The Vermont Paddlers Club

       We didn't get much rain in central VT but it was enough to bring the New Haven up for a few laps in the morning and luckily water held for an evening Middlebury Gorge.  The Middlebury had been out of play for a while now since wood was everywhere after last winter.  Several groups had gone in cleared the wood and word was it was good to go.  Mike, Justin and I met at 3:15 and made our way up to the put in shortly after.  The level was low but things channelize nicely .  Having not been in there in a year it was nice to have the Birth Canal at a less pushy level.  Above the North Branch confluence there were two large log jams we portaged around.  Unless these get blown out it will be nice having them catch wood floating from upstream and hopefully keep wood out of the Birth Canal.  The second one we were almost able to sneak on the right but we made quick work portaging, wanting to get down the Birth Canal with good light.  Mike led the charge in the chunky lead in rapid and then over Fallopian.  Everyone had good lines on Fallopian and we got out to scout Rebirth above Cunnilingus.  Seeing it was good to go Mike ran the drop and got out to get a better look at Rebirth and gave us the thumbs up.  Justin emphasized its important to leave at least one person above Cunnilingus until you see Rebirth has no wood.  You can rope them out if necessary on river left otherwise you are trapped.  Again Mike led the charge  running rebirth nicely as Justin and I followed.  Looking back upstream having just run the Birth Canal is in a word AWESOME!  Once out of the inner gorge the light opened up and Justin got out in front.  From their until Your Mom it was paddle hard and don't stop.  Your Mom is now a beaver dam more or less that Justin had a nice line on and I had an awesome boof although a bit in the wrong direction and landed mostly rock.  Still plenty of light down to the last rapid that has two large trees in it now.  We were able to work around them but beware they could be hazardous.  Finishing the run under the bridge everyone was grinning ear to ear.  After an hour after we put on we were back at the car, making plans for the Green the next day.