Geddes Creek

Got on the Geddes March 31 2017. No strainers from toll gate put in to tohickon take out
https://vimeo.com/211133767 long edit
https://vimeo.com/211138670 theatrical version

Just too low to run as an Elf run paddlers work the concept of line assited wading/crossing

Perfect Boof line for all levels on this 6' ledge drop @6.5 blocks exposed on the gauge. About 6 feet to the river right of the paddler is the 'clam shell' pinning rock. Particularly an issue for playboats.

Wayne Gman setup in the Hairy Clam Shell/Stone Trap teaching Creeking Safety. 100% rock solid pin. Big flows put your head under water. Boat Scouting typically leads directly to being in this spot.

Immediate view of Geddes creek downstream at the 2 mile putin at 6 blocks exposed dropping out already fast 2 miles upstream at the putin. It was 6.75 blocks by the time we got off the creek which is my cut off for not putting on.

Putin Bridge on Groveland Road

First big drop of Geddes at about 5.5 blocks

Pinned 100% rock solid in the Clam Shell. This is actually a picture from wayne g-man's creeking rescue class when a rain strom brought Geddes up to just minimal flows during a class. The class abandoned the site just after this shot. Ram, the assistant, was a tibetan Raft guide and wasn't even phased by hanging out there. Ram is sitting in a Wavesport BigEZ but has his feet out of the boat on the pinning rock. With real water pushing him down this can easily turn into a heads down situation. A local stud creeker said he rescued a near head down playboater at 6 blocks exposed. Note the pointed rock to the left of the paddler has be washed downstream 8/2011 during hurricane Irene. The boof line is just to the left of the pinned victim. Take care, maybe run left of the point rock at high water or portage on left. Of note is that after 2 minutes of yanking the kayak out Bob North boofed over the Ledge.....You have to be a creeking bloodhound to get geddes.

Ram assisting Wayne G-man on a dry creek swiftwater rescue drill that just flashed. We had to pull out, but not before we snapped this pic. His legs are not in the kayak but resting on the bow standing on the pinning rock. Butt seated down realisticly positioned.

Walking around a typical strainer at Geddes on the lower mile

Vertical Pin scenario I use to train students in my Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Class
Wayne's Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Safety Class Training rope work for a pin scenario. This the site of quite a few playboat pins over the years. Note the pin rock Wayne (orange shirt) is standing on. Note the point of rock that the belayer is sitting on (on creek Left). Note the relationsship of each rock's distance from each other for safe lines.

Geddes Creek Gauge
Highest Boated Flow of Geddes
that I know to be run 4.75 blocks exposed.
Each block is about 20 inches high
A good high flow is 6 blocks exposed
You can see Steve Strange's right yellowish paddle blade just off center of the photo. Scary level. I walked only this one. The low head dam on river Left was very ugly and powerful.

Picture of Geddes Take out Block Gauge
Sight of a captive hole. The natural low head dam formation was once extremely powerful causing Many excellent boaters to swim. blocks have filled in and blown out changing the dynamics so it currently is a bit less retentive at the normal boated levels under 5.75 blocks exposed. It very much is open for business at high water levels.