Post by ryanward10 on Sept 29, 2008 18:59:24 GMT -5
So my girlfriend Sonya and I attempted (attempt being the key word) the Nashwaaksis Stream this evening. The Sandwith Farm gauge read 0.70, the water was over the footing of Estey's Bridge 4 inches, and all the upstream rocks were underwater. (All reference points I obtained on this site as I had no experience with this stream). There was certainly no worries about bottoming out, scraping or pushing based on the little section we were on. Sonya in her 11ft kayak, and I in my 16ft sea kayak set off for a rare fall opportunity to paddle. We lasted about 400m according to my GPS. We pulled out just on the far side of the mouth of the West Branch. At every turn the FAST FAST current swept you into a logjam, or a row of sweepers, or a giant rock and it was way too fast to maneuvre in my big sea kayak over to the calm side. Sonya fared no better in her little 11ft. We could see the beginning of rapids ahead decided to call it off. We didn't swamp, but came close every 25-30m. An hour of pulling the boats through the woods, and taking turns shooting across the West Branch in the little 11ft, then dragging the 16ft across on the end of a rope, spinning and flipping and fighting the whole way brought us to the far edge of the field where you put in. My experience is limited, but I think I'll use my 8ft whitewater kayak next time, and i'll be prepared for a wild fight the whole way down. This stream is not a peaceful calm evening paddle where you can float and chat with your partner and enjoy the scenery. It is an adrenaline filled adventure. Take rope, a hand saw, and be ready to swim. We enjoyed being outdoors, and the gift of all this rain, but weren't up for the beating the stream offered. And remember, it was 20 degrees out tonight and the water was pretty warm, not like it'll be next spring. That said, I'll be looking for a foolish soul to try it with then.