Paddlin’ Ed

Ran the North Fork of the Mayo with the SRVCC group on Sunday March 11th, 2007.  Gauge indications that morning where 328cfs/med. flow according the AWA rivers web site.  Clear blue skies and bright sunshine all day.  Water was clear and clean and temps started out when we put on around 2pm at 60+ with temps progressing to near 70.

Myself (picture to the left), I left the kayak at home and ran OC1 today to get a little practice with it since I have not paddle OC1 much in recent years.  While this is for the most part a fairly lesiurely stream at this level, its a nice paddle for a warm and sunny day and alternative to hanging around the house and opportunity to dust off some open canoe skills.  Nice day, warm temps,  good friends, good water.

Running in the group was a wide range of paddlers including,  Paddlin-Ed B. in OC1,  James C. in OC1, Bev B. in C1, John H. in OC1, plus Butch, Jim, Ed, Russ, Chip in a mix of OC1 and K-1.  In addition we had a youth group of boys accompanied by one dad – Jim F. in OC-1 leading the boys – JB F., Grant P., Andrew W. Ryan R., and Hunter F. with the boys in a mix of K-1’s and one tandum OC-2 pair.

The run is a fairly gentel stream at medium level with occasional class 1 & 2 ledges and rock gardens thrown in during most of it run down to the confluence with the south fork, but before this confulence there are a 2 ledges of note that provide a little excitement.  The first requires some tight manevering on far river left with a drop over a small ledge.  The second involves a river wide ledge with a couple of chutes that provide some fun opportunities for noice & intermediate paddlers to get some practice over a 2 to 2 1/2′ or so drop manuvering to make the slots.  Along the ledges at serveral spots provide opportunities for a little surfing practice.

 It was an excellant day, good company, & good time had by all!!!!!