Trip Report
North Fork Edisto
Orangeburg to Rowes Landing
15.2 River Miles
Sunday, July 29
River Gage at Orangeburg, Between 2.20 and 2.40 Feet

As promised, this trip turned out to require good boat-steering skills and plenty of good tree-climbing skills too. As noted above, the river water was at a minimum, exposing lots of strainers, sweepers and limbo-trees. Bet this trip will be the source of a lot of good stories in the years to come. Most of the paddlers were early and anxious to get the shuttle run, so we got started BEFORE the meeting time; a good thing because the shuttle leader got a little misplaced along the way though the take-out was finally located. Left our cars there and got back to the put-in, finding that a bunch more paddlers were there to join us on the trip. Final count for trip-takers was 11 boats, 12 paddlers. We left the landing about noon; all in good spirits and rarin' to go. A good thing there was lots of energy; we needed it. There was very little water and not much current and lots of trees in our way, lots and lots of trees. No one counted how many we climbed over, went through, slogged around and scooched over but we're all satisfied that there were more than enough to make any masochist happy. But it was a great learning trip: this is what poison ivy looks like, this is how fast you have to push your boat to get over that tree just under the surface of the water, this is how many have to get through the branches first before it is clear enough for you to make it with no problem, this is too much tree for the saws we had with us, and on and on.
We stopped for a group lunch around 2 and had a nice break, shared some good food. After lunch, the group split up; five boats going on ahead (Eager Beavers) and six going at a more sedate pace (Tree Huggers) and one, we found out later going it on his own (Lost Lamb). And then things got really interesting and even more arduous.

Eager Beaver Report: Well, as most of you know, this was two trips. Or maybe three considering the Lost Lamb's rescue and moonshine experience. Four of us: Venaye in her new light boat, Dennis, Margaret and I ended up pulling out in front and I will admit kind of abandoning the others. I'm sure we didn't experience anything much different than anyone else. Lots of places we had to drag the boats over, other places where we had to limbo under. We tried to clear a few spots but had forgotten to bring explosives. I was in my sit-on-top and by the end of the trip probably was carrying an extra 10 pounds in twigs and leaves and mud. Dennis and I came upon one big alligator, about seven feet, which we didn't tell the others about until they had passed the place he submerged (the alligator, not Dennis.) Someone capsized and recovered nicely. Someone else was padding the wrong kind of boat (an old whitewater kayak) and holding their paddle upside down, but was still kicking everyone's butt. Despite all the hard work it really was a beautiful day. We got to the landing about 8:15; I got home at 10 and ate the dashboard of my car on the way I was so hungry. Submitted by Jeffrey Day.

Tree Hugger Report: The trip had been advertised as 12-13 miles (according to the Paddling South Carolina book); but at the 13 mile mark, Mike Hollis noted that we seemed to be no where near the take-out and it was getting dark! (Mike got a little damp at this point so there was no more mileage input from the GPS after this point.) After dark, we found our flashlights (congratulations to those that had them, and in working order!) and soldered on. Aim your boat, push, climb, shove, pull, get back in, paddle for a short while, and start it all again. Shawn Sturkie led the effort with his long boat and headlight, pointing out obstructions and calling out directions as we cautiously paddled onward. Ed and I were in the middle of the group; helping where we could and otherwise paddling carefully. Mike Hollis was sweep, manfully carrying on, trying to see where he was going, control his own boat and shine his strong light up ahead for the others to see by. Eventually we made the landing; about 10:30 - at night - in the DARK.

Lost Lamb: Would love to have his write-up here but he hasn't contacted me and I don't know his email address. Hardy? Have something to add?? He was waiting at the landing for us (his keys were with buddy Joel in the Tree Hugger Group). I will say that he seems to have the best story, included being rescued from the water by well-tattooed fellows who shared their moonshine. And then he was rescued from them by another local who got him and his boat to the take-out. Not sure of the veracity of this tale; hope we get to hear it first-hand sometime soon. Stay tuned...

Not a lot of chit-chat at the take-out. A quick shuttle was run; I did not stop for the 2 police cars that pulled up as I was pulling out to take folks back to their cars at the put-in. Apparently they heard there were some folks still on the water and they were checking on it. Too bad, they didn't get to practice their rescue skills on us!! We were all just fine - and too tired to be hungry! I checked my paddling book; the last time I ran this trip we did it in 5.15 hours at medium-high water. Apparently, water level DOES make a difference. It was a beautiful stretch of the river; next time we will appreciate it more as there WILL BE MORE WATER IN IT.

Happy Trails to all, Kate Whitaker

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