Hagen Gorge is on a small tributary to the Washougal River in southwestern Washington. About 3-4 miles long, this creek can be characterized by class IV boogie-water boofs and slides with various vertical class IV/V drops dispersed throughout. There is no gauge to the creek, so it’s all about proper guess-work. On our trip, the [...]
Recap: 2013 Wind River Festival
The Wind River Festival can be described as CHAOS. Chaos in the form of a mass start as paddlers leave the Starting Line together, and rally downstream all at once. Such was the case the last few years, and one could only continue the tradition in 2013. The Upper Wind River is considered Class IV/IV+, [...]
2013 Upper Wind River Festival
It’s almost the end of February and the 2013 Upper Wind River Festival is soon upon us! Saturday, March 16, 2013 is the 2013 Wind River Festival, the kickoff to this year’s Western Whitewater Championship Series! The series is comprised of about 17 races over 7 festivals throughout the Northwest between March and October. Racers receive [...]
How to Choose a Whitewater Paddle
As a whitewater kayaker, it’s just as important to choose the right paddle as it is the right kayak. The paddle becomes an extension of your body, so it’s only logical to choose one that is comfortable in your hands, and feels good! If only it were that simple: what about all the different blades [...]
River Rescue: Nuts and Hexes
How many of you have been on the river and been involved in a situation where you were walled in, and needed to extract a boat, but simply couldn’t due to lack of anchors? Having witnessed this last weekend in the new gorge on the Lower Lower White Salmon, Washington, I have added a few [...]
How to: Pack your Kayak for a Multi-Day Self Support Trip
Packing for a multi-day self support trip can be daunting. What do I bring? How do I keep everything dry? How does everything fit in my boat? While packing for a self-support river trip is not rocket science, it can be daunting. Here’s a few tips and tricks to help you pack your kayak, and [...]
Self Support on the South Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
What happens when four lady paddlers are getting married in the same year? You have a Bachelorette Paddle! Earlier this month, 9 ladies from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and Montana, rallied for a 4-day wilderness self-support on the South Fork of the Salmon River, near McCall, Idaho. At 5.25 feet, the South Fork of the [...]
Review: Wave Sport Diesel 80
Four years ago, when I first saw the Diesel 80, I giggled. When I first paddled the Diesel 80, I laughed. The more I paddled the Diesel 80, I fell in love. At 5’6″ and 120 lbs, I’m not your typical Diesel 80 paddler. In fact, I don’t even fit in the designated weight range [...]
2012 Clackamas River Festival
This year was the 29th annual Clackamas River Festival, a two day festival on the Upper Clackamas River outside Portland, Oregon. The two day event features various drift boat, cataraft, raft and kayak races, such as: R4 and Kayak Downriver races, an oar boat slalom, a cataraft freestyle rodeo, and many other events. In addition [...]
Upper Trout Creek, Washington
We are lucky as paddlers to live in the Columbia River Gorge. During the rainy season, within a half hour drive it is possible to be at over a dozen different rivers. Each and every one, unique, and awe-inspiring. The author boofing on Upper Trout Creek (Photo: Bryon Dorr) One of my favorite rivers in [...]
