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July 9, 2020: Eastern Egg Rock

After weeks of disappointing weather forecasts, we finally had a decent prediction.  A 16 mile expedition with substantial exposure, a B+ weather rating is my required standard for a trip to Eastern Egg Rock.  Five of us met at Round Pond Boat Landing shortly after heavy fog had dissipated.  A hot humid sunny day; light winds and two to four foot seas were anticipated.

Participants:  Jean Miller, Brent Elwell, Bill Stafford, Randy Berube, and TC

Paddling against an incoming tide, we departed Muscongus Sound between Ross and Haddock Islands.  Our first objective, Western Egg Rock, could be observed directly ahead with tiny Eastern Egg barely visible in the distance.  Western Egg would be the only place to land until our return to the sound and disembarking on the diminutive atoll is often precarious.  We sent Brent and Randy in to probe.  No problems were encountered this time, so we stopped for relief and snacks.  Persisting southeasterly towards Eastern Egg following a magnetic 142 degree bearing, the four foot seas were gentle and entertaining.  Approaching the rock, the flutters of our little puffin friends began to appear.  While their numbers seemed lower than previous years, the handsome birds appeared less timid than usual providing for some great photo opts.  After completing a circumnavigation of the rock, a puffin tour boat was engaged as we began our return.  My guess is they were a bit surprised to find sea kayakers frolicking with the puffins at that distant location.  Unable to land on Western Egg, we persevered into the sound and found a rocky beach on Loud’s Island for a much needed respite.  An incoming tide and a gentle tailwind helped propel us back to Round Pond completing another exceptional trip to perhaps the finest sea kayak destination on the Maine coast.

Covid concerns:  All participants were requested to bring masks and sanitizer and to wear the masks if appropriate social distancing was not possible.  Anyone feeling sick was instructed not to come.

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Reopening of the PPCS Trip Schedule

Hello Paddlers,

As you know, in early spring we canceled the PPCS trip schedule due to Covid-19.  While the pandemic is still very much with us, there have been some signs of improvement in Maine in recent weeks (increased testing capacity, very low rates of positive test results, and decreasing numbers of new cases and deaths).  We have also learned a bit more about how to make choices that limit our risk.  Because spending time outdoors while practicing social distancing is considered lower risk, and outdoor activities can be an important part of mental and physical health, the executive committee has agreed that it’s time to reinstate the published PPCS trip schedule in a limited way. 

The TC will have discretion in whether and how to run a given trip.  The TC may decide that the trip cannot be run safely and choose to cancel.  The size of the trip may be limited for safety.  Less-experienced paddlers may be excluded from more challenging runs so that rescues and the physical contact they require are less likely.  These are all decisions the TC may make.  Please check with the TC several days ahead of time regarding scheduled trips.  And if you feel at all sick, do not come on a trip!

Participants should be responsible for safely running their own shuttles.  Ideally, a household member who is not paddling will drive the boater’s vehicle if a walk/bike shuttle is not possible.  Alternatives involving the back of a truck or two boaters in a vehicle with windows down for a short shuttle have been used this spring.  But these arrangements should be agreed upon ahead of time.  Do not assume you will be able to get a ride in a shuttle vehicle. 

Although some of the scheduled paddling trips may happen, with appropriate safety considerations, the summer picnic, potluck, and meeting will not be happening at the Forks this year.  Instead, the summer Cooks Meeting will happen via Zoom video conference on Monday, July 27 at 7:30 PM.  Helen Hess will send out details and an invitation to all members via email on that day.  The Swiftwater rescue class that typically occurs on the Friday of the summer picnic weekend is also cancelled.

Club members will make different choices regarding paddling trips. People have different degrees of vulnerability and different levels of tolerance to risk. Please, respect the choices made by your fellow boaters and their shuttle drivers during this reopening of the trip schedule.

Have fun and stay safe!

Kenny DeCoster, President
Helen Hess, Vice President
Ron Chase, Treasurer
Ken Gordon, Secretary
Ryan Galway, Past President

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PPCS Message about Spring Trips and the Coronovirus Pandemic

Club Members,

Spring paddling season is upon us. TCs have canceled the first trips over concerns of the pandemic. Yesterday, Wednesday, 3/25, the executive board discussed what we should do in light of the federal and state guidelines for social interactions. The board unanimously voted to cancel all upcoming trips on the PPCS schedule until further notice. We have no idea what regulations might take effect in the near or distant future and therefore we can’t sponsor trips that bring people together and might compromise their health.

This is not to say that members can’t find their own ways to take paddling trips, hopefully following recommendations on sanitizing, group size and social distancing. The list serve is available for all club members to use to communicate with others.
In my opinion, keeping one’s space on the river is doable (not overloading eddies) and driving to the river separately, the trick is the shuttle. Six foot separation in an enclosed vehicle is impossible. Walking or bike shuttles would work. These are suggestions. As a club, we can’t even endorse how to organize or carry out a trip. People will have to use common sense as to whether they can get together and pull off a paddling trip safely.

I can’t believe this is happening during my favorite time of year. Anyone with alternatives or suggestions, we welcome your feedback.

Executive Board:
Kenny DeCoster, President; Helen Hess, Vice President; Ron Chase, Treasurer; Ken Gordon, Secretary; Ryan Galway, Past President

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March 14, 2020: Cathance River

Trip participants:  Rick Farnsworth, Koa Farnsworth, Adam Chase, Kevin Rogers and TC

Perhaps attempting to supplant The Waterman as club river expert, my son Adam announced that the Cathance was free of ice and all rapids clear of debris. Posting the trip the day before, Kevin, Rick, and Koa signed on. Celebrating diversity, our group paddled two kayaks, a canoe, and a shredder. The gauge read 2.6, providing a medium low level. Everyone had clean runs on technical Z Turn and Second Drop. Despite sloppy lines, we all survived Third Drop upright. Adam and I paddled Boulder Pile tight left whereas the others successfully navigated the center right move. The unanimous decision was to walk Little Gorilla which had some unappealing ice shelves extending out into the main channel bottom right. Final Drop provided the most entertainment. Recognizing the hole on bottom left would be extremely sticky at that level, Adam and I bounced down right center. Kevin and Team Farnsworth had excellent runs punching the hole. Rick and Koa defiantly decided to side surf the snarling monster. At first, they had fun. Then they wanted to get out but couldn’t. When asked if they wanted a bag. “Yes” was the unambiguous reply. It must have been close to 10 minutes before Adam and Kevin pulled them out using two throw bags. The old man took pictures. We had a great day. Since I broke through some ice near the end, the trip has been designated the “ice breaker.” Too bad the Eggster missed it again this year. See my upcoming column at: http://rchase.bangordailynews.com/ for the rest of the story. In an effort to avoid spreading the coronavirus, handshaking and kissing were banned.

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March 12, 2020: Franconia Ridge

One of my favorite winter hikes, Franconia Ridge weather is similar to Mount Washington so I scrutinized the forecast for a Goldilocks Day. Posting the trip well in advance, I didn’t receive any bites until Brent signed on the day before. We spent the night at a motel in Woodstock to facilitate an early departure. Not the infamous Cascade Inn which was deemed a public nuisance and burned, but the Parker Motel instead. On the trail at 6:35 AM, the Goldilocks forecast took a tumble with snow showers, stronger winds, and cloudy skies on the menu. Since the trailhead was hard-packed ice and snow, micro spikes were the footgear of choice. The trail conditions were excellent and several spectacular views were enjoyed before reaching the closed Greenleaf Hut. Shortly after, an overnight trekker was met breaking camp. He had crossed the ridge the day before but was unsure if he would return. The shoulder of Mount Lafayette presented an unanticipated complication, a steep, consequential icy section. For about 75 yards, full crampons and ice axes would have been the preferred gear. Snow ended and the winds were manageable on the 5,260 foot summit of Mount Lafayette. The ridge traverse was typically glorious in and out of the clouds with a fair amount of ice to 5,089 foot Mount Lincoln. After meeting two hikers cleverly wearing full crampons, we continued to Little Haystack Mountain. Descending the dazzling Falling Waters Trail, I developed a new old age issue, intense left ankle discomfort. Vitamin “I” provided partial relief. The 9 mile loop was completed in a little more than 6.5 hours. Not a record time, but not bad for a couple of retirees. See my column at: http://rchase.bangordailynews.com/ for the rest of the story.