Here is some info on the Great Swamp paddle scheduled for this Sunday April 23rd.
First: Be sure to check here on the message board either Saturday or early Sunday morning for cancellations! Right now the weather forecast is not looking good, and this trip is difficult enough without also having to deal with wind and rain.
IF WE GO: This is NOT a trip for beginners, nor is it suitable for long boats over 15 feet long (unless you have exceptional paddling skill in a longer boat). While the whole trip (approximately 8 miles) is a flatwater trip, we will likely be dealing with multiple beaver dams, narrow and sharply meandering river channels, fallen trees across the channel, open lake crossings with waves, rampant poison ivy that may not be easily seen, and possibly territorial mute swans. The chances for at least one out-of-boat experience into very cold water are very good. Hence, you must be wearing either a dry suit or wet suit to participate in this paddle. Since we may have to climb out of boats onto trees or over muddy ground, proper footwear is a must…no flip-flops or bare feet.
The reward for all this challenge is one of the wildest, most remote paddles in the State, through the Great Swamp management area down the Chipuxet River, across the largest natural body of water in RI (Wordens Pond), and down the headwaters of the Pawcatuck River.
Unless we cancel, meeting time will be at the Taylor Landing access on the Chipuxet River at 9:30 am for a 10:00 shuttle. See the Flatwater Calendar entry for detailed directions. Pack a lunch or a snack and plenty of water. We will take a break on the Impound within Great Swamp Management area and potentially earlier also at a spot on Wordens Pond.
Contact either me (chorbert13@gmail.com; 401-418-2838) or Frank Cortesa (frankcortesa@charter.net) with questions.
I wanted to try this one, after seeiing it in some Ken Weber/AMC books but definitely wanted to NOT go alone. Honestly,the only real obstacle for me is the weather scheduled for Sunday. I might buzz or email you later about this. Thanks for the updates!
The forecast tomorrow is unfortunately not conducive to a safe and enjoyable paddle through the Great Swamp, so we are cancelling the Sunday paddle. Keep your eyes on the message board though...Frank Cortesa and I are going to try to find a date for rescheduling this trip. It may be a weekday.