2024-06-09 Dead End Debacle - Kayaking at Crooked Creek Lake

Flatwater kayaking on Crooked Creek Lake, one of 16 flood damage reduction projects in the Pittsburgh District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Crooked Creek is located 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh in Armstrong County, Southwestern Pennsylvania. Crooked Creek Dam is about 6 and 1/2 miles above the junction of the creek with the Allegheny River near Ford City, Pennsylvania, and provides flood protection for the lower Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers. It was completed in 1940.
In the summer the lake is around 5 miles long, and covers 350 acres, Water behind the dam can rise and fall by more than 80 feet. Unlimited horsepower boating, water-skiing, campground, fishing, hiking (Baker Trail), picnicking, and swimming are available.
I am not sponsored by any manufacturer, nor have received gifts or products for review. Not all equipment listed was used on every trip. Most of these items are available from Amazon or their manufacturer's website.
BOAT/ACCESSORIES
Kayak: Eddyline Sitka LT
Paddle: Gearlab Outdoors Ipik
Trailer: Malone Ecolight, home made PCV bunks
Trailer Straps: Better Boat Ratchet Straps (Amazon)
Paddle Tether: MOOCY (Amazon)
Chair: OneTigris Promenade Camping Chair 02
Bilge Pump: NRS
Skirt: Current Designs Spray Tray
Storage Bag: Watertrace Snorkeling Bag (Amazon)
SAFETY
PFD: NRS Odyssey (discontinued)
Emergency Beacon: Artex Personal Locator Beacon
Knife: NRS Co-Pilot
Road iD emergency information bracelet
Car Key / Remote Holder: DRIPAC Waterproof Key Fob Pouch (Amazon)
Eyeglass Retainer: ONLYONE Eyeglass Strap (Amazon)
Sunscreen: CeraVe 50 Mineral Sunscreen
Lip Balm: Badger 15
Insect Repellants: Sawyer SP657, SP5442, SP562
Take along common sense, restraint, and situational awareness. Don’t risk injury or worse just to get a picture or video. Look behind, up, down, and all around you before you become fixated capturing a scene with your camera. Don’t step backward without looking first, you might fall off a ledge, into a hole, or into car traffic. Common sense also prevents you from ruining someone else’s experience, stay out of their photographs, or their observing and appreciating a natural scene. Be courteous and respectful of others, you don’t own the outdoors or public places, nor have an exclusive license to be in that location.
CLOTHING
Shorts: Speedo, knee length board shorts
Pants: Fjallraven Vidda Pro
Shirts: NRS Guide Shirt, plus other various inexpensive sun shirts from Amazon
Drysuit: PKEDW (Amazon)
Socks/Base Layers: Minus 33 merino wool products
Boots: NRS Boundary Boots
Gloves: LERWAY Cycling Gloves (Amazon)
Shoes: Astral Brewer 2.0
Hat: Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure
CAMERA/VIDEO EQUIPMENT
GoPro 9, GoPro 11
Yi 4K+60fps Action Camera
iPhone 13
GoPro The Remote
GoPro Media Mod
GoPro Max Lens Mod
RØDE Wireless GO wireless microphone system
RØDE Lavalier GO microphone
RØDE PodMic microphone
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) audio interface
Movavi Video Suite software
Tripod: GoPro 3-Way
Suction Mount: Various inexpensive ones from Amazon
Pelican M60 Micro Case
NUOSWEK High Volume Kitchen Timer
YakAttack Articulating Camera Mount
RAM Tough-Pole 24-inch, track base
ABFOCE Waterproof Portable Charger 10000mAh Power Bank
imuto Waterproof Power Bank 20000mAh
POST-PRODUCTION
Focusrite Scarlet Solo
Rode PodMic
Sony MDR7506 Headphones
Movavi Video Suite
SNACKS/HYDRATION
Probar Bolt Energy Chews
Larabar Chocolate Chip Brownie, Gluten Free Vegan Fruit & Nut Bar
ZonePerfect Protein Bars, Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk
Camelbak Snobowl hydration pack (discontinued)
Skratch Labs Hydration Powder/Sport Drink Mix, Lemon + Lime flavor
GU Liquid Energy, Coffee flavor
GU Roctane Ultra Endurance Protein Recovery Drink Mix, Chocolate Smoothie flavor
None of the content of this video was generated, improved, or suggested by artificial intelligence.
The contents of this video are the expression of the creator's thoughts, opinions, photographs, videos, and present recollections recreated from memory of experiences over time, and do not necessarily reflect those of CZcams or any other parties associated with its publication. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the information, and assume no liability for any loss or damage caused by the use of the information contained in this video. The contents of this video are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as professional advice. It is highly recommended that professional training be taken before pursuing any watersports or other activity portrayed in this video. The viewer should not consider this video anything other than a work of entertainment. The author and publisher are not responsible for any actions taken as a result of watching this video. Please use caution and seek professional advice before acting on any information contained in this video.

[@klatchjhf]

I'm curious as to why you use a spray skirt on a lake?

[@KayakerREK]

What I use is called a drip skirt, it keeps water drops from my paddle from falling into the cockpit and onto my shorts, and keeps the sun and insects off my legs. It also has elastic pockets on the top and underside which are extremely handy for temporarily storing food bars, camera remotes, pee cup, camera, and so much more. A drip skirt has no tunnel around your waist like a spray skirt does.

[@KayakerREK]

The most efficient way to turn a kayak is to put it up on edge, flat water or white water. The rim of the cockpit gets real close to the water with aggressive edging, or dips under if you lean too far. As I get more proficient in edging the boat, instead of an open drip skirt, I am starting to wear a full spray skirt which has a tunnel. I often practice edging in the shallow spots of lakes where the water is six inches deep or less, so I can push off the bottom with the paddle if I lean too far, keeping me from turning over.