Wet Rocks are Good Rocks (for paddlers anyhow)

This generally means it is raining or has been raining, which hasn't happened around here in almost 90 days. Thank goodness for dam releases and Great Falls, two things you can always count on in times of no water.
The rain started falling yesterday morning so we celebrated with a Wednesday morning Dawn Patrol. We had a good crew for this run, Brett, Ian, and eventually John joined as he couldn't bear the thought of not getting a lap in. We were on the water by 6:30am and made the first decent of the Maryland side just as the sun was rising through the rain clouds.
Ian and I headed up for another run. The scramble back up was made more difficult by the soaked rocks. The second run went off well. Ian had a close call with Horseshoe, but kept it together and was fine. What a great way to start the morning off!

The rain has kept falling which gives a good weekend outlook, but the more imeadiate intrest is the Potomac. It has finally risen enough to run the VA side. Billy and I left work around 1pm today to head out to the falls. WOW, I had almost forgotten how awesome the Virginia side is! Three spectacular drops, each very different from each other or any other rapids I have paddled. I got in two runs and opted to be the photographer for the last. This carry back up is brutal when its nice out, and really tough in the rain.

Curt dropping into U-Hole, the first rapid on the VA side of Great Falls

Billy gettin some good air on the Spout, VA side, Great Falls

What a great lunch break.