French Broad and Wilson

I know I can be a broken record about how great the CCC and paddlers in general are to be around, so it should come as no surprise that I'm here again saying blah...blah...blah. So shoot me.

I had a fantastic weekend. Chris Grindstaff (a brand new friend from CCC), Casey Carr (a CCC friend for a while) and I all took off for a French Broad, Barnard-Stackhouse run on Saturday. Neither Chris or Casey had run it before. We met a large group from the Foothills Paddling Club, including co-CCCers David Blumberg, Merridee Harper, Kirk Weir, Clayton Burton and others there for a great afternoon on the river. At 1600-1700cfs, the flow was nothing to write home about, but it was great to see old friends and get out and get a little exercise enjoying the river. We all took off and headed to Grand Asiana in Asheville for a buffet. The rains set in for the evening while Chris, Casey and I holed up in some welcomed shelter (Thank you Don!).

Sunday morning, though a little sloppy aground, showed us a sunny sky and temperate weather for our day on Wilson Creek. Jeff Dennie and Randy Welch met us a Wilson for a fine day of paddling the creek at -6".

Gear Review: Astral Green Jacket

The Astral Green Jacket (http://tinyurl.com/6l9yoq). I've been waiting months to receive my new Astral Green Jacket. This summer, Astral ran into a glitch with Coast Guard approval of the (then) side-entry model of the Green Jacket as originally designed. Apparently, one of the test subjects couldn't satisfactorily don the jacket, causing it to be denied approval. Back to the drawing board, Astral redesigned their new flagship rescue vest along the lines of the pullover 300R we're already familiar with.

The new vest has a much more effective cinch system than the old 300R allowing you to get a really comfortable fit. The new vest provides good rib protection by lowering some front flotation in a band around the ribcage and also provides a little better shoulder and back protection than did the 300R. A new left-hand zippered pocket is added similar to the one on the 300R's right side for Astral's "Webtoe" (that's how they spell it) System. A knife patch has been added to the left side of the front pocket as well as a breakaway buckle/strap on the right side for a cow-tail/caribiner. The Green Jacket retains the capability to stow either an astral throw-rope pouch or hydration pouch behind the front pocket, now with a snap-retainer strap on the left side.

Changes I'm not too keen on include a front pocket closed now by Velcro® rather than the old zipper. I find this a more difficult entry to the pocket that I rely on for camera, snacks, lip balm, sunscreen....all stuff I'm after all day. Similarly, the lined handwarmer pouch behind the main pocket is a goner, apparently victim to the new suspension system which separates the pocket and body layers of flotation. The Webtoe pockets, already difficult to reach on the 300R are now farther to the back of the vest. While the pocket is still within reach for deployment of the Webtoe, re-stowing the webbing and caribiner in the pocket when you're finished will be a serious act of contortion.

I've now had my new vest out on a long flatwater paddle and a long whitewater paddle. It wears very comfortably and as I mentioned, solves some of the adjustment difficulties of the 300R. While it still takes me a little longer to get into and out of the new vest due to a few more adjustments, I think I'll be happy with the new model once I can work out good systems for use of the front pocket and tucking in the Webtoe. If you're interested in seeing one, drop by Paddle Creek in Raleigh