Need help from Vermont or Deerfield paddlers

Mikey B · Post by **Mikey B** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:41 pm

Yesterday I spent the day on the East Race WW Course with a writer from National Geographic to prepare for a upcoming trip to the Yukon for an article. It was a blast running down the course in a tandem tripper, but not so good for practicing eddy turns or ferrys in a more realistic ww feel. He is going to be in Vermont the last week of July and was hoping to maybe hit the Deerfield or something. If any of you might be able to help him, please pm me and I'll give you his contact info or can give him yours if you prefer. I know he'd really appreciate the help!
Thanks,
Mikey

Stingray · Post by **Stingray** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:47 am

There's no whitewater in Vermont during the summer. they need 2 to 3 inches, depending how fast in comes down, for the rivers to be whitewater boatable. Always keeping a eye on thunderstorms and where their located.
His best change for whitewater is just go to Deerfield, there's flies paddling all over both section of the rivers.
There is some fantastic flat water paddling right now.
If he's in northern vermont contact bertsboats.com

Mikey B · Post by **Mikey B** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:59 am

Thanks for the info Stingray! Basically, some river running in a tandem tripper catching some definable eddies would be fantastic practice for him.
What about ZOAR this time of year? Don't exactly know how far they are away either.
Hmmm

Basically was hoping maybe there was somebody up that way to help him out? I know he'd make it worth their while

Shep · Post by **Shep** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:12 pm

The Deerfield (and ZOAR) are very close to anything in southern Vermont, and about 3.5 hours from Burlington. The Mad River is more likely to run than anything during the summer, and VT HAS been up to it's gills in rain so far, so it is possible it will run.

I really like the Mad it because it's a short, pretty continuous, Class II (one III drop), that is pretty easy to shuttle, and heck, I'm pretty sure it's THE Mad River. It is between Waterbury and Montpelier just off of I-89.

hammerhead · Post by **hammerhead** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:38 pm

Hey, The Deerfield would offer the most dependable WW in that area & would offer the best choices of Classes(1-4). Zoar Gap/Fife is the go to run(be sure to scout the Gap itself). Goto Zoar Outdoors for the lowdown on the runs & more importantly, the scheduled releases! HH

Stingray · Post by **Stingray** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:44 pm

fourt minute from Burlington area
The Mad river has two section that would be suitable for a tripper and three sections that are not suitable for a tripper for what your looking for. Right there is no water in the Mad.
They would be better off on sections of the Winooski or Lamiole Rivers.
I would recommend the Lamiole, you can float long section of it, without dams in the way. These would be shore line eddies, not over powering but something to work with while being on the water (beautiful views too),The Winooski is all damed up and sometimes they really choke it dry, but this is another good river for tripper. Berts boats know the Lamiole and Winooski better then anyone. Pray for rain then everything will change.

Northern Mass.
The Deerfield fife brook section is a good tripper run and would be more challanging then Lamioll and Winooski (unless it rains alot) It needs a release in summer which I think is every weekend. They just held the OC Downriver national on the upper section of fife brook and ended at the bottom of Zoar Gap. They don’t have to run Zoar. Upstream of zoar gap is class 2 with a couple big wave spots, below Zoar Gap to the camp ground is class 2 has a lot of eddies and is the section they start students on for turns and ferries then move to the upper when some skills are developed. The last weekend is the American Whitewater festival, a lot people and booths for equipment. Zoar Outdoors Outfitters has a web site with helpful info.

Sir Adam · Post by **Sir Adam** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:51 pm

Or hop over the border to NY... Sacandaga releases every day, class II III with a few nice rapids and places to practice or play.

With a little rain (like last night) the Hudson or Schroon (class II III sections) are even doable.

Releases on the Hudson Gorge (Class IV, though I'd call it an "easy but very remote" IV in the summer) are Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun. Rain storms likewise can change things significantly.

Mikey B · Post by **Mikey B** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:28 pm

Thanks for the info guys!
But unfortunately I'm not going to be out there...is there anybody by chance or do you know of somebody with a tripper that might be willing? Otherwise maybe ZOAR would be the best bet?
Thanks!

RVDriver · Post by **RVDriver** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:32 pm

I'll be around the deerfield for the fest weekend and days surrounding it and would be glad to help him out on the fife etc(after a quick dryway run, of course) if needed, let me know.

Jeff

Stingray · Post by **Stingray** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:36 pm

We're still dry in VT, thunder showers are in the forecast, I have to work so I can't travel to dryway or errol, but if rain hit the green mtns I live in burlington have them email me rkicanoe@msn.com and I'll paddle them

Beside the rivers I mentioned earlier the White river would be good for a tripper run, if it rains.

If your friends are near the northeast part of Vermont. Errol, NH is closer then the Deerfield and has daily releases and would be fun for a tripping canoe. Don't need a shuttle, Park & Play Some big eddies and waves. There's other boater there too. Web site for that area.

http://www.beoutside.com/kayak.html