We recently got back from Maine, here's what happened:
Friday - we finished loading the car and left the house at about 10:30am. After a quick stop for gas and ice we were officially on the road and headed north. We stopped for lunch and more gas somewhere along the way and eventually crossed the border into Maine at about 1pm. We stopped in Kittery to checkout the outlets and saw Dennis who was also on his way. It started to rain and after some more driving we stopped again in Freetown to visit the North Face outlet store. In a somewhat frenzied shopping spree I bought a jacket and Erin got a new hat amongst other things. We hit the road again at about 4pm. After stopping for more gas and snacks we left the highway and drove north on route 201 until we reached The Forks. It was 30 minutes before sunset and starting to get dark, so we sped along the dirt roads towards Indian River Pond and the campsite. We checked-in and found the group at about 7pm. It was dark under the tall pine trees and we rushed to get setup as the rain set in. With the tent up we moved onto setting up an impromptu shelter and cooking dinner.
Saturday - we were up before 7am and left the campsite at 8am for the drive down to RiverDrivers to get the shuttle to the Dead river put-in. Confusion and black flies greeted us as the word was that the river wasn't releasing as planned. I ate breakfast. The consensus was to run the upper Kennebec instead. We drove back to the put-in, unloaded boats and got geared up. We carried our boats down the big stairway to the river. Carmen gave our group of 13 a briefing and paired us up with buddies. We put on and headed downstream.
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| The stairs at the Kennebec put-in. |
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| At the Kennebec put-in |
Carmen and Sam lead the way followed by Dennis and myself. The river narrowed and the size of waves increased and we entered the gorge. We probably stopped in an eddy before Big Mamma, but I don't remember for sure. I saw Sam swimming, and then grab onto the back of Dennis's boat as we entered the Alleyway. I followed his boat and tied to push it towards shore with little effect. After some time and with Carmen's help we were able to get is boat into and Eddy close to where Dennis has pulled Sam to shore. His paddle was retrieved and mandatory boat emptying was performed.
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| Scouting Magic Falls |
After a breather we set off downriver again. After a short stop at Z-turn we pulled off to river left to scout Magic falls. After a short walk through the trees at the rivers edge we came to overlook the rapid. Carmen told the newbies the 5 things to remember to run the correct line: pour-over, upstream V, diagonal wave, Maytag, and something else. We paddled the rapid and I chose to punched through the meat of it. I didn't even see Maytag. I looked back to see Sean swimming, so waited mid river to tow him to shore.
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| Moxie Falls |
After a stop for some surfing on river right we met Larry at Carry brook and had some lunch. We then ran the lower which has some good rapids followed by mostly flat water. I got a ride back to the put-in with Ed, Larry, Carmen and Keith. Back at the take-out we loaded boats and waited for Larry to arrive after having tracked down his keys from Martin and JD. We rejoined the group at Moxie falls and hiked down to the waterfall. From there we went to Northern Outdoors for dinner at 6pm. Following vegi-burgers and dinner we hung out until 9pm waiting for Andy and Wendy. They didn't arrive so we headed back to the campsite. I was now becoming quite familiar with the dirt road leading to Indian Pond. As we drove along in the dark I caught sight of a large Moose appear at the side of the road illuminated at the edge of the headlights. I broke hard as the Moose moved into the road directly in front of the car. Erin saw it and launched into a coughing/choking episode. The Moose stopped, tuned it's head to display a full rack of antlers and looked directly at us, it's eyes glowing from the light of the car headlights. It the promptly trotted/jumped/galloped (whatever moose do) across the road and disappeared into the darkness.
Back at the campsite we left word at the office that if Andy and Wendy were to show up they should be directed towards our side. We met the rest of the group around the fire and Erin set a marshmallow on fire. It wasn't long before we saw what looked like a camper van slowly making it's way around the campsite road. Andy and Wendy had arrived.
Sunday - Just before 9:15 we left camp and drove the short distance to the Kennebec put-in. After unloading boats we drove to the take-out to set shuttle. Eight of us rode back to the put-in in the camper van. After another short briefing from Carmen we divided into smaller groups. Our group was me, Erin, Andy, and Dave. We hung back and had a great ride though the top section, catching many more eddies than the previous day. Regrouping after the Alleyway I realized we'd had another swimmer as Sean was out of his boat. He was reunited with his boat and we moved down to Z-turn. Magic Falls followed and Andy agreed to follow my line as he hadn't scouted it. It was a successful run by all.
At Carry Brook we saw Dennis who was going to paddle the Lower. We then got to experience the somewhat arduous climb to the top of the stairs while carrying out boats.
Larry, Andy, Erin, Martin and JD headed to the top to do a run at the lower flow of 2400 (instead of the earlier 5000) with Larry who didn't paddle the first run. We had had a bite to eat and then shortly after 1pm seal-launched into the river while Sean and Wendy worked to move the cars back to the take-out.
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| Heading into the Alleyway |
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| In the gorge, opposite Cathedral Eddy |
At Magic Falls we knew the river would be different due to the lower flow. I chose to go close to the normal line to see how the big waves had changed into trashy holes. Unfortunately as I passed the first hole, I realized that I was heading straight into the second hole that was offset closer to the right. Before I knew it heading straight for the bolder that formed the second hole. All I could do was try and boof the rock into the hole below. I pout in 2 hard strokes to get enough momentum to clear the rock without nose diving directly downwards into the hole below. There was still an oh-s*!t moment as I headed down the other side of the and landed on the foam pile below. I braced and found myself temporarily stationary, then slowly felt the pull backwards. JD looked across from where he was on river left. "Paddle, paddle, paddle" he yelled and I started to try and get moving. I stopped loosing ground. I've got to get out of here I though to myself and dug in as hard as I could. After what seemed like way too long I slowly edged forwards and cleared the hole.
I was glad to reach the take-out and get my feet back on the ground. We carried up the stairs again and loaded the boats. Erin, Andy, Wendy and I headed back to the campsite as the others headed home.
That night we just about had the whole campsite to ourselves. We enjoyed a nice night by the fire, eating pasta, drinking wine and catching up. We were even visited by the Were-Rabbit.
Monday - We woke to a light rain and opted to have breakfast in the camper. Andy and Wendy made some delicious pancakes with all the trimmings. Erin and I broke camp and left at about 10am for the long drive home. 7-8 hours later and after a 900 mile round trip we were hanging wet gear.
