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.

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!