Potomac - 5.2 and rising

Surprise! 5.2 was a great level for the Cheat trainers attaining from Angler's.

Those bold enough to use the little hole at Maryland Chute were rewarded with a quick ferry across to attainer's right. From there, it was an easy up and on ot the gorge. Others headed to Virginia Chute, where a sketchy looking elevator into boils in the attainer's right slot turned into an easy move. A ferry to the Virgina bank and a couple of small, tight moves up the eddies gave them access to the gorge. Various ledges along the gorge provided plenty of exercise. And to the delight of the lead group, Wet Bottom yielded to skill and determination on attainer's left along the Virginia rocks.

Another adventure proves again what a great boating playground we have here on the Potomac!

Back channel to Dead Cow

Cheat trainers caught the Po on the rise for a Saturday attain before heading down to Sycamore. It was 7.3 when I left the house, but the gauges said it hit 8.3 while we were on the river. I think the LF gauge was a bit skewed by the contribution of Difficult Run, so I'm guessing the back channel was around 7.5 when we were there.

In truth, the attain was pretty easy. You could sneak around some of the tough spots through the trees. And if you got stuck, you could ferry across to keep moving. The ferry move at the top above Dead Cow looked ominous, but many of our group made it easily. For those who wished to play, Dead Cow was definitely coming in...and the big wood hadn't appeared yet. For the less daring, the channel over to below Maryland Chute was easy. From there, it was a fun run down to the waves at Skull Island.

On the run down, Yellow Falls and Stubblefield were essentially washed out. The take-out at Sycamore was a trip...just paddle up onto the ferry platform and step out!

Offut Loop at 5.2

Out with the Cheat group doing the Offut Loop...down from Anglers in the main channel, left before getting to the Yellow Falls ledges and back up past the Offut wave. Most folks were in plastic, though we had a few in composite boats of different ages and conditions. I suppose we could say the same about the paddlers. :-) Water temp was 45, with the air around 60.

There is a small attain move on attainer's left as you come up the first island, easy at this level. The ferry across the big channel between the two islands proved a little challenging to some. We used the standard Offut wave attain --- zig-zag up from attainer's left. Folks handled this pretty easily.

Working up the Maryland bank side, the trees and brush provide a nuisance as you beat up the current. Easy to ferry over to the other side and make your way up from there. Only other mild challenge is passing the rocks below Anglers...but at this level, that was not difficult.

A number of folks did multiple loops --- a good steady workout.