Coastals

It's still a ways off, but...

It's time once again to get ready for winter camping and canoeing (or kayaking if you must) on the second annual Rappahannock River Ramble!

I had a great time with the trip last year, and though it may be a little colder, I'm looking forward to it again.

This event will take place on the first weekend in February (2&3) with camping at the Rappahannock River Campground The first day will, depending on the water level, be Kelly's Ford to the campground or if there is enough water, the put-in in Remmington.

The second day, as last year, we will split up into a group doing the longer flat water section from the campground to Motts and another group for more of a moving water trip from Motts to Old Mill Park.

I'll post more as we get closer, but please let me know if you would like to come or have questions.

Here is the trip report from last year.

Scott McDermott planned his first ever paddling/camping trip for the February 4-5 weekend and it was a huge success. Scott has been paddling (his 17 foot Nova Craft canoe) for less than a year. Scott posted his trip in several places. The paddler (Scott A) that drove 6 hours from northern PA above Scranton gets the distance award. Scott Mc made arrangements for the Rappahannock River Campground to open for us in the "off" season and we were the only ones in the campground. He also greeted us with coffee and donuts when we arrived Saturday morning at the campground. What Scott Mc planned as his first trip appears to have become the 1st Annual Rappahannock River Ramble which is planned to be held again on the first weekend in February 2013.

On Saturday, our 10.7 mile trip was from Kelly's Ford to the Rappahannock River Campground and we were on the river for 3 hours. Despite an afternoon rain forecast, it was just cloudy. The Remington gage was 3.81 feet and 526 cfs which was a perfect level. We had 7 paddlers and six boats, 3 kayaks and 3 canoes. Scott Mc and Kara were in the tandem canoe. Shortly into the trip they landed against a downed tree on river right in fast water. We could see the canoe bottom at a 45 degree angle and everyone (including Kara) was sure they were going to swim. At this point Scott Mc performed a never taught, seldom used save called a "tree grab" and successfully put the canoe bottom back where it was supposed to be. With the same save he pushed the canoe forward and they were merrily on their way. Later in the day Scott A did enter the water briefly from his canoe. But when you are standing in a canoe and poling through a rapid, it's like surfing a kayak - you increase the odds that you might go into the water and it really does not count as a swim. The only significant white water on this trip was Snake Castle Rapids. With a gradient of 6, I would classify it as a Class 1 run in "moving" flat water - easy but continuous paddling. To me the highlight of this section was the tranquility and peacefulness with trees lining the banks on both sides for the entire 10.7 mile trip. I think that there were less than 5 houses on this trip.

On Saturday night the seven of us enjoyed sitting around the campfire talking and eating many of the snacks that Kara had brought to share. A light rain came late at night. Sunday morning Brian and Chip decided that they were going to do the 4 miles of whitewater below Motts Run which would let them head home a little earlier. Scott Mc, Chip, Dave H and I decided to stick with the original plan - Rappahannock River Campground to Motts Run.

The Rappahannock River Campground to Motts Run trip was 13.8 miles and took us 3 hours and 45 minutes. We did not get the forecast rain in the morning. We were a little slow with breakfast and shuttling and did not get on the water until a little after noon. This was to our advantage because the sun was out most of the afternoon, it was warm, and just a beautiful day. The Remington gage was the same as yesterday which covered the 5 miles from the campground to the confluence with the Rapidan. The Fredericksburg gage was 3.21 feet and 1380 cfs which covered the rest of the trip. Again, a Class 1 run in "moving" flat water with the significant rapids being about a half mile or so beginning near the confluence of the Rapidan river. Two good February paddling days at "perfect" water levels with new paddling friends. That's what paddling is about.



Cheers,

Scott

I believe I may attend this one.

Sounds great! Look forward to paddling with you.

Once we get a rough estimate of who's comming, I may check interest for a pot luck. I've posted this on several forums, so I usually consolidate it to an email as it gets closer to Feb.

Scott

Sounds good.

The campground we use has gone out of business, so it looks like we will be camping on one of the many camp sites along the river. There is still a possibility of camping at the Virginia outdoor center, but it's not certain. So far we have 8-14 people on this trip.

There will also be an optional pot luck. I'm still putting together the list of who's coming and bring what, but I'll have it up by tomorrow evening.

Because I'm posting this on several different forums, I've made an email list. If your not on it, and would like to be, send me a pm with your email.

Cheers,

Scott

It's been a twisty and turbulent path to get here, but I've finally got confirmation on everything.  Since twisty and turbulent is how i like some of my rivers, I guess I can't complain.

Camping:  no ferrying across rivers to camp!  The VOC came through with a camp site for us at the low cost of $7 per person.  It's right on the river in Fredericksburg and, I'm led to believe, has real bathrooms and hot water.  It also has a large shelter area where we can have the pot luck (which i still have not compiled). I'll be going to view the site on Monday and will send out a description.

Paddling:  the new campsite means we can't start at Kelly's ford.  However, this gives us an opportunity to see the Rapidan River!
Day 1: starting at Ely's Ford and going through the confluence to the Rappahannock, and ending at Motts.  That trip takes me about 6 - 8 hours solo depending on the water level and how much I practice eddy turns, sightsee, etc... If we go on to the VOC from there, it's another 6 miles, or 2-3 hours.  With a group this large, I would prefer to end at Motts the first day to allow for sightseeing, bird watching, playing, etc, but if a group of faster paddlers would like to do the whole thing the first day, I can show you the take out at VOC. There is a few great spots to stop for a quick lunch right before and after the confluence.

Day 2: the VOC has agreed to shuttle us to hole in the wall on the Rappahannock for $15 a person.  This will add 2 hours of paddling as opposed to starting at Motts, and to me, is worth it.  If everyone would rather save the money and self shuttle, we'll have to start form Motts.  The take out we'll be at city pier (wharf, docks, whatever it's called) in Fredericksburg. This trip has the largest rapids for the trip, at Fall Hill, and ends with a mile of flat water and a view of some beautiful homes in Fredericksburg. The Fall Hill rapid is listed in the river guides a class III, but I would give it a II or II+.  The entire trip from Motts is only 3-4 hours for me usually, or 5-6 from Hole in theWall.  If the water is high enough, we can do the back side of the island which is a class III and a rare treat.  I'll need to know if anyone is opposed to the $15 shuttle by Wednesday so I can cancel it if need be.

The Rapidan is similar to the Rappahannock where we'll be on it.  If you would like a preview in fast forward with banjo music, go to http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YvyfiTo_0E8 from a mobile device or http://youtube.com/watch?v=YvyfiTo_0E8 from a computer.  If those don't work, just search rapidan river, canoe, and Scott McDermott on YouTube.

Feel free to pass this on to your friends.

Cheers,

Scott

Start time:

I'll set the meeting time for 9am at the Virginia outdoor center (VOC) with a departure time of no later than 0945.  This will give us enough time to paddle, stop on the river for lunch, and play a little in the eddies.  My posted times for paddling are based on a slow paddle with several breaks.

Brian G has offered to bring his trailer again to decrease the number of vehicles we need for the shuttle on day 1.  Between his truck and trailer, he can shuttle at least 10 boats, more if we get creative.  I'll be donating some gas money for his efforts, but it's not a requirement.

Day two I would've like to set shuttle by 0830 so some of the people who have a long ways to drive home can get on the road.  That may leave enough time for a second lap of just the Fall hill rapids for those interested. This trip will have a shuttle provided so everyone's car can be at the takeout or the campground.

The total cost, other that the food you bring and gas, is $7/ night for camping and $15 for the shuttle.  $22 if your only staying Saturday night or $29 if you want to arrive Friday night.

Here is the list as I have it so far. If I've left you, or your pot luck dish, off I apologize.

Name.                                          Pot luck.                                       Confirmed?
Scott McDermott.                Brownies (vegan). /Bacon.    Yes
Scott A.                                                                                               Yes
Brian G.                                                                                               Probable
Kara B.                                      Chili (some vegan).                    Yes
Chip W.                                        Cup cakes (vegan).                   Yes
Fred M.                                       Pot full of stuff.                         Yes
Alan D.                                       Greens/huevos rancheros     Yes
Dennis B.                                    Mini sandwiches                        Yes
Cap H.                                         Eggs.                                              Yes
Dave H.                                                                                                 Yes
Paul C.                                         Greens with bacon                    Yes

Here is the web address again for the campground http://www.playva.com
And the directions which are posted on their web page

From I-95 take exit 130B route 3 west, Culpepper.
Take a right at third stoplight onto Bragg road
Follow Bragg rd for about three miles (it will change names to fall hill ave) and you will see the gravel road entrance to VOC on the left, just after the canal bridge.

Virginia Outdoor Center
3219 Fall Hill Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

I won't be near a computer from shortly after I send this until after the trip. If you still want to come, but aren't on the email distro, show up by 9 Saturday.

Cheers,

Scott

Be careful out there...

bwalsh wrote (in Community Forum):

Years ago(early 90's?) some friends of mine who live on the Rappahannock River just outside of Remington decided to take their raft from their home to Mott's Run when The Remington gauge was at 14'! There were four of them in a 14' raft and another friend was paddling his Squirt C-1 along with them.
When they got to the confluence there was a HUGE exploding wave across most of the river that my buddy in the C-1 later told me was the biggest, scariest exploding wave he had ever seen!!! Coming from him that meant a lot as he had paddled lots of big water before, New, Gauley, etc. at high levels, and had seen quite a bit in his paddling career.
He headed for the trees on the side of the river to get away from it. The raft couldn't get out of the way and caught a portion of it and ejected one of the crew. Luckily she resurfaced right next to the raft and was pulled in.
They did the whole trip in four hours, including stopping to help another group of Canoeists who had camped the night before and got caught by surprise in the rapidly rising water.

River characteristics change drastically in high water. Be careful when going out on days like these!

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/river.ph ... hydrograph

just an fyi - I don't know the river at all

Looks like it's going to be PERFECT this weekend! Might bit chilly on Sat but awesome river level.

Thank you both for the concern. The rivers are both falling again and should be at a nice level tomorrow and Sunday. The highest I've run them is 11'. It was fun because I had no idea what I was doing, and I only had to self rescue once. Ignorance truly is bliss.

I wouldn't reccommend running it at that level without an experienced group who knows the river, has some swift water recue training, and the proper equipment. Many of the rapids get washed out at that level, but some get tricky and the confluence turns into a huge wave train.

Scott