Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
700-Mile Paddle Route
In recent years, a man from Waldoboro, Maine, has been champi-
oning the idea of a 700-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail from
Fort Kent in northern Maine to Old Forge in New York. Mike
Krepner has founded
Native Trails Inc.
to push the idea. He
and fellow paddlers have spent years exploring and in some cases
re-opening old Native American portage routes between major
watersheds in Maine. He can be reached at PO Box 240,
Waldoboro 04572.
832-5255.
River Classification
The International River Classification system rates rapids on a scale
that includes Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV and Class V. There is no
Class VI, but if there were it would probably be something totally
unrunnable, such as Niagara Falls. Water conditions, distance and time
from rescue, and air temperature combine to determine what class a
rapid should be. While high water may flood out Class I rapids, it can
make a Class IV into a V very easily.
Classification Chart
Class I -
Very easy. Waves small, regular; passages clear; sand-
banks, artificial difficulties such as bridge piers; riffles.
Class II -
Easy. Rapids of medium difficulty, with passages clear
and wide; low ledges.
Class III -
Medium. Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks, ed-
dies; rapids with passages that are clear though narrow, requir-
ing expertise in maneuvering; inspection usually needed.
Class IV -
Difficult. Long rapids; waves powerful, irregular;
dangerous rocks; boiling eddies; passages difficult to reconnoi-
ter; inspection mandatory first time; powerful and precise ma-
neuvering required.
Class V -
Very Difficult. Long and very violent rapids, following
each other almost without interruption; riverbed extremely ob-
structed; big drops, violent current; very steep gradient; recon-
noitering essential but difficult.
