Bow and Stern

Spring 1999

The Official Newsletter of the Vermont Paddlers Club

	Volume ? + 1, no. 1 < < < Go with the Flow > > > \/ \/ \/

Hudson Gorge: May 16, 1998

While the club has braved many a chilly day to paddle the Hudson Gorge in May, we were blessed with a much appreciated sunny day with air temperatures in the 80's. The water level as measured on the North Creek gage was slightly below 4 feet - a level that, combined with the weather, encouraged paddlers to "go for it" at the bus stop and other play spots. Rafts were abundant but there were few other "hard" boaters. We started out ahead of most of the rafts but they caught up to us by the time we finished the Indian River. When we finally reached the bus stop wave, we were at the tail end of the rafts. Most of them stopped to play there, after which we had it mostly to ourselves, The level was friendly and both canoe and kayak paddlers enjoyed some good side surfing. We finished the day worn-out, but smiling in the warm sun!

Lake George Adventure:

Three intrepid V.P.C. members set off Saturday morning, Oct. 10 for a fall Lake George Adventure. The morning was raw and windy. We arrived at Sabbath Day Point, two miles below Silver Bay and launched our kayaks with a determined north wind at our backs. Our plan was to enjoy various islands that lay in our path. The first stop was at the Harbor Islands, one of which housed a lovely summer chapel. On to the Mother Bunch Islands which boasted such names as Floating Battery Island. A further paddle of two miles brought us to Big Burnt Island home of the summer ranger station. With Montcalm Point on our right we angled towards Green Island, home of a large condo and conference center. Bolton Landing proper lay, just behind this island and its causeway, out final take out point. Mileage: 15. Time: 5 hrs.

George Agnew

Hudson River Gorge: Oct. 17, 1998

With the Hudson at 3.0 and no release on the Indian, this promised to be a delightful stress free trip. We put in on the Indian as far down Chain Lakes road as possible. The Indian was like the Huntington at medium low level and in 20 minutes we were cruising the Hudson. It was the first time for Paul and Kevin in the Gorge. Kevin was impressed enough to run out of film after Staircase! There were still touches of bright yellow foliage high up along the steep sides of the gorge. A trip under similar conditions was run on 10/16/96 and written up for the B&S. As then, I say at this level the gorge is accessible to those who want to avoid class IV water. I hope to find such conditions again.

Andy Meilleur

Lower Mad River: Sept. 29, 1998

My notes don't show a river level, but memory has it a little under medium. My notes do show that we spent nearly 4 hours playing this 2 mile stretch into the Winooski River and that doesn't surprise me given the attitudes in the group. Dagger legend paddled by Peg and Chauncey was getting into eddies in the narrow gorge below the dam. After some routine play leading up to the waterfall drop Randy and Tim focused in on the more exciting horseshoe drop on river right. Randy had not tried this for a long time, but he must have made the plans during that hiatus because the result was the smoothest run ever. Randy stands 3 for 5 on the horseshoe. Tim's approach with the kayak looked just as good but once he hit the pool the river treated him differently. Perhaps the lower volume boat or angle caused it to submerge completely and resurface bottom side up. Fortunately only the kayak was pulled back under the waterfall and. circulated four or five times. The group worked well to reassemble itself for the final run to the takeout. There is a Mad river gauge in Moretown, now accessible though the intemet, and I list some comparisons. Randy's gauge is painted on the ledge just upstream of the Lover's Lane Bridge, now closed due to its deteriorating condition.

		Moretown	Randy's gauge
 		 3.25 	 	3.75 (low)
 		 3.5 	 	4.25 (med)
 		 3.75 	 	5.0 (high)
 		 4.25 	 	6.5 (very high)

Andy Meilleur

Ed. Note: (if you havent done this on a warm afternoon after a good rain, do it!)

Dagger Crossfire, red, with skirt and paddle (no paddle description). $500 or best offer. Oneill shorty wetsuit, size 6, almost new. $75 or swap for other gear?
Kathy Boyer 453-2248
orchard@together.net

Experienced Wave Sport Lazer
Good beginner boat for small adult.
$400 includes flotation.
Medium sprayskirt (used 1 season) $35.
90 degree offset paddle, $35
All good condition. Negotiable.
Becki Bates
(802) 492-3406

Mad River Cyclone, 15' O.C.
Perception saddle for solo paddling.
New outwales. Responsive big water boat, originally designed as tandem slalom canoe. Can be seen in Tunbridge. $450, no floats, or $600 fully outfitted.
Kevin Eaton (802) 889-9483

20 foot Old Town, wood and original canvas, needs some repair. $375
Lateen sail rig with mahogany leeboards available, additional cost.

20 foot Templeton made by Blanchard of Greenville, ME. V.G. cedar and polypropylene $850
Clyde Smith: (518) 962-4859

1989 Toyota Corolla Sedan, 5 spd. A.C., cassette, 2 winter tires w/rims, new clutch, new struts, new exhaust, major tune-up last spring. Rust free, little use since last summer. 205,000 miles, but drives like only 1/3 that much. $2900 or make an offer.

Also Canon AE1 35mm camera. Just overhauled by Lezot Camera in Burlington. $200
Eric Bishop (802) 899-1865

A bill to require registration of canoes and kayaks did not nake it in the legislature, but may well show up again later. If this is something you want to follow, look it up, along with other legislation at: www.leg.state.vt.us/

TRIP DIFFICULTY RATINGS ARE ONLY A GUIDE.
	READ THE SAFETY CODE OF AMERICAN WHITEWATER!!! STAY ASHORE WHEN
CONDITIONS ON A GIVEN DAY EXCEED YOUR COMFORT LEVEL!!!

1. ww = whitewater // FW = flatwater // Vt area code: 802 //message phone: 899-1872 Password 899
2. nov = max Class II, int = max Class III, adv = max Class IV, exp = Class IV+ See Intl River Rating Scale
3. Winter pool sessions begin soon (space lim., fee charged). Call 879-1655 (Tony Shaw) or signup online.
4. Contact the trip organizer for information about each trip.
5. Listed trips may be changed or canceled as water, weather, or interest dictates.
6. Plans for impromptu trips can be relayed thru the trip organizer, message phone, or online.
7. Please give 1-2 weeks notice for overnight trips to have a say in pre-planning.
8. Car-pooling on long (and short) trips is encouraged!
9. Paddle the Lower Lamoille Wed. evenings (nov-int WW) on 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12. Call Rich Larsen - - 878-6828.
10. The AROUND VERMONT IN 30 RIVERS promotion is underway!!!

Danger exists for participants in canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and other activities organized or advertised by the Vermont Paddlers Club. Such participation may result in illness or injury due to accidents, the forces of nature, or other causes not foreseeable. Such illness and injury may include disease, strains, sprains, fractures, dislocations, paralysis, and/or death. Possible injuries may cause serious and permanent disability.

By your participation in any Vermont Paddlers Club activity you knowingly assume the risks arising out of that activity. In so doing you release, hold harmless and indemnify the Vermont Paddlers Club and its agents, officers and employees from any and all claims and suits for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of your participation in canoeing, kayaking, tubing and other activities, whether or not such claims or suits arise from negligent acts or omissions by the organizers and conductors of this activity, their employees or volunteers, another participant, any other person or from any other cause.

Paddle Smart Have Fun Come Home

Deerfield R. Releases 	Monroe Bridge (Dryway)		Fife Brook
							April 10,11,14-18,21-23,28-30
			May 23,29,30			May 1,2,8,9,13-16,20-23,27-30
			June 5,6,13,18,20,25,26		June 10-13,17,19,20,23-27
			July 3,4,10,11,16,17,24,30,31	July 3,7-11,17,18,21-25,28-31
			August 1,6,7,14,15,20,21,28,29	Aug. 1,4-8,12-15,19-22,26-29
			Sept. 4,11,12,19		Sept. 1-5,8-12,18,19,22-24
			Oct 9,10			Oct. 2,3,6-10,13-15,16,17,20,21,22

Dead River releases
1300 cfs June 19,20,27 July 2,18 Aug 15 Sept 4		3500 cfs Sept 18
1800 cfs May 29 June 18,26 July 3 Aug 8,14		5500 cfs May 30, June 5,12 Sept 5 Oct2
2400 cfs July 17 Aug 7					7000 cfs May 8,15

Phone numbers: Call ahead to confirm the release!!

For the Deerfield: 1-888-FLO-PHONE

Sponsored by U.S. Generating Co. Updates daily at 1700 HRS

For the Dead: Try Webb's Shuttle Service. 1-207-663-2214 Here's where you have to call to set up a shuttle reservation or arrange to camp at Webb's campground.

Hudson: 1-518-465-2016 You'll get a recording giving all the gauge readings for the Hudson-Black water regulating district.

OR: Check the VPC website for links to USGS river gauge information.

VPC membership application/update

1. Be a trip organizer.
2. Be a tandem partner.
3. Promote conservation of paddling resources.
4. Report level for the following river(s)_________________________
5. Volunteer/help to_________________________________________

street_____________________________________________

town______________________________

state________ zip code_______________

phone____________________________email______________________

This is a printable membership form and VPC waiver. Please read and sign the waiver, then mail both with your membership fee ($8 per individual OR family) to:

Rich Larsen VPC Membership Chairman (802)878-6828
11 Discovery Road, Essex Junction VT 05452

NOTE: All adult members must sign and submit a VPC Waiver and Release of Liability.

I realize that danger exists in my participation in canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and other activities organized by the Vermont Paddlers Club.

Although I am in good health and able to participate in such activities, I realize that such participation may result in illness or injury due to accidents, the forces of nature, or other causes not foreseeable. Such illness and injury may include disease, strains, sprains, fractures, dislocations, paralysis, and/or death. Possible injuries may cause serious and permanent disability. By my participation in this activity I hereby knowingly assume the risks arising out of that activity.

I also, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs, hereby agree to release, hold harmless and indemnify the Vermont Paddlers Club and its agents, officers and employees from any and all claims and suits for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of my participation in canoeing, kayaking, tubing and other activities, whether or not such claims or suits arise from negligent acts or omissions by the organizers and conductors of this activity, their employees or volunteers, another participant, any other person or from any other cause.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE, I UNDERSTAND THAT I GIVE UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND I SIGN IT VOLUNTARILY.

NAME: ___________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________________

AGE: _____________ DATE: ________________________________________

SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN IF PARTICIPANT IS LESS THAN 18 YEARS OLD:

SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________________

DATE: ____________________

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