Blackwater

Important. Upper Blackwater Boaters Read This!!! Avoid access problems in park!

Date: May 24 2004, Posted to Boater Talk

From: bobgedekoh

Recently a kayak was left pinned in a rapid on the Upper Blackwater. The boater apparently walked out... uninjured. (I dont know any of the specific details of this.)

Apparently the kayak was spotted by the park staff from Pendleton Point (possibly several days later). They park authorities became concerned and sent staff into the gorge to retrieve the boat and make sure that no one was in trouble. Because the river gorge is so deep and difficult to access, this was a major undertaking.

One of the head rangers at the park is reportedly fairly unhappy about this situation. Apparently the issue was that no one had stopped at the park office and told them what was going on. Had they known that everyone was okay,they would have been spared a lot of work and worry.

As you all know the only way to access the Upper Blackwater is through the park. With that in mind, if you walk off the river and leave anything behind that might raise a concern, please notify the park authorities.

The staff at the park have been very accomodating over the years and we need to cooperate with them fully to keep the river open to kayaking.

As I said, I do not know the specifics of this incident and I am not pointing any fingers. Just asking everyone to do their best to maintain good relations with the State Park staff. SYOTR.