The Vermont Paddlers Club

There are paddlers I’m sure who would relish the Hudson Gorge on a day when it’s cresting above 7 feet on the gauge and the mercury never reaches 50 degrees. I’m not one of them. I imagine we will get to the ADKs for some boating in the weeks ahead.

Meanwhile, today I lured 6 kayakers to join me for a delightful, sporty bog-down run on the NBL @ ~2.75’ on the Montgomery Rd. painted gauge. I adore the NBL above Belvidere when it goes, especially with a crew of solid boaters. The drizzle and light rain didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits. All who ran the road-side cascade in Belvidere styled it, as well as the slide above the Back Rd. covered bridge, and the crux move in the lower gorge. Watching Wayne go completely (deliberately) straight up and over the big boulder below the crux was a highlight for me, the boulder that (most days) sticks up high out of the water.

All were sated by the time we reached the Montgomery Rd. take-out, leaving the final Waterville ledges section for another (warmer, sunnier, and lower) day.

For reference, the Lamoille@Johnson gauge rose from 800cfs to almost 2800cfs in the 24 hours ahead of our run; side streams and freshets everywhere were pumping. 

Paul's Garmin recorded the following: