Bouncing off rocks, boofing’ ledges and falling over waterfalls are all part of the day for creek boaters
Looking downstream, the next horizon and treetops below are often only visible. Some call it “treetop boating.”
Glancing back upstream from an eddy, there is almost disbelief that you have just paddled the cataracts and steep drops above. There is rarely time to linger and contemplate.
The next challenge looms ahead. Another split-second decision must be made: Identify a safe route from your boat and execute the move or get out and scout. The wrong decision can bring catastrophic consequences upon you and your companions.
When paddling streams this steep, you have to make almost instantaneous choices on the proper routes down narrow, precipitous chutes and slides, over vertical water falls and through tight, boulder strewn passages, while remaining constantly vigilant for potentially life-threatening hazards. There is an aura of intense excitement and anticipation, and the adrenal glands seem to be gushing instead of merely secreting. This is downriver paddling in the extreme. In the vernacular of the whitewater boating world, it is “steep creeking,” and it’s not for the faint hearted.
Bouncing off rocks, “boofing” steep ledge drops and falling over waterfalls are all part of a day of recreation for creek boaters.
This style of extreme boating requires the absolute highest level of whitewater skills. The ability to ferry your boat or move it laterally across a strong downstream current is essential to a creek boater’s survival, as ferry moves are often necessary to avoid obstructions or other hazards.
The capacity to identify, enter and leave eddies, which are calm spots in rapids created by rocks, islands or irregularities in the shoreline, are skills that must be perfected before creeking is attempted.
Eddies are the primary means of scouting creeks, maintaining boat control and taking much needed respites from the rigorous demands of the sport. Chris Hull of Carrabassett Valley, one of Maine’s premier steep creekers, advises that when running precipitous drops, “It’s all about the last stroke.”
Frequently, the last stroke is a “boof” move, which is a combination of planting the paddle at the lip of a steep or vertical drop and shoving the hips forward in order to propel the boat over downstream hazards.
Steep creeking has been a part of the whitewater boating scene since the sport’s infancy. Until recent years, it was limited to just a few kayakers and canoeists who had the skill and daring to challenge the creeks. The increased popularity of whitewater sports in general, coupled with the availability of professional instruction, much-improved boat designs and better equipment, have caused a surge in interest. The result is that paddlers are successfully navigating creeks on a regular basis that were considered unrunnable just a few years ago. The relatively new sport of steep creeking has been born, and it has its own special boats, gear and considerations.
Exactly where traditional whitewater river boating ends and steep creeking begins is often a little vague. The general distinction is that river boating has bigger volume water with a lower gradient, which is the descending slope of the river. Creeking entails paddling lower volume streams with a steeper gradient.
For instance, Maine’s Dead River, which is a classic whitewater river with 16 miles of rapids, has an average gradient of about 30 feet per mile and frequently has a volume in excess of several thousand cubic feet per second (CFS).
Conversely, the Gulf Hagas section of the West Branch of the Pleasant River, which is one of Maine’s most renowned steep creeks, has an average gradient of about 110 feet per mile, and anything more than a flow of a few hundred CFS would be extremely dangerous. It is not unusual for creek boaters to paddle streams that have a gradient as high as 250 to 300 feet per mile.
A good rule of thumb is that the steeper the gradient and the higher the water volume, the more challenging and dangerous the creek.
Maine has a plethora of outstanding steep creeks, particularly in the western mountains. Such streams as the Sandy, Orbeton, Upper Carrabassett and the East Branch of the Swift River in Western Maine and Cold, Enchanted and Moxie Streams, Gulf Hagas and the East Branch of the Piscataquis River further north have become destination points for creeking enthusiasts from all over North America and beyond. While spring is the prime season for creeking, a soaking rain can bring the water levels up sufficiently from March to December. A good source of information on Maine creeks is the book, “Steep Creeks of New England – A Paddlers Guide.”
By definition, creeking is inherently more difficult and dangerous than most other boating. Many, if not most, creeks are rated at the high end of the International Scale of Difficulty with classifications of Class IV, V and sometimes VI. The potential danger from keeper holes, hydraulics, broaches and river obstructions, such as strainers, grows almost exponentially in creeks. Kayak bow pins, which are almost nonexistent in lower gradient rivers, are a serious threat when paddling steep drops, where a bow can become wedged between submerged rocks and the powerful downstream current, then collapses the boat forward entrapping the occupant.
The many dangers involved in steep creeking have resulted in the development of specialized boats and gear. Creek boats have there own unique design. They are bulbous shaped with a much higher volume than other kayaks. This allows them to ride higher in the water, thereby avoiding many submerged obstacles. It also causes the boat to resurface faster in steep drops, which lowers the risk of bow pins. Most creek boats also have a pronounced bow to stern rocker, which gives them a banana-like shape. This allows them to turn quicker and react faster than other boats. Their high volume tends to enhance their stability despite their radical rocker.
The vast majority of creek boaters use kayaks, as their relatively small size makes them more maneuverable than larger boats, and their closed cockpits make them watertight. Their maneuverability is further enhanced by the use of the double-bladed kayak paddle. A small minority of creekers use canoes. They are usually short, solo vessels tightly outfitted with airbags and equipped with pedestals for seats. Their primary advantages are that the paddler, who is in the kneeling position, has greater visibility, and it is almost impossible to bow pin a canoe. They are much more likely to broach than a kayak and are much less maneuverable due to their larger size and single bladed-paddle.
Regardless of the choice in boats, the necessary equipment is almost uniform. Helmets and life jackets are absolutely essential. Many creek boaters also wear elbow pads and a few have face guards attached to their helmets. Throw bags, which are cloth bags filled with a length of rope, must always be carried, as they are often the only means of rescuing someone who has come out of their boat. Many creekers carry break-down paddles and special rescue kits specifically designed to effect boat and paddler rescues.
There are two essential prerequisites for steep creek boating: A high skill level and a full understanding of the safety considerations. Most creek boaters get professional instruction and then hone their skills on easier whitewater rivers with more experienced paddlers. They also take swift water rescue courses, which are available through most paddling organizations.
The safety concerns should never end with instruction and should be an integral part of every creeking adventure. Trips should consist of teams of skilled paddlers who are fully cognizant of their own abilities and those of their companions. The group should never be smaller than three, as many rescues require at least two people. The size of the group should be kept relatively small, so that everyone can be accounted for at all times. All paddlers should have “bomb-proof” Eskimo rolls.
Steep creeking can be a thoroughly thrilling personal experience that rivals other extreme sports, such as skydiving, rock climbing and mountain biking. But skills and safety should never be compromised, as the potential consequences are too great.
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