AMC CANOE COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT
SEPTEMBER 10, 2002
(Edited for Web Posting - March 2004)

Written by Dave Lanman, Co-chair

Dave Lanman and Dave Wallace put together the paddling schedule this season which started with Ken Gordon’s rolling sessions in March and ended, officially at least, with the annual AMC/MOAC two and a half day Errol New Hampshire weekend on the Androscoggin. In all, some thirty trips were scheduled for the season. There have been a number of off schedule events since, including sea kayak trips and trips on the Dead. 

Scheduled trips ranged from flat water on the Ellis, to Class 1-2 trips on the Sheepscot  and  Carrabassett to Class 3-4 trips on the Dead, the Webb and Swift and Kennebago. The Kenduskeag and Passy (Passagassawakeag) races provided that extra rush of competition at excellent water levels.  Participation rates ranged from 33 paddlers for one event to only 3 for another event. There was a mixture of clubs participating at practically all events. 

It was a season of contrasts . Some trips were cancelled or rescheduled due to weather  and high, or low, water, and there were a number of remarks on trip reports about unexpectedly cold temperatures and wind.  Ken Hutchins, who leads an annual trip on the middle Saco, had been concerned about the water levels being too low the day before the trip.  But when participants arrived at the meeting place, much to the surprise of all, the Saco was at flood level and not safely runnable, a result of some overnight heavy rain fall and snow pack melt in the Mt. Washington vicinity.  The group went off and did the Ossipee instead, which had normal water levels due to a different water shed.  Morrill Nason remarked that the Kennebago an April 21 was the highest he had ever run it. “Definitely a Class 4.” The Sheepscot went from high and wavy to technical and scratchy and back up again with more rain. 

Carolyn Welch and Dave Lanman once again led a trip, jointly this year with the a New Hampshire AMC, down the 110 miles of the St. John River from Baker Lake to Dickey.  Although in previous years there had been frost on the tents at night, the days had been relatively mild. This year, we were hit with horizontal snow and sleet that stopped the trip the second day after only three miles. Fortunately, the group landed at one of the only camps sites with a cabin. It was close quarters, but we were able to dry off and warm up body and soul by the wood stove.  We were fortunate, as some other groups had some hypothermia to deal with, though all got to safety on time. 

Our appreciation to Dave Wallace for putting together the Class 3+ part of the schedule, and for the willingness of some veterans like Ron Chase, Morrill Nason, Dave Duggan, and Rich Roughgarden to lead some of the big water adventures.  

Carolyn Welch, our tireless retiree, who can take an under-subscribed  or non-scheduled event and turn it into a friendly floating mob through her telephone contacts, deserves a lot of thanks.  

Bob Sheckley, who couldn’t paddle much this year, handled a lot of the necessary but tedious clerical work (getting out trip report blanks, etc.), without which the information flow would not have occurred.  

Following is a list of leaders we would like to recognize for their willingness to lead trips although some trips may have been cancelled due to weather, etc

Leaders leading more than three trips: 

Carolyn Welch
Dave Lanman
Dave Wallace

Leaders or Co-leaders leading at least one trip:

Ken Hutchins
Rich Roughgarden
Bob Collins
Bob Gonyea
Dave Duggan
Morril Nason
Ron Chase
Dave Plummer
Laura Higgins
Lori White
Bob Radowicz
Mel McCorrison
Moe Galarneau
Ken Gordon
Larry Totten
Rocky Nason
John Gates
Rodney Reed
Rick Reed
Don Skofield
Randy Berube