Solo Throwback canoes: TC Kyle Duckworth in a mid-90’s Old Town Appalachian, Kenny DeCoster in big boat from 1982, Will Smith in 1970’s-era Tripper, Dan Pelletier in an old Dagger Legend
Tandem Throwback canoe: David Baird and son Finn in a Novacraft Prospector
Playboat canoes: Ross Cameron, Krea Galway
Throwback kayak: Devon Carter in a big ol’ glass boat
Other kayaks: Gary Cole, Suzanne Cole, Ron Chase, Jean Miller, Cath Kimball, Stephanie Golman, Janet Lorang, Bill Stafford, Jeff Swett, Mason Galway
Shredder: Alan Fuller and Deb Harris, Bob and Jan Radowicz
Rafts: Adam Chase, John Brower, Kevin Morrissey, Danny Pelletier, Ian Olgilvie, Amy DiFrancesco, Mike and Stephanie Timberlake, Andrea Reising, Ryan and Schweta Galway
Duckie: Porter Towne
Those expecting a mellow 1800 cfs flow for the Throwback Cruise were disappointed. Those expecting excitement and chaos were not.
Two days before the trip, the region received 2-1/2” of rain, with the result being that the Dead River was running over 6000 cfs when we showed up at Webb’s Campground on Friday. Realizing that even if Brookfield Power brought the release down to 1800 cfs the following morning, Spencer Stream would be adding another 1500 cfs at the put-in, West Forks homeboy Adam Chase offered to procure a couple of rafts for those who would find the Dead running too high for their comfort. That enabled a half-dozen people to enjoy a thrilling raft ride rather than a long, wet, exhausting day, and cut down significantly on the carnage.
Will Smith was fired up for his first run of the Dead. His skills were solid, but he found his 17-foot Tripper to be a bit much to handle in the heavy waves of the Dead at 3500 cfs. After a couple long swims he decided the second half of the run would be a lot more fun in a raft, so he ditched his boat at the gravel pit and hopped on board the raft captained by Stephanie and Mike Timberlake. As a result, he got a good look at all the rapids, and knows he’ll be back again at the right time in the right boat.
16-year-old Krea Galway was planning her first Dead run in a solo canoe. Her dad Ryan told her she could set out from the put-in, and when the rapids got too big for her, he’d take the canoe and she could jump in the raft. He never got the chance. Krea was solid and confident, and ended up making her solo first descent at twice the level she planned on! She had a couple very proud parents.
We had some new folks along and enjoyed getting to know them in camp. Janet Lorang, Stephanie Golman, Porter Towne, and Ian Olgilvie got their first taste of Chowderhead hospitality and we hope to see them again. We were also pleased to have our club president Bob Radowicz and first lady Jan at the Throwback for the first time.
An incident late in the run brought home the importance of a strong, capable, and supportive group when things go south. Cath Kimball flipped in her kayak, and before she could roll up (and she was quick to point out that she DID roll up!) she hit her forehead hard on a rock. There was a bit of blood and almost immediately one eye was swollen shut. Luckily the rafts were on the scene, along with Dan Pelletier and his first aid kit, and an MD in David Baird to check her out. We lashed her kayak to the back of a shredder and Adam loaded her into his raft. They charged ahead to get her off the river and to a clinic. Andrea Reising drove Cath and her car back to Portland the next day. She’s going to be fine.
The MVP award goes jointly to Adam Chase and Dan Pelletier. Adam called in his Forks connections to get us a couple of rafts, and that saved the trip for half a dozen people. And he took charge to get Cath safely off the river and to help. Dan was everywhere in his aptly-named Dagger Legend, and single-handedly fished several swimmers out of the river. He’s an expert canoeist, an inspiring paddler, and the ultimate team player.