Chupacabra Canoe

Chupacabra on the Greenbrier

June 16 to 21, 2020

We started our trip at approximately 10 AM from Marlboro, OH to
Marlinton, WV, via our bus and trailer. The trailer held 6 canoes and most of our
gear along with crew members, Grumman Master, Summer Sausage Sailor, Animal Control, Seeds, Seacow, Milkman, and Rock Hound.
Beef Chowder with Firestick, J Stroke with Beer Canoeist, arrived soon after. Captain Canoe, Russian Bear, and River Puss a little later, with their canoes. Toward dusk, Munitions Master and Ass Bag joined in. We were, then 16
strong with 8 canoes. We camped for the night at the park in Marlinton. A nearby
Subway Shop proved convenient as we needn’t prepare food that day
Wednesday greeted the group with threatening skies, although the launch
went smoothly. Rain had fallen for several days prior to our arrival and the
Greenbrier was running fast, at an estimated 5 to 7 mph. The fast river makes for
easy travelling, although making a landing along the shore proved difficult at
times. We estimated the water was up 1or 2 feet above normal, obliterating the
beaches, if there were any, thus compounding the difficulty of finding landmarks
for our expected campsites.
With the water water running high, landmarks were often not seen. We
passed up our first campsite, at least we think we did. When searching the shore
line for a likely spot, a boat launch ramp or other access was spotted and we all
stopped to check it out. A large open field greeted our group with a wide path
surrounding an uncut hay field. There were some buildings to the right, nearly a
quarter mile distant, and a locked gate to the left. Those who checked out the
buildings said there was a gate there also, but found no one at the apparent
resort,to answer their inquiries. There was, however, what appeared to be an old
fire ring. The Chupacabras, after consultation decide to camp there.
The tents were set up along the mowed path on the river side of the hay
field, and the old fire ring was given new life. The young boys, Firestick, Seeds and
J Stroke, gathered abundant firewood and some older members started a fire. Most of
us pitched our tents on tarps and used another tarp for a cover over them. Rain was
a constant companion on this excursion and we took adequate safeguards. After
our evening repast, we gathered around the fire and did the the 3 D’s, Discuss,
Discourse an Drinking. It was a good start for this trip.
An uneventful and successful launch found us on the river again. So far any
ripples we’d passed were easy to navigate. The river, where we floated was rated
Class 1 and class 2, but because of the high water levels there were no instances of
bottoming out for any of the canoes. This day, Thursday however put us into some
rougher passages, likely Class 2 rapids.
The Greenbrier had shown, up to this day, light ripples usually all across the width of the flow, and were likely To be considered Class 1 rapids, easily
navigated. Thursday found the Chupacabras facing several of the Class 1 ripples,
but now showing us her serious side were several long and steeper rapids with
some tall standing waves with many white caps among them. These waves were
also, at places, coming in from the side where a creek or stream entered the main
flow. Many of the standing waves, if met head, on would come over the bow.
Coupled with the head on waves were those from the sides, which tended to rock
our crafts side to side, and thereby take water over the gunwales, a more serious
concern. Now imagine this scene; We’re spread out coming through the rapids,
which curve to the left, watching for high waves and rocks, as we make around the
curve, to our left, stern first is Beef Chowder and River Puss, water over the sides, completely
swamped, but upright and still paddling. Our craft was going too fast too get to
them, but they made a landfall and dumped out the canoe and came back
downriver seemingly not in bad shape at all, but seriously damp. Several more
class 2 rapids greeted us on on our cruise that day and although we all took on
some water, none more serious than puddles in the bottom.
Rain, which had plagued us daily began again as we searched for our next
landfall. Mark’s map showed a landing spot not too far ahead so we slowed as
much as we could, stopping occasionally to see what we could We’d stopped at
one such place, clinging to overhanging branches while some got out to scout
ahead on foot. All the canoes were bunched under trees, which provided some
handholds, while the rain, which had been relatively light, came down in heavy
downpours. Milkman had gone scouting and I minded the canoe. Directly in my line of
sight was a tree which had some small leafless branches. One branch was about an
inch above the water when first noticed, and it bent nearly vertical for another 1-
1/2 inches. In 10 minutes the water was up to the lower edge and in another 15
had covered it, and still the rain came down. Fortunately, all the crew were well
equipped with rain gear.
Our next campsite was a couple hundred yards ahead, and we devised a
method to get all the canoes safely ashore.
At the campsite was a grass and dirt slip where we could pull the canoes up to the
level of the site, which was mostly grassy. Additionally, a large tree was only a
couple feet upstream of the slip. Three or four and later more were positioned at
the tree, ready to grab a bow line from the incoming canoe. The canoes, launched
on command of the tree guys, were to have a long, sturdy rope, firmly attached to
the bow, and approaching the landing tree were to toss the line to them. The river ,
flowing as fast ad it was, swept the craft downstream, now stern first, while
landing line was wound around the tree. Then the canoe was pulled ashore, the
line now being held by several landing crew, was towed up the bank to the flat grass. The incoming crew then helped with next one. This operation ran quite
smoothly although the rain continued much abated.
The next project involved 6 to 8 large tarps which were hung in an array,
stretched between trees, making a continuous roof. Other tarps were spread out
under the roof upon which we erected our tents. Altogether a nice little tent city
was born. Some of us, with individual tarps, set up separately,
This spot, a very nice one, was on private land. We attempted to secure
permission to camp there, but the was no one available. We did, however talk to a
neighbor, who said it would likely be okay, if we keep it clean. We stayed and we
did. A fire pit was on the other side of the site with some firewood available. Soon
after we were all ashore, the fire did their thing, but the wood was quite damp and
starting the fire was somewhat difficult. With the fire going, evening meal was the
next project. Thankfully, the rain, which had been with us most of the day, had
ceased and we enjoyed our repast, with the usual recap of our day’s cruise. We
stayed here for a second day. It rained every day of this outing and we were kept
busy try to keep our bilges dry. Several of the group went for a long hike.
When we pushed off on Saturday morning we found we had only a few more
miles to go to our final stopping point. A pleasant little stream with a nice waterfall
beckoned us for a break. Climbing up beside the falls, we found we were on a
walking trail and nearby to the trailhead which was our destination. There were
several hikers, bikers and dog walkers, some of whom we talked to. They said we
were likely within a mile of that spot, a WV state park, where our vehicles would
be.
Slowly, keeping close to the bank where the river flow was slower, we made
our way to the site with little or no problems. A wide paved launch ramp greeted
our arrival and with our vehicles too! The persistent precipitation was quiet this
day although it had rained earlier and would again overnight. We loaded the
canoes on the the trailer and other cars while others set up camp and started a fire
in a hastily improvised fire pit. We were just downstream of a highway bridge, and
upstream of it, several Parachutes launched themselves into the river and floated
down to the launch ramp.
We learned some lessons here, but a good time was had by all.

Submitted 06/29/2020
Rock Hound, Senior Chronicler