A Wednesday night with the Cheat group found a few folks working hard to make the Center Chute attain. After many attempts there, we headed over to Maryland to try our luck. To the surprise of the team, making the first left-to-right ferry was not as hard as imagined.
However, making it up the little ledge opposite the usual Maryland hole proved too much. This move changes with each level. On this night, it required good control along the rock up to the ledge, then a strong take-off with a little elevator help, getting to a place a little more than 6 feet off the rock to power up a seam. If you drifted too far out, you were doomed. If you made it up the seam, but tried to cut back right too soon, you were similarly washed back down. It was great practice in boat control for this group.
Stories from upstream told of some full and partial attains of Wet Bottom, certainly good work for this level.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Potomac 4.4+ and steady
Chasing Paul Harrison and Don Gallitz upstream on a Monday night with the level somewhere around 4.66, our goal was some surf time at Rocky. I stopped to try Clay's Revenge (little slot at the Corner Hole rocks), first time in a long time, then up Maryland Chute at what may be it's easiest level for mere mortals.
The challenge was at Wet Bottom. But I will anger the attaining gods by saying I found it relatively easy. Yes, it still takes strong work and yes, I was in my glass boat. But the ferry over from attainer's right was made easier by having the first eddy washed out. You go straight to the convergence of the two bits of current coming around the big center rock. If your ferry is good, you pop in before it gets too mingled...making it mostly a matter of strong, steady strokes to the top. A good ferry to the shore on attainer's left (VA) and you're free to go surf!
The challenge was at Wet Bottom. But I will anger the attaining gods by saying I found it relatively easy. Yes, it still takes strong work and yes, I was in my glass boat. But the ferry over from attainer's right was made easier by having the first eddy washed out. You go straight to the convergence of the two bits of current coming around the big center rock. If your ferry is good, you pop in before it gets too mingled...making it mostly a matter of strong, steady strokes to the top. A good ferry to the shore on attainer's left (VA) and you're free to go surf!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Potomac 5.6 and falling
The Cheaters were out on a Wednesday night to take on a dropping river. At 5.6, the playboaters were out in force at the Center wave. But attainers had lots of options on this night.
For the efficient, attaining the back channel to get out above the chutes was the way to go. Maryland was attained by those who could manage the boils and were use the hole to start the ferry across from right to left. Virginia was the choice for most, attaining the washed out slot on attainer's right before ferrying across to the bankside above the hole. The first ledge above Virginia on the bankside was a challenge, but those who succeed were close to the rock and had a successful first stroke on the right above the drop which propelled them back toward the bank.
Others made it up the gorge to Wet Bottom, but ran out of time for that attain. It was reported that Randy and Eric made it all the way to Portage. But this same source also noted that the leprechauns had been seen in the gorge this evening, returning just in time for St. Patrick's day. You be the judge. :-)
For the efficient, attaining the back channel to get out above the chutes was the way to go. Maryland was attained by those who could manage the boils and were use the hole to start the ferry across from right to left. Virginia was the choice for most, attaining the washed out slot on attainer's right before ferrying across to the bankside above the hole. The first ledge above Virginia on the bankside was a challenge, but those who succeed were close to the rock and had a successful first stroke on the right above the drop which propelled them back toward the bank.
Others made it up the gorge to Wet Bottom, but ran out of time for that attain. It was reported that Randy and Eric made it all the way to Portage. But this same source also noted that the leprechauns had been seen in the gorge this evening, returning just in time for St. Patrick's day. You be the judge. :-)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Attaining at flood stage...oh, yeah!
OK, we cheated. But that is our mission, after all!
Faced with a Potomac that was over 10 feet and rising, the Cheat trainers headed down the river to Fletcher's boathouse to try something new. The ever inventive mind of Tom McEwan mapped out a course that took us down and around Roosevelt Island --- and back up! Having circumnavigated Roosevelt Island, the group split to both sides of the river.
The Maryland team used the Key Bridge pilings to assist their ferry, but then were surprised with fast current and had to work hard to get back to the Canoe Club boathouse. Things eased up for a while after that. A few tough spots were found further up, as tree branches in the water offered little help as eddies, while forcing boats out into current to get around. A final obstacle proved insurmountable --- an island formed by the high water just below Fletcher's, with swift current running along the island and through the trees along the shoreline. Paddlers were forced to find their way to solid ground for portage. Fortunately, it was pleasant and relatively short carry back up to Fletcher's.
I'm quite convinced that one could attain all the way up the Virginia side to Fletcher's. Water up in the trees actually provided some sneaks around troublesome spots, though the risk of entanglement and minor pins was ever present. There was one spot across from the bottom of the dreaded island that might be a real spirit-killer --- boily, fast, and requiring whatever you may have left in your reserve tank. Given time and circumstance, those that reached this point either ferried over to the Maryland side or did opt to carry that spot on Saturday. There is a trail on the Virgina side all the way up to Chain Bridge, though some parts were under water and others require tough climbs over rock jumbles.
For those who carried, we made our way up to directly across from the boathouse. A committed ferry would be rewarded with your take-out at one of the picnic tables on the opposite shore. :-) Miss your ferry and you end up below the island again, picking your way through the trees, by boat and by foot, to get back to the parking lot.
If the water were a little lower, I can imagine some spots actually being more difficult, as the sneaks through the trees would dry up. It may be interesting to come out the next time it is higher. :-) But for now, I think we all earned our "Crazy" merit badge for daring to attain the Potomac at flood. Great day on the water, full of wonderful city vistas and unexpected challenges!
Faced with a Potomac that was over 10 feet and rising, the Cheat trainers headed down the river to Fletcher's boathouse to try something new. The ever inventive mind of Tom McEwan mapped out a course that took us down and around Roosevelt Island --- and back up! Having circumnavigated Roosevelt Island, the group split to both sides of the river.
The Maryland team used the Key Bridge pilings to assist their ferry, but then were surprised with fast current and had to work hard to get back to the Canoe Club boathouse. Things eased up for a while after that. A few tough spots were found further up, as tree branches in the water offered little help as eddies, while forcing boats out into current to get around. A final obstacle proved insurmountable --- an island formed by the high water just below Fletcher's, with swift current running along the island and through the trees along the shoreline. Paddlers were forced to find their way to solid ground for portage. Fortunately, it was pleasant and relatively short carry back up to Fletcher's.
I'm quite convinced that one could attain all the way up the Virginia side to Fletcher's. Water up in the trees actually provided some sneaks around troublesome spots, though the risk of entanglement and minor pins was ever present. There was one spot across from the bottom of the dreaded island that might be a real spirit-killer --- boily, fast, and requiring whatever you may have left in your reserve tank. Given time and circumstance, those that reached this point either ferried over to the Maryland side or did opt to carry that spot on Saturday. There is a trail on the Virgina side all the way up to Chain Bridge, though some parts were under water and others require tough climbs over rock jumbles.
For those who carried, we made our way up to directly across from the boathouse. A committed ferry would be rewarded with your take-out at one of the picnic tables on the opposite shore. :-) Miss your ferry and you end up below the island again, picking your way through the trees, by boat and by foot, to get back to the parking lot.
If the water were a little lower, I can imagine some spots actually being more difficult, as the sneaks through the trees would dry up. It may be interesting to come out the next time it is higher. :-) But for now, I think we all earned our "Crazy" merit badge for daring to attain the Potomac at flood. Great day on the water, full of wonderful city vistas and unexpected challenges!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Bonus info --- Center Chute wave/hole levels
Compliments of Adam van Grack...thanks, Adam!
TRADITIONAL Center Chute Wave:
5.2 - 5.5 = Hole Play for Playboats
5.5 - 6.0 = Wave Play for Playboats
6.0 - 6.3 = Wave Play for Medium/Playboats
6.4 - 6.9 = Wave Play for Long Boats (i.e., slalom boats)
7.0 - 7.4 = Wave Play for Really Long Boats (i.e., over 14 feet)
Center Chute ISLAND Wave
Above 11.5 = Experts Only
Potomac 6.66 - Devil's delight!
The Cheat trainers headed out for a Wednesday evening workout. Under cloudy skies, darkness was sure to descend early, so the plan was simple. Attain up and out the back channel, check out the Center Chute wave and head down for a loop around Offet Island and back to Angler's.
The level was an ominous 6.66, but dancing with the devil on this night was harmless and fun. Attain up the back channel required steady, but relatively easy work. The ferry over to attain out to the chutes did not challenge this group. The wave was a delight and yielded a number of long surfs. The Skull Island wave was not strong enough to hold, but provided momentary amusement.
The loop around Offut provided more challenge, but was managed by all. many figured out that ferrying over to attainers left at the top section avoided all the annoying trees and shrubs in the current. A small surprise came for some at the top, where the attain around the corner caused some to carry across the rocks. (You can ferry all the way across the main river to the Virginia side and attain up to Skull as an option.) The biggest challenge of the night was the final ledge before Angler's. My group got there in darkness, which made picking a line of attack extra difficult. A number of folks decided on a portage. The brave and foolish found a little sneak through the middle of the rocks which led to a small elevator move out into the water above the ledge.
Solid workout...waiting for DST to kick in for next week!
The level was an ominous 6.66, but dancing with the devil on this night was harmless and fun. Attain up the back channel required steady, but relatively easy work. The ferry over to attain out to the chutes did not challenge this group. The wave was a delight and yielded a number of long surfs. The Skull Island wave was not strong enough to hold, but provided momentary amusement.
The loop around Offut provided more challenge, but was managed by all. many figured out that ferrying over to attainers left at the top section avoided all the annoying trees and shrubs in the current. A small surprise came for some at the top, where the attain around the corner caused some to carry across the rocks. (You can ferry all the way across the main river to the Virginia side and attain up to Skull as an option.) The biggest challenge of the night was the final ledge before Angler's. My group got there in darkness, which made picking a line of attack extra difficult. A number of folks decided on a portage. The brave and foolish found a little sneak through the middle of the rocks which led to a small elevator move out into the water above the ledge.
Solid workout...waiting for DST to kick in for next week!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
First day of Cheat training 2011 - 5.4
The Angler's parking lot was full of cars, people and long boats! Well, there were lots of short boats, too, as a relatively warm evening and a decent level brought out the Center Chute players.
Lots of different attains were done by the Cheat crowd, all in plastic boats. One group went up the back channel, then attained above Maryland Chute via the gap in the rocks on attainer's left. Others got below Maryland from the back channel with the shallow attain between the islands.
Another headed straight to Maryland up the river. Most were thwarted from attempting the ferry by the big boils protecting the usual eddy on the left. A few made it up into the eddy and fewer still made the ferry and attain to the top --- though that turned out to be almost the easy part.
Most ended up over at Virginia, attaining on the bank side and working their way up to the Jumps. Failing light made this a short evening, as the training team did the usual sprint to the take-out.
Lots of different attains were done by the Cheat crowd, all in plastic boats. One group went up the back channel, then attained above Maryland Chute via the gap in the rocks on attainer's left. Others got below Maryland from the back channel with the shallow attain between the islands.
Another headed straight to Maryland up the river. Most were thwarted from attempting the ferry by the big boils protecting the usual eddy on the left. A few made it up into the eddy and fewer still made the ferry and attain to the top --- though that turned out to be almost the easy part.
Most ended up over at Virginia, attaining on the bank side and working their way up to the Jumps. Failing light made this a short evening, as the training team did the usual sprint to the take-out.
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