Level: 8.8 Buckhannon gauge
December 16, 2000
Paddlers: K-1: Turner Sharp, Susan Klimas, John Wiggins, Linda Wiggins, Linda Weaver, David Lohr

After having not paddled for a few weeks, the polar bears were watching the weather and water closely. Early in the week things were looking bleak, then it began to look like there may be a small window of opportunity to paddle Saturday. John Wiggins e-mailed David and myself that he needed to get on the water and was talking with Susan and Turner. As the week progressed things kept looking better for a Saturday paddle. It wasn’t decided where and when till early Saturday. We were heading for the Buckhannon.

We had all agreed to meet at ten and head for the river. The weather was not real inviting and was calling for rain and thundershowers. As we headed for the river a few rays of sunlight broke through and it began to look like we would avoid the rain at least for the start of the trip. I was nervous at the put in, for I had never paddled this river before and was not looking forward to swimming in icy cold water. After being assured that I shouldn’t have any trouble on this run and realizing I would not have many days this beautiful in December I decided to put on. I still was nervous and still didn’t want to swim.

The river starts out as a nice little river and allows you some time to relax and look around before it starts to build up. It was nice to be back with friends visiting and talking on the river. A couple of miles below the put-in Turner stopped and told us first-timers on this run that things were going to start picking up for the rest of the run. I was nervous again. Turner was right and the rest of the trip kept you on your toes. There are several enjoyable rapids on the remainder of the trip that really keep you on your toes. We were counting rapids, and the real action started at what we counted as rapid number 4 with both Turner and Susan flipping and rolling in the same hole. Seeing Turner get flipped in the hole right in front of me caused my heart to race and my knees to knock. But somehow I made the hole upright and in one piece. After regrouping we headed down river to the next rapid. At the end of rapid number 5 we eddied out and glancing upstream we saw Dave standing on a rock draining his boat. (Those of you who have paddled with Dave know this is not an uncommon sight.) After Dave rejoined us it was on the number 6 where the action continued with Linda deciding to see how the water was for swimming. Then it was on to rapid number 7, which managed to grab John (the rapid was assisted by a fast moving purple projectile.) The rest of the run was free of any carnage and very enjoyable.

All told this was a beautiful winter paddle, on a delightful little river that I can’t wait to catch up on a nice summer day. While not yet ready to join the ranks of the polar bears, and still not looking forward to swimming in the winter water, I am becoming a fan of winter paddling.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Linda Weaver modestly fails to point out that she was the only paddler on this run who did not get her hair wet!

We counted 20 rapids of Class II and above on this 7 mile run, beginning at the bridge at Bean’s Mill (about two miles below the put-in). Approximately 6 or 7 of these are Class III. Rapids 4 through 7 were very long and fairly intricate Class III rapids. Rapid Number 4 has a juicy and somewhat unexpected hole toward the bottom.

The shuttle is a bear, shortest from River right, although one part of the shuttle road was at least Class IV. The roads on River left are better, but longer, more intricate, and not marked at all! None of the locals seem to know where Tenmile is, although we will bear witness that it does exist!