OCT Sat 8/20 Balcony

[Alicia]

Yes it's low, but we've run it lower! Mid-70s, chance of storms but no wind forecast= perfect!

Let's say noon at the Glasgow P/I to then set shuttle.

As this is a club trip, I respectfully ask that folks wear masks & have windows down for shuttle, especially in light of some covid cases that showed up after the recent Yough trip. Advance thanks.

Please post or let me know you're coming so I know who to expect.

Thanks, Alicia

[Raymond]

I plan to be there.

[PaddleBear]

Alicia - thanks for organizing. We are potentially interested.

Where do you plan to put in?

Where do you plan to take out?

What experience level do you think best for this run?

[GinnyN]

Welcome! I'm sure Alicia will answer as well, but if you check the Announcements section of this part of the form there is a thread called DIRECTIONS to paddling destinations, putins, etc.. If you scroll down you'll see James River: Balcony Falls that has 2 nice google maps which show the putin and takeouts. I've put those links below. The Balcony putin is at Glasgow, VA
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewe ... 9400000002

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewe ... 3553712841

[paddlin_bill]

I'll be there. Likely trying the canoe again.

-B

[Alicia]

Glad to have you, Raymond & Bill, and welcome to the club, PaddleBear!

AW describes Balcony Falls section as classic beginner/intermediate.
https://www.americanwhitewater.org/cont ... /1949/main

They only use the Buchanan gauge. I also add the Maury at Buena Vista gauge for a more accurate cfs reading.
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv/? ... 2620,62614
PLUS
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv/? ... 2620,62614

So we now have over 1000cfs, low but more than adequate. There will be maneuvering around rocks. It's a big wide river in a beautiful gorge.
I've seen rec boats do fine at Balcony Falls rapid but I've also seen them swamp. There's a pool below for rescue. At this level, it's more a class II than III.
The trip ends in a lake, and depending on T/O, could be a 2 mile flatwater paddle out. At least some of us will plan to take out at a "gravel lot" that shortens the lake but is a more challenging carry out than the boat landing downstream but above the dam. We can determine all that when we meet at the Glasgow P/I.

[bambam]

I hope to attend.

Cheers,

Ken

[WARRENSCH]

Sounds like a good time - ready to paddle - Warren

[Leerail]

I plan to come. Thanks...

[Bill Capp]

I plan to join you.

[PaddleAllen]

I am planning on being there!
Paddle Allen

[MikeB]

I s'pose I'll come out and play, too,

See you Saturday,

Mike

[Alicia]

Who knew Balcony in August would be so popular?!?

Rain chances have pretty much diminished for Saturday; 80 degrees; partly cloudy; no wind. I'll take it!

Gauge graphs suggest about 900 cfs total for Sat - low but more than adequate.

Should be a good group and a good day!

[PaddleBear]

Alicia - many thanks for the detailed information regarding P/I and P/O.

This looks like a very fun run and we plan to join in the crew:
-Brian - Intermediate - Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 (Rec/Touring crossover)
-Elizabeth - Intermediate - WS Pungo 140 (Rec/Touring crossover)
-William - Novice+ - WS Pungo 125 (Rec/Touring crossover)
-Grey Toyota Sequoia - three yaks ontop - with space for two additional shuttle passengers


Looks like this run is a concentrated set of fun rapids and will take ~2-3 hours. In the past, have Coastals tried to do two runs in one day? What has been your experience?

See you at noon at the Glasgow P/I.

[Alicia]

Brian - with a snack break, it'll be about 2.5-3 hrs on the water, including the lake run-out that you don't want to do twice! Add shuttle & one run is a plenty.

See you tomorrow.