Wautauga, Lehigh, Slip trip report

[billcanoes]

Stats 17 river hours 1610 miles of driving in 66 hours.

First off special thanks to Chris, AKA Nessmuk for meeting Martin Steve and I on the Lehigh, AND running shuttle- he save us so much time, especially findint the the put in, it didn't match what I envisioned from the AW website. I wish he paddled with us as we had a fun day.

Wautauga, David, Cori and I ran this with a new Yakker, Cori. Our plan was put on at 9:30 (I was late) and off by 12-1. Actuality, put on 11 off at 4:50 with a 10hour drive ahead- Our new paddling partner had some difficulty so the first two miles took about 5 hours, and we were lucky to run into someone who could shuttle us to the take out, for the shuttle back to the put in.

Lehigh: Martin and Steve worked every eddy possible. It was a fun river, and only lacked a little extra water needed to speed the 7 hour trip up. We had a great time- Thanks again Chris for your shuttle efforts and meeting us!


The SLIP- The paddlers, Paul, Steve and Martin and I (In the Private Cboat tour)This was the highlight of the trip for me- I'm no expert paddler or C1er but I got a few cart wheels in- which was awesome. I havent had this much fun since 3/23. Steve and Martin were so impressive in their Noah America C2. They got into every eddy apparently with no effort. Paul, thanks for your time. Paul showed me some awesom tricks, I'm not attempting to splat, wave wheel (I think) and Cart Wheel. I couldn't believe I got a few cart wheels in. The boat and river did all the work, it was awesome.

Next to playing the biggest lesson is don't come up for air, come up to roll. Two rapids I spent my time trying to come up for air- I should be thinking about rolling but I wasnt. The slip was hoot, very pretty, and we had an awesome private tour.

Looking forward to a Fall Armada.

Bill

[the great gonzo]

Little late with my post here,

But I can only second Bill's post.
Our drive was not quite as epic, at least for me, at about 1100 miles, Steve had a bit farther to go, maybe another 120 miles one way, but we also did it in less than 48 hours.

Lehigh was fun, although the level was, as per Steve 'technical' (i.e. bony), but doable. Had a lot of fun in the Wheelboy, unfortunalely no really good play spots at this level, but I got enough of a feel for the boat to know that I had to buy one.
The biggest surprise was the speed of the boat, no yak I ever paddled in the same length class comes close to it. And the stability is a real treat, too.
Haven't had mine out yet, as I havent had the time yet to install straps (I actually still wait on them ), but since I hadve a new Sith as well, the wait is not too hard...

Thanks Bill for a great trip, hope to see ya sometime up here in Canada!

[billcanoes]

Hi Martin,

I'm going to try to head up this year- Aug?? otherwise next year is a definate! I'd love to paddle with You and Steve and Martin on the Ottawa. Hey Dave Sink- can you go form the Yough to Ottawa?

Otherwise Martin is thinking about coming down for the Gauleyfest.

Are 3 Armadas a year too much-

Bill

[the great gonzo]

Hey Bill,

Late August should work for me (will be away early August). Gatineau Fest is as well in late August at the same time always good fun. Let me know what works for you.

I already talked to Martin about the Gauley, and I am definitely in to go down there!

Later!

martin

PS: There is no such thing as too many Armadas...

[NZMatt]

Hi Bill
I highly recommending hitting the Gatineau fest if you can - tons of open boaters, and probably the best fest I've ever hit. (OK I was never at Gauley fest, but I've done Moose a bunch of times and most of the others in the NE). It's also a bloody awesome river - some great play (depending on the level and how much you like getting trashed) and wonderful rapids.
A trip I've done before was 2 days on the Ottawa, weekend at the Gatineau and then back to the Ottawa for another day or so. Driving time between the two is about 2-3hrs I think. I was based in upstate NY, so the trip wasn't so far for me, but if you're planning on going, that'd be the time.
Cheers,
Matt