Little Falls gauge 3.4, 5,290 cfs, water temperature 75-79°, sunny and hot
We tried for the record and it looked like we would break it, but we failed. Record participation in a Sunday GW trip is 27 paddlers. By Saturday night, 30 (!) paddlers had signed up for the trip, but unfortunately 5 had to drop out in the morning, These are large numbers for whitewater trips, and evidence of how popular the trips on the GW Canal are. They attract experienced paddlers and novices alike. Miraculously, everyone in our large crowd snagged a parking spot at Violettes Lock.
Lisa L, the trip coordinator, divided the crowd into 3 groups for safety. Rich C helped organize paddlers who wanted to run shuttle, starting at Riley’s Lock and taking out at Pennyfield Lock. His group included Toni B, Bob H, Robin W, Kathleen S, and Sunday trip organizer, Wayne M, in kayaks, and Rich, Jerry L, and Tim T paddling OC-1s.
Everyone else met at VIolettes Lock to run down the GW Canal and take the C&O canal back to their cars. Lisa L led a group of 9 which followed Rich’s group: Gary and Ginny Quam in OC-1s, Steve C in a packraft but kayak-curious, and in kayaks, Dmitry D, Jack F, Dan R, Andrew T, Leo L, and Lisa. It was Steve C’s first time on the GW canal and he did very well.
Pam W took the third group, which delayed starting across the river to leave space between groups. Pam led Mark W and Kim B in OC-1s, and kayakers Chris S, Sam S, Natalie H, Jenny T, and Alf C.
Because the groups maintained their separation, it was easy to keep track of everyone. Leo, Kim, and Jenny helped as sweep boaters for their groups. We found that the tree across the channel has been cut back, likely by Calleva, creating a wide path on the right. It is also passable on the far left. Further down we encountered a canoe pinned against a strainer, which we learned belonged to an Explorer Scouts leader who came to grief due to indecision earlier in the morning. He was fine, but we felt bad for the otherwise spiffy-looking classic canoe.
Lisa’s group did a lot of eddy-catching, ferrying, surfing, and attaining, making for a playful and relaxing trip. Pam‘s group got tangled up with a couple of ill-equipped and ill-advised boaters fumbling and swimming their way down the GW. Jenny rescued one of them twice. Pam can add details.
Thanks to everyone for coming and for making it so easy to organize a safe and fun trip for a big crowd. You are a pleasure. Special thanks to Rich and Pam and our sweep boaters.
PSA: Wayne needs more experienced boaters to help organize and lead these trips. When we have big turnouts, we need to divide into groups, each with a leader. These trips are many people’s entrée to CCA and pique the interest of would-be paddlers who see us at VIolettes Lock. Consider stepping up to help make these trips happen.