Topic: Upstate NY: Taylorville & Eagle (Beaver) Sept 6 and Black River Sept 7

[coolfarmer816]

Trust me, it was big. I know very few people that would have tried it. Also, it can't be seen in the video, but much of the water on that side of the falls gets pushed into a corner where there are rock cliffs all around you (i.e. not easy to get out). The current was so strong in fact, we were doubtful that we would have been able to get ourselves out of the large "corner eddy".

As for driving, all of us were already camping in the states because we were on the Beaver. So it wasn't very far (about 1h from the camping spot and others were staying right in Watertown). Some came from Kingston. From Watertown to Ottawa, Google estimates 2h and that's what it was including the border cross on our way back home.

So all in all, definitely worth it.

I do trust you 

[lafreniere.luc]

Trust me, it was big. I know very few people that would have tried it. Also, it can't be seen in the video, but much of the water on that side of the falls gets pushed into a corner where there are rock cliffs all around you (i.e. not easy to get out). The current was so strong in fact, we were doubtful that we would have been able to get ourselves out of the large "corner eddy".

As for driving, all of us were already camping in the states because we were on the Beaver. So it wasn't very far (about 1h from the camping spot and others were staying right in Watertown). Some came from Kingston. From Watertown to Ottawa, Google estimates 2h and that's what it was including the border cross on our way back home.

So all in all, definitely worth it.

[Jeffrey J Templeton]

You forgot the "Oh Shit" moment I had in the first little, teeny, tiny hole above Beaverator on my second run. That's right, I ended up getting spun around sideways as I went over the second little hole you usually punch on the right before the bigger hole of Beaverator itself. I ended up stuck in it, side surfing for at least 60 seconds if not more (some guys just above the Great White Slide had time to notice what was going on, paddle back to the bottom of Beaverator and watch for a little while). After working to get myself out of that little hole, the only way out was backwards towards the center of the channel, of course, perfectly lined up for the bigger hole afterwards. Got myself out, then back into the big hole. Got worked a bit, then flushed out and rolled.

A few 'Mericans were very surprised I didn't swim. Some of our guys (JON!) were getting impatient when I was stuck in the little hole. It WASN'T INTENTIONAL!!!

Next day: "Why is my left arm hurting every time I take a stroke"... Jon: "Didn't you side surf in that hole with your left arm for super long?"

Also, Glen Park Falls on the Black when there is a water release is HUGE! None of us had the guts to run it. It is VERY different and scary. There's even a relatively large hole after a second ledge above the falls that you can get worked in. Case and point, he gets stuck in the hole ABOVE the waterfall. This is what it's like when there's a water release... not for the faint of heart: https://vimeo.com/104974974

That dosn't look so bad, it just likes the taste of kayaks. You guys went all the way out there and didn't run it?

[AdamN]

So it's the Beaverator! Lariza said that you were doing well in that hole!  Instead of "Oh shit" I said "Awh fck it, I'm out of here!" (swim). Next time I'll get my creekon - practice surfing in my creek boat - very different from my jitsu.. very different.

Often having 'no guts' means you get to paddle another day. If you ain't feelin' it, don't do it!  I'm trying to learn that one 'cause after Alexandra, I wasn't really feeling Taylorville section - glad it went well.

Anyway, an extremely entertaining weekend!

Adam

[lafreniere.luc]

You forgot the "Oh Shit" moment I had in the first little, teeny, tiny hole above Beaverator on my second run. That's right, I ended up getting spun around sideways as I went over the second little hole you usually punch on the right before the bigger hole of Beaverator itself. I ended up stuck in it, side surfing for at least 60 seconds if not more (some guys just above the Great White Slide had time to notice what was going on, paddle back to the bottom of Beaverator and watch for a little while). After working to get myself out of that little hole, the only way out was backwards towards the center of the channel, of course, perfectly lined up for the bigger hole afterwards. Got myself out, then back into the big hole. Got worked a bit, then flushed out and rolled.

A few 'Mericans were very surprised I didn't swim. Some of our guys (JON!) were getting impatient when I was stuck in the little hole. It WASN'T INTENTIONAL!!!

Next day: "Why is my left arm hurting every time I take a stroke"... Jon: "Didn't you side surf in that hole with your left arm for super long?"

Also, Glen Park Falls on the Black when there is a water release is HUGE! None of us had the guts to run it. It is VERY different and scary. There's even a relatively large hole after a second ledge above the falls that you can get worked in. Case and point, he gets stuck in the hole ABOVE the waterfall. This is what it's like when there's a water release... not for the faint of heart: https://vimeo.com/104974974

[AdamN]

Quite a weekend!

Taylorville section
A little too much excitement at the 'Great White Slide'. Alexandra showed us how to do it upside-down (I was in pain watching her descent from shore. I think she was trying to outdo Paul P's staircase run!). I hope her finger is OK. Thankfully, a strong tuck left no other major injuries. "Motocross" gloves and full facemask helmets are not options when creeking - imho.

Thanks guys especially Jacques for helping me down the Taylorville section. I was like a newbie.

Lessons I learned from Taylorville
1) a creeker does not handle like a playboat - practice in a creek boat before creeking or you'll get stuck in the first hole (my first swim of the season)
2) use your best paddle (one that you are most comfortable with) rather than an old one that you don't like or you'll get stuck in said first hole

Eagle section
Luc showed us how to go down the second slide backwards. A couple of "fcks!" and Jon running along side, "You're OK! You're OK!" (to make him feel better) I'm thinking, no he's not! But in the end, he was OK!

Jacques and another paddler (sorry I don't know his name) showed us how two people can get jammed in the same hole above the second slide. I've never heard anyone yell "rope!" with more urgency. Good scramble with the rope, Dave!

Black River
My first time on the river, lots of interesting features. Some where along the way Luc managed to crack his boat and paddle - tough break.

Other lessons
From Watertown, Taylorville and Eagle sections are off the GPS - so if you think you are lost, just keep going for another 20 minutes until you are really lost and then it's just on your left!

Great weekend!

Adam

[ChristianG]

Alright, this topic should thus be 'unstuck'... Or is it 'unsticky'? But I like 'unstuck', reminds me of the memorable opening sentence of a certain novel...

--Christian

[ChristianG]

Anybody up for it?

[lafreniere.luc]

Neither can I. I promised my wife I'd go to the cottage after two straight weekends of paddling. Sorry.

[jonyak]

No can do this weekend for me.

[ChristianG]

Is there a repeat this weekend, now that I can go?

--C.

[Gwenne]

Great day on the water.  Very nice pics!
Thanks for helping me.

[Renaud]

thanks all for the fun day on the Black!
here's the link for the pictures I took, including photos of the awesome fossils!

http://imgur.com/a/CONyC

[Seamus]

hey Luc,

Sorry I did not meet up with you this morning. The KWP picnic at Burleigh Falls yesterday got the better part of me.

I hope you are enjoying the run down the Black.

Seamus

[AdamN]

I'm here in Watertown. I'll see you guys tomorrow at Taylorville.

Adam