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Trip Reports

Sunday Paddle 5 Sept. - Rappahannock, Remington to...
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Writing about Remington to Kelly’s Ford in “Virginia Whitewater,” Roger Corbett, placed canoe zero at 3.4 ft. Some 21 years later, Roger’s minimum still holds true. Today, 11 paddlers in 10 boats ran it successfully, if at times, somewhat bumpy, at 3.47 ft., 326 cfs. We had just enough water for an enjoyable paddle. Paddling the rock gardens proved to be a fun exercise in route finding and boat control. Creating additional interest, were rocks at the approaches to Sandy Beach and Piggly Wiggly, rocks that would not see the light of day with 6” more water.


Kayakers Toni B, Barb B and daughter Amy, Gordy L, Virginia dR, open boaters Hendrik vO, Gary and Ginny Q, and Mike A, and Debbie in a tandem inflatable, were joined by the Maestro of the Rapp, Jim Long. Jim’s reason for coming along, “I have never paddled it this low, I just wanted to see what it was like.” Gordy, Toni, and Debbie claimed Personal First Descents. Shouldn’t there be some sort of ritual celebration when this occurs? It was a pleasure to watch two accomplished paddlers, Jim and Amy play their way down the river. We normally don’t see boofing on the Sunday paddle.


We managed to launch 10 boats at the steep, tight, muddy put-in under the Rte 15 bridge, only to find 150 yards downstream a spanking new put-in replete with wooden stairs and slide. Apparently it had opened in July. This put-in and nice parking area sits on river left, just above the railroad bridge. It does have a longer carry though. The put- in can be accessed by heading south on Business Rte 15, and bearing left on River Road, just past the Andes Market. The put-in is at the end of River Road.


It was a good paddle, and a nice change of pace from the standard GW Canal loop. There is one downside to paddling the Rapp on a Sunday. The Remington Drug store is closed, denying those who wish to enjoy their ice cream in a nostalgic throwback to the days of the small town drug store lunch counter.



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