Hey pnetters I’m getting a head start on this annual thread. I posted this on my local paddling message board today. I just continue to keep paddling. Perhaps not a very high level, but I’m still having fun. Thought I would share. Others go bigger, faster, and are flashier. I just show up and go. I do log my miles- seems to help keep me motivated.
Here goes, Please share your year and aspirations for 2022. My recollections come straight off my calendar (river log).
2021 year in review
86 days of paddling, with all paddling being done on day trips. On most days I went just a few miles, 472 miles all together. Less diversity in terms of boats used (rafts, duckies, canoes, sit on tops etc) than normal- all runs were made out of a kayak, mostly on class II/III streams but some true flatwater paddling as well. The boats used were pyranha 12r, wavesport diesel, pakayak Bluefin. I really got more comfortable with the 12r this year. Those that have seen me stylin’ on the upper New, now refer to my 12r as “A caddie” (that’s short for Cadillac). Those that dragged it out of the muck and up the hill for me (Summersville dam) refer to it as “that damned tank!” I just know it makes my diesel feel real short. Cue the music, “I like big butts errr boats I cannot lie”.
The runs listed in italics were personal first descents for me. Pretty much dry hair the whole year. Not really much of an accomplishment when you consider that all runs were well within my ability. I did try to practice rolling, 32 practice sessions mostly at a put in or takeout on the river. My roll did improve a little bit even if I didn’t have to actually test it out in a combat situation. I did get my L3 instructor certification (along with David Bell) so I’m now legal to actually teach kayaking on class I and II streams. My form continues to suck but I will continue to impart “well seasoned” wisdom to unsuspecting newbies.
As usual, a big thank you to everyone that I shuttled and paddled with. We all need to continue to keep eyes on each other so that we can be safe out there.
Goals for 2022 are much like 2021: Definitely more upper New paddling followed by pbrs and wings at the coldspot, and I do plan to do some sit on top paddling and snorkeling while in Hawaii. With my recent retirement,end of Nov, I hope to increase the amount of spring boating that I can do. A noticeable lack of paint creek and middle gauley runs in 2021- something that must be remedied in 2022. Bring on the fun. The upper shavers fork is one that I want to catch and David and Ruth have mumbled about some good seasonal stuff where they live. So many creeks, so little time.
Below is my list for 2021. Naturally, Glade to GVSB was the big winner
In WV: Birch 1x, Cherry 1x, Cherry/Crupperneck Gauley Combo 5x, Crupperneck Gauley 2x, Greenbrier 5x, Muddy Creek 1x, Paint Creek 1x, Middle Gauley 1x, "Lost” Gauley 1x, NF of SB Potomac (Hopeville Canyon) 1x, SB of Potomac 2x (Smokehole or below), Middle Fork of the Tygart above Audra 1x, Down Elk 1x, New McCreery to Stonecliff 3x, New Glade to GVSB 24x, New Glade to Army Camp 1x, New above Fayette Station 2x, Miracle Mile of Middle Meadow 1x, Kanawha River below the falls 4x
In TN: Lower Nolichucky 3x, South Fork of the Holsten River 1x
In AR: Hurricane Creek 1x, Mulberry 2x
In OK: Washita River 1x
In NM: Racecourse section of the Rio Grande 4x, Orilla section of the Rio Grande 1x,“Lost” Chama River 1x, Rio Chama Chavez Canyon 1x
In CO: Animas town run 1x, San Juan at Pagosa Springs 1x, Headwaters area (Box Canyon) of the Rio Grande 2x, Lake Fork of the Gunnison at Red Bridge 1x, Arkansas River Lone Pine to Pinnacle Rock 1x, Arkansas River Bowns Canyon 1x, Arkansas River Valley Bridge to Lone Pine 1x, Arkansas River Big Bend to Salida 1x
In SC: Edisto River 4x SYOTR, Tony
