LOCALadk Magazine

Spring 2015 LOCALadk Magazine 23 The execution of that idea was anything but simple. The most pressing of the challenges the team faced was catching the river with appropriate water levels. Because of the steep and confined nature of the gorge, a slight difference in water levels could mean the difference between a raging and unrunnable torrent and a trickling jumble of boulders. Fisher and Keller had to time their descent just right to find the middle ground where there was enough water to paddle, but not so much that they were pushed downstream into unrunnable rapids. They planned on a run in the spring, when snow from higher elevations would be melting and feeding rivers and when rain storms were more likely than snow. Fisher also closely monitored the adjacent drainages using "sister rivers" like the Ausable as an indicator of what might be happening upstream in the headwaters. In the days prior to the expedition, Fisher, his brother/cameraman Dave Fisher, and safety assistant/writer Eric Adsit, hiked from the Upper Works Trailhead along the Calamity Brook Trail to scout Hanging Spear and get an idea of what they were dealing with. The trail was covered with snow, and the water levels were low. The rapids themselves looked difficult, but survivable. To get a better look at the rapids locked away in the gorge, Fisher flew his powered paraglider into the depths of the wilderness with a GPS and camera. From the air he was able to see rapid after rapid leading into each other with few opportunities to stop in the gorge, as well as the many drops hidden from view from the trail. He also paid close attention to the pockets of snow remaining on the surrounding peaks, ensuring that there would still be snowmelt to rely on. Finally, everything seemed to be lining up. Two days of sunshine followed a rain storm, which coupled with the snowmelt, guaranteed there would be plenty of water in the gorge. If all went as planned, the team would arrive at the put-in just after the river had begun to drop. But first they had to get there. Fisher and Keller would carry their kayaking gear, camping equipment, and food. The rest of the team, consisting of videographers Dave Fisher and Dan Campbell-Lloyd, photographer Scott Martin, writer/ safety assistant Eric Adsit, and technical intern Timmy Summers, would carry the camera and safety equipment as well as their own camping supplies and food.

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