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Upper Pemi / East Br. Pemi
Wednesday-Thursday May 6-14, 2015
Participants:
Kayak: Scott Gilbert, Becca, Tom Neilson, Ben Schoot, Clay Murphy, Ryan Mooney
Organizer: Scott Gilbert
Difficulty: advanced WW
Level: medium low
Author: Clay Murphy & Scott Gilbert
From Clay:
The level was a medium low. This was perfect since most folks hadn't run this section before. Tom had the cleanest line through basin but everyone else had to make a roll. At Wham Ben brought dafodil flowers for each of us to leave in memory. Scott fired up Thank you Ma'am first and waited in the pool while Tom, Becca and I set safety for Ryan and Ben who were intent on seal launching for Bam down. Ben proceeded have a brutal piton off the launch, then timbered over upside down into the next chute. A swim (Ben), rope (Tom), and hand (Becca) later Ben was collected before getting worked or swimming into the next drop. The rest of the run was clean and really fun, especially towards the end when everyone launched the slide unaware.
Scott fired up the East Pemmi this AM. I may be able to do the same early Saturday AM since I have to camp out with some non-paddling friends that way Friday night. I am also free Sunday and would like to paddle. 
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-----------------------------------------------------------From Scott:
It was really good to finally get back on the Upper Pemi since the passing of Alan. It made it even more special to be there with a bunch of his friends most running it for their first time. Last time I had been there was guiding Alan down for his first trip, we had a solid level and he had really loved it! That river has always been a favorite of mine (in my top 5) but now really holds a special place with me. Thanks Ben for bringing flowers, it was certainly cathartic to take a moment at the sentinel bridge. I also think Alan would have taken great amusement in your swim. Big props to Tom for the clutch throwbag.
East Branch of the Pemi was wicked cool. Hiked up around 2:30-3 with only a (nearly) full moon to light the way. Put on Franconia brook still under moonlight, and paddled down to lincoln as the sun came up. Level was about 1000. Was back to my car before 7 am. I think it would have been reasonable to paddle the entire section just under light of the moon and if the opportunity ever arises again I will be trying to make it happen. It had been a frustrating spring for me up to now, missing a lot of opportunities, amazing how a day of good adventure can turn that around.
