Dear Fellow Paddlers,

To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Some of you have expressed surprise that I didn't get out on a river this season. Well, no one was more surprised than I. It was just "one of those years".

I was able to vicariously enjoy the trips, once the reports started flowing in. Hope all of you will, too, as you peruse this issue of the BOW AND STERN.

I want to publicly thank the ever-growing staff of the BOW AND STERN, without whom we never would have made deadline. First, my thanks to Mary Lavigne who helped us organize the paper, and to Mary and Melinda Dodds who miraculously got it all typed in two days Thanks also to George H. Agnew and fellow faculty member Deborah Shay, at South Burlington High, who have graciously (and at low cost) printed, up our last two issues. These folks have very graciously given their time and energy on the club's behalf and I am very grateful.

Well, George McIntosh and Andy Nuquist (our ever faithful limericists) were the only entrants in this year's contest. So, we cancelled the judging, but sprinkled the poems throughout. I hope you will enjoy them.

See you on the water! (And that's a promise!)

Larry Thomson

The annual Spring meeting was called to order by President, Alan Roberts, on Sunday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Al Roberts thanked Norm Lavoie for organizing the baked chicken dinner, and the Dattilio family for preparing it.

Peter Alden, White Water Trip Chairman, announced the completed 1982 spring schedule was in the Bow & Stern.

Ray Gonda, White Water Training Chairman, announced the blackboard session and pool session would be on Saturday this year. The complete schedule would be mailed to all members, as well as advertised on the radio and in the newspapers.

Larry Thomson, Editor of the Bow & Stern, was not in attendance but asked Ray Gonda to remind all trip leaders to send trip reports to him for the Bow & Stern and to remind members of the annual limerick contest.

Brian Kooiker and Brenda Clarkson are in the process of coordinating the summer events schedule, and asked anyone with ideas or who would like to lead a trip to contact them.

Al Roberts announced there would not be a raise in annual dues as the club has maintained a plus balance and has been able to cover all expenses.

Old Business

Al Stirt had gathered information on the status of several dams. He was not in attendance, but had prepared a letter, which Al Roberts read.

On Pontook Rapids, the developer has received a license to operate from the Federal Regulatory Commission. Three separate suits have been filed against this action. The three groups involved are Pontook Defense Fund, AMC, and Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests. The suits say that the land has been dedicated for recreational purposes and that they had not been able to intervene at permit hearings.

Contact was made with Stephen Sease of the Environmental Conservation Dept. (also a club member) about dams on the lower Lamoille, Ball Mt. Dam, and the Missisquoi River. He suggested the club get group status to participate in hearings on these dams. A committee will be formed of club members to keep up on current information on dams. Al Roberts has volunteered to chair.

Dick Trudell read a letter he wrote to an engineering firm that is involved with applying for a permit from the Federal Regulatory Commission on the Ball Mt. Dam project. The firm was looking for information on white water canoeing and kayaking on the West River.

Dick's letter reaffirmed the Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers interest in the West River as a source of recreational paddling and that the club is very interested in seeing the releases continued.

Norm Lavoie asked Ed Amidon to speak on the possibility of the club incorporating. There followed a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of incorporating, with some members in agreement and some not.

The discussion included that trip leaders would probably be considered responsible if any law suits were filed for accidents; if the club did incorporate, applications would be filed with the Secretary of State's of office and annual reports thereafter; and the possibility of purchasing liability insurance versus incorporating.

The Green Mountain Club has incorporated and the suggestion was made to contact the GMC on what lead them to their decision and exactly what the cost and procedures are.

New Business

Norm Lavoie read a letter he had received from Homer Dodge who has been a member of the club for several years, and is now living in Maryland. He wrote in response to receiving the meeting notice saying our slide show would be on Dick Trudell's trip on the Colorado. He had canoed the Colorado River in 1953. Mr. Dodge's letter appears after the treasurer's report below.

No other new business and the meeting was adjourned.

A slide show of the Colorado River by Dick Trudell followed.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lavigne
Secretary/Treasurer

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lavigne
Secretary/Treasurer

The Powell Anniversary Stamp, the several local celebrations and the books and articles which have recently appeared have made all of us aware of the great contributions to the development of the West and of the Nation made by this one-armed veteran of the Civil War. Powell's explorations of the canyons and surrounding country were made with serious purpose. They turned out also to be a challenging adventure, which might have proved disastrous. With inexperienced companions, in four rowboats he somehow managed to master the hundreds of perilous rapids of the journey outlined on the facing map. It was an almost unknown country, crossed even now by only one railroad and three major highways. Later, in Washington, Powell became the principal founder of the U. S. Geological Survey and its eminent director for many years. He also founded and directed the Bureau of Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution. He became one of the leading and most influential scientists of his time. (Read Stegner's "Beyond the 100th Meridian".) On May 26, on the 100th anniversary of the third day of his first trip, in the Powell Auditorium of the Cosmos Club in Washington which was organized in Powell's home in 1878, Homer gave a lecture entitled "Following Powell Through the Canyons in an Open Canoe". It was illustrated by a selection from his several thousand slides but the text was largely from Powell's graphic descriptions in his diaries. During the years 1953-1965 Homer has 'followed Powell" in his canoe all the way, except for the Grand Canyon and the 50 miles of Cataract Canyon which cannot be run in an open canoe but which he did with "rubber raft" parties. In addition, he has run over 250 miles of the tributaries: the San Juan, the Colorado above the "Junction" and the Yampa. Much of this he pioneered for a canoe and no one else has covered so much in a canoe. Now the rivers have been irrevocably damaged by the Flaming Gorge and Glen Canyon dams. It has been a family affair, for, although Homer did many miles alone, Norton was with him on several trips and Margaret bow-paddled through Glen Canyon. Alice was on one or the trips where it was desirable to have "rubber raft support" for safety and to carry food and duffle bags so that paddlers could "run light". The current challenges are the wild rapids of the Upper Hudson and the Androscoggin where Homer somehow manages to win awards each year in the slalom and down-river races. Perhaps this activity will have to be replaced by more paddling on the more remote Adirondack and Vermont lakes and streams which Margaret and he have been enjoying this tall. Time will tell.

Lewis Creek: April 3, 1982

A new put in was tried on Turkey Lane off the Monkton Road. The first mile or so has some mild drops with a fair current down to the Monkton Road bridge, between the Monkton bridge and the normal put in the creek is flat with some current. Several blue herons and mallards were noticed. The remainder of the trip went without mishap in a light rain. Putting in this far up adds approximately 1.5 hours to the trip and is not worth it if one is looking for white water. A nice early spring flatwater trip could be had from the Monkton ridge bridge to the drop above the covered bridge as one often sees some pretty country and wildlife.

Al Roberts

Huntington River: April 4, 1982

Upper Lamoille: April 18, 1982

The day was sunny and followed a spell of warm weather with a heavy rainfall the night before, leaving the Lamoille River in flood stage throughout most of the course. Levels as high as those in 1973 were reported. The Safety Chairman had trouble convincing the trip participants that it was unsafe to paddle the regular part of the river under these circumstances. However, it was compromised to run the short stretch of the upper river above the put in spot.

The first event was the loss of one canoe downstream from the starting point without the occupants and a short delay until this canoe could be secured, spare paddles obtained, and the participants changed their clothes. Then a short successful run was made with all obstacles washed out and bucking an extremely rapid current, until there was encountered a row of trees across the apparent river channel leaving little certain appearance of where the main channel ought to be. This resulted in another swim, and a canoe chase lasting about 1 1/2 miles. The final run for about a mile down to Greensboro Bend was made in record time.

It should be mentioned that three others, including one white water canoeist, lost their lives on Vermont rivers this weekend.

The Safety Chairman again emphasizes that a river should not be run which is found to be in flood at any level of the entire course unless the canoeists are bent on self-destruction.

These participants, however, enjoyed themselves very much and benefited from the hospitality of Clarkson and Kooiker who warmed them up with hot soup and a warm fire after an abbreviated run on the river.

Peter Alden

Brown's River / Lower Lamoille: April 24, 1982

A new put in was tried this year at the 128 bridge in the village of Westford. A car was spotted at the entrance to the Lamoille in case the trip appeared to be too long. There is a small ledge at the put in to run. Just below the covered bridge, within about 1/2 mile is a 6-7 foot falls at an old mill site. One should stop on the left to scout the carry. THIS DAM IS NOT RUNNABLE! Down stream of the dam within 1/2 mile is a nice class 2 rapid for about 55 yards requiring some fast maneuvering. This takes us to the put in we tried last year. Down stream from here in the first mile or so are two ledges that must be scouted: the first can be lined or carried on the right, the second on the left. The second ledge has a pretty island with a falls on the right side which would create a scenic campsite. From the second ledge to the Lamoille, the river has easy rapids. Several boats pulled out at the car (spotted ahead of time) while the rest of the group finished below the five chutes. Trip time was about 6 hours. This trip could be made shorter as we had to scout the rapids and be conscious of beginners.

Alan Roberts

Upper Lamoille: April 24, 1982

Three trips were floated by the Cruisers. This was a beautiful day in sunshine at 65-70 degree temperature. The water was high to moderate. We started at Greensboro Bend at 10:00. Finished at Hardwick by 1:45 pm. At this water level (9' at the bridge in Fairfax), no one had major problems. Few rocks were noticed and minor bailing was needed in the last sections.

Peter Alden

HOW THE WEST WAS WON

Upper Lamoille: May 1, 1982

Temperatures in the 60's, mostly sunny skies and a good water level combined to make a pleasant and sporty trip. The water level had dropped substantially from the near flood levels two weeks prior, but was still high enough to keep the paddlers alert. Ten canoes and one kayak were divided into two groups which made the trip much more manageable and enjoyable for all given the relatively small size of the river.

The only major mishap of the day occurred just below the falls in East Hardwick, but fortunately did not involve any of our trip members. As our first group eddied out below East Hardwick for a short stop, we were surprised to see the front half of a kayak float down past us, which we promptly retrieved. Shortly thereafter we learned that the kayaker had made it safely to shore, with the other half of his kayak.

The only mishap involving our group was the loss of a pair of eyeglasses early in the trip by a paddler doing an eddy turn. Everyone negotiated the sections near Hardwick without too much difficulty; only the usual amount of bailing.

Brian Kooiker

Lower Lamoille: May 2, 1982

Our trip started from the bridge in Fairfax at 10:45. John King gave a demonstration on throwing the safety rope bag before embarking in our canoes. All boats had many opportunities to play in the rapids on the trip down.

We had a hard rainstorm blow over our group as we were nearing 5 chutes area. All new paddlers were pleased with their progress upon completing our outing.

George Agnew

Schroon River: May 8, 1982

The Schroon River is reached in 2 hours from Burlington. Going south on the Northway get off at Route 8 at Chestertown / Brant Lake. In 100-200 yards turn south on a road following the right side of the river. Put in is at the last flat stretch at the first rapid. Takeout is 3 miles below between the first and second bridge on river left. Good rapids with short flatwater stretches occur until 3/4 of the distance. The river turns left at a ledge on river left and then drops sharply into a 300 yard continuous rapid. This drop must be scouted from the left.

Our day was mild and the rain held off. The water was quite high and few rocks were seen. Even this year's beginners made successful runs over the drop without swimming. Two runs were done and a third would be possible with an experienced and small, fast group.

Peter Alden

White River: May 9, 1982

While leaving the Burlington area in the rain, we left the wet weather behind us by the time we reached Rochester. The weather remained fairly dry throughout most of the time on the weather. There were no major mishaps and a fun run was had by all.

Alan Roberts

Lower Lamoille: May 12, 1982

This was a late spring after work trip on the Lower Lamoille with a gauge reading of 7.0' feet which is still passable. We met up with a paddler from Montana who joined us for the trip in his Jensen OC1. He was back east researching bike routes to the Mississippi. An enjoyable trip was had with a few mishaps, which were recovered very quickly. We finished at dusk.

Alan Roberts

Hudson River: May 15 & 16, 1982

The weekend started with a 7:30 planned departure time from Wessons Diner in South Burlington. After the drive over and a few shuttle mess-ups we started about noon from North Creek Railroad Yard and ran to the Glen Bridge. Which took us until about 5:30 including a lunch stop and much playing in the rapids. We planned to camp at 13th Lake which is up the road near the smaller General Store in North River (do not go up the Barton Mines Road near the first General Store, the one with the canoes for sale). This is a nice state campsite with minimal facilities. After supper at Smiths Restaurant in North Creek we retired to camp for the close of the day to rest up for the next day. We met the people who came over for the day at North Creek, part of the group (Al Stirt, Ray Gonda, Rich Larsen, Frank Tsao, Bob Schumacher, Peter Alden, and Lenny Carpenter) decided to run the Gorge section with the rest of us doing the section from Riparius to about 2 miles below the Glen. The run was delightful with a few minor swims. After the run it was decided to head home and not attempt a run on the Schroon River.

Alan Roberts

Hudson River: May 29-30, 1982

This was an overnight trip on the Hudson putting in at Newcombe. The water was low 3.4 feet at North Creek. We had light rain much of Saturday on on the river. Going was slow, as we had to pick our way over the shallow riffles and walk the canoes in a few spots.

After working the Cedar River the water picked up and we reached a camp between the Indian River and Blue Ledge by 5:30. There were lots of black flies, but the rain let up for the night and we slept dry.

The second day we moseyed along through Blue Ledge and the Staircase with low water, and waited above Big Nasty for the water release. It arrived at noon and flushed us through Harris Rift in great style. The great water with the release was worth all the picking through shallow rapids and it was a great weekend. Recommend trying it a week earlier next year.

Peter Alden

CALL LEADER IN ADVANCE FOR ALL TRIPS

NOTE: the trip may be cancelled if there are no calls by the night before the trip.

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