Still here!

OK, I'm surprised.
I'm a little surprised that paddling yesterday went pretty well. I'm coming back after 18 or so months after a shoulder replacement. And while I've been out on flatwater in a sea kayak a couple of times, I've been a bit spooked by the thought of the Gorge, even at low levels in the trusty Animas. Afraid of fatigue, I stopped at Rocky and gently cruised back. The hardest parts were the carry down and back up...but then that is probably NOT a surprise.
I'm little surprised to have seen folks I knew out there. No, Anne Kibler, I didn't make the little slot move at Wet Bottom, though I was able to make the move around the rock on the current side. No, Danny Stock, I didn't get to O-Deck, as I never really do...though I certaibly should. And no, Jill and Thierry, you didn't need to bring back the helmet right away, though I appreciate the chocolate thank you gift that came with it.
But none of these things were the big surprise. THIS BLOG PAGE IS STILL HERE!?! What's up with that? But I'm grateful, as it records so many adventures, challenges and joys from over the years.

Anyone lose an otter?

Attaining up between Perry and Hermit Islands (below Offutt), I noticed something diving below the water. I figured it was a beaver, despite the unusual location. After a couple of strokes, I was confronted with a head peering at me over one of the shoreline rocks.
My first reaction was that a sea lion shouldn't be in the Potomac. It huffed at me as I stopped to observe. I backed off slightly. Though it continued to huff, It climbed higher onto the rock. It wasn't until I could see the long tail trailing behind that I fully identified this furry apparition.
I moved away from the shore to a little eddy and we continued to observe one another. It stopped huffing and, though still wary, eventually started grooming itself. After a few moments, it slid back into the water, resurfacing 12-15 yards further down to climb out onto the shore. More comfortable now, it continued grooming (and watching me) before finally scampering up the island into the trees there.
It appeared to be healthy, though a lot of grooming focused on the right front paw, making me wonder about some injury. I scouted around for a partner or family without success.
I have passed by this island many times over the years. I have been chased away by nesting geese here more than once, this channel provide a good spot to scope out the eagles' nest up river, I've seen osprey here in summer, and this winter has been replete with hawks overhead.
But this otter sighting was something special! It even overshadowed my later sighting of a flock of turkeys on Turkey Island — another first ever for me. 🙂
A pretty decent day on the water...

4.3 - Stubblefield

On a recent virus distancing day, I was inspired to explore the options at Stubblefield. I have attained it at low levels, which was slightly harder than expected only because it gets so shallow. On this day, the level was 4.3 and I was in the Animas.

Putting on at Carderock, I paddled across and then down to admire the handiwork of Old Naked Guy on river right. His dams and islands have really held up. Seemed like there were a couple of little boofs spots, too. If you've not explored over there, it is worth a visit.

Ferried back and forth across Stubblefield itself and decided that attaining would be pretty simple. (Ominous organ music in background) I headed down to Lock 10. On the way back up, I was disappointed to see that they had taken the nesting boxes down off the American Legion bridge.

Arriving back at Stubblefield, I headed back to attainer’s right, where I thought there would be a quick up. Not so quick. Those with a faster boat and/or just better technique likely would have wondered what the fuss was. But I poked around a couple of places looking for the easy route. I made it in the end and wouldn’t call the move hard. But it was complicated, with multiple elements that needed to be connected. But I would be lying if I said it didn’t take some work.

I believe that it can be attained at a lot of levels. I want to come back at higher levels to see if the attainer’s left options would be there. (6 feet?) Again, Old Naked Guy’s work, along with the natural formations, should create a number of possibilities.

Of course, there are trails right along both the banks there, so it would be an easy carry if you needed to portage.

6.8 and rising - Center surf bonanza!

Rising waters turned the Chutes into a medium level game of Frogger (look it up, you young punks!), as the quantity and quality of wood floating down increased as the evening went on. Attain up the back channel was easy enough on attainer's left and really quite easy on attainer's right in my slalom boat. Once at the top, the ferry over was also easy enough, though debris collecting in all the eddies provided occasional obstacles. I took a quick ferry over to the Virgina side of Center Chute and then back over to the wave. Ton of fun! I was joined by a few of the Calleva Cheat Elite group who had snuck away. Long boats of different stripes were catching the surging wave. The Pirouette seemed particularly well suited. And once I got it dialed in --- did I mention I missed the lesson on surfing somehow...I really suck! --- I stayed on as long as I wished. Center wave is probably long boats only starting at around 6.3. Select the "surf" tag from the right side column and find Adam Van Grack's guide to Center Chute levels, among other surf level lists folks have submitted over the years.

The hole that ate a Panda

Headed out with crew from Nate Nahikian's Potomac River Outfitters spring training. I thought the level was somewhere above 4.8, but it looked lower. A check after the session said it was 4.7 and falling. We went up the back channel for a bit of warm up at the top, then abused paddles and boats a little to make it out below Maryland Chute. We started working on the Maryland attain, managing the boils and taking on the speed ferry. The standard advice to folks learning the ferry is to work up as close behind the little hole that forms in the confusion at the top of the eddy before taking off for the ferry. As I paused for a small group of boats coming down from upstream, one pulls out of the current and spins on the eddyline for a moment. "Watch out for that hole!", he hollers over. "I got recirced in there for 45 seconds!" A spin back into the current and he's gone. "That hole?", I wonder. It is not quite a frown, but there is a strong inflow from attainer's left and a something of an eddy fence on attainer's right. But it doesn't look that well organized, I didn't think it was deep enough to recirculate a person or boat...and getting into it from below would take more than any in my crew would take on. So I didn't give it much more thought. Until later, that is, when friend Todd Henry gives me a shout as he passes through the chutes on his way downstream. I holler a greeting in return, then see that he has eddied out. I go down for a chat. He immediately launches into the tale of young Panda, who got caught in the hole above, swam, then recirced until Todd shoved his bow into the hole. It seems Todd was unable to pull him out --- and Panda's weight finally flipped Todd. Much swimming and spitting of water ensues, but both are able to escape and continue their evening. It was Panda who had given me the earlier warning, impressively sanguine about his misadventure. Looking at the hole with fresh eyes from above a little later, I do see that it is better organized than I had realized previously. So, while Maryland Chute appears to be such a benign and even friendly place, I now know about two places there with more teeth than I thought. And this little hole apparently found Panda to be a yummy treat. ;-)

Carderock attains

As prep for the Cheat race, I've been doing a series of attains from Carderock to where ever water levels and daylight will permit. It's good as resistance training, aerobic endurance and mental focus --- keeping cadence and solid strokes in a situation where the mind really wants to wander. I've hit a variety of levels, from 4.6 to 3.7 so far this spring. I'm not really trying for speed, but I am clocking. The day at 4.6 took a bit over 90 minutes to Wet Bottom (yeah, pretty slow)--- but that included me getting stubborn and repeatedly trying one ledge above Maryland chute, instead of immediately choosing the alternative. Under 4 ft, I'm getting up in a little over 60 minutes. I'm hoping to cut some time off of that this week. I choose the slalom boat for over 4.2 ft and the plastic Animas for lower levels. If you've never done this attain, there is nothing particularly difficult or hazardous about it. At higher levels, the forward stroke does start getting tested in places, though. I have discovered two hazards worth noting, however. First, the bugs are out in the spring and are especially bad as you head back downstream in the twilight. I'm bringing glasses and a bandanna to keep them out of eyes and airways! The second is taking out at Carderock in the dark --- it can be tough to find and walk the proper trail. I have bruises. :-)

3.95 - Testing out the Braap

Got a new Braap and wanted to see how it attained. Level was just a shade under 4 ft and falling on the LF gauge --- 3.95 when I got home. All in all, it was a pretty successful experiment. The Braap accelerates well, some real jump right on the first stroke. But as you might imagine, there is not a lot of glide in that hull, so it gives up speed quickly. Nevertheless, I made it to Rocky, though not without a couple of too casual attempts at Wet Bottom that failed. Doh! As is common at this level, the Rocky waves were surging, so it was hard to get a good ride. In the hands of a competent paddler, this boat would be a ton of fun in all the Rocky waves. My fun was measured in pounds, but it left me looking forward to the possibilities. Nice day. New boat. Winning!

3.28 to 3.4 Lock 10 to Center Chute.

Distance: 8.2 miles round trip. Time: 2.5 hrs total. 
We wanted to do an attainment, but the Anglers parking lot was packed. So, we headed down to Lock 10 and put in there. At this level range (over two weekends) we were able to attain all the way from Lock 10 to above Center Chute without leaving our boats - rapids are stubblefield, calico, center chute. Distance is 4.1 miles one-way; by comparison, Anglers to Rocky is 1.8 miles one-way. I had a pirrouette, Bill C was in his stinger, and Mark S had a greenboat. As a lovely bonus, we ran into Ursy and Carter coming down to Lock 10. Great 8+ mile workout!

3.8 - portage rapid attainment on VA side

All spring with levels above 4.0 Milan and I in the Topo Duo (Eskimo) have been able to attain all the way from Anglers to O-Deck without getting out of the boat to portage. We've been able to attain back channel (up by Sandy Beach), and also attain portage rapid on the MD side (river left). (note - our most terrifying challenge in those workouts has been the ferry beneath fishladder, which in a wobbly 2-person slightly-leaky boat has presented numerous challenges and failures at team-coordination, though we've always succeeded at least by the third try.) 

Today, with levels dropping to 3.8 we had two changes introduced into our normal attainment route. First, we were not able to attain back channel - no one could have, with all the new rocks showing and lack of 'navigable water'. Darn! Oh well, we used the portage as an opportunity to both hydrate and de-hydrate. 

However, we were able to attain portage rapid on the VA side (river right). Not the way you'd normally think, getting as high as we could behind the big rock and then ferrying like heck back to the MD side. Nope. We stayed on the VA side the whole time, attaining and jumping up through the rocky cluster and into a big eddy on the VA side. And, it’s not just a long-boat, or even a Milan-only move, because Andre did the whole thing in his Nomad creek boat along with us (although he also seems bionic in my opinion). Here is the scoop - on the VA side of portage rapid we attained up to the big (big) rock, and then where boaters would normally ferry back to MD, instead we went towards VA up to another small rock, and then from there across to the second (not the top) wave and surfed-ferried over to a big eddy against the VA shore. And, there you have it!  

On to O-deck.....

Potomac 4.2 and steady

Headed out in the slalom boat. The Clay's Revenge attain in the rocks of Corner Hole was very do-able. As I was meeting some folks, I only took a couple of shots at Maryland Chute. As usual, the ferry could be done multiple ways. But that last little up on attainer's right was too tough. I don't remember that approach having two dips/waves, which made even getting up beside the rock a bit challenging. I think I would have made it with more attempts, but it had definitely crossed into that more difficult territory for me.

Center Chute attainer's right move could definitely be done by those a little stronger than me. I'm thinking the main VA Chute attain is also possible for the mighty. I did succeed at the VA slot attain on attainer's right --- just gotta keep your focus and nerve. Finished by playing around up and down the Center Chute ledge, then heading upstream past the Jumps before needing to head for home.

Folks I was with were surfing everything in medium length boats --- VA chute and the wave below the Center Ledge seemed most entertaining for them.

Potomac 5.5

Back with another class to work on spring training.

As a warm-up, I tried the Maryland Chute attain. Boils were big and challenging, but could be defeated. But I lost my matches against the little wave hole that defends the right starting point for the ferry from left to right. More time --- and maybe a longer boat --- might have yielded victory, but not this night.

Meeting back up with the class, the back channel was again the option. Ferrying across the top was easy. But the deceptive attain move between the rocks proved too strong for most in this group, so we carried over the rocks.

Ferrying across the main Potomac took most to eddy out below the island at Virginia chute. A strong ferry was rewarded with a passage between the rocks of the island and final rest break above the chute. Many were able to make the slot attain at Virginia. At this level, it's a wide passage, but still boily. The bankside attain at Virginia was available, though the unwary were pushed left against the trees and often flipped.

The Cheat Youth were out and some had wavehoppers. They were working on attaining up from the Center wave and at Virginia.I saw some success at Center --- impressive!

Potomac 6ft and falling

With dreams of long boat surfing at Center dancing in my head all day, I headed out with a new crew. Sadly, the water was falling rapidly. What had been around 6.4 that morning was already edging toward the 5s. I think it was just at 6ft when we put on.

Nevertheless, we headed up the back channel. These guys were in long or mid-sized boats, but had no real problem getting up to Dead Cow. After ferry practice across at the top, the team was out into the main Potomac.

As this was a training lesson, the main group did loops --- ferrying over to Center Chute, crashing through the wave, then back around the island on the Maryland side to attain back up to repeat. A few of the boats were well sized for the wave hole that starts to develop at Center in the upper 5s, so a few attempts were made. Other worked on ferries and the occasional roll.

Attain new status --- be an author!

As you can see, I don't do a very good job anymore of posting to this blog. I don't seem to be paddling as much anymore --- and I'm just lazy. But the river changes all the time and it would be good to get a few more folks recording their experiences for the benefit (and amusement) of our fellow Prisoners of the Potomac.

What to be an Attainers Blog author? Let me know and I'll add you, so that you can start sharing your very unscientific observations of paddling on the Potomac.

Corner Chute at 4.6 and rising

It has been a long time since I've tried the little attain at the Corner below Maryland Chute. Once called "Clay's Revenge" after some guy who never paddles anymore and always seems to be dying of some respiratory infection, it's an interesting little exercise in take-off, edge control and just the right power at just the right moment.

OK, that's probably over-complicates it. But until you get it figured out, you'll beat your brains out.

Checking back over these entries, I really should have been able to make this move. FAIL  Of course, I was out in the the new just-under-10-feet plastic boat, I didn't have my favorite attaining paddle, and my lucky underwear was all in a wad. How could I have possibly expected to get up, under the circumstances? :-)

I did feel like something had changed a little in the slot. There was a swell of a little wave coming off the right side that I didn't remember being so pronounced. And while the entry has always kicked to the left, it felt stronger than I remembered. Just a difference in the level --- or has something shifted?

So, something to achieve in this new season...once I get the lucky underwear washed. :-)

Wet Bottom surfing

I keep forgetting the levels when that surf wave comes in at Wet Bottom. But headed back down after a maiden attain in the new slalom boat --- BINGO! Wish I had left myself time to play as it dialed right in. So, recorded data point #1 for Wet Bottom surfing...3.3+ is pretty nice.

P.S. Had an interesting sessions surfing Rocky the week before at a little over 3.4 --- not easy, but that challenge is accelerating my learning. I know, I'm pathetic ;-) ---  I should be at O-Deck at such levels, but didn't have the energy on that particular day.

More O-Deck and Rocky info

More surfing and attaining info, this from Stro...yes, sometimes you do find him ABOVE the water. :-)

Having paddled on the potomac for decades, I've acquired a quiver of boats to keep me happy at just about every river level. I prefer long boats and I love me some Rocky and O-deck surfing and attaining. Here's my boat choice list.
10 - 4.4 Rave Sandy Beach to Anglers
4.8 - 3.9 Reflex2 or Cylon attain to rocky
4.5 - 3.8 Rave put in at fisherman's eddy
3.7 - 3.3 Sleek put in at fisherman's eddy
3.2 - 3.0 Cheta, Reflex2 or Cylon attainment levels
2.9 - 2.6 Whirld at Bermuda Triangle

Sleek is 9' 5", Cylon 13'2", Reflex 11' 2", Rave 11', Cheta 13' 6"
Sleek is ok at lower rocky levels (below 4.1) for 2nd, 3rd, 4th wave
I consider O-deck in around 3.9 and like something about 11' long or longer. 9 ft and 8.5 boats like the rpm, axiom, zen, speeder can start to stay on o-deck in the mid 3.7 and below.

O-Deck levels

Not really an attaining topic, but this information from Robert Polleck should be of interest to those who only attain to get to the good surf spots. :-)

O-Deck is in from at least 3.4 to 3.8. Above 3.6 it is a challenge to jockey a playboat across the current without getting swept downstream and you will want something a bit longer to punch into the top wave.

Easiest access is probably from Fisherman's Eddy on the GF Virginia side. When you enter the park, take the hard right hand turn to go to the parking lots a little downstream. I really hate the climb down the VA side, but it's worth it. The ferry over from Fisherman's to the O-Deck waves on the Maryland side can be a little tough in shorter boats.

You can attain up from Sandy Beach with a carry at the appropriately named Portage. :-)

Gorge runs above 8 feet

More info from the Encyclopedia Van Grack:

From 8-9 feet:

-Sandy Beach to the Main Current is swirly with some waves (no big deal).

-Rocky Island Outflow is turbulent, but not chaotic.

-Wet Bottom is flat.

-The Gorge after the Left Turn becomes slightly chaotic. While this area is flat at most levels, starting around 8.5 feet, it has crashing waves, moving holes, and (at 10 feet) a horizon line drop. This area at high water is called "The Jumps." At 9 feet, some people call it Class IV. At 10 feet (and above), some people call it Class V.

-The Chutes, Dead Cow, and Skull Island are all fun to play in at this level as well.

If you have never been out above 8 feet, make sure you have big water Class IV skills and go with someone whom you trust.

-Adam

Long boat surfing at 7ft and above

More great info from the river encyclopedia, Adam VG:

Long Boat Surf-spots Above 7 Feet (Little Falls Gauge)

Skull Island Wave

Long River Runner: 6.6 - 7.3

Slalom Boat: 7.1 - 7.8

Sweetie Pie Wave (aka Back Channel Wave)

Long River Runner: 7.4 - 7.9

Slalom Boat: 7.9 - 8.2

Dead Cow Wave

Long River Runner: 8.6 - 8.9

Slalom Boat: 8.8 - 9.3

River Bend Wave (River Right at Right-Turn Elbow in Mather Gorge)

Long River Runner: 8.1 - 8.5

Slalom Boat: 8.3 - 8.8

Potomac 4.7 ...in a playboat!

No, playboats should not appear in an attaining blog. But it was quite the education in the art of the possible --- and impossible --- as I tried out a Jackson SuperStar for the first time on the Potomac.

The only real attain I tried was up from Offet. I almost made the attain up from the Offet ledge, working my way up the attainer's left channel above the rock beside the Offet wave. This attempt failed as I tried to make the move upsteam above the hole, though I think it could be done.

After carrying over on the island shore, I relaunched and ferried to the Maryland shore. I paddled up from there until I ran into a patch of fast current about 2/3s of the way up. I ferried to the island shore again, but was stumped by the little ledge. I hardly look at this ledge in a long boat, but was forced to give it respect on this night. I finally conquered it by grabbing the rock on my left, wedging my paddle into the bottom on my right, and pushing myself up. The rest of the attain back to Anglers was just a matter of steady paddling...in the dark.

Had a great workout, actually. But hull speed gets a whole new level of appreciation from me, for sure! It may be interesting to gather new stories of playboat attains, so I'll add a playboat tag.