 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Not only would this be my first run of the year but it would also be my very first small creek run and my first ever winter run. I bought a used drysuit in November and was going to get to put it to the test. The high was supposed to only be 35 and they were calling for snow. Although I knew that it would only be a Class I-II stream, I was still nervous. I hadn’t paddled since September and knew I was extremely rusty. After spending a restless night worrying about how fast it would be moving, the number of portages there would be and the possibility of getting stuck in a strainer, we were on our way to meet Dave and the others after their Fike’s run. I spent some time discussing the run with Melissa. Her only word of warning was to watch out for the Rhododendrons. The others arrived and we were off to the take-out at the Thornton Bridge. After setting shuttle, we put in at the Grist Mill Trailhead of the Quebec Run Nature Area near Elliotsville, PA. Once again I was fortunate enough to be paddling with an experienced group of paddlers consisting of Bruce Fleckenstein, Dave Brissell, John Guilfoose, Bob Alexander and his daughter Dana. As it turned out, their skill and experience would come in handy.
It took me about 10 minutes to calm my nerves and settle in. The scenery was breathtaking. There was still snow on the ground and the water was surprisingly clear. I was really expecting muddy looking water due to the heavy rains but that wasn’t the case at all. As it turned out, I had worried about fast moving water and portages for nothing. It was a good steady flow and there was only one portage near the beginning or the run where a tree laid across the whole stream and had questionable clearance. John, Bruce and I portaged while Bob ran it down the left, proving there was enough clearance, with Dana and Dave following suit. The stream had many twists and turns and a lot of hanging branches to avoid which I didn’t always do my best at. The banks were full of Rhododendrons hanging into the stream just like Melissa had warned. On one rapid about ¼ of the way down, I stayed too far right trying to avoid the Rhodys and got stuck on a rock. As I was trying to move my boat around so that I would be facing forward when I slid off the rock, Bob thought I was really stuck and as he floated by, grabbed hold of me dragging me off the rock and through the rapid with him. Shortly after we came to another obstruction that at first looked as though we might have to portage. Most of the stream was blocked but there was a small, pourover drop on the left. After closer examination it was decided that it was runnable down the center of the drop angled right. It looked really tight but I decided to go for it rather than have to get out and walk my boat again. Heart pounding I peeled out of the eddy and headed for my first “veggie” drop. I lined up and took a couple of good, strong strokes and went over the drop. Success! The drop was probably only a couple of feet but exciting for me nonetheless.
Next came the confluence with Quebec Run and the longest rapid of the entire run. This 100 to 150 yard stretch is the most continuous whitewater section on the creek. After passing under the hiking bridge the creek bends sharply to the right with a rather large Rhododendron hanging into the creek along the left bank. As I came under the bridge Bruce shouted for me to catch the eddy which I promptly missed and ended up floating right into the Rhody. Before I knew it I was flipped onto my side. I quickly grabbed hold of the branches to keep myself from flipping completely over and getting pinned upside down. I tried to hipsnap back up but with my bow stuck in the mud bank, it was useless. I yelled for help and Bob came to my rescue once again. Before I knew it he was in the Rhody with me and helped me get right side up. He had me grab a hold of him and together we worked our way out of the vegetation and through the rapid to an eddy below. I was so angry with myself. Dave came down laughing and told me that I had to tell Melissa. As it turned out, this was the same Rhododendron she had gotten stuck in the last time she made this run thus her warning. Once I regained my composure, we were off again and onto the 2nd “veggie” drop of the run. About half of the stream was blocked on the right with another pourover drop on the left. This one was wider and more straightforward. I was more relaxed and confident on this one. Again I peeled out, took a few strong strokes and went over right down the center of the drop with no complications. What fun. I could do that all day!
Now comes the part that had kept me up worrying the night before. I did end up in a strainer! I was so excited about nailing the second drop and just floating along talking to Bob and Dana about it when we heard John shout that we should catch the eddy immediately. Too late. Didn’t catch it. I did manage to get to the side and grab hold of a branch. I held onto the branch for a while and Dave shouted directions to me as he went by. I watched what he did, let go of the branch, tried to peel out to the center of the creek but didn’t make it far enough. I went down too far right and tried to get center but failed. I went into the strainer and flipped over. I tried to push up off of the bottom with my paddle and it got wedged. I let go and continued to try and push up with my hands unsuccessfully before finally having to wet exit. I did hold onto my boat until I almost got to the side. Dave stopped it and I managed to get a hold of it again before it floated away. Bruce helped me get my boat ashore and empty it while Dave rescued my paddle. The water was so cold but my drysuit did an awesome job. Everyone was concerned but the only things that were actually cold were my feet (going to have to get latex booties put in) and my hands. Everyone was wonderful. They tried to make me feel better by telling me it could happen to anyone. Bruce even told me that he missed the eddy and could have been in trouble himself. Nonetheless I felt like such and idiot. I get stuck in a bush and almost get pinned and then I get caught in a strainer and flip. All on a Class I-II stream. I’m really worried that I will never catch on and that no one is going to want to paddle with me because of the hassle.
Bob and Bruce talked it over and decided that the three of us would stay back while the others went ahead to scout and warn us of any oncoming complications. Bob made sure that I didn’t get near any more bushes or limbs and the only other complication was a log slide near the end of Mill Creek. This really wasn’t a complication. It was stream wide with a defined tongue but could really be run just about anywhere. I checked it out from the eddy, peeled out and headed for the tongue. From the eddy it had looked like it was just a slide but it actually was a slide into a good sized drop. Imagine my surprise as I went down the slide and then nothing but air. It couldn’t have been more that 3 or 4 feet but how exhilarating it was. It was the best part of the entire run for me. After this, there were only a few wavy spots before the confluence with Big Sandy. The remainder of the run was mainly flat but flowing with a couple of small wave holes and one wavy section. It started to snow and the wind picked up making if feel 5 to 10 degrees colder. By now my feet were so cold they were starting to go numb. Fortunately for me, the take-out was near. The others decided to run Lower Fike’s/Little Sandy down to Dave’s house. I was too cold and worn out so I just took the truck back to the house for a nice hot shower and piping cup of coffee.
Webster Springs is coming up at the end of the month and I had wanted to get at least one run in before then. Today was a great opportunity to do just that. It truly was a learning experience. I tend to want to just paddle down the river. I learned that you definitely can’t do that on a creek. Especially one this small. I need to work on catching eddies and paying better attention to what is coming up. I have a habit of letting my nerves take over and not thinking enough about what is going on around me. There was a couple of good things – I really liked the drops and feel I ran clean lines through them and secondly, I did a much better job keeping my boat straight on the flat sections then I did last year. Maybe I’ll be able to get another Class II run in before the end of the month. If not, Webster Springs here I come.
| Page design by: |
 |
Send mail to
riverrat1969@comcast.net with questions or comments about this website. |