
7/4/2009
Cheoah, NC

 

                             
These detailed listings of the runs I made in 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 include links to river descriptions & trip reports
as well as links for current gauge readings.

 

           

 

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