AAV/ARSES 2014 Little Juniata Float Trip: April 26 & 27
- Thread starter Haggis
- Start date
We missed you guys! There were several mentions of how nice a camp fire in a can would have been on Friday night as we huddled in my el cheapo sun canopy.
Damn it Cam! I told you I needed to get the 2XL kayak... now I'm stuck in this bloody thing like a cork in a bottle!
Hey boy - don't you walk away... Cam... Campbell Rufus Collins - get back here!
You owe me a cup of coffee, I just spit mine out!
Rain...it dogged Cam and I as we drove down from the Clanhold to the ARSES meeting spot in central Pennsylvania near the town of Alexandria. And it wasn't just the rain but a driving wind also that buffeted our Tundra like some longship our forbearer's would sail across tumultuous seas towards the coast of England. As dusk settled in we arrived at the Greene Hills Campground which is the ARSES base of operation whenever we gather on the shores of the Little Juniata. The Little J you ask...well its a small winding river that flows through the limestone hills just north of Altoona. Really its more of a crick than a river but it offers some great Class II whitewater as it passes under numerous historic stone bridge and through rocky valleys. It is one fun river to float...enough of a challenge to keep an experience paddler happy while still giving novice riders a chance to hone their skills. Though without a doubt there is going to be swimming involved, especially with this group.
With the failing light and a slight slackening of the constant rain Cam and I got camp set up with the help of a bunch of ARSES. This night we found Al, Adam and Matt milling around the campsite as well as members of our junior varsity team Jimmy and Jay. Once camp was set the rain picked back up and we all huddled under Al's canopy wishing James and Elizabeth had come and brought their Campfire-in-a-Can contraption. As the river was gauging low we hoped that the rain at least would put the crick in a better water level for the float tomorrow. The night was spent catching up and joking around much of it centered on prepping Jimmy for his bare-back bear ride for his advancement in the ARSES hierarchy. Soon we went to bed with the sound of rain on the tent and the shrill train whistles ringing down the valley every 40 minutes...all damn night long.
The next morning, up and ready for the day, we waited for Chip to show up and for the temps to get a little warmer too. Soon enough Chip rolled in and we headed up towards the town of Tyrone where we would be putting in the boats. Once at the put-in we got the boats unloaded and the gear ready. Cam got caught with his pants down...
Than when the boats were ready to launch....
...our fleet slid into the swift current of the Little J. The water was at the lowest level we had ever run it but though a few more inches would have made for a wilder ride we never had to walk the boats...there was some butt sckewching necessary from time to time through out the day. The rapids were tamer with the lower water but fun never the less. Soon we were passing under the numerous old bridges that make up a lot of the charm of this river. Than there was the fact that it was early into trout season and as the Little J is one of the premier fly fishing waters in the state we had to dodge Orvis wearing water frothers from time to time.
As the waters carried us downstream we cut through troughs and standing waves, dodged strainers and lurking rocks, spooked ducks and geese and enjoyed the flow of the valley around us. Sorry there's no action shots but its hard to snap a photo while trying to keep your boat upright through the harder stuff.
Cam was "representin'"...
So was I...
We came across this little guy sunning himself as we beached for a rest stop...
What's that? Was there swimming involved? Well hell yeah...this is an ARSES float after all and we can tip a boat in the flattest of waters...just ask Cam. We had two and a half swimmers this time around, Jimmy almost rolled but at the last minute in an act of desperation managed to brace the boat right at the last second. His boat was swamped but he kept it upright. Cam was floating sideways in a flat spot BSing with Jay the younger when he suddenly saw a low flat rock at his side. With Jay in the way Cam had the choice to sink Jay or take the plunge himself...Can choose the full roll and immersion and kicked out of his boat. That water was damn cold and after we had gathered his boat and gear we had him strip down, towel off and put some dry clothes on. Thank the paddling gods for the invention of dry bags. Chip was the last swimmer when he lost a wrestling match with a strainer in a swift current.
At the last rapids, just 500 yards or so from the campground we came across a wicked strainer at the entrance. With the water level low there was no real entrance other than a butt skewtch over the gravel bar which Chip and Matt did. Al tried to run under the strainer but got caught though he managed to get through. Adam and I had the young guns portage past the strainer as we felt it was the wisest course of action. Later we found out that a group of fisherman on a creek catamaran had crashed into that strainer doing some damage to their raft and causing them to soil their khakis. This was their ride...
Than it was back to camp. The smell of diners cooking soon filled the campsites; Al and his crew grillin' burgers, Cam and I did wild turkey over rice and Matt baked up some kick-ass monk fish in the coals of the fire. Chip did a Subway run...
That night the temperature dropped and the wind howled, it was brrr arse cold that night. The next morning found us layering up with whatever warm clothes we could find. We decided that the strainer had to go before somebody got caught in it and something bad happened to a fellow paddler or a fisherman. So we gathered up some wood butchering tools and trekked up the crick to get it done. The catamarn had knocked the snag farther into the water so now there was no chance to shoot under it.
The boys provided the horsepower while us elder statesman gave sage advice. Jimmy, Cam and Jay took turns until finally the tree broke lose and floated downstream.
We probably should have shouted "Timber!" or maybe "Floater" to warn the trout fisherman below but watching them run for their lives as a tree came barreling down the rapids at them was quite entertaining. The snag made it to a good safe spot along the banks so it shouldn't cause any trouble from here on in. On the way back we checked out an old coke furnace...
Than it was back to camp to pack all the gear up and make ready for the return trip home. Its always a bit of a bummer when these trips come to an end as these guys are a great bunch and a pleasure to hang out with. All to soon we were back on the road remembering all the fun we had over the last few days. But not to worry we all will gather together with a bunch more ARSES here in just a few weeks as we get ready to take on the Pine Creek Gorge. Come on along. we're always looking for new victi...members to join in on the fun
With the failing light and a slight slackening of the constant rain Cam and I got camp set up with the help of a bunch of ARSES. This night we found Al, Adam and Matt milling around the campsite as well as members of our junior varsity team Jimmy and Jay. Once camp was set the rain picked back up and we all huddled under Al's canopy wishing James and Elizabeth had come and brought their Campfire-in-a-Can contraption. As the river was gauging low we hoped that the rain at least would put the crick in a better water level for the float tomorrow. The night was spent catching up and joking around much of it centered on prepping Jimmy for his bare-back bear ride for his advancement in the ARSES hierarchy. Soon we went to bed with the sound of rain on the tent and the shrill train whistles ringing down the valley every 40 minutes...all damn night long.
The next morning, up and ready for the day, we waited for Chip to show up and for the temps to get a little warmer too. Soon enough Chip rolled in and we headed up towards the town of Tyrone where we would be putting in the boats. Once at the put-in we got the boats unloaded and the gear ready. Cam got caught with his pants down...
Than when the boats were ready to launch....
...our fleet slid into the swift current of the Little J. The water was at the lowest level we had ever run it but though a few more inches would have made for a wilder ride we never had to walk the boats...there was some butt sckewching necessary from time to time through out the day. The rapids were tamer with the lower water but fun never the less. Soon we were passing under the numerous old bridges that make up a lot of the charm of this river. Than there was the fact that it was early into trout season and as the Little J is one of the premier fly fishing waters in the state we had to dodge Orvis wearing water frothers from time to time.
As the waters carried us downstream we cut through troughs and standing waves, dodged strainers and lurking rocks, spooked ducks and geese and enjoyed the flow of the valley around us. Sorry there's no action shots but its hard to snap a photo while trying to keep your boat upright through the harder stuff.
Cam was "representin'"...
So was I...
We came across this little guy sunning himself as we beached for a rest stop...
What's that? Was there swimming involved? Well hell yeah...this is an ARSES float after all and we can tip a boat in the flattest of waters...just ask Cam. We had two and a half swimmers this time around, Jimmy almost rolled but at the last minute in an act of desperation managed to brace the boat right at the last second. His boat was swamped but he kept it upright. Cam was floating sideways in a flat spot BSing with Jay the younger when he suddenly saw a low flat rock at his side. With Jay in the way Cam had the choice to sink Jay or take the plunge himself...Can choose the full roll and immersion and kicked out of his boat. That water was damn cold and after we had gathered his boat and gear we had him strip down, towel off and put some dry clothes on. Thank the paddling gods for the invention of dry bags. Chip was the last swimmer when he lost a wrestling match with a strainer in a swift current.
At the last rapids, just 500 yards or so from the campground we came across a wicked strainer at the entrance. With the water level low there was no real entrance other than a butt skewtch over the gravel bar which Chip and Matt did. Al tried to run under the strainer but got caught though he managed to get through. Adam and I had the young guns portage past the strainer as we felt it was the wisest course of action. Later we found out that a group of fisherman on a creek catamaran had crashed into that strainer doing some damage to their raft and causing them to soil their khakis. This was their ride...
Than it was back to camp. The smell of diners cooking soon filled the campsites; Al and his crew grillin' burgers, Cam and I did wild turkey over rice and Matt baked up some kick-ass monk fish in the coals of the fire. Chip did a Subway run...
That night the temperature dropped and the wind howled, it was brrr arse cold that night. The next morning found us layering up with whatever warm clothes we could find. We decided that the strainer had to go before somebody got caught in it and something bad happened to a fellow paddler or a fisherman. So we gathered up some wood butchering tools and trekked up the crick to get it done. The catamarn had knocked the snag farther into the water so now there was no chance to shoot under it.
The boys provided the horsepower while us elder statesman gave sage advice. Jimmy, Cam and Jay took turns until finally the tree broke lose and floated downstream.
We probably should have shouted "Timber!" or maybe "Floater" to warn the trout fisherman below but watching them run for their lives as a tree came barreling down the rapids at them was quite entertaining. The snag made it to a good safe spot along the banks so it shouldn't cause any trouble from here on in. On the way back we checked out an old coke furnace...
Than it was back to camp to pack all the gear up and make ready for the return trip home. Its always a bit of a bummer when these trips come to an end as these guys are a great bunch and a pleasure to hang out with. All to soon we were back on the road remembering all the fun we had over the last few days. But not to worry we all will gather together with a bunch more ARSES here in just a few weeks as we get ready to take on the Pine Creek Gorge. Come on along. we're always looking for new victi...members to join in on the fun
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Well you have notice a progression whence we first ran this creek from long, open top canoes to short skirted kayaks right? A tandem will work fine though.
That was funny and not to far from the truth. Except for the Rufus bit...Cam's actual middle name is the same as Tim's..."Smartass".
...Jay and Jimmie hiding in the background
With those shorts they were wearing they ain't hiding so well. Al needs to work on their camouflage skills.
I try to guide the young ones with a method that employees tough love, darwinism and ridicule. My advice was only to bring water shoes and swim suits. I was not expecting plaid!
I was super proud of Jimmy, this being his first time on moving water and second time roughing it at camp, but I'd never tell him that
I had a great time. Thanks to all who made it happen.
On a side note, I am working out the rules on a game called "Capture the Tag" It involves wrestling down flyfishermen an cutting off Orivs tags. You get bonus points if you climb the bank and pry the Range Rover emblems off their cars.
It's funny, 95% of the fishermen are super cool and friendly. Then there is the 5% who let you know that you are personally ruining their homo erotic, river runs through it, fantasy. I may run suspenders and a Moorish teak accented drift boat next year.
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Great tale Mark, thanks!
X2! Jimmy is a hell of a great kid...good sense of humor, doesn't complain, is polite as they come and fun to hang out with. All the members of the junior varsity ARSES team are a great bunch of kids, and its great to see them get along so well. Cam's biggest complaint is that we live to far away fom you guys to hang out more. Here's a pic of Jimmy on the river for the first time taken by Chip...)
And speaking of Chip here are some liberated pics of his I liked...
Al Swope said:
Agreed, most fisherman are quite friendly and happy to share the waters especially when we as a group go way out of our way to not disturb them while they enjoy their hobby. But there's always a few that seem to think the river is just there for their enjoyment. And if that leopard print bandana wearing stick waver would have made one more back snap at me with his fly rod or opened his fool mouth we would have had a donnybrook in the Juniata. He settled right down when I threaten to jump out of my 'yak and roll his ass in the river. I'm glad it didn't come to that 'cause its probably less than intimidating when you fall out of a kayak trying to undo a skirt while wearing a short bus helmet on yer way to kick some fool's ass.
You guys obviously had a great time on the river. I would love to join one of your trips. The fly fishers are always a quandary when paddling. I think Al has a good plan for those who "own the river." Always a good reason to carry a river knife on your vest to relieve them of a misplaced fly (or tie it to the stern grab handle and commence paddling).
Great report and photos.
-Andy
It would be a pleasure sir. Look for us and our boats in NC this fall...there will be a heavy ARSES presence at the ARV14.
Grumps said:
Thank you very much from all of us!
I am definitely bringing the boat to ARV, can't wait. Now if we can just squeeze Tango into a kayak .....I'm still chuckling over his re-captioning that photo.
-Andy
