Kayaking for beginners can be pretty overwhelming at times..spinning out when paddling forward, catching an edge when crossing the current, lifting your head at the end of the roll, and so much more.  Luckily, with more time on the water and proper instruction these frustrations begin to fade allowing confidence to increase each day on the river. 

During a beginner lesson one of the most important concepts I like to teach is catching eddies.  Understanding how to enter and exit an eddy allows a beginner kayaker to break apart a rapid in order to better plan out the next move.  Hopping from one eddy to another also allows a kayaker to better ferry across currents, perhaps to avoid an obstruction downstream.  Eddy lines are also great tools when learning to bury the bow and stern for various playboating moves.

When entering an eddy I think of three things: Speed, Angle and Lean (S.A.L.)

SPEED:
    Having momentum when entering an eddy is key.  Speed will carry your entire boat over the unstable eddyline, rather than just your body.  Not having speed will allow the stern to be swept right on top of the eddy line, often ending in a flip.

ANGLE:
    Entering the eddy perpendicularly will allow the boat to cross the eddyline smoother and faster.  This means turning the boat from facing downstream, using a downstream sweep stroke for instance, to square up to the eddy line. 

LEAN:
    When turning into an eddy a kayaker will lean into the turn, similar to leaning into a turn on skis or a snowboard.  This means leaning upstream while crossing over the eddy line to "hook" into the top of the eddy.  Remember to continue to paddle all the way into the eddy as to not get stuck on the eddy line!  Also, you'll want to aim to enter the eddy just behind the obstruction, or at the top of the eddy.  Here, the eddy line is most defined and narrow and where the current is the calmest in the eddy. 

Good luck and keep eddy hopping to improve those whitewater kayaking skills! 

Be sure to check out Wilderness Voyageurs Kayak Instruction where we can personally tailor a day of instruction to meet your needs and improve your kayaking technique whether it be on the Middle Youghiogheny, Lower Youghiogheny or even the excitin Class 5 white water Upper Youghiogheny River!

Hey all you outdoor gear fans!

The rumors are true: Wilderness Voyageurs has opened a new outfitter store at the take out of the Upper Yough in Friendsville, MD, in the old Mountain Surf building. The building reopened on Friday, June 20th and will keep business hours from 10 to 6 on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. We are really excited about the great reception we've gotten from paddlers and Friendsville residents: Thanks for the support!!

Here is a map showing the location of the building (click to open full size in a new window):

And now for answers to some frequently asked questions:
1. YES, kayakers, you can still take out at the bridge! Stop in and see us if you like. We'll have boating videos running and tons of cool stuff to check out.

2. YES, we are offering demos on the Upper Yough. Call 800 272 4141 to talk to our Ohiopyle store so we can make sure we have the boat in Friendsville for you.

3. YES, you are welcome to use our public restrooms.

4. YES, we have grand plans for the building. We're going to open the deck back up as a place to hang out. With any luck, there will be live music during releases! We are also considering a massage parlor for the upstairs.

5. YES, we are investigating the possibility of renting canoes from Friendsville to some point downstream.

6. YES, we are eventually going to offer our standard HUGE selection of outdoor gear, including paddling, clothing, camping, fly fishing and more.

Did I miss a question you had, or did you have a suggestion for us? Leave us a comment because we'd love to hear from you.

See you in Friendsville!
Lou

While many people are drawn to Ohiopyle State Park for the awesome adventure sports -- Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, and so forth -- there is much to see and do here that doesn't involve a near-death experience or attaining your maximum heart rate.

One such attraction: the numerous overlooks and vistas speckled throughout the park. Notice the photo icons on this downloadable map of the park. The key thing to remember here is that when Ohiopyle State Park puts a photo icon on the map, they are not messing around. Much of the park is quite beautiful, but the indicated vistas are supremely magestic. Let's run down my top 4:

1. Laurel Highlands trail. Approximately 2.5 miles from the end of Garrett St on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a rocky outcropping that offers a magnificent view of the Great Bend in the Middle Yough. Hike in your camera for this one - you will see miles of trees and river valley, with the river itself flowing far below you.

2. Kentuck. Two benches sit atop a hill, facing a gap in the opposing hillside through which you can see the ridge system in the distance. The kind of spot that makes you feel like you just might be the first one to see this sight.

3. Tharp Knob. Easily my current favorite. You can drive to the softball field area and walk around the Kentuck Trail loop, or you can really earn this view and go up Great Gorge trail, turn left on Kentuck -- passing the Kentuck overlook -- and reach Tharp Knob that way. From this spot you can see the entire town of Ohiopyle (what there is of it) and much of the Middle Yough. Wilderness Voyageurs is just visible to the left of the railway tracks in the picture below:

Beware: this image is zoomed in. For the full view, you will have to go there yourself.

4. Sugarloaf Road. Driving on Sugarloaf road from Ohiopyle to Confluence, you will see an overlook sign on your left. Park in the pulloff and walk up to the rocky outcropping. This is another spectacular view of the Middle Yough.

Do you have any other favorite vistas in Ohiopyle (there's one just outside the park on 381 N just past Scarlett Knob campground, for instance)? Leave a comment and let us know.

Lou

Just in our backyard here at Wilderness Voyageurs is the beautiful Middle Youghiogheny, the perfect place to learn to whitewater kayak.  This river begins at the outflow of the Youghiogheny Dam and meanders through 10 miles of lush Pennsylvania Mountainside.  Since very little land along the river is developed this stretch of water can be incredibly peaceful.  With plenty of calm water stretches as well as several class I and II rapids, the day has the perfect balance of excitment and relaxation.

This group of fathers and sons decided to see what all the hype was about and take a 2-day kayak lesson with Wilderness Voyageurs.  The first day was spent learning stroking technique as well as getting to know how the boat responds to these movements.  Like most beginners, these guys found the hardest part was trying to keep the boat going in a straight line.  That afternoon we headed out to the upper section of the Middle Yough where skills such as ferrying and eddy turns were practiced.  The second day was spent on the entire Middle Yough, practicing our strokes as well as maneuvering through class II rapids.  However, mostly we just enjoyed our time on the water and the beautiful scenery of the Middle Youghiogheny.

I think what I like the most about Yough River Rafting is the clear clean water and the quality and frequency of the rapids.   We also were able to do some fishing and some great Mountain Biking.

Thanks Wilderness Voyageurs!

A whitewater rafting trip down the Yough River in Ohiopyle doesn't have to end with the  Rafting.  Wilderness Voyagers offers some great guided climbing for both experts and beginners alike.   A really fun day can be had for a family that begins with a fun & easy bike ride down the rails to trails path that runs through beautiful forrest and along the exciting Youghiogheny River.   About a mile downstream is a great set of rocks that are perfect for top-roping and an excellent spot to practice your skills, or introduce your children to the great sport of Rock Climbing.  If you are looking for Great Pennsylvania Family Trips in the Laurel Highlands you will find this to be one of the best outdoor activities near Washington DC or anywhere for that matter.

Matt here is 5 years old and just coming off a great day on the Middle Yough.   What many people don't know  is that the River in and around Ohiopyle  is broken into sections.   Most people run the Lower Yough...this is one of the most popular east coast rafting  rivers.   It's great because there are lot's of fun rapids and a real sense of a high adventure trip.   The age limit on the Lower Yough is 12.   If Your Pennsylvania Family Trips include members younger than 12 you might want to consider the Middle Yough.  Wilderness Voyagers take rafters as young as 5 on the Middle.  It's a fun day that included a great shore lunch, terrific guides and if you like we can even throw on some inflatable kayaks.

The Middle Yough is a great trip thats one of the great family outdoor activities near Washington DC or Columbus Ohio or Cincinnati....we even get families from Indiana that come in for the weekend.

So you might be inclined to think that Kayak Instruction is just for the hard core adventurer.  The reality is that White Water Kayaking is a great family activity.  If you are looking for great Pennsylvania Family Trips, consider kayak lessons in the Laurel Highlands.  

Jimmy here was just 12 years old and was able to paddle the Loop in Ohiopyle pretty quickly.  In his mind, this was a High Adventure Trip....something he never felt in a Disney park. 



If you are getting tired of the same old family activities...dare to be different.  Come to the Yough River for some family kayak instruction.

Rock climbing is one of Wilderness Voyageurs' primary outdoor activities, and several members of our staff are truly devoted to the sport. I was lucky enough to get a week's vacation to Red River Gorge in eastern Kentucky, where the climbing is just fabulous. Dozens of crags dot the landscape, all containing classic routes on mostly overhung, pocketed faces. Here is a picture of me belaying my friend Ned on a 5.10b sport climb. Truth be told, most of us, including Ned, were climbing strong in the super-human 5.12 range. I was able to toprope a 5.12a with a single rest (which surprised the heck out of me!); the rest of the week I stayed in the 5.8 to 5.11 range and had a blast.

Our finest moment of high adventure involved a Tyrolean traverse across a river. Someone had to wade to the other side and fix a rope so the rest of us could zip-line across. Stetson volunteered and immediately started undoing his pants. Some witty fellow remarked, "Hey, Stetson, why do all your plans start by taking your pants off?" Well, the traverse was brilliant fun. Here's a photo for your enjoyment:


Now, don't think you have to go all the way to Kentucky to enjoy excellent rock climbing. There's plenty of it right here in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern PA. Wilderness Voyageurs boasts the best rock climbing instructors in the state; we make a perfect outfitter for Pennsylvania family trips to the crag! Already a climber? The Wilderness Voyageurs outfitter store carries a selection of basic outdoor climbing gear and is currently expanding its offerings in that category.

Bottom line? If you want to climb in a place as awesome as this:Southwestern PA is a great place to start!

Lou