The Nescopeck - Revisited

[RB]

Nescopeck Creek
April 3rd, 2010
Wapwallopen gauge reading 180cfs

Mike Moyer and I wanted to get out again, and the Nescopeck is about the closest thing going for the both of us, so we figured "One More Time" was in order while the water level was decent.

I sent out an e-mail to try to get some others together to make up a group, but no takers, so we jumped on a pick-up trip we saw posted on a messageboard with 6 others from the LVWW group.

The slightly lower water level made it a bit more managable but with a few more rocks to get in the way. Well Mike found a few of them during the day and I had to chuckle and make a joke after we came down thru a particularly congested area.
Mike to me... "Did you hit any rocks back there ? "
Me to Mike... "Rocks? What rocks? I don't hit rocks, I go around 'em !!!! "

Mike's combat roll streak was broken within the first couple of rapids as he went through a small drop and caught an edge on the eddy line in the seam formed by the two converging waves there. He flipped, tried two rolls and swam. I and one other in the group tried to corral his boat but couldn't and as Mike and it floated towards a large tree strainer I yelled at Mike to "get out" and leave the boat, which he did self rescuing himself and his paddle.

I and the other person had to abandon Mike's boat and get away from the tree and go down thru the next little drop and watch as Mike's boat floated, upside down into the strainer and get pinned !!!

The current wasn't that strong and the boat wasn't stuck badly but some had to get out to help. The tree was large enough to walk out on and get a line on the boat and Mike pulled it out with little effort. Well.... not the start Mike had wanted, especially with a group of new people, as everyone got back into boats and back on the water and continued on downstream and said... Hey it happens to everyone. Forget about it.

The rest of the trip went off well and when one other in the group swam we joked that now Mike could forget about his previous out of boat experience !!

Oh... I almost forgot... there was a bit more excitment down near the takeout. I got some pictures of the Nescopeck Attack Goose in action as he/she tried to defend their territory/nest site !!! That goose has got to be needing a rest after this long holiday weekend !!! HA !

Here are a few pictures I got on the trip
http://rickspix.smugmug.com/Kayaking/2010/Nescopeck-Creek/11714397_c8LJm#826641878_ridYr

[Haggy187]

nice trip report. nice photos.  captures 'the goose' very well.  always a nice ride on the nessy.

and mike...it happens. hahah. keep doin ur thing. 


rb where'd this strainer pop out of?!?! I only remember one from the day before just past the killer goose.

[JK4Fun]

I will Tom. Next I'll get it three attempts, if needed. The third time is a charm.

[RB]

This strainer that Mike's boat got hung up in was soon after the first rapid. You hit a little flat water and then down thru a little droppish chute on the right and have to go to the left. On river right, right after that first little chute there are some trees in front of you on river right and water flows through them.

There is a little tiny island there and you can go to the left rather than the right. Maybe you took the left side and didn't see any of the junk that's pushed in against the river right shoreline there.

[Haggy187]

yeah i just didnt see it.... I wasnt checkin out the scenery too much... nor other boaters... had my hands full that day with the lil boat for a while.

and mike...in my experience, there is no better place to swim than the first rapid. (unless its January; then it may be the worst place to swim; as your in for a cold damp day; depending on what your wearing.)  I have learned this the hard way once or twice. all part of the game.