New Years Day Paddle

A very cold day.  The water froze on the boats and Kilts adding about 10 pounds to the weight (or was that all the donuts Rick packed in the cockpit). We went from Keystone to Sping Grove in under 4 hours.

I wish there were more pics to share but my fingers didn't like coming out of their gloves.  Click the link to see the pics.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/2K-Adventure-Gear/101527489886543#!/photo.php?fbid=172367569469201&set=a.172367522802539.31707.101527489886543&pid=315309&id=101527489886543

Nippersink paddle from Pioneer Rd. to Blivin St. in Spring Grove: 9/12/10

To anyone interested:

After the Silver Lake breakfast paddle, a group of us will be meeting at the store (2K Adventure Gear in Richmond) around 10:00am.  From there, we'll head on over to Pioneer Rd. launch site and paddle to Blivin Rd. in Spring Grove. (expect the water to be low & slow)

We have some exciting events planed and are looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy themselves this Fall.

The Sponaneous Nipper Paddle Was Beautifly Peacefull

This mornings paddle was what we'll call Spontaneous and very peaceful.  Toady's crew consisted of Al, his wife Nancy, Don, and myself.  Although the Skeeters were terrible on land, when we got in the water and began to paddle they left us alone.  The water level was above normal but low and slow when compared to much of this season.  So, we drifted as much as we paddled.  The 1st rapids were tame and easily navigated and there were no screens or jams that presented any problems.  Only low hanging branches presented a spider boarding concern if you were not paying attention Nancy:)

In order to blend my above description with actual scientific values, for a better understanding, here is a graph of today's Nippersink Creek discharge volume going back 120 days:
(Discharge, cubic feet per second)  Most recent instantaneous value: 151 08-14-2010 11:30 CST

You can see that the volume on July 31 was about 600 CFS.  In my opinion that Ht. created conditions that were Far more technical (more skill needed) than todays run. 

We are working on the notification problem and we believe that the problem is solved.  However, you will need to Subscribe to the blog news letter in order to recieve event notifications.  See you next time
  

We met two news friends on the water today.

Rick's First Dump on Nippers Class 5 Rapids, 7/25/2010

Sunday after work, Rick needed to hit the water. So Don and I joind him on the Nippersink at the Keystone launch. It was a perfect afternoon for Rick to take a swim.

State Line Paddlers on The Nippersink

Randy and Boyd of State Line Paddlers, Don, his daughter Kim, and myself Rich, Met at the Keystone Rd canoe launch. We were amazed by the number of people and groups that had the very same idea. There was a Christian Fellowship group and a McHenry Conservation - education group. We were all there at about the same time... and launching was lots of fun...:)


In all, it was a fun paddle. In the beginning, there were gobs of water bugs that found there way - everywhere. But after a short time, they were gone. And I did not get bit once by a mosquito. There were others that can't say the same. Maybe it's my special blend off Deet and Captain Morgans? 

Meeting people on any river is always a good time. Randy takes the responsibility of Guide seriously. Because of the number of newbies on the water, there were plenty of opportunities to educate and advise of the screens and log jams that were plentiful from our last major storm that rolled thru in June. Boyd is one of those rare Gems that has so much to teach and is a pleasure to know. His apatite for adventure is inspiring. Don, whom I have paddled with before, is a solid dependable man who's taste for adventure is growing, as it is with myself. And his daughter Kim, who's pure heart for nature helped me focus on why it is we challenge ourselves in this way.

That was the crew. Enjoy the pics