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Post by clayton on Jun 27, 2014 11:37:04 GMT -5
These are the official, preliminary details about this exciting new event: First ever Canoe-Kayak race between Indian Island and Brewer on the free flowing, scenic Penobscot River Sponsored/hosted by the Penobscot Nation Sunday, August 3. 9 am start at the north end of Indian Island Portage at Milford Dam 15.5 miles of mixed fast-water and class 1-3 rapids. Elapsed times will be 2-3 hours depending on flow, paddler ability and boat. Five significant rapids from class 2-3+. All with class 2 to 2+ options for intermediate or better paddlers. French Island - Class 2 Great Works - Class 2-3 Basin Mills - Class 2-3+ Veazie Dam to Eddington Bend - Class 2-4 Bangor Dam - Flatwater to Class 3. Finish line between Penobscot and Chamberlain Bridges on the Brewer side. Awards ceremony at Indian Island in conjunction with Penobscot Nation Summer Pageant. tides.mobilegeographics.com/locations/363.html link to Bangor Tide chart waterdata.usgs.gov/me/nwis/uv?site_no=01036390 link to Penobscot River level in Eddington Gauge ht of 4 ft and less is lower and easier. 5-1/2 ft and higher is wetter, faster, heavier current, Historical average level is 3-4 ft for the month of August. I encourage all MaCKRO members to try out this gem this summer and plan to participate in this landmark first race. You wont be disappointed. I will post a detailed river description. Email me with any questions: c1cole@roadrunner.com
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Post by Ray Wirth on Jul 2, 2014 7:10:52 GMT -5
Sounds great. Thank you, Clayton for organizing this.
Will this likely be a mass start? If the level is 3 to 4 feet (as we might expect), will there be scratchy sections that would indicate a plastic boat rather than a kevlar one?
I'll try to get up there and run it sometime in the next month and will take some photos/video and post them here if I do.
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Post by Ray Wirth on Jul 16, 2014 8:26:30 GMT -5
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Post by ericrjones on Jul 17, 2014 14:50:35 GMT -5
Will it be possible to have a pit crew stationed at the portage? I realize it is only 1.5 miles into the race, but it would be nice not to have to carry our drink jugs over the portage.
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Post by clayton on Jul 18, 2014 9:03:35 GMT -5
I expect that a pit at the portage would be acceptable, as long as the food and beverage containers are traditional native american birch bark and ash strip construction ;>)
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Post by Dan Baumert on Jul 18, 2014 15:25:09 GMT -5
"Volunteers are need for the 1st Annual Bashabez Run Penobscot River Canoe & Kayak Race on Sunday August 3, 2014. Specifically needed are 1 to 4 paddlers with boats – canoe or kayak- who would be comfortable paddling down the river with or behind the group of racers. Contact Clayton Cole 285-7886 office, 944-0856 cell, or c1cole@roadrunner.com if you would be willing to help."
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Post by clayton on Jul 23, 2014 7:34:04 GMT -5
Great to hear from some members about running sweep. I think we are now all set with sweep volunteers. I would like to see as many MACKRO paddlers race as possible. To that end for those wanting to get a taste of the river and coordinate a shuttle, I am planning to run it this Sunday 7/27, and again on Sat 8/2, the day before the race. Probably 9am in the morning both days.
Once I can nail a time down I will post again here. The river is steadily dropping and may end up more of a bony class 2 in many sections rather than the higher fast water we have seen for the last 8 weeks
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Post by clayton on Jul 26, 2014 6:36:53 GMT -5
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Post by clayton on Jul 26, 2014 17:58:06 GMT -5
Confirming the run tomorrow morning Please meet at Eddington Salmon Club at 8 am to shuttle to Old Town River Park.
You will be off the river early!!
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Post by Ray Wirth on Jul 28, 2014 13:32:29 GMT -5
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Post by clayton on Jul 28, 2014 15:15:42 GMT -5
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Post by Ray Wirth on Jul 30, 2014 21:51:35 GMT -5
I'm looking to run the Bashabez course this Friday. Am somewhat flexible in terms of time. Email me at ray at touringkayaks.com if interested.
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Post by ericrjones on Jul 31, 2014 8:57:24 GMT -5
OK, no holding out on us Southerners: any additional insights after last weekend's paddle?
Also, if I'm reading the gauge correctly, seems like the Penobscot has risen almost a foot (33%) since Monday. Is it likely to stay in the 4' range on Sunday? Is there water coming from somewhere? I realize that 25% of the state of Maine drains out through the Penobscot, so maybe it's just been raining.
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Post by Ray Wirth on Jul 31, 2014 19:47:56 GMT -5
I am planning to do a run tomorrow morning and will post some photos and comments -- and possibly video -- by Saturday morning.
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Post by clayton on Aug 1, 2014 9:16:29 GMT -5
For Eric and others: No holding out here, trying to get as much free info out as time permits. Please read my river description above. It remains as accurate a description as you will get without running it. Pictures and videos are good but may not do justice: the river is so wide that the perspective can alter the appearance making it look more or less challenging. I will ask Ray to post a picture taken Sunday at Basin Mills with two canoes, level: 3.5 ft Knowing that you (Eric) can maneuver a Penobscot through a slalom course with a JR in the boat.... I think you will find these three class 2-2+ rapids in your comfort zone The river will probably remain in the 3.5-4.5 ft range; what I consider a friendly open canoe/downriver level. I promise you will have a big smile at the finish!!
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