Most of us rode the left side of the wave train while a few of the more daring paddlers caught eddies next to the wall and attempted to surf the surging waves.Ĭhowderheads skirted a large boat-flipping hole with the unpleasant moniker Dory Eater as Big Black continued. Just below, the powerful current careened against sheer rock walls on river right resulting in a long stretch of substantial exploding waves. Proceeding around a sweeping right turn, we could see large swells marking the beginning of Big Black. We slowed to let one company move ahead while continuing a pace sufficient to stay in front of the other. Launching amidst two rafting companies, we immediately attempted to separate ourselves in preparation for the longest most difficult sector of whitewater of the day, extensive Big Black Brook Rapid. Several years had elapsed since we last shared a shredder, so we expected to be challenged especially by the large waves in Big Black Brook Rapid.
Nancy’s shredder is a two-person inflatable boat propelled by single blade paddles. Ten Chowderheads navigated three solo kayaks, a solo canoe, a tandem canoe, a tandem inflatable kayak, and Nancy and I were in a shredder. Our enthusiastic group paddled an assortment of boats. Our strategy was to ensure there was adequate space separating us prior to entering the more demanding rapids. Smaller crafts are always the losers when such collisions occur. The prospect of collisions with large rafts in difficult rapids was a concern. We would paddle amongst several rafting companies for our entire outing. Gathered next to the shore was a mass of rafts loading supplies and exchanging passengers for the remainder of their journey. The rafting release had arrived by the time we reached the river and the fish flow contingent was anxiously waiting to paddle. Kayakers, canoeists, inflatable boaters and rafters were climbing and descending the busy stairway when we toted our boats down. On a typical summer weekend, the Kennebec River between Harris Dam and West Forks is a bustling place.
The Carry Brook excursion begins with a steep carry down a long twisting staircase to the river. We left a shuttle vehicle in West Forks and a kayaker joined Nancy and me for the drive to Carry Brook. An inflatable kayak prepares to enter Big Black Brook Rapid. Left to right, A shredder is loaded at Carry Brook on the Kennebec River.
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