Paddlin’ Ed

Joined a collection of paddlers comprised of folks from the Roanoke Va area, and SRVCC, for a enjoyable afternoon on the Maury Goshen pass section.  Sizable group included, Bill H. in C-1, Steve C. in C-1, Zac C. in K-1, Mike C. in K-1, Cat in K-1, Mercer O. in K-1, Jame C. in OC-1, Joshua S. in K-1, David M. in C-1, Joey K. in K-1 and  Paddlin Ed in K-1 and a serveral others.  Several in the group where having their 1st run at Goshen Pass and initiation into Devil Kitchen and Corner rapids.Carnage was mimimal with only a couple of OBE’s during the day.  Most ran Devils kitchen pretty clean, perhaps a roll or two, one brief foray into the world of bottom mapping.  Down at Corner rapid there where a few rolls and one member of the group unfortuately  left his hip pads in someone car and, while a good paddler, discovered the critical importance of these pads in corner rapid. That sudden drop over the pillow down into the diagonal and hole results in a sudden and uncontrollable shift of the hips without those pads.  We understand these will be more permanently part of the boat or at least remembered on future ventures.  There where a few rolls during the rest of the day and minimal carnage beyond that.

The day was cloudy and an occasional sprinkle, very lite and infrequent in nature.  Temps where high 60-70 range,  water was fairy clear and clean and cold but not chilling.  Toward the end of the run there was a little wind and cooling but overall quite a pleasent day and run.  Good times with good people.  Levels where 2.8 usgs and 3.0 AFS-NOAA gauges.