Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River at 1,000cfs: Barnum, WV - Bloomington, MD

[@CameronsCars]

The view is fantastic. I bet it’s colder than it looks but I admire your bravery here

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

The unspoiled views make for that kind of God's Country classic scenery, iconic to the beauty of Western Maryland and its whitewater thrills. It is like you have experienced the deceptive waters firsthand. Those who have gone overboard certainly know how much colder the water is from what it looks, especially with this trip when it wast technically still summer. The water temperature was 58°F, so not as chilly as the expected 40-50°F of the spring releases, which most always has that icy feel as the flow is usually released from the bottom chambers of the dam. It's a bit like when one first jumps into the ocean, have to know that first icy splash is coming.

[@mechatarian]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. The description is really detailed and it will really help me plan for our spring trip.

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Greetings mechatarian, you are most welcome, and thank you for the kind compliment. It takes me on average one hour for each minute, which I genuinely enjoy in putting in all I can to help others for so much of what I was looking for when I first started and to showcase the good times of just living in beauty that we are so blessed with. This was actually my first time kayaking the North Branch, and a big step up for me, and in the years since have ran it at many other levels and host a kayaking race there each spring, called, "The North Branch Blast Downriver Race." I have other videos from others trips here, from low flow to 1,500cfs, in case you're interested. If you would like to join up, feel free to let me know. I have a nice group of friends who would enjoy showing you down in the spring. I also run it during the winter at low releases, which is fun too.

[@glenndouglass9921]

You really captured the experience

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Thank you, I appreciate the compliment, you always have a way with words with these reviews. Capturing the experience, along with the glorious scenes of spring, is precisely what I was intending for with "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Featuring The Highlights of the 2021 Spring Releases" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIWrhaewq9Vnqbs

[@macfawlty]

I like your comprehensive documentation and timestamps. These locales are not far from me. Dolly Sods has been my go to place for hiking for 30 years and I’m just getting into whitewater.

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Hi, thank you for your compliment, is nice to hear that you like the geography aspect of the video. Dolly Sods is a real beauty, and definitely extraordinary special to West Virginia. I actually have a slideshow video of Dolly Sods on here too. Sure offers a special kind of feel out there. How's the whitewater going for you? Here is video I recently made, which you may also enjoy, featuring my highlights from the 2021 spring dam releases: "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Featuring The Highlights of the 2021 Spring Releases" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIWrhaewq9Vnqbs

[@nubianking470]

The Potomac is a majestic river basin

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Completely agree...just as majestic as it is mighty, and known as "the nation's river."

[@johnduke3215]

Dog-gone good song there at 17:30. LOL

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Haha, you sure know it! Totally captures it all.

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Please reach out if you would like to join up. The dates for the 2022 release schedule are: April 9th/10th, April 23rd/24th, May 7th/8th, May 21st/22nd, August 27th/28th, and September 17th/18th. Each scheduled release lasts from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00​ p.m. and has a $2.00 entrance fee. The flow from the spillway begins ramping up at 7:00​ a.m., with peak flow rates varying from 850cfs - 1,000cfs for the 1,000cfs releases. Please Comment if: -If you would like to join up for kayaking, I am always up for finding a club to join, making new friends and lasting whitewater memories from fun river running and creeking trips - Stories and fun times from your trips of the North Branch, or what you've found your favorite river or creek to be - If you have ran the Kitzmiller section of the North Branch - If you would like to join up for any of the 2022 North Branch whitewater releases -Any information or known microcreeking of Folly Run, Laurel Run, or Piny Swamp Run, or any tributaries of the North Branch, including the Kitzmiller Section (such as Abram Creek, Difficult Creek, Laurel Run, Maple Run, & Stony River) -Any known runs of the 5 "Lost Rapids" located below the dam and above the Put-In “As long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes or a touch of wilderness in their souls, rapids will be run." - Sigurd F. Olson Related Whitewater Kayaking Videos from the North Branch of the Potomac River: "Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River at 584cfs, & Western MD's Winter Whitewater Sights" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIaWpmB5rsp3qM0 "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Exploring the Rapids of JR Lake & the Barnum Rail-Trail" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3fHiINmfLGGbqM "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Featuring The Highlights of the 2021 Spring Releases" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIWrhaewq9Vnqbs "Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River: Barnum, WV - Bloomington, MD (4.93ft./1,590cfs)" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bneco4esfMtkeqs "Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River: Barnum, WV - Bloomington, MD (4.29ft./970cfs)" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX6zmXp_r9Gip7s

[@FrankensteinDIYkayak]

greaat editing. was thaat the day i hit the rock, cracked the hull on the kanarli and sunk?

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind compliment. This was the third last North Branch ride with the Kanarli, seven months before that fateful day. The crack, sink, empy, and climb occurred during the second 2021 release. Good think the sinking happened before the depths of Blue Hole. The last footage of the Kanarli is seen in this video - "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Featuring The Highlights of the 2021 Spring Releases" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIWrhaewq9Vnqbs, in the Woodsmoke and Easy Out scenes of the first two 2021 releases, alongside the Green Boat's chilly broadside blast. The video here features the Robin's Nest rescue.

[@hntrains2]

What a scary moment, at 10:48! So unreal! Good you were right there - for anything could have happened! The young man kept his cool, though - or was so shocked, he could have no reaction for a while! No wonder, trapped as he seems to have been under water like that! You take every wave bravely and aptly; that certainly shows, and could not be done without, experience, confidence, and skill. What size is the paddle? Is "the shorter, the better" a good rule here, for this type of kayaking? Beautiful river, though merciless to the ones not careful enough!

[@ryanwalker4732]

Wow thanks for recommending this one!

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

You're welcome, glad you like it! Just can't pass up that kind of beauty you know? Did you see the rescue scene? Below is my most recent video from the same section of the North Branch, shot from a different perspective than this one, and is a compilation of the best moments from each of the spring releases for 2021. From your skilled editing point of view, I would be interested in seeing what you think of the editing, which includes both video, rapid stills, and some special effects during the flip over scenes. I also have two other videos of the North Branch too, in addition to this one and the one below, but feel the one below is my best whitewater work yet. "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Featuring The Highlights of the 2021 Spring Releases" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIWrhaewq9Vnqbs

[@JanetH.215]

Looks like fun! Really like Blue Hole.

[@JanetH.215]

Chute...the whole thing looked good! A couple swimmers in the middle. Good rescue skills.

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

The scenery, purity, and its remote wilderness feel always makes the North Branch to be a fun time...and one of those places that has you wanting to return to it (even during those icy first releases) no matter the season, as the peak of each season each offers a distinct and special kind of experience...classic Mountain Maryland. At 1,000cfs there are some slow stretches, particularly after Warnick and before the first railroad bridge/viaduct, allowing for the time to really take it all in. The Blue Hole Blast, as I call, always makes for an exciting time when starting center and finishing with the more aggressive river left lines with the two fun drops, where there are tow huge rocks at the end, where the Blue Hole is, just underneath of the cliffs, where the more intrepid jump off from. During the second 2022 release, a raft jumping jump like a champ, doing two flips and cannonballing into the water with a thunderous splash, only to come up like it was a scene from Jaws, he emerged with a fire engine red face, with blood streaming off his face into the water. We attended to him, and his crew helped him, fortunately he did not need medical attention, and eventually finished the trip with his rafting crew. His friend also jumped, seemingly for his first time, and went in like a pencil, hardly making a sound with a very deep plunge, deeper than the cannonball plunge of his friend, and he came up unscathed and with a - Wow! I actually did it kind of joyous expression. The first video comment, from myself, has links to other videos of this section of the North Branch, which include other shots of Blue Hole, including a peak of wintertime low water trip from January. It felt like being up in the Far North, with an uncommon absence of all human derived sounds...all that could be heard was only of what is natural to mountain living. Whereas the winter video purposefully shows a completely different perspective, this video shows is my favorite when it comes to the Blue Hole Blast at full tilt, starting at 11 minutes 11 seconds: "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Featuring The Highlights of the 2021 Spring Releases" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIWrhaewq9Vnqbs

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Thank you, this was actually my first time ever kayaking the North Branch, and was excited for what to expect from all that I had heard about it, and how it is regarded as such a Western Maryland classic. At the time this was a step up for me, and felt more challenging at the time, compared to the first spring release of 2021, with 50% more flow, at 1,500cfs, which was a game changer in how I viewed 1,200, and 1,000 afterwards, was mostly class III the entire way with a handful of flips. Though some people talk it down as a beginner run, and undervalue it, I've seen many flips and swims at the 1,000 releases, including this one which was my first actual rescue (compared to helping someone who flipped over get to shore or a big rock), and I have learned that Robin's Nest gets talked up for way more than what it is, like class IV banter...so going into it I was determined to blast down the middle line, which most people seem to opt out and take the gentle river left line. As I geared up, not knowing what to fully anticipate and expect, two other first timer's, including a thirteen year old boy flipped over, and I had to quickly react, and focused most on them, particularly edging my kayak as upright to the right side as I could when I saw the boy's red helmet lodge in place at the last second as I came charging into him. I went over the main ledge sideways and sort of went into autopilot, though I surprised myself with actually having such responsiveness and maneuverability skills at the time, and not having a close call myself. Fortunately the boy was okay, but he was stuck underneath a large log on the main ledge of Robin's Nest, and was unbelievably calm and collected afterward. I only included the incident in the video after both he and his mother gave me their permission, as my policy is I alway ask the permission of anyone who is in the shot who has a flip and swim incident (and dependent on the severity of the situation, I'll either add special effects, obscure their identity, or cut it down with filters). Just like with the 1,500 experience, this sure was an experience to remember. There is just so much you can do in how you want to work the rapids, with so many play and surf spots, and no unavoidable rapids, with each rapid offering a spectrum of conservative to aggressive lines. It's always a special feeling when you start off with the first rapid, Woodsmoke, living up to its name.

[@o.j.simpson651]

Nice editing. You really know how to CUT the footage!

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Thank you very much, I appreciate your critique and compliment, especially from how this video from 2020, and my first video of the North Branch, was when I was in the beginning stages of experimenting with video editing, in trying to find the right mix and concepts to keep and make for the most natural feel. I feel the cutting and blending best came together 10:22, the scene of Robin's Nest rapid (AKA Bear Ledge), which was my first major combined video and audio edit scene. I also added a few special effects - that I felt accentuated the impact of the feeling of particular scenes - in the "The North Branch of the Potomac River: Featuring The Highlights of the 2021 Spring Releases video." - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIWrhaewq9Vnqbs Also, I'm curious what you think about the scene I edited at the Easy Out rapid, from 2:47 to 3:17 in this video: "Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River: Barnum, WV - Bloomington, MD (4.93ft./1,590cfs)" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bneco4esfMtkeqs I kept it rather discrete (but yet still trying to show the intensity of the experience), out of respect to conceal the person's identity for the most part, as I try to do with people who flip over, unless they give me permission to include their incident, which was the case for the person at Robin's Nest in the first video.

[@Hugh-Glass]

From a guy that knows all about cutting. Lol

[@robertoalvarez-cortez4483]

Ayeee looks like fun amigo!

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Lots of fun indeed Roberto; it's always a thrilling adventure in the gorgeous mountain country beauty of Western Maryland.

[@Hugh-Glass]

Very cool. Nice video. Im glad i didnt take my seat on the top kayak (and my novice self ) into the potomac Ive recently moved to bloomington and had been looking forward to such. Thanks for a peek at the reality of it.

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Greetings Hugh, thank you for your compliment, that is really neat to hear. My pleasure in providing you a peak and hopefully more into the shear sweeping beauty and fun to be had out there! That is cool that you live out there, there is so much to explore all around you. Definitely check out the Lostland Run section of Potomac State Forest when you can too! There is a nice hiking trail along the Savage River at the Garrett Bridge/Piedmont Dam. Let me know if you would like any suggestions or want to be shown down the North Branch for a first time run, would be a great time! I also have several other videos of this section too, in case you would like to check it out to what the flow looks like at 1,200cfs and 1,500cfs, as well as a low water video at 618cfs and just below 584cfs. I have comfortably ran it down to 439cfs and had a great time all the way down.

[@Hugh-Glass]

@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna thank you very much, that is an awesome offer and I'll get back in touch soon, when time allows, as I've not completely finished a move, renovations and so much more that is a long distance move. I see groups of kayakers putting in from my house so I figure it's à fine place for such but although I have years of experience boating in open water I have only a few hours in canoe or kayak. I've got some friends who wish to do same, we have a variety of kayaks, inner tubes and the like. We will probably be the group who angers serious kayakers..but we would only attempt such in slow water. I'll subscribe and I'll be back in touch by mid summer. Thanks for the detailed personal reply and enjoy whatever life gives you until then.

[@patsywalker9378]

what happened with the kid that got pinned or stuck at around 10:43?

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Hi Patsy, that's the same question that I would also have for a similar situation. After assisting to rescue him, he was taken to shore and other members of the group, and later myself, evaluated and debriefed him. He graciously had no injuries, a surprisingly positive and get back on the horse frame of mind, and later on continued the rest of the trip without incident. A known large submerged log at the main ledge of Robin's Nest was the cause of the very dangerous pin; it was a scary moment. Of note, as I always strive to do for those who get captured flipping over or in dangerous situations, I ask for their permission to include them in the video. If I hadn't for this guy I would have edited him out. Hopefully this helps for situational awareness and perhaps be of value as a training aid for those running this section of the North Branch.

[@gregcouse8080]

I'm go to Green Springs, WV every year in June. This isn't far from there. How long does it take to run this section of the North Branch?

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Hi Greg, sounds like a nice trip that you take June, and a great month to do so with being able to fully experience spring and the early parts of summer up there in the mountains. In regards to how it takes to run this section, which is just over 6 miles, it depends on who you talk to, because some kayakers will play and surf their way down, while others and rafters will just cruise on down, and often, many people stop to have lunch along the shoreline (across from the concrete wall) at the bottom of the Lunch Stop rapid. With all things considered, if you want to run it straight through at a relaxing leisurely place you can do so in about two hours at the normal release level of 1,000cfs. The speed of the current lessens under a 1,000cfs, with there being more rocks to zigzag through. The minimum recommended cfs is 420, which would likely add a few more hours to the trip, compared to release levels (six per year). Make sure to check the flow rate before you head out, and rustic cabin and tenting camping is available too, at the Barnum Whitewater Area Put-In. The level gets to 1,000cfs and greater several times a year from natural flow after significant heavy and sustained rains, which often causes the Jennings Randolph Lake Dam to release what has flowed in and ran off from above the dam, known as the Kitzmiller section of the North Branch. This section, which is just below the spillway of the dam is known as the Bloomington section. The dam also is home to a very beautiful and scenic park and swimming/boating areas. Check out these three resources, they're the best resources out there for all of the need to know information of what to know and expect for this section. American Whitewater (most informative resource, with descriptions of each rapid) - www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/2430/main US Army Corps of Engineers release schedule forecast - www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/nab/northBranch.html Barnum Whitewater Area (Mineral County Parks & Recreation) - www.mineralwv.org/parks-and-recreation-barnum/ Jennings Randolph Lake Resources: - www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dams-Recreation/Jennings-Randolph-Lake/ - www.visitmaryland.org/listing/attraction/jennings-randolph-lake For more information, check out my comment and video description for my other video, from a winter trip - "Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River: Barnum, WV - Bloomington, MD (4.29ft./970cfs)" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX6zmXp_r9Gip7s

[@TopVineVideos]

West virginiaaaaaaa Mountain Mamaaaaaaa

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Hahahaha....oh man....Yes, Take Me Home...you know it! Best part was the - "See translation by Goggle" underneath it.

[@CameronsCars]

The view is fantastic. I bet it’s colder than it looks but I admire your bravery here

[@PotomacPassageOolikhanna]

Thank you Cameron; I wholeheartedly agree, it is a classic picture of God's Country, and the iconic beauty and thrills that Western Maryland has to offer. And it is like you've experienced it, especially if ever having gone overboard, colder than it looks...no better way it could be said, especially so for the first three spring releases. This here, though technically still summer, will surprise many with its icy feel...especially the first splash to the face. It helps to know that the ice bucket is coming.