Ohiopyle Pa.

[wagionvigil]

Yesterday was an overcast but warm day here in SW Pa. Myself and three friends had made plans to Kayak the Middle Yough from Confluence to Ohiopyle. This was the first real opportunity to try out my new kayak in some rapids. On the way up the Mountain I passed a Troop of scouts hiking to Heritahe Reservation in Farmington,Pa. This is Greater Pitts Camp. Honked and waved got an enthuastic response from the Troop. Got to Ohiopyle and checked in around 8:30 had a cup of Java with my son that is the River manager at Wilderness-Voyaguers. I had arranged to get on the Middle Shuttle for us and have our boats hauled on the trailer good deal for $10.00 each but even better deal when I tried to pay and was told don't worry about it. ANyway got on the River at around 10:15 am level 2.6 which is up a bit for the Middle so you actually have at least 1 class 3 at the level. Usually 2 is the highest. There were two busses of kids so we took the vaan so we could get there before all the rubber arrived. It was a great ride saw only a few ducks but saw many many scouts riding the river trail. Hard to miss those red and green socks.
We mae it to the takeout around 2:30. I stayed fairly dry (need a spray skirt) in the Kayak , Pete and a friend were in a 17' old town which is a stable platform especially with two paddlers to navigate the rocks, Dan was in a Dagger Whitewater Canoe( Danny Swam early on) this is the least stable of the three boats. I was very happy with the Necky Manitou I have it has some scars on it now but it was a fun ride and for my old body easy in and out and really maneuverd quite easily.
WV was having their annual ("Beverage") and Gear Fest and the Companys like Necky ,Orvis, Perception,Old Town had company Reps there to meet and greet. The necky guy was great to talk to and he showed me some toys I can ad to my boat. In discussion he saw I had a couple EMS Items and Asked about them I mentioned I had a close friend that wprked for them he asked who and when I told him He said Pablo is a great Guy. I had not used his store name but his real name. Funny how scouting has a way of allowing you to make new friends through old friends hundeds of miles away from each other.
I plan on doing some flat water trhis week on Cheat Lake in West Virginia about 20 minute drive from home. SO for all you computer jockys get outside and do somthing. I will goas far as to invite you all to come play in my backyard. The LAurel Highlands of Western Pa. A good time is had by all.

[616kayak]

Sounds like a great trip. Wish I could do more kayaking outside of FL. Only whitewater I’ve done is the nantahala in the smokies. Ever done anything further south?

[wagionvigil]

Gauley,New and Cheat in West Virginia

[pipestone1991]

Sounds like a great trip. Wish I could do more kayaking outside of FL. Only whitewater I’ve done is the nantahala in the smokies. Ever done anything further south?

Hey I've done the Nantahala!!!!!!!!!!!I have family down there. My cousin was in that raft last week on Good Morning America.I've done Ohiopyle, great river (forget the name of it lol).......you guys ever do the natural waterslides?

[wagionvigil]

The River is the Youghiogheny Yough(yok) for short.
The meaning in Lenni Lenape is The River That bends upon itself.
Upper Yough Class 4+
Middle Yough Class 2+
Lower Yough Class 3+


Historic Float TRips
Connellsville Pa to Dawson Pa CLass 1 and 2

[616kayak]

you guys ever do the natural waterslides?

Well I don’t know the real name but locals call it bust your butt falls. Its east of the nantahala near Highlands.

As for the nantahala it’s a pretty good river I’ve done it about 4 times. I wanted to do the Ocoee but it’s a little to far from where I usually stay. The AT goes right through Nantahala Outdoor Center which is by far the best whitewater outfitter in the smokies.

[pipestone1991]

Yeah it's huge (the center).....I'm talkin' 'bout the slides in Penn.

[wagionvigil]

Just to let you know that when the water is high Kayaking is done through the water slides. Now there is a real ride!

[pipestone1991]

Just to let you know that when the water is high Kayaking is done through the water slides. Now there is a real ride!

That would......be....so...much...fun

[wagionvigil]

The Yough Outfitters are all up and running. The water level is still up a bit due to all the snow run off and heavy rains last month.

[ronin718]

Well, we've got a month before we do our trip up there. We're planning to be there the weekend of June 8-10, with our runs on Saturday. WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

[pipestone1991]

I need to convince our troop to get back to Ohiopyle......after my Eagle project!

[Hubert]

The most I have done in that sense, was tubing down the Rifle River in MIchigan. Its up north a bit and it was COLD. lol