Ausable

7. Ausable Chasm to US Route 9(Ausable Chasm)

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September 12, 2005

Trip Report

ReporterCheryl Robinson

This is the entrance to the last rapid. This I-beam is visable at highler levels, but would prove difficult to get around at low levels as shown here.
At this low level the I-beam would prove difficult to navigate around
This I-beam is on the left hand bank. At higher levels (300 CFS)it is partially submerged.
This gave me concern. When I run it at higher level this steel bar is not visable (it is hard to see in the picture but look towards the tongue).
AT lower levels it is clear the bar goes straight in to the run out. I have concern it may connect to the pile of steel further down.
If a paddler flips here, it is highly possible that they could become entangled on the bar.
Look carefully at the tongue and to the right of it you can just see the steel bar.
My concern at higher levels this bar is submerged and if a paddler flips it is highly possible they could become tangled with it.
A concern is that it may also be joined up with the steel further down
At higher levels it was percieved the Steel carnage was just in the Eddy and was easy avoidable. At lower levels, you can see the steel extends in to the rapid run out.
I have raised concern that this maybe attached to another piece (see other pictures) which raises a concern that if a paddler was to flip here. There is a high chance they may become entangled with the steel wreckage.