RICKA Flatwater, BVPC and Wilderness Postings

RICKA Flatwater, BVPC and Wilderness Postings
[ RICKA Flatwater, BVPC and Wilderness Postings ]

Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th

Posted by Chuck Horbert on 5/2/2024, 9:39 pm

Meeting at Taylors Landing access on the Chipuxet River at 9:30 for a 10:00 shuttle. There is a limit of 10 paddlers due to limited parking and the difficulty of the trip, so if you want to sign up, contact me at chorbert13@gmail.com, 401-418-2838, or reply here. Besides my wife and I, only one other has signed up to date.

Although this is all flatwater, it is not a beginner trip...it is 7-8 miles of paddling over sharply meandering rivers as well as across a large lake that can get dicey in high winds. There will likely be beaver dams and blown-down trees to navigate, and plenty of poison ivy to avoid. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a lunch.

Short boats are preferred, but not too short...12-15-feet long is really the sweet spot for this trip. It is difficult, but the reward is to visit one of the most beautiful, remote areas of the entire state. So if you want in, sign up!

Re: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th

Posted by Aaron Rouby on 5/3/2024, 8:49 am, in reply to "Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th"

I am likely in for this one, though will commit one way or the other as it approaches.

I actually did this paddle a couple of weeks ago solo, and I can report that there was one beaver dam that I was able to paddle over going downstream. I made it to Worden Pond, but it was extremely windy and choppy, so I paddled back upstream to the launch at Taylor's landing. I had to get out of the canoe to cross the beaver dam then, which was a fun challenge.

Re: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th

Posted by Aaron Rouby on 5/14/2024, 3:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th"

I'm in and will be paddling tandem with my lady :-)

Re: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th

Posted by louise price on 5/3/2024, 4:42 pm, in reply to "Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th"

oh good

UPDATE: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th

Posted by Chuck Horbert on 5/13/2024, 8:59 am, in reply to "Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th"

A friend of mine paddled from Worden Pond to Biscuit City within the last week, and reported multiple trees across the river, maybe half a dozen! He said it was really difficult...although he also said he only needed to get out of his kayak once (he was trying to keep his feet dry), which tells me that it probably wasn't that bad. Nevertheless, if you sign up, be prepared to get wet. Wetsuit or dry suit is recommended; change of clothes in a dry bag is required.

Long term forecast looks favorable, but if it changes to rain, I may cancel...the trip is super fun, but not on a rainy day.

Re: UPDATE: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th

Posted by Louise Price on 5/14/2024, 7:15 am, in reply to "UPDATE: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th"

I will not be able to attend the great swamp paddle

1700

Re: UPDATE: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th

Posted by Erik on 5/17/2024, 5:09 am, in reply to "Re: UPDATE: Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th"

I hope to join - such a great trip.

UPDATE #2: Trip Cancelled!!

Posted by Chuck Horbert on 5/17/2024, 10:49 am, in reply to "Great Swamp Paddle, May 19th"

Yesterday's rain event gave most of us a couple inches of rain, but the area of Wakefield and Kingston got completely hammered...There were already enough known hazards to this trip, and adding in the high water factor (the rivers will drop, but they do not drop quickly in this watershed) is a bit too much. I am going to err on the side of safety and cancel the trip. I don't know that I will have an opportunity to reschedule it.

-Chuck

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