Robert Farmer-- I did this on May 17, 2008, at 3.5 at Franklin, which was a perfectly delightful
level. This is the optional entry run for the canyon/valley downstream that may be the most
beautiful valley in West Virginia. However, as I approached the first rapid, I might well have run
it without scouting except for an obnoxious log leaning across from bottom right up to the canyon
wall on the left. This rapid needs to be scouted from the left, along a very slippery ledge at the
base of the vertical wall. I decided to run it, still thinking that it's a Class 3. I had to ferry
far left against the wall, catch a surfing wave to the right just in front of an upstream-facing
corner, duck under the log, and drop off the ledge/boulder. Unfortunately, having to go left to
avoid the log sent me right into a vicious eddy on the right that pushed me back upstream and
wanted to shove me under the falls, mostly while perched delicately on a powerful and frightening
eddy fence. I had brought my long boat (Prijon Tornado), and while my tail was being pounded by the
central chute, my bow was being pummeled by the chute which I had just come down, mostly while on
that aforementioned eddy fence. There is a hole at the base of the left chute that is a keeper,
unless you flip or swim; however, a swim here might well be fatal, because the whole drop is backed
up by some kind of obstruction that creates a huge and subtle pillow that funnels most of the water
to the left into a 30-foot eddy underneath a 20-foot overhang that pushes upstream to flow rapidly
underneath a horizontal overhang undercut before presumably traveling upstream to underneath the
falls of the left chute. In summation, a swim---either on the right or left---is about 95% likely
to recirculate you upstream to places where you would likely drown, which is why I'm calling this
drop Class 5, emphatically not Class 3!!! It will probably be easier when the log washes out, but
the potentially deadly eddies will remain. Below here are some fun Class 2-3 rapids and a portage
around a low-water bridge where the water flows smoothly and deceptively rapidly, so watch out!
Remember, the first drop is Class 5, not Class 3, so most people will portage on the right. It
might be easier and safer at lower levels, but be careful, because it is not as straightforward as
it first appears. Edit

Something happened to the gauge at Petersburg. It is reading much higher than it used to. I'm
guessing about 2 foot. Does anyone know what changed?

Hurricane Isabell has altered the entrance to LandSlide Rapid.The sand bar on river left is gone.It
also appears that a large rock has migrated to the very end of the rapids wall on river left.There
is a juicy hole in the center waiting as you complete the S turn.