Tygart River, Arden Section, 5/11/2013
Last night I drove to Summersville, WV and camped in my new VW Jetta Sportwagon at Battle Run Campground. This morning I drove to Philippi, WV to meet Keelhauler Canoe Club members for my first of two runs of the Arden Section of the Tygart River near there. It was my second weekend this year organized by by Dr. David Herron and except for the rain, it couldn't have been better. I got to Philippi early and made a historical tour. This was the location of the first land battle of the civil war and the location of the first amputations on both sides. The level today was 2000cfs. The river started gently and we initially had 13 paddlers for our first run but only 7 made the second run. I especially enjoyed Deception and its offset ledge holes. Undercut was more than Bill and I bargained for and we gave a good show. At Premonition we got to practice our Heinzerling move. Then came the famous Moats Falls with its terrible seive on the right and clean 14 foot drop in the center at the apex. Maybe the most technical rapid was the last one, Classic, which was a very fast big water Gauley-like rapid. As noted, 7 of us made a complete second run and then we ate Mexican and camped in Summersville. It dropped into the 30's that night! What a great day! /hugh
Click a photo to view or click first photo to see a slide show.
