Lost

We ran this section on 13Mar10. SF SB of the Potomac @ Brandywine gauge was at 5.6-5.96 Ft. Painted bridge gauge at 259/55 put-in read 6 Ft. High water from very large snowmelt and subsequent rain. Most rapids did not have visible rocks but rather large wave trains and rebounding waves off the banks -- the river was bankful. The first big rapid ('Ledges' by the AW page) looked quite difficult but a straight run down the main tongue got all through without incidence. The second big rapid ('Landslide') had huge waves and moderately sticky hydraulics; it was best run on center right. Three of us did not run the best line and got flipped bow to stern by the top giant wave/hole. One party member got sucked back in, flushed, and swam after several failed rolls in highly turbulent water. Another also swam after failing rolls in the midst of the rapid. All gear and people were recovered without major incidents. A huge log blocked the river about 3/4 down but we all passed over it as from upstream it just looked like a big wave; from downstream it was just above the water level. The low water bridges were all passable without portaging due to the immense amount of water flowing over them. Very fun overall but definitely class IV.