New River: Glade Creek to Quinnimont

Last Sunday, I whitewater kayaked on the New River again from Glade Creek to Quinnimont (Grandview Sandbar). I had a great run. No flips. No swimming. It was wonderful. I have now conquered Class III. Maybe conquered is too strong of a word; so let’s just say there was significant improvement.

Sunday at Sutton Lake

Last Sunday, Kathy and I went to Sutton Lake to paddle. We chose the Gerald R. Freeman Campground to put in because it has a marina and a couple of boat launches. The water was more than three feet below normal pool. I estimate it was at least five feet below normal. Still, it was a pretty day and we had a good time. We took some pictures which I will post later.

Big Coal River Trip: Cancelled

I do not have much to post this week. I planned to go with a couple of people on the Big Coal River, but the trip was cancelled due to the lack of rain and low river levels. My Plan B was to go to Upper Mud River Reservoir or Sutton Lake to practice rolling, but I went to the Marshall v. Memphis game last night, and chose to sleep in late this morning. Besides, I have lots of work to do around here today, including some I brought home from the office. Hopefully, we will get some rain, and I will be able to boat next weekend.

PS -- Marshall won. Go Herd!

New River: Glade Creek to Quinnimont

Yesterday, I went boating on the New River from Glade Creek to Quinnimont. I went with four others from the WVWA. It was my first real whitewater. This particular stretch has two Class III rapids: Grassy Shoals and Quinnimont. Unfortunately, they proved too much for me. I made it almost to the end of both, and then flipped. I have never attemped a roll, not even on flatwater; but I think I will start practicing after this experience. Rolling skills would have been handy. Instead, I had to bail and swim.

The first swim at Grassy Shoals Rapids did not upset me or embarrass me too much. The second one did. I really wanted to make it past Quinnimont to prove myself, but once again I ended up swimming. My companions instinctively went into rescue mode. I could have rescued myself both times, but they rushed over each time to check on me and offer aid. They were really nice people. One was a 67-year-old woman. I guess it was Mother Nature's way of feeding me humble pie.

Despite the two swims, I had a blast and feel like I accomplished something important. That section of the New is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I had a great time on the Class II rapids in the middle. I know this blog is supposed to be about flatwater and Class I-II only, but if you are like me and want a little taste of whitewater, this stretch is the perfect place for that.

Labor Day on the Elk River

Queen Shoals Gage Height = 3.82

I made the run from Blue Creek to Mink Shoals again, 10.6 miles. It took me four hours because I had to stop and portage four times. The river is extremely low right now.

I did not take my camera this time, but I wish I had. I had opportunities for some nice shots: a great blue heron which let me get within ten yards; a dragonfly which landed on my hand and several times on my bow; and a flock of 40 or 50 Canada geese which also let me get close. I also saw a hawk attack a duck, but it happened so fast there is now way I could have gotten a shot of it. If you are curious, the duck got away safely.

It was hot, and now I am tired, but I had a good time. Each time I go, I learn a little more about this particular stretch of the Elk. Each time I try different routes around Pleasant Island and the island at Big Chimney Bridge. As of right now, I recommended going left in both cases.

Since I did not take may camera, I will share a picture from a previous trip. This is a shot of the boat launch at the Blue Creek Public Stream Access.