McAlpine Lockdown I Event Cache

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Hidden : Saturday, September 21, 2013
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


Ohio River Lockdown - McAlpine




For an idea of what we are going to do, click on THIS VIDEO. This is actual video of the Labor Day paddle through the locks! When the officer points and says, 'THAT'S HIM!, he's referring to Mayor Greg Fischer who paddled along with us. After all, it was HIS event!

What: A -SAFE- Paddle down the Ohio
When: September 21, 2013 0900hrs
Where: Louisville Community Boathouse
Why: Because you've never done this before

The Plan
To launch at the listed coords and paddle downriver through the Portland Canal to the McAlpine Locks where we will 'lockdown' 26' to the lower Ohio River pool. From the locks we will paddle to Sand Island (~250') and beach the boats then hike a route around the island to log the six SEVEN caches placed there. After the hike we're back in the boats for the 1.2mi paddle/float downstream to the public boat ramp at New Albany. See pics and captions below.
Have your boat/gear offloaded at the dock before the 0900 briefing (if needed). But even before then everyone should have a plan to get back or get home from the New Albany ramp. Anyone who owns a lawn service or utility trailer, has a pickup truck (with racks), a nine-passenger van, school bus, Grayhound, 18-wheeler, etc, and wants to be a geo-hero by helping shuttle, please post here or contact me via Airraidfan@gmail.com. Else everyone is on their own to team up and arrange shuttles.

There will be a 10 minute safety, river condition and commercial traffic briefing. Plus instruction on lock etiquette and procedure. Last minute questions will be answered. We'll shove off at 0930.

You will be expected to wear a PFD during this adventure.


NOTE! This adventure can only take place if river conditions allow safe paddling. Swift water with large debris is dangerous and a no-go. There will, however, be a quality PADDLING PLAN B if the river does not cooperate. Plan attendance with confidence.

For an up-to-the-minute NOAA McAlpine Dam lower gauge forecast, click on:
RIVER LEVEL.
So long as that green dotted line remains at or below the ~15-foot mark (not rising), we're good to go!


There's a Hurricane Watch on this page because it's hurricane season and rainfall which occurs on the western slopes of the Appalachians will drain through the Ohio Valley and McAlpine causing possible rapid rise and dangerous conditions. For an instant up-to-the-minute NOAA Tropical Storm Watcher Update, click on:
National HURRICANE Center

We launch here. No Wake Zone. Water Patrol next door.
You may drive right to the top of the ramp above left and drop your boat, then go park. There will be a trapeze assist device to get in your boat if needed. Dock is 12-inches above water.

We lock through here (26' elevation change, ~40 minutes assumes no wait)
We'll queue up at the 'long wall' to the right of the two locks until we are given clearance to enter. Then we'll enter and raft off, with rope, to the floating pins in the lock walls . Everyone must be secured before the lockage will begin. Stay secure until the water stops gates open and the GREEN LIGHT flashes.


We beach and hike around Sand Island
There are six caches here. Expect a clean hike on this big sand dune with little or no ground cover (maybe), but watch for possible nettle along the way.

We take out at the New Albany Ramp
This is where to park shuttle vehicles. See take-out parking waypoint.

Map of route, 7 miles


Please POST questions here and in advance to save time.VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. An outrider safety powerboat is desirable but not required (Water Patrol will be near). Pickup trucks or trailers for shuttle. Post here or email me (Airraidfan@gmail.com) if you can help.

We will have cell-phone communication with River Patrol and USACE and we will have marine radio communications with the above plus the McAlpine Control Tower and the U.S. Coast Guard. Numbers and frequencies will be posted prior to the event.
This will be a safe Ohio River Adventure with SAFE river conditions or we won't go. SAFETY FIRST!


The lock chamber is only 100 feet wide by 1200 feet long (6,930 yaks). Sign up early to guarantee your position in the first lockage! :)

Another FAT-FREE event!
Put a WATCH on this page for more info and periodic updates.

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