2015 Year End Review

The year started off cold, and then we had two months of snow, but it was still a great year for paddling.  I did a few less trips this year (53) than I have done in the past (average for last 6 years is 57), but I did paddle a few new rivers including the Souhegan, Pemi Bristol, Mongaup, and the Pemi from Woodstock to Campton.  I also did a few less RICKA trips, but I did lead trips on the Assabet and Lower Deerfield, and helped out with the Flatwater Training and the Picnic. I seemed to paddle a lot more with the AMC this year – CT, NH and even Boston.  Here are some of the more significant trips:

• January – New Years Day at Tville
• February - Pawtuxet Cove to Gaspee Point
• March – Crystal, Branch River Icebreaker
• April – Souhegan, Knightville, Lower Millers
• May - Pemi - Bristol, Mongaup
• June - Providence and Woonasquatucket, Upper Winni
• July – Tville again, Vacation in Narragansett
• August – Dead, Lower Deerfield
• September – Fife Brook
• October – Lower Otter Brook, Piscataquog
• November - Pawcatuck - White Rock, Pemi - Woodstock to Campton
• December – Tville again

I didn’t do much camping this year.  Mike’s trip to the Allegheny River fell through, and Tommy didn’t do any NFCT trips.  Even my RICKA overnight trip on the Pawcatuck got cancelled due to cold rainy weather.  I only slept in my tent one night – at Webbs on the Dead. 

With all the snow, I did a couple of snowshoeing trips:

• Mount Tom Trail
• Diamond Hill with Bill

 Here are some of my favorite trips of 2015.

Favorite Trips of 2015 from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

New Year’s resolutions for 2016 – I have a few:

• Practice rolling – I’ve been lax about that lately
• Do at least one camping trip – hopefully the crew will be interested in a trip in the fall
• Paddle in all six New England states - this year I missed VT.

Overall it was another great year, and there are still plenty of rivers I would like to paddle. 

Happy New Year.