Story of a Kayaker at Great Falls, VA: Yesterday, I went to Great Falls on the Virginia side in the evening to take some water falls and water scape photos at the Potomac River. To my...

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Story of a Kayaker at Great Falls, VA

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Jun 29, 2015 12:46:14 #

Mubashm Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Yesterday, I went to Great Falls on the Virginia side in the evening to take some water falls and water scape photos at the Potomac River. To my surprise, the water was muddy. Just one day before, we had lot of heavy rain which continued almost all day. Due to this, not only the water became muddy but level of water had risen. The water was roaring and lot of rocks had gone under water. The scene was very scary if you think going into the waster. Being this situation, I saw a kayaker who was determined to jump into water with his kayak. I captured all the moments of this brave (or may be you call him crazy) kayaker.

Mohammed

Jun 29, 2015 13:00:30 #

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Amazing series!

I lived in Arlington back in the '80's and I remember kayakers at that spot.

Jun 29, 2015 13:12:23 #

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I live near Great Falls Park (it's where I got my NP Senior Pass!) :)

Kayakers are a frequent sight in the waters, but the falls are deceptively dangerous. An article in National Parks Traveler from 2010 has the headline, "If You Enter the River, You Will Die." There probably isn't a year gone by that the gorge hasn't claimed at least one life!

Jun 30, 2015 09:30:28 #

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Why do I suspect that this wasn't his first time "running the river"? Nice shots!

Jun 30, 2015 11:22:26 #

tbohon Loc: Olympia, WA USA

Wonderful series Mohammed - well done.

Of course the guy is a bit 'off' in my opinion, high muddy water with rocks hidden is not the ideal situation for kayaking ... but to each his own. Hopefully he made it downriver and out safely.

Tom

Jun 30, 2015 11:50:15 #

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

tbohon wrote:

There were no reports in the local papers of any kayaker being "lost" at the Falls recently. :D

Jun 30, 2015 12:11:02 #

tbohon Loc: Olympia, WA USA

Just Fred wrote:

There were no reports in the local papers of any kayaker being "lost" at the Falls recently. :D

That's great news ... :)

Jun 30, 2015 12:51:17 #

Mubashm Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Thanks a lot Linda for your comments. Wow that has been a long time that you lived in VA. Good to know.

Mohammed

Jun 30, 2015 12:59:58 #

Mubashm Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Just Fred, that is great news that no one died in that area in the previous year.

Mohammed

Jun 30, 2015 13:01:26 #

Mubashm Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Thanks JCam.

Mohammed

Jun 30, 2015 13:12:24 #

Mubashm Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Thanks Tom. Yes he did make it safely as I (and of course lot of people watching him) saw him that he was out of the rough water. I am attaching the last picture which I took. I did not chase him with camera but my eyes were that he was safe.

Mohammed

Jun 30, 2015 13:18:31 #

Mubashm Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Just Fred, that is good news. Just before the kayaker jumped in the water, a Park Police helicopter was hovering over heads. The helicopter was in the sky for about five minutes or so. I am posting two photos.

Mohammed