Rusty, Crusty & Dusty – But Stylin’ (Middle-Lower Haw 2/28/26 trip)
| River: | Haw |
| Skill: | Intermediate |
| Trip Date: | 02/28/2026 |
Last Saturday we had a motley crew of Shane Brown, Gary Cousino, Brooks Burleson, Jim Clarke, Chris Mattox and some weirdo in a metal canoe with dogs.
Water levels were low but this crew was mostly out for the sunshine and good times with old friends. It was Brooks’ first whitewater paddle since his tremendous shoulder injury on the upper Ocoee back in August of 2024. You wouldn’t have known that by watching him move his red dagger Ocoee in class II+ with ease. Gary had been away from paddling on club trips for some time, and I personally got the benefit of that deal – enjoying stories of his time growing up on the Haw (BTW: he was paddling the lower Haw _before_ the CCC was formed). Shane and I hadn’t paddled together since the ACA Paddle-Fest at the USNWWC in October. Jim and Chris double-bladed that day, which we let slide since we know in their heart of hearts all they really need is one blade.
There were no swims (other than safe and voluntary dog swims) which isn’t to say you couldn’t easily determine the color of my Grumman were you to look closely on the rocks on the lower in the Maze especially …
2x Hazard notes to boat scout if you paddle there soon:
(1) WOOD WAS IN S-TURN (RIGHT SIDE OF THE CHANNEL YOU ENTER THE TOP OF THE RAPID ON – REQUIRES LEGITIMATELY AVOIDING)
(2) WOOD WAS IN GABRIEL’S BEND (HIGH UP, RIVER RIGHT – ONLY AN ISSUE IF YOU’RE PLAYING WITH THE HERO’S EDDY)