Tag: millers

TC: Paul Leclerc, Upper Millers

TC Pat Cavanagh, Lower Millers

K1: Paul Leclerc, Pat Cavanagh, Ken Gordon, Jean Miller, Paul Bicknell, Bill Stafford, Sean Green, Ben Gorman

OC1: Kenny DeCoster, OC2: Brendan Regan & guest

R1: Zach Yinger, Paul Sarli

Shredder: Patti & Tom Rutka

Due to low precipitation in the Winter and into Spring, a few water-driven, northern New England Chowders migrated south. The weather was mid 50’s and the promised abundant sunshine was a weatherman’s dream. We met at the new easy parking take-out and shuttled to the put-in. There was a bit of confusion through the grapevine as to Ken and Kenny already being there, which they were not, and I had to suffer Kenny’s humiliation (rightly so) the entire trip. The release was 1900 cfs, the highest I’ve ever known it to be. I was worried it would be too washed out, but it was perfect. Along with a few other groups, there were plenty of boats on the water. We had lucky 13 – for the time being. At the first corner rapid, the OC2 flipped, emptying its occupants into the cold dark waters. After collecting ourselves again, we headed for Freight Train. The turbulent waves tossed the OC2 aside. They made the decision to portage back to the put-in and leave the Millers for another time. A short while later we had a swimmer. And for the 1^st time, I actually helped rescue and ferry a swimmer to shore, rather than be rescued myself. At the last rapid, the largest and longest, we had another swimmer. He and his boat made it to shore, but his paddle didn’t. As it were, the first swimmer attempted to retrieve the paddle but got flipped and swam again. So much for Karma. Fortunately, I carry a 4 piece break-down for such an occasion. And with that, Kenny partially forgave me. We continued down to the take-out, said our farewells to those not running the Lower then Pat, myself, Sean, Zach, Kenny, Ken, Patti and Tom headed out.

Although the release was a very high release, it didn’t translate into the Lower. The Lower Millers is a wider river and before the water gets to it, it fills in a lot of open space, flat water between the Upper and Lower sections where they run the annual canoe races. The Lower greatly benefits from natural flow, which unfortunately this year was paltry. However, the class IV Funnel never disappoints. After running through the numerous wave trains, we pulled off to scout our lines of choice.

One by one we entered the foreboding rapid. Pat went first and nailed a roll in the turbulence. I followed, rolled as well, but got pushed back down and nailed it on the second (or maybe 3^rd) try. The TC’s were showing off. Everyone else ran it perfectly. After a few more rollicking wave trains, we were on terra firma. Nothing like having a long Millers day with new and old friends. And I’m pretty sure I’m all good with Kenny again.

 

TC’s Paul Leclerc K-1 & Pat Cavanagh K-1

Joint trip with RICKA (RI Canoe and Kayak Assoc. and PPCS

Participants: PPCS Kenny DeCoster OC1, Ryan Galway OC1, Brendan Regan, OC1

Erik Eckilson OC1, Ben Gorman K1

It’s Millers Time!

With poor snowfall over the winter, leaving no snowmelt and virtually no early Spring rains, the whitewater rivers of southern New England were low. Fortunately, the Millers River in north central MA has an annual April release. Being a member of RICKA (RI Canoe and Kayak Assoc.) and a proud Chowderhead, I thought it would be fun to make it a joint venture. Kenny, Ryan and new Chowderhead, Brendan joined me, Pat and 2 other RICKA WW boaters – Erik, and Ben.

Whitewater boating is done on two sections of the Millers – the Upper Millers, a 7 mile stretch through mostly remote forested land beginning in South Royalston and ending in Athol and the Lower Millers, a 5 mile segment beginning in Erving and ending in Millers Falls. The Upper II/III section is more technical. The Lower is abundant II/III wave trains and a powerful class IV rapid (the Funnel) in the middle. Today, we would be doing both.

With a sunny, but chilly (40 degrees) start we put in at the Upper and headed out. All was going well, until we came to the last class III rapid – a fairly strong rapid requiring quick technical maneuvering. Erik decided to challenge himself by entering the section dodging what most boaters would rather avoid and quickly found himself going over a large pour-over. Immediately he was separated from his boat and in the water. Knowing what lay ahead, he quickly and safely swam to shore. Fortunately, Pat was behind and able to push his canoe into an eddy. Ben, being fairly new to whitewater, found himself too far right and unable to escape another large pour-over and quickly capsized. Unable to successfully roll his kayak, he ejected and hit his forehead above his right eye on a shallow rock.

Leading the group, I spotted an old large limbless tree just under the current, but it was too late to safely paddle around, so I paddled hard to get over it. Not having enough speed from the short distance, my boat came to rest on top of it. I turned to warn the group and spotted Ben in the water floating helplessly towards the tree. I blew my whistle. Either not hearing me above the turbulence or being disoriented from his injury, Ben headed for the tree and got sucked under. In those heart stopping seconds, he was pushed through underneath and came up gasping for air.

At this point the current was calm enough for him to swim to shore. His impact resulted in a cut and a golf ball size swelling. Had he been caught under the tree it might have been a very different outcome. Luckily it was near the end of the river, and he finished the run. We provided an ice pack for the swelling and a bandage. As it turned out, Brendan is a nurse and said he’d be ok.

Four of us continued to the Lower Millers: me, Pat, Kenny, and Ryan. We scouted the Funnel – it looked nothing like the video. They never do. After deciding our lines, Pat went first and went through clean. I entered next and went river right – too right and got flipped off the edge of a powerful hole. After two unsuccessful rolls in the turbulence, I waited for the rapid to lose its fury, then rolled up further downstream. Kenny was amazed I could hold my breath for so long. Being late in the day, and witnessing my rolling demonstration, Ryan and Kenny opted to skirt the rapid and stay dry. Off the river, temps had risen to the upper 50’s. You can’t beat twelve miles of whitewater fun with a few good friends. Be safe out there. SYOTR.