west va trip report - laks youth return from paddling six days in west va.

Rain drenched mountains awaited the group driving to West Virginia on Monday morning. For warm ups, the Lower Yough at 6.5' seemed like a good place to start.

The next day, we took on Meadow Run Creek, that flows into the Yough. Geoff and Jon Fishbein tried to run the slide at the end, but were separated from their boats by an inescapable hole at the bottom.

Most nights found us in local towns in restaurants, in laundromats drying our clothes, and sleeping in the van.

photo-op on the Blackwater

Day three saw us putting on Otter Creek at a low level. There were great slides and continuous drops, but also many logs across the creek and many carries. Gathering twilight forced us to stash our boats and hike out. The next day we returned to complete the run.

Next on our hit list was the Big Sandy. We spent a couple of hours at Wonder Falls, running the drop every way possible, including on the back of an inflatable seal that Geoff brought. Jon Fishbein ran Big Splat successfully. A local, Glen Miller, took care of our shuttle.

The last day started with the late arrival of another rain storm. Jon Fish and Geoff ran the Upper Blackwater for the first time with a few carries. Jon Burgess was impressed by the Lower Blackwater, particularly when he dropped in a hole and got an unwanted surf. Three rolls later he arrived red faced in the eddy below claiming that it was all pure fun. Eric and Geoff hiked out after just hiking in, out of respect for the high level. We changed into dry clothes for the last time and drove home in the midst of snow flurries.

Jon Fishbein on Wonder Falls; Big Sandy Scouting Discussion; Eric surfing on Big Sandy

Eric gets his boof; Geoff on Big Splat; Geoff rides the Seal over Wonder Falls