Kayaking UNDERGROUND for 1 mile! Mauch Chunk Creek
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- Опубліковано 22 січ 2024
- 12/29/23
Mauch Chunk Creek flows underneath the historic town of Jim Thorpe, Pa, and eventually flows into the Lehigh River. This section of the creek is 220 FPM, and the majority of it is underground, for approximately 1 mile total. It is surprisingly easy though, as Mauch Chunk Creek is just a massive waterslide, with a few pipes to dodge and duck. Here is the raw footage of the entire adventure with Scott Mantua. Getting to kayak underground is an experience few ever get to experience, so I am grateful for this gem to be so close to home.
I paddled this the week before with Drew Sherkness at much higher flows, and completed the creek in 8 minutes, which is the fastest it's ever been done. Sadly my headlamp continuously auto-dimmed, and the footage was practically useless, so I decided I had to venture into the tunnel once more to get proper footage. This footage truly isn't that clear, but there are a few awesome moments. Scott dropped his paddle so I tossed him my paddle, and I found his, there was a beautiful opening at the church, and the ominous light under the restaurant all signified the sheer joy this creek brings. Hopefully, the next time I will have a spotlight and the sun can shine underground lol. - Розваги
Sketchy without a REALLY good headlamp and even then if a tree/strainer gets in there I didn''t see any eddies to stop in. Tell me if I am wrong but it looks like easy Class 2 whitewater with a Class 5 screw up factor.
My GoPro doesnt catch the light well, but my headlamp was very strong. I could see to the end of the tunnel at each turn.
I will make a video in the coming days as to why this creek is surprisingly safer than most creeks. There are circumstances that make this creek extremely safe which are not obvious in this video, but trust me, the utmost level of caution is utilized whenever I kayak.
Bro I wanna get this someday! Hopefully with you to show me down. 🤙🏻
Why?
🥴
You do realize that one big tree limb jammed in that tunnel at any point could end you. Right?
It's nearly impossible for a log to get stuck in this creek. There are 2 small windows the creek opens to, with houses in front of trees. the creek also does not have enough water to really carry a large log. If you listen, my boat suffers some major abuse through this run, as it bangs down the entire way. there's simply not enough water to carry a large deadly strainer. Along with this, there are metal grates just upstream of the opening to the creek to prevent strainers from passing through.
If there was a log jam, the entire creek would back up into it, and eventually force it downstream. The tunnel is also mostly uniform, so it would be extremely difficult for a log to even get pinned, as it would graze the walls.
If there truly was a hazard, essentially we would hit it, get out of our kayaks, walk over it, and get back in. In the tunnel, the creek is not even 6 inches deep.
That chipmunk intro.
Gotta love it 😂
I used to live in one of the first houses you go under. Always thought about what it would be like to run it.
it is a blast!
From 1015 and on...sure looks his moon was plenty bright. lol
It's like a Disney ride
Bingo!
what level do you think the lehigh was at that day?
i believe 8,000 CFS when i checked. there was about 3-4 inches of rain the week before
shit, fuckin pumpin. So this is a highwater route only then eh?@@jamesmalek
220 feet per mile? Did you mean “per minute”? Even then, that’s only 2200 ft in 10 minutes… that’d be less than half a mile. Likely you were going faster… 500+ fpm.
220 Feet per mile gradient. So approximately every mile, the elevation declines by 220 feet. The creek is one mile, so therefore it decreases by 220 feet.
Not a wise thing to do. One strainer can be fatal and now one to help.
Probably the most assinine thing I've seen in all my 50+ years of paddling. I most definitely would not paddle with you, I seriously question your judgement...
I will make a video in the coming days as to why this creek is surprisingly safer than most creeks. There are circumstances that make this creek extremely safe which are not obvious in this video, but trust me, the utmost level of caution is utilized whenever I kayak.
One of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen. Some runs like the upper Gauley are dangerous, but beautiful and demand technique water reading skills. Running the equivalent of a sewer pipe seems dangerous without the beauty or fun.
I will make a video in the coming days as to why this creek is surprisingly safer than most creeks. There are circumstances that make this creek extremely safe which are not obvious in this video, but trust me, the utmost level of caution is utilized whenever I kayak. It is the most fun I've ever had in my kayak