Kayak Camping along Pine Creek Gorge and PA Grand Canyon in Sea Eagle Explorer 380x

[@vickikohlhepp2974]

thank for sharing your trip with us can not wait to try it

[@bertsadventures9974]

It is an annual trip for me now! Go in the Spring when water levels are high or maybe do a last minute trip after storms when you can get a summer trip in, but the creek is generally pretty low beginning in June.

[@solarjinx]

Badass video! I am going to mimic your trip very soon.

[@bertsadventures9974]

You won't regret it, but this river is a late Spring trip before the water levels drop too low to paddle. Check the gauges and I suggest only making the run at 2.5'+

[@solarjinx]

I'll definitely check before driving up. I'm considering this weekend, since we just had all that rain. ​@@bertsadventures9974

[@bklaw1234]

Spectacular! Thank you

[@PaddlingTramp]

Nice paddling trip! Beatiful nature! Thank you for sharing!

[@bertsadventures9974]

Thanks for the comment. Highly recommend the trip if you're in the Northeast. Can't wait to go back next Spring!

[@PaddlingTramp]

@@bertsadventures9974 Thanks, but I'm sitting in quarantine at home in the Czech Republic :(

[@happy_hartshornes]

That was awesome! I hope you make more videos! I get my 420x explorer tomorrow.

[@bertsadventures9974]

That's the plan! But I hope to improve my video skills and equipment so I can make better content!

[@kent9377]

I'm thinking about getting that also

[@happy_hartshornes]

@@kent9377 I love my 420x. Lots of room for camping gear.

[@stevehanlon7627]

Bert, this is great, thanks for sharing your adventure! I've been wanting a kayak for 15 years but never thought I had the space and dismissed inflatables as either not durable or difficult to handle. Your videos dismiss those myths and misunderstandings. I was concerned the 380x might be too large for a single paddler to handle, but clearly, that is not that case. Without doubt, this video is a great testimonial. Maybe I'll see you out and about in EPA on my 380x!

[@bertsadventures9974]

Thanks Steve! Where are you in PA? Always looking for someone to paddle with!

[@stevehanlon7627]

@@bertsadventures9974 I'm over in Mt Airy and fingers crossed this spring we might be able to all be less distant.

[@bertsadventures9974]

@@stevehanlon7627 I just moved from Wyncote 2 years ago to Chester County. Grew up in Elkins Park.

[@richwiggins5506]

Thank you Bert, great video, BTW you have inspired me get the same boat and have mine on order. I have a class C rv and have been wanting to transport a kayak, I think this will be a great solution.

[@bertsadventures9974]

I'm glad you like the video and happy I could help your decision. Check out my video on why I chose the Sea Eagle 380X where I show the different configurations I use.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I am heading to the Pine this weekend for the first time, Ansonia to Blackwell. Looking forward to it after seeing your video. Do you recall the water level?

[@bertsadventures9974]

Sorry, I don't, but it had rained. However there were a few shallow spots as well, so I'm guessing it was in the "good" zone as they call it on pinecrk.com I'll probably be up there next weekend 5/22 doing the same run.

[@The27kart]

Great video! I hope to do the same trip this fall. What map is that your using in the video?

[@caroltaxman1343]

Bert this was great. I know you did it again in 2021. You were very organized. I hope to do the same, but I will go with a group because Florida has allegators by the rivers. Happy water hiking.

[@timneely946]

Another great adventure Bert! I have a few questions though. Did the outfitters not warn you about the rough water on the second day? I would have thought they would have mentioned which was the easiest side to get around the island and which one was more exciting. From the videos, it looks like most of the trip was Class I and II/. Was the surprise a Class III? I assume this was without a foot brace and thigh straps. Did this experience prompt you to add them? When you got wet, I assume it was your lower torso since you had on a good parka. What material were your pants made from and have you gotten something more waterproof for whitewater runs in colder weather? Thanks, Tim

[@bertsadventures9974]

Hey Tim, there was no need for the outfitter to mention anything as I should have been able to handle anything on PIne Creek. It is not a difficult paddle. Kayak was pretty loaded down and I did not have any bracing. For this trip I wasn't wearing specialty dry gear, just a goretex jacket and my golf rain pants.

[@georgemilinkovic4120]

Great video. It was very informative, planning to kayak camp there this year. Most likely the section between Blackwell to Waterville. Maybe even start father north, I am a bit apprehensive about the Grand Canyon, but at least in your video didn't look that bad.

[@bertsadventures9974]

Thanks George! I think the gorge really depends on when you paddle it. I was there on Memorial Day weekend and the water level was beginning it's summer drop. I plan to go in April this year! I also might make it a 3 day paddle and go perhaps as far as Waterville also.

[@georgemilinkovic4120]

@@bertsadventures9974 Thank you.

[@georgemilinkovic4120]

@@bertsadventures9974 Bert, was that a designated camp site, if so is it well marked from the river, or you can camp anywhere?

[@bertsadventures9974]

@@georgemilinkovic4120 there is camping all along the gorge between Ansonia & Blackwell. Most of the sites are apparent from the creek and are first come.

[@georgemilinkovic4120]

@@bertsadventures9974 good to know. Thank you.

[@larrywenger1750]

Bert - I enjoy your videos immensely. As soon as I finish restoring my st. Lawrence River Skiff, I want to buy a Sea Eagle. Im curious about why you chose the 380x instead of he 385ft. Also it looks like the optional high back seats they sell pretty much have you sitting on the floor of the kayak. Seems like sitting a little higher might be more comfortable....I notice you have the standard inflatable seats that come with the boat. You dont seem to use the scuppers....why?

[@bertsadventures9974]

Hey Larry! Great questions. Yes, I do prefer the standard inflatable seats. I find them plenty comfortable and I do like being a bit higher. That being said, I have recently purchased the high back seat and thigh straps that I plan to use for river whitewater paddling. For Pine Creek, I didn't think I would need the scupper plugs open, but boy was I proven wrong. Why did I choose the Explorer 380X... have you seen my Explorer overview, it explains a lot.

[@bertsadventures9974]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6LZnJyLmZKpfqM

[@shannonrupp7321]

Bert, I assume your car was still in Ansonia in the end, how did you get back up there?

[@bertsadventures9974]

My car was shuttled by Pine Creek Outfitters and was waiting for me in the parking lot at Slate Run when I finished. I think they charged about $50. Well worth it!

[@shannonrupp7321]

@@bertsadventures9974 oh wow, ok thanks for the info!

[@MrJuniormikey]

Be careful those porcupines will chew on your kayak

[@bertsadventures9974]

I hadn’t thought about that!!!

[@solarjinx]

That would be a terrible thing to discover come morning. I wonder if leaving it in the water, but tied to the shore, would be a good idea? Or maybe bring moth balls and spread them around the boat as a deterrent? Hmm...

[@ebikeadventuresinpennsylva4140]

Is the inflatable still working for you? Interested in trying them out.

[@bertsadventures9974]

Absolutely! I'm going to be back on Pine Creek next month in my Sea Eagle Explorer!

[@ebikeadventuresinpennsylva4140]

@@bertsadventures9974 we just got back a few days ago. We stayed in a cottage for a week near Jersey Mills. I will be watching for your next video.

[@bertsadventures9974]

@@ebikeadventuresinpennsylva4140 what were the water levels like?

[@ebikeadventuresinpennsylva4140]

@@bertsadventures9974 around 4’ in Cedar and Slate run

[@bertsadventures9974]

@@ebikeadventuresinpennsylva4140 that's a good level. Any higher and some of the rapids get washed out and just become waves.

[@daveveon2104]

Just watched your entire video. Very enjoyable and very well done. Did you have to take any precautions with your when camping to keep it away from bears?

[@bertsadventures9974]

Hey Dave, thanks for watching. I did hang my food from a tree to keep it away from bears. However, the only wildlife were a couple of porcupines!

[@daveveon2104]

@@bertsadventures9974 Yes, I saw the porcupine encounter in the video, lol. Thanks for responding.

[@davidporter5664]

Did the drain plugs just not get rid of the water or did you just have them closed the whole trip? Looks like a fun trip. I'll have to take my inflatable down it some time but break it out into multiple days for a slower paced fishing trip.

[@bertsadventures9974]

Hey Dave! I had the drain plugs closed, but the water was bigger than expected. I was also loaded for my camping trip and didn't want all of my gear sitting in water the entire time. It was easier to just dump the boat when needed, which was only 2 times. Pine Creek is a great trip and I highly recommend it for a Spring paddle.

[@jeffgiedt3073]

@@bertsadventures9974 Similar question: did you use the skeg on this river, or remove. It looks like the rapids may be enough to tear up the longish skep that boat has.

[@ericfisher331]

Do you think you can get to Blackwell from Pine creek outfitters in 1 day ?

[@bertsadventures9974]

100%. I paddled the run this past Spring from the outfitters all the way down to Rattlesnake Rock in really low water in one day. Blackwell is only a couple of miles below where I camped in this video.

[@carolynhaney8046]

I have a sea eagle fast track on order, but won't get until next month. So I have time to change my mind. What made you choose this model over that

[@bertsadventures9974]

Hey Carolyn! Congrats. You'll love it. For me, the Explorer was just far more flexible. I talk all about my decision process in this video... kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6LZnJyLmZKpfqM

[@jetsfan317]

Awesome video. Looks like you had fun. Did you have to get a permit to camp?

[@bertsadventures9974]

Yea. Camping is free, but you do need to register. I'm actually heading back there this weekend!

[@jetsfan317]

Awesome I’m planning a trip next week. For the permit is just a general permit or do they pertain to a specific campsite?

[@ashamadisonfieldhockey5895]

@@bertsadventures9974 I really enjoy the videos, a big help in getting an idea of what is out there, and how to make the most of it. Will be heading up there on memorial day if the rain comes in time

[@bertsadventures9974]

@@ashamadisonfieldhockey5895 good luck! I hope they get some rain to bring the levels up. It's such a great paddle but you need at least 2.5' to enjoy it. I would say even 3' minimum.

[@cheezy-rider]

It looks like you went in May. Would you have been dragging a lot if it hadn't just rained. Do you know what the cfm was when you paddled it?

[@bertsadventures9974]

Hey Cameron! I was there in late May, Memorial Day weekend. It really hadn't rained much before I went and I know the outfitter said the level was falling quickly because there wasn't much snow last season. From what I hear it is a tough paddle after mid-June.

[@mazskefinance7818]

What kayak were you in? Was it a Sea Eagle?

[@mazskefinance7818]

Just read the comments. I have a 330 on order. I'm in Florida, so lots of places to use it.

[@bertsadventures9974]

Yea, it's an Explorer 380X. Enjoy yours when you get it!

[@mazskefinance7818]

@@bertsadventures9974 yes, I saw that at the end. I watched a few more of your videos and also sent one to my wife and a few friends. I also have a KZbin channel and I plan to make some videos with my kayak once I get it.

[@arcana1973]

What map were you using and where would one be able to acquire one?

[@bertsadventures9974]

I was using the Purple Lizard map for Pine Creek. You can find them online for almost any body of water.