Fording the Kennebec

imported
#1

Looking for opinions on this. I am strongly against this practice as I have seen first hand how this stream can so quickly rise during a release. At least one hiker this year has done it and apparently there is an “expert” out there providing advice on how to do it. To me this is/would be no different than giving thru hikers instruction on swimming across the Connecticut or Androscoggin River, or running across the various Interstate highways they encouter instead of using the bridges or the ferry. Maybe it’s just me, so I wanted to see what others think of this before I take this person to task for lecturing on this (IMO) dangerous practice.

Chris

#2

Chris,…
If you want to stay on the official Appalachian Trail when you reach the Kennebeck river, you will neeed to follow the white blazes. There is a white blaze painted on the bottom of the ferry canoe, that is the ONLY official route recognized by ATC, and the safest I might add. I used the ferry a few years ago, and enjoyed talking with Steve Longley. I sure hope you can put this information to good use.
Have A SAFE Hike

The Mechanical Man

#3

so what. these aren’t children. they can make up their own minds whether they want to swim the Kennebec or run across a highway.

0101

#4

Well, I have never seen the river, but I do know that it is highly discouraged and hikers have died before trying it. I don’t think it is worth risking ones life to save an hour or so. If someone wants to risk it all, it should be their decision, not based on some fellow encouraging foolishness by giving lessons on how to do it. That’s my take. If I were hiking the trail, I would follow the suggestions and use the boat.

Moon Man

#5

Go to:

http://whiteblaze.net/

Do a search on the Kennebec and read the opinions. Please God, do not create another thread on the topic there.

Warren

#6

Yeah, I saw that the most recent discussion in there has been CLOSED. If posting here makes even one person reconsider not attempting this FOOLISH, LIFE THREATING undertaking, then it’s worth it. Maybe someone should set up a lecture series instructing thru-hikers in how to “ford” the various Interstate highways the encounter on foot instead of using the overpasses or footbridges that are available. That would make about as much sense as telling them it’s safe to ford the Kennebec. It’s never safe. Lose your footing on the “rock bar” with a 40 lb pack on your back, yeah…what a THRILL!

Chris

#7

I used the canoe service when I crossed in '04 and highly recommend using it. However, having said that, I don’t think it’s nearly as dangerous as everyone thinks it is - IF (and that is a really BIG IF) you are prepared for swimming with your pack. I know of one person who did it, along with his two sons. I wasn’t there, but I understand a heated argument ensued with the canoe operator and the authorities were called. They didn’t issue any tickets because, one - it’s legal and two - the guy and his kids were fully prepared for deep water. Most backpackers aren’t prepared for deep water and should take the canoe.

Bear Bag Hanger

#8

I’M NOT FAMIULAR WITH THE KENNEBECK.I have a lot of Stripper fishing experience behind Dams where the fish are.Behind a dam is probly 10 time more dangerous than running with the bulls. It is dangerous in a boat if you don’t have a lot of experience.even more dangerous in a canoe, but if it is far enough away from a dam you can’t hear a warning whistle by FOOT is intirely out of the question. If the water rises a foot it might as well be forty foot . On slick rocks you will lose your feet then you are under rushing water with a back pack. I f a wave in the ocean knocks you down you can get back up. A surg behind a dam is a continuos surg with no relief behind the wave. If it rises more than a foot start multipling by the hundreds . Try fighting a big fire hose. If you do try it on foot empty your water bladers and fill them with air before you start across. This will help search and rescue personel that risk their lifes to find your bodies faster so they can go home and tell their families what a stupid thing happened today. And when there is a blaze floating in a boat your not chasing. I’ve seen to many people behind dams drawn . Some in boats over stupid mistakes ,but mostly off the banks where they wasn’t even near the waters edge. the water rose and swept them away feet first. Never to be seen again until Search and Rescue found them. This may sound crud, but its true. Calm water needs all the respect you can muster, but rapid water there is not a word,and whatever it is water doesn’t know either. I’d rather swim in a shark tank.Just one little slip without a pack your had. With a pack on your one little slip changes to your worst nightmare that has no awakening.There are a lot of different reasons way people hike. I’ve heard a lot of them but never to risk their life,or die.
Sorry I’ve just seen to much behind dams and had alot of trips ruined because of the shadows of a tragic accident. If not for yourself think of all the people that will be effected by your one crazy disission. Family , Friends, Fellow Hikers, Bystanders, Rescue Personel and their families.This may just be my cheap little 2 cents worth .but I HOPE 1 PERSON LISTENS AND SO I DID MY PART.
IS THAT ONE PERSON YOU?

Roudy Roger

#9

Good post. It made me stop and think - hopefully it will do the same for others.

Rick

#10

i actually forded with some friends when the dam had already been opened. i didn’t have a pack and am a strong swimmer, so i didn’t have a problem and didn’t get swept downstream. friends with me who weren’t strong swimmers had some problems, though. Does the water move fast? sure. And most of the way I couldn’t touch the bottom. But it’s also not this giant, crushing wave that will unquestionably drown any hiker who happens to get caught up in it. The fact remains that only one hiker of the thousands who have forded has died doing this.

bit it’s a risk like any other, and the risks are listed very plainly in every guidebook a hiker can use. so past that, a hiker can do whatever they want.

0101

#11

Why doesn’t the ATC team up with local officials and build a bridge?
It would be a cool project to be involved in, and I would volunteer and give some money.
If we started today we could have enough money for the project before I am dead.
I believe that the world has its “7 wonders of the World” The Appalachian is one of our “7 wonders”.
So lets dress her up a bit!

just a thought…

Rico suave’

#12

Why not add a “people-mover” to the bridge, then hikers wouldn’t even have to move their feet? The Kennebec R. and Steve’s ferry are part of what makes the AT special, so let’s fight all attempts to take out the unique challenges along the way. I agree that trying to ford is very risky, but I understand why some thru-hikers do it. By the time a nobo gets there, he/she has the confidence of Superman. Some are in a hurry and don’t want to wait half a day or more for the ferry. Several 07 nobo’s have forded already, and the first of the 06 class did it last year, although he lost some expensive electronic gear when he got dunked. Take out the Kennebec? You might as well bypass Mt. Washington.

Mango

#13

I have safely forded the Kennebec about two dozen times. I have only attempted it when I deemed it safe to do so. I also have seen about five dozen other hikers ford it without incident simply because they forded it when it was safe to do so.

I can think about at least a dozen fords I have done in rain-swollen streams/rivers in VT/NH/ME and snowmelt-swollen creeks on the JMT that were far more riskier than the Kennebec at low water levels - usually in the early morning before 8am after the Maine snowmelt (and as long as there hasn’t been recent abnormal, heavy rainfall in the upriver watershed during the summer months of July and August and September).
I do not agree with people who say that fording the Kennebec is unsafe at any time. This position is too alarmist for me.

warren doyle

#14

No doubt in my mind some of US can dozens of times.Even swimming in deep water. Why risk it? There is another way! If there was no other way sure . Lets say any time afternoon get to the water slightly fatigued start swiming and get a cramp is the water going to forgive you. I think not. Sometimes a dry rock will throw you OR me. Whos to say when it’s safe if you have no idea if the gates open when your half way across. Maybe you or I could make it safely across. Even if we are the very best the water presure could turn an ankle enough to slip a foot and lose balance. If we bump our head it may not mater how good we where. Saying it is safe could make a half way good swimmer think maybe so. Around half way across is to far for someone to figure maybe I listened to the wrong one. Then add a 25 to 45 maybe even more pounds pack to the edge of fear their realizing by now.If panic was to pay a visit what is going to happen? Maybe they will pull through I hope. I was raised on water and can swim like a fish.I know you’ll like this ,I almost drawnd with a lifejacket on before. Deep water in waves no rocks and in the ocean. One little face wash got strangled and damn near bought the farm. Water has no mercy no time. Add a current , rocks and no life jacket.No-one is going to carry a lifejacket. I’ll face it if its your time to go the boat could sink ,but thats where I’m going to bet all my money.
I’m in no way on your case. I understand what your saying also. I just want all the ducks counted before the river ,in the river and after the river. We can not said its possible or safe enough for everyone to start trying it. I’ll be glad to back off my alarmist if we can make a Compromise to help fellow hikers better understand what could happen .Which is a good thing ,they have heard both our sides to weigh out their own oppinion.So one very experienced person has crossed it dozens of times ,and someone else advises you better be Sure your ready for this before you wet your first foot. Half way is to late to to change your mind. Lets all hike from one end to the other end as safely as possible. That should be all our goals not to get hurt cut bite bruised or drownd . I have to go back to work when I get done hiking. Uncle Sam wouldn’t want to support me.

Roudy Roger

#15

I took the ferry across with Steve as the water was being released by the dam. I am a strong and confident swimmer but that water rises fast. When we first got to the river it was a very manageable river to ford, but when we got to the middle of it (as the water was rising) it was a totally different story. I would not have wanted to be out there in the middle when the water rose. I think the safest option to ford the river would be to consult with Steve and have him down stream of you when you are fording. He knows the water release times and is also one of the most experienced person with this river.

Point2marc

#16

How can anyone declare they only tried fording “only when it was deemed safe to do so” when they have absolutely no clue as to when the power company may unleash a release upstream? I was fly-fishing along the Penobscot below the Ripogenous dam in 1989 and would have died and probably been swept downstream all the way to the Atlantic ocean if I hadn’t heard (what turned out to be the final) blast of the warning horn. I beat feet up the rocks to the shore with only a few minutes to spare before the water came roaring down. I’ll never forget it. In case someone needs a visual: outfitters conduct regular white-water rafting trips on the river. Some of the rapids are off the charts. I have never ventured more than a few quick jumps off the shore since on that river. I have also fished this area of the Kennebec as well and have seen it during a release. You could get a foot trapped between a couple of bolders on the bottom or a sunken branch and in that current you are going to go under with you head and upper body facing downstream and you aren’t going to be able come back up, even if you did manage to jettison your heavy pack. Saying you did it is one thing. Encouraging others is another matter. The AT crosses I90 via a footbridge in western Massachusetts. Do you think I should try running across it on foot and if I survive, start a lecture series on how you can accomplish it too? Makes about as much sense and telling someone to ford the Kennebec “when it’s safe to do so” because hey…“I did it and I didn’t die!!!”

Chris

#17

Many hikers who ford the Kennebec River are not carrying a pack but you never hear that part of the story. Five hikers have forded the river so far in 2007 and about 300 have taken the free ferry across. Four of those hikers had their packs dropped off on my property without my permission. They formed a chain between the members and started across only to have the river seperate the group, at which time it became a swim for your life or drown trying. No one was more thankful than I that they made it safely across the mighty Kennebec at about 6,500 cfs. The other hiker arrived to the Kennebec River, saw that the level was high, set up camp and proceeded across on foot the next morning at 5am. He had been told how to ford by Warren Doyle. One person’s freedom of choice to jump in the frying pan not only puts that person’s life in jeopardy but also the good samaritan who jumps in to save them. Veteran hikers have an unwritten code of ethics including respect for the trail and respect for those persons who are officially authorized to protect the people hiking the trail. Steve the ferryman

ferryman

#18

Ask, Zipdrive what happened to him when he tried to ford the Kennebec.

Papa Smurf