[at-l] Kennebec river crossing

[Bob Cummings <ellen@clinic.net> (Bob Cummings)]

The trail crosses the river quite a distance from the class 4 or 5 gorge where
rafters and canoeists play.  It's the same volume of water at the crossing, but
the crossing is at a point where the river widens to 200 feet or more so the
water spreads out, reducing the depth and the speed.

 But it is still a very dangerous place to cross on foot. The current is fast
 and the water quite deep, and the rocks very slippery. More importantly, the
 dam upriver opens and closes as the demand for electricity changes, causing
 thigh high water to suddenly become chest high.

  There is no way of knowing that the surge may be heading your way. The Maine
 Appalachian Trail Club warns: "you cannot cross faster than the water level
 rises. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FORD THE RIVER."

This has been recognized since the earliest days of the trail. For decades
hikers were urged to contact commercial river businesses to arrange crossing. If
I remember right, Earl Shaffer hired someone to take him across in 1948. 20
years or so ago, a thru hiker drowned making the attempt to cross on foot,
prompting the MATC to hire a skilled canoeist to ferry hikers across. The
present ferryman, Steve Longley, incidentally, is the son of the Maine governor,
who was in office when voters, over the opposition of the governor, narrowly
passed a referendum creating the 35,000 acre Bigelow Preserve. Bigelow is
traversed by the trail, 20 miles or so south of the river.

 Steve's canoe has a white blaze painted on the bottom, making him the
"official" trail. Yes, many have crossed on foot successfully. Many others have
attempted the crossing and had to be rescued. Still others have been lucky and
lost only packs and gear.

Weary