Northern PA Scout - The Start Of Spring 2012 Projects

Scout [ skout] : a person sent out to obtain information.

This past weekend Eric Adsit and I set out to scout my local area for some river running opportunities in the spring. Eric has found multiple first Descents and new sections of rivers in and around his home in the Adirondacks, one only an hour away from his house, which will become a classic run in the future.  

With very little water in the area, we walked a couple creeks looking for potential drops and most importantly access points for descents in the spring.

Adding a person to a photo of a drop, brings the drop to scale, a very useful tool when scouting.

We bush wacked down Miners Run, a low volume, steep, manky class 5 run.  We had heard that Jim Straka had run some of the drops close to 13 years ago. The beta we had, was that it was full of wood. Due to Hurricane Irene that is not the case now, but some boulders are situated in very precarious positions making for some very interesting looking drops. Thanks Irene!

Eric taking a break from walking and enjoying some bouldering

MIners Run Dropping 

After my source to sea expedition with Planet River I have been inspired to look at the upper sections of rivers, above the sections, which are generally paddled.

Looking Up Stream - Rock Run, PA 

I had the opportunity to take a few friends down Rock Run, my local creek, in the late summer. Everyone agreed the river was one of the most beautiful creeks around. This was the motivation to make the section we paddle longer. Eric and I walked for a couple hours upstream finding some tributaries, a few little gorges with what looks like the most technical drop on the section along with a spooky looking house. Success, this will make the run about a mile longer if you walk your boat a mile upstream.

Eric Taking A long Look

River Crossing

The Sun Finally Came Out For A Brief Minute

I had the opportunity to take a few friends down Rock Run, my local creek, in the late summer. Everyone agreed the river was one of the most beautiful creeks around. This was the motivation to make the section we paddle longer. Eric and I walked for a couple hours upstream finding some tributaries, a few little gorges with what looks like the most technical drop on the section along with a spooky looking house. Success, this will make the run about a mile longer if you walk your boat a mile upstream.

Tributary To Rock Run

The next river we scouted, well let’s just saw was the icing on the cake for the day… I’ll leave it at that for now… 

When you look for it, it's funny what you find in your own back yard.