Vermont is the Shit

Just got back to my appartment in C Square from the best weekend in Vermont. If you haven't been to Vermont boating, I suggest you go immediately (the water should still be up tomorrow!!!) Jim and I took a chance on levels and headed out Friday night. We drove in to Bennington, ate some pub grub and hit up a little roadside motel. The next morning we headed up to meet Jeff Sharp. Jeff was a great guide all weekend. We owe alot of our success this weekend to Jeff....thanks a lot man (if you ever read this...).

Anyways we meet up with him at the Clarindon Gorge section of the Mill River. There are two distinct gorges on this run, with some really good IV ish stuff in them (and one nasty V+ that we didn't touch, but did run the V portage/seal launch....another time...) It is a beautiful gorge, and I guess holds water really well. I would strongly recommend this run if you are in the area.

We got off and decided that we would try to get a run on the Big Branch, which is a classic VT run. We had to hike up the 1.5 miles to the put in, and although we were a sweaty mess at the top, it was totally worth it. Oh, did I mention on Saturday, March 28, 2009 when we ran this shit it was like 70+ degrees!!!! Anyways the Big Branch definately lives up to the hype. There must be like a thousand boofs on this 2? mile stretch of bolder gardens. When we put on, the level was right at the first line on the gauge rock. This river seems to respond well to snow melt, because by the time we got off it was up to the second mark. Of the big rapids on the run, we ran Cave Drop, and walked Mushroom and BLT. Jim and I both plan on getting back up to run Boof Left Twice, because it looks sick and mildly runable, but we just weren't ready to run it that low. I think with a little more flow it would make the rapid more of a go.

After some fine $2 margarettas Saturday night, and a bunch of rain, we headed down to the West Branch of the Deerfield. I really didn't know what to expect from this run, as I hadn't heard much about it, but it definately is awesome. It is a lot of flow on a tight river, which makes for some pretty defined, yet padded rapids. Lots of boofs and big holes to be reconed with. We walked around Tunnel Vision but everything else, we styled. I don't think I could have paddled any better today, which made for a great end to a great weekend. I have to say that the only disapointments to the weekend were that not only did Andy not come with us, but they had a bummer day in NY, and that we didn't get to see a moose....

Who the hell cares, I can go to the zoo and see a moose! Vermont definately is a creeking paradise. I will be back.

Cheers....and thanks again Jeff & Jim for an awesome weekend.