Mighty Mayo River Trip Sunday January 15th
| River: | Mayo |
| Skill: | Novice |
| Trip Date: | 01/15/2012 |
Mighty Mayo River Trip Report January 15th 2012
Twelve at the put in. Twelve at the take out. Russ Condrey taught me to always bring all my gear and to always bring everyone home. We did, but it was close to not being so.
Boaters:
Joe Fortin, Sammy Allred, Lucas Conkle, Danny Byrd, Robert Pajor, Pete Walther, Nate Krizmanich and David Zane Stacy were in kayaks.
Joey Fallin, James Crane and Bev Bryant were in C1s. I was in a OC1
The weather was not too bad for mid January. The water level was low, but not summer low. Maybe 1.63 or so. Everyone was on time. We were off to the put in to drop boats and set shuttle. Julia Fallin was running shuttle for Joey. Hope we have her on the river next time.
The Mayo river is a fun run with lots of little ledges. Jan Bolen would say it was a little ledgy. Right Jan! We had a mixture of strong boaters, new boaters and some very new boaters. All is well the first few ledges. The more experienced folks setting up above and below to keep an eye out. I was running sweep and doing alot of smiling.
Before you know it we were at the rapid my generation called the Cow Pasture rapid. River left slot down and around a big boulder. I hopped out on a rock and watched the runs. We had one flip, but he rolled. Hand rolls, rock rolls or paddle rolls they all count. Great.
Then next couple of miles are flat water with a ledge thrown in her and there. Around one more corner and we are at the Lunch Stop rapid. Out for lunch and we are feeling fine. Nice rest up and before you know it we are running the rapid. Good lines for all.
Just around the corner is the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Mayo. The river quadruples in width without a noticable increase in current. Wide and shallow. Lots of cool ledges for the boaters to do a cool eddy move or just glad to be upright. One last L turn rapid and we are at the bridge. Right below the bridge are the two biggest rapids on the run. The famous Boiling Hole and the signature S Turn rapid.
We grouped up one last time to explain where the beach was to get out before the Boiling Hole. I paddled ahead with Pete. We both got out. The group caught up and decided to go ahead not scouting. Then it happened. I heard shouts and more shouts. Flipped my boat over and headed down. It was over before I knew it happened. One of our newer boaters had his paddle twisted out of his hand. He flipped and had lots of trouble getting out. Joey was getting ready to dive in.The boater finally got out near James and Joe. Sixty seconds is a long time. We later found out the skirt did not have a pull cord. It had velcro pull tabs on the side and a lap strap. Never seen one like it in my life.( You can bet me and everyone else will always look at spray skirts at the put in) Out on a rock, we got him to shore. Thankful and relieved. Robert cliped a throw rope on his boat. We found his paddle. We had one more flip and swim at the Boiling Hole.
Next up was the S Turn rapid. Most chose the traditional line. Lucas ran the river right.slot move with great success. One hundred more yards to the sandy beach take out.
We were gratefull eveyone was going home today. This group formed a bond of friendship that will last a lifetime. You could feel it. Folks changed clothes and waited for the shuttle driver to the put in to return. Boats loaded and people talking. No one is leaving. After awhile I stepped back, watched and thought.
Twelve at the put in. Twelve at the take out.
Some last thought are to say thank you to the SRVCC folks/studs. To remind folks to check new boaters gear. Helmet tight. Lifejacket tight. Skirt suitable. We only had trouble for 60 seconds, but it was more than enough.
JMB