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 region had seen heavy rain for two days prior, and the moisture was only supposed to continue.

From the put-in, the run starts out with a mini-adventure, hiking in through what a few years ago was a clearcut. The trees have grown substantially since then, making navigation a little more difficult, particularly when you’re wearing a GoPro on your head. Nevertheless, once you make it to the creek, the fun begins.

Classic Hagen Gorge Scenery

Upon putting on the creek, the sun came out, and we immediately realized we had been duped: Hagen Gorge was low. In fact so low, the first few rapids felt as though we were all in an MMA fight-being bounced around between boulders, finding the best line through a boulder-jumbled mess of a rapid. Needless to say, we reached the first landmark of the trip, about 1/3 mile downstream from the put-in: a mini-logjam to be portaged on the left.

Portaging the logjam about 1/3 mile downstream from the put-in

Below the portage, the creek starts to steepen, as drops became more vertical, and the first falls is reached: Haagendaaz Falls. With low water, we all had interesting lines, and a few of us went for laps.

Haagendaaz Falls

Soon after Haagendaaz, you roll up to Euphoria Falls, my favorite rapid on the run. Euphoria falls is a two-parter. It features a bubbly lead in to a 50 ft slide, into a 15 foot falls. At this water level, we all felt the need for a mouth-piece, but we all had clean runs, and paddled downstream sunny-side up.

Nate Herbeck and Josh Armagost making their way down the lead-in slide on Euphoria Falls

My turn! Sliding into Euphoria Falls

Looking back up at Euphoria Falls

After a short period of downriver be-bopping, you reach the confluence with the NF Washougal and the next major rapid: Teakettle. Teakettle features a fun entry to a sloping ramp into a decent sized hole. Boof hard left at the bottom for the superman line!

Devin Morton running the lead-in to Teakettle

Teakettle on a previous run (Photo Copyright Dave Hoffman)

Soon after Teakettle comes Crack in the Earth, the last major rapid on the run, in which the creek drops over a 20 foot falls, and quickly squeezes through a six foot wide crack in the Earth. The falls itself is fairly straight forward, but its a roll of the dice whether you’ll keep your head wet through the crack.

Dave Hoffman dropping the entrance falls to Crack in the Earth on an earlier visit (Photo copyright: Mike Gottlieb)

Dropping into Crack in the Earth

Devin Morton making his way toward the crack in the earth

Myself squeezing successfully through the crack

After Crack in the Earth, there is some fun, celebratory class III, quickly followed by the take-out. If you’re a class IV/V paddler with an adventuresome spirit looking for a new run, consider Hagen Gorge.

Some more of the in-between boogie water

See you on the river,

Kim Becker

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Paddlers gather just below the Finish Line

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+, depending on water levels. It is generally a six mile run, that begins in the flatwater near Carson, Washington, and quickly picks up its pace as its rapids become continuous. Rapids feature boulder gardens, boofs, big water, and sometimes, sticky holes. It’s an active stretch of river, and the perfect location for a race.

Keeping with tradition, the Upper Wind River Festival features short and long boat kayak races, as well as cataraft and raft races. The race itself begins at Stabler, and finishes about 2.5-3 miles downstream in the flats below “Climax”. The first race of the Western Whitewater Championship Series, it is unique. It is a mass start, and is absolute CHAOS, as paddlers from across the Northwest show up to test their skills.

Wind River Safety Meeting

Over thirty paddlers gathered for the racer’s meeting, learning the do’s and dont’s, and doing their last-minute stretches.

K1 Men’s Short Boat Start

Cards were drawn, declaring start order with Aces, 2 and 3’s starting downstream from Jacks, Queens and Kings. Paddler’s lined up facing the bank, forcing paddlers to start switch. This led to an interesting men’s start, with over half the field back-paddling for the first hundred yards. The Men’s race was a fight until the end between 25 paddlers, with Dan Rubado coming across the line in first, quickly followed by Trevor Sheehan, and Laurence Rosen.

Short Boat Men making their way through the Horn

The women’s start of 9 paddlers was much more calm, save for the Dynamic Duo captained by Nicole Mansfield and Katrina Van Wijk. The countdown was given and on go, the ruckus began!

Myself paddling hard through the Horn

Raft and cataraft races followed with Zach Collier of NW Rafting winning the cat race, and Tim Brink of ORT and his team, winning the R2 event.

Tim Brink and Jeffrey Steeler of ORT make their way through Ram’s Horn

Special Thanks to ORT and Next Adventure for Organizing the event, and for the scrumptious post-event BBQ and activities!

The scene at the takeout

Final Results: 

Men’s Short Boat (minute.second):

1. DAN RUBADO 22

2. TREVOR SHEEHAN 22.18

3. LAURENCE ROSEN 22.26

4. LEWIS HOOKER 22.41

5. JOSH OBERLEAS 22.53

6. LEIF ANDERSON 22.58

7. TIM THORTON 23.03

8. JESSE BECKER Not recorded

9. HARRISON REA  23.15

10. NATE MERRILL 23.19

11. NATHAN HERBECK 23.45

12. MICHAEL FREEMAN 23.24

13. PATRICK HIGGINS 24.15

14. ANDREW TAYLOR 24.27

15. BEN ROBERTS PRENEL 24.58

16. DAVID WELLS 25

17. SPENCER MANK 25.48

18. EDWARD (TED) WALZ 25.59

INGMAR PROKOP Not recorded

EVAN SMITH Not recorded

LUCAS RIETMAN Not recorded

PAUL GILLINGHAM Not recorded

EZRA TEAL Not recorded

JAMIE ALBERT Not recorded

JACK O’MALLEY Not recorded

Women’s K1 Short Boat (minute.second):

1. KIMBERLY BECKER 22.34

2. HEATHER HERBECK 24.09

3. ERIN CLANCEY 24.34

4. ELIZABETH TOBEY 25.59

5. DOVE MILLER 27.19

JONI RANDALL Not recorded

ANNA HERRING Not recorded

KATRINA VANWIJK & NICOLE MANSFIELD 22.35 (DISQUALIFIED FROM TOP 3 RANK DUE TO BOAT LENGTH)

Men’s Long Boat (minute.second):

1. TRAVIS COWLES 21.34

2. JOE STUMPFEL 21.54

3. NATE BELL Time not recorded

Women’s Long Boat (minute.second):

1. CHRISTIE EASTMAN 22.55

2. SUSAN HOLLINGSWORTH Time not recorded

Men’s Cataraft (minute.second): 

1. ZACH COLLIER 27.32

2. BOB HUNT AND DAVID ALLEN 30.03

Men’s R2 Raft (minute.second):

1. JAMIE CRONE AND TIM BRINK 26.04

2. JEFFERY STEEHLER AND GREG BABIKOFF 28.20

3. TODD COLLINS AND DAVID SACQUETY 28.51

4. BRYAN CARRINGTON AND DAVID SUTHERLAND 29.11

5. JOHN WATKINS AND TIM WEAVER 30.57

6. MARTIN AND DEREK KAMAHOAHOA 31.57

7. PETER GRIEVES AND SCOTT MICHAEL 32.00

8. MATT LINDLAND AND BRUCE REED 37.50

See you on the river,

Kim Becker

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Greetings Team Sundance!

Have you ever considered becoming a kayak instructor? If you love kayaking and are passionate about helping others experience the magic of this sport, then you should give it some thought. This is J.R. Weir, lead instructor for Sundance Kayak School, and this year I became an ACA certified Instructor Trainer. On March 23 I am launching my first ACA instructor certification class, for Level 4 whitewater kayaking. The class will be in Port Angeles, Washington, in cooperation with Sundance Kayak School and Olympic Raft and Kayak.

Rogue River Kayak School with J.R.

This class is designed to develop instructional and personal paddling technique and to prepare you to teach our beloved sport at the highest standard. It is about building great instructors and effective mentors. We emphasize safety and fun, while building creative progressions for paddling success. In addition to developing their technical skills, candidates will also hone their “soft skills” in order to become a more perceptive and flexible teacher.

J.R. Teaching the Kayak Roll

You do not need to be a class 5 kayaker to take this class. There are 4 levels of certification, ranging from level 1 (Ability to teach intro-level kayaking on class 1) to Level 4 (Ability to teach whitewater kayaking on class 2-3). There is a saying in this business: “There are kayakers who teach, and there are teachers who kayak.” If you are a teacher who kayaks, then this is the class for you.

The American Canoe Association is a worldwide organization, dedicated to promoting safety and education in paddlesports. It is the gold standard for kayak instruction in the country. ACA instructors enjoy member benefits through the ACA such as pro-deals, discounts, recourses, and access to affordable insurance for your classes. With this certification, you will have everything you need to start teaching classes for yourself. This is your opportunity to promote paddlesports, spread the love of kayaking, and have a job doing what you love!

J.R. Weir and Heather Herbeck teaching a Sundance course on the Rogue River

Sundance has been well-known as a center for learning and cutting-edge instruction for almost four decades, and we are committed to leading the industry into the future.

For more information about our ACA Instructor Certification courses please email jarrrrweir@gmail.com or call, J.R. at 707-954-3248

Happy Boating!

J.R. Weir
Sundance Kayak School

J.R. on the Chetco River

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Dagger Axiom 8.5 Kayak

Last year we had quite a few people request the Dagger Axiom for their kayak school, so we bought a few for the 2013 season. Of course, I have to test all of our equipment first, so I paddled it at our local kayak polo match and loved its speed and maneuverability. Today I took it down the Class III Hood River and it reminded me of boating in the ’90s.

The Axiom felt a lot like paddling the Dagger RPM and Outburst. It catches surf waves on the fly that modern playboats can’t seem to catch. It was fun to get on some fast waves, lean back, and carve back and forth like I remember doing in the RPM. It carves amazingly well and also boofs better than I expected.

This boat is a lot of fun, but it isn’t as forgiving as modern creek boats. The tail grabs water easily, and if you lean the wrong way the boat wants to flip. It also doesn’t resurface in holes as quickly as more modern boats do – you have to work for it.

This is going to be my new go to boat for Class III and easy Class IV kayaking. I like that it forces me to use good technique and that it can surf fast waves on the fly. It’s also super fun to stern squirt – one of my favorite play moves.

I’m 6’2″/220 lbs and paddled the Axiom 8.5. I was told that nobody is big enough for the Axiom 9.0 and sort of agree. For stern squirting and playing the 8.5 is perfect, but it was a little uncomfortable for me, especially after years of paddling super comfortable creek boats.

Learn more about the Dagger Axiom.

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Mass Start at the 2012 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 points for their standing at the end of each race, and at the end of the series, the individual with the most points wins. Categories include: Women’s K1, Men’s K1, Cataraft Men, Cataraft Women, Raft Men, Raft Women.

2012 Wind River Festival Racers at “Balls to the Wall Right”

Saturday’s event features a mass-start downriver race for all categories on the class IV “Upper Wind”. The Upper Wind, located near Carson, WA has everything from boulder gardens, to ledge drops, and is full of fun little boofs and rapids such as Initiation, Ram’s Horn, Balls to the Wall Right, and Climax. The race itself is about 3 miles long, from the Stabler put-in to shortly below “Climax”, and takes on average between 22-27 minutes.

Racers at the 2012 Wind River Festival

Race Details:

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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 designs? Should you choose carbon fiber or fiberglass? How long should it be? Should you paddle a straight or bent shaft?

Kim Becker running Thrasher on Canyon Creek, WA with her Adventure Technology AT2 Flexi

While designs vary slightly, the general anatomy of the paddle is the same: two blades attached to either a straight or bent shaft. The blades typically have a slightly concave power face, and a slightly convex or flat back. Whitewater paddle blades and shafts come in a variety of materials: wood, plastic, fiberglass, carbon, carbon/kevlar, etc. and a variety of sizes: generally anywhere from 188cm to 200cm long.

Length: Generally, for a do-it-all paddle, I would suggest the following, if you are:

5’0″-5’3″: 188-192cm
5’3″-5’8″: 192-196cm
5’8″-6’1″: 196-200cm
6’1″ + : 200-204cm

If you are a smaller paddler, consider a shorter paddle with a smaller shaft, and smaller blades. The larger the blades/paddle, the more effort and strength needed to control the paddle. Therefore, using a paddle that is too long or too large will cost you some control and could put an undue amount of wear and tear on your body.

Style of Paddling: Generally, I suggest a shorter paddle for playboating, and a longer paddle for creeking. When playboating, you are regularly transferring your paddle from one side of your boat to the other (ie: cartwheeling), and a long paddle can get “hung-up” so to speak.When creeking, the more leverage the better, and generally, you’ll like the added reach of a longer paddle when creeking. Just my .02 cents… If you want one paddle that can do it all, go somewhere in between on sizes. I am 5’5″, and paddle a 191cm when playboating, and a 194cm paddle when creeking.

Straight vs. Bent Shaft: The straight-shaft is a more traditional design, while the bent-shaft is a newer, more ergonomically correct design. I suggest a bent shaft whenever possible, as it puts your wrists, elbows, and therefore shoulders in a more neutral position, allowing for less stress/strain on your joints, and less fatigue while paddling.

Blade Offset: Whitewater blades typically have anywhere from 15 to 45 degrees of offset. The less the blades are offset, the less movement occurs at the wrist, meaning less repetitive twisting, and less wear and tear on the joints. This means less fatigue on the water, and fewer injuries. I would personally recommend a blade offset of 30 degrees.

Paddles come in a variety of materials

Materials:

Paddle blades and paddle shafts come in all kinds of materials: aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, carbon, etc. The main differences between materials are swing-weight and strength. Aluminum is the heaviest, followed by plastic, fiberglass, and the lightest: carbon. A light paddle means you can paddle farther, and spend more time on the water before you fatigue.

Typically strength and rigidity go in that order as well, with carbon being the strongest and the stiffest. A stiff paddle generally means more efficient paddling, as your effort goes directly into the paddle stroke (it is not lost in the flex of the paddle shaft or blades).

Durability wise, it can be said more flexible paddles have more “give” causing them to break less frequently. On the other hand, overtime, this flex can cause stress fractures, which overtime can weaken the integrity of the paddle. There have been no studies done to indicate better durability in stiff paddles versus flex. In my personal experience, if you hit a plastic blade edge on a rock hard enough it will crack. A fiberglass blade will splinter, while a carbon will simply “ding”. Reason being, carbon paddles typically have some form of Dynell edging to protect the edges.

Adventure Technology’s Comparison of Materials

When considering the kind of paddle you want, consider the kind of paddling you are going to do, how hard you are on gear, and how important weight and durability are to you. I would suggest a paddle with either a fiberglass or carbon blades. 

Price: The lighter the paddle, generally the more expensive the paddle. The price range of dependable paddles is generally $150-$500

When choosing a paddle, consider all of the above, and if you can, demo. Each paddle is a little different, and it’s worth it to find the paddle that feels good!

My paddle of choice is the Adventure Technology AT2 Flexi: Find out why

Happy Paddling,

Kim Becker

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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 climbing Nuts and Hexes to my pin kit. These tricks of the climbing trade are lightweight additions to the pin-kit that make it possible to extract a boat when the only option for an anchor is a crack in the rock (if only I were a climber and had this epiphany sooner!).

Nuts are used in climbing, come in a variety of sizes, and can be wedged in various cracks in the rock. They are more or less a small block of metal attached to a loop of cord or wire.

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2012 was a pivotal year in the rebuilding of Sundance Kayak Schools. Our goal is always to run the best kayak instruction courses in the world, but we also did some great exploratory trips and training with our instructors.

We started out the paddling season with a kayak trip on the Smith River and an exploratory run down Taylor Creek, a small tributary to the Rogue River. Taylor Creek was a challenging run in a deep gorge with stellar scenery.

J.R. padding in the heart of the beautiful Taylor Creek Gorge

We also had the opportunity to paddle the Little Klickitat River which only flows a few days a year after big storms in the Northwest.

Paddling into a HUGE river wide hole on the Little Klickitat River

In May, our guides and instructors met up for a training mission in the Oregon Hole Gorge and the South Fork Gorge of the Smith River. The absolutely beautiful weather and clear water made for the perfect day of boating!

Paddling into the last drop of the South Fork gorge

Our first kayak school on the Rogue was in mid-June. Students spent 3 days at the Riverhouse (formerly the Sundance Lodge) learning the basics, before heading down the Wild & Scenic section of the Rogue to further improve their skills. After five days in the wilderness, the group had evolved into a family of passionate kayakers.

Group photo from our June kayak school on the Rogue

Father and son celebrating after a successful run down Mule Creek Canyon

In July, we ran our second kayak school on the Rogue, which was also a huge success. But don’t just take our word for it:

“This was a life changing trip for me. Not only did I greatly improve my kayaking skills and confidence, but I spent 6 days getting to know your incredible guides and the rest of the students in the class. I had an amazing time on and off the river and I now know that multi-day trips will be a big part of my life from here on out.”

Group Photo from our July kayak school

A week later our friends from Potomac River Outfitters brought a group of students from the East Coast to paddle the wild Rogue of the West.

August kayaking trip on the Rogue River

We wrapped up the season with a few private kayak lessons and a stand-up paddling (SUP) session over Labor Day weekend. I’m proud to say that every single student, in every single class left with a smile and some new skills!

Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Rogue River

After a successful season, the crew took an exploratory 3-day trip down the lower Chetco, a beautiful river just south of the Rogue. The Chetco has gin-clear water, great rapids, absolutely beautiful camps, and plenty of solitude. It was a wonderful final trip of the summer for our crew.

Inflatable kayaking in the lower Chetco River gorge

Last week, our lead instructor J.R., attended the Whitewater Symposium, a national “meeting of the minds” for whitewater professionals. He was a presenter at the symposium for new rolling techniques, as well as the role of the American Canoe Association in our industry. He reported a great time was had by all, and he brought back a lot of great information for next season.

It was a wonderful year and we have so much planned for next year. We’ve doubled the number of class offerings and have plans to explore many new rivers in Southern Oregon. Hope you can be a part of Team Sundance 2013!

The post Year in Review: 2012 appeared first on Sundance Kayak School.

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 keep your gear dry while on a self support river trip.

Susan Hollingsworth’s Grand Canyon gear explosion

One of the first questions most people ask, “How do I keep things dry?

Drybags! Drybags, in general, are stuff sacks made of a waterproof material, and sealed via a zip-closure or roll-top closure. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes (and colors!) to fit your boat. Not all drybags are created equal, and like every sport, there are cheap and expensive bags. Consider spending the extra penny to ensure you have a dry sleeping bag at the end of the day.

While everyone has their own system, I recommend Watershed Futa Stow-float drybags. They double as both a drybag, and an airbag, giving you both flotation and storage. My personal overnight setup includes two of these stern drybags- one per side-, and a smaller drybag that rests between my legs. I put my snacks, camera, and items that need to be easily accessed in the drybag between my legs, while I distribute the rest between the stern bags.

** Remember, NOT all items need to go in drybags. Tent poles, fuel canisters, avocados, and the like can find home in the nooks and crannies (or bulkhead) of your boat, saving precious cargo space in your drybags**

How do I know what to bring?

Start with the necessary staples: a throw bag, a breakdown paddle, a pin-kit, a first aid kit, SPOT device, headlamp, leatherman, sleeping bag and pad, kitchen tools, food, and dry clothes.

-When packing clothes: Remember synthetic materials dry fast and provide more insulation than cotton.  Cotton holds moisture to your skin, and can cause hypothermia even on the warmest of days. Consider a rain jacket/pants, and a puffy coat (a must in my opinion!).

-If you are paddling in the wilderness: Carry a Satellite phone or a SPOT device. Having some way to communicate in the event of an emergency is ESSENTIAL.

-Never skimp on food! It’s better to pack too much food than not enough! Have fun, and be creative with your meals: Pad Thai, Mediterranean Pitas, chicken skewers, etc. Dehydrated foods are a great option, but don’t be afraid to bring real food on the river!

-It never hurts to bring a tarp. In the event of a fluke rainstorm, you’ll have shelter. Not to mention, tarps are lighter than tents, and can easily be crammed into the bow of your boat.

Ladies in loaded boats on the SF Salmon River, Idaho

How do I best pack a drybag?

Most people find it easiest to place the empty drybag in the stern of their kayak before they load it.  Load light items, such as a puffy jacket and sleeping bag near the stern, and save the heavy items such as your stove/fuel canister and clothes for last. This will keep the weight at the center of your kayak, allowing for easier maneuverability through rapids, as well as prevents your boat from being too stern heavy.

Consider putting valuables/breakables, as well as snacks in a drybag that can go between your legs. It’s easy access, and keeps you from having to tear apart your kayak just to get to lunch.

Lastly, if you can, place canned foods, and the extras up in your bow. This will help you track straight and help when punching holes.

**Always, always, carabiner, or strap your drybags into your boat. In the event of a swim, at least your gear won’t go floating away.**

————————————————————————————————–

For more information, check out Erik Boomer, self-support extraordinaire, and his video on how to pack a kayak: http://www.canoekayak.com/skills/virtual-coach-how-to-self-support/

Happy Paddling!

The post How to: Pack your Kayak for a Multi-Day Self Support Trip appeared first on Sundance Kayak School.

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 Salmon is 32 miles of class IV/V big water rapids, amazing scenery and wilderness, followed by a 22 mile paddle out on the Main Salmon River. There are a few places were civilization intrudes on the run but for the most part the river is very remote.

Put-in: EFSF Salmon at Canton Creek

Take-out: Vinegar Creek on the Main Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho.

A permit is not required for the South Fork of the Salmon, but is required for the Main Salmon. Day use permits on the Main Salmon is free and can be acquired ahead of time.

Day 1: Leaving Hood River, Oregon at 4:45am, four of us ladies rallied the drive to McCall, Idaho, where upon stopping in the driveway of what was later decided as “not the shuttle driver’s house,” our van broke down. Let me re-phrase that: our van lost its power steering and power brakes. YIKES! With some creative thinking, we commandeered another shuttle vehicle, and limped the van to the nearest garage, where it lay to rest for the course of our trip.

Two hours later, we were at our put-in on the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon, where one twisted ankle and one nosebleed later, we made it on the water. Phew! Fortunately, but unfortunately, I managed to leave my camera’s SD card at home and have survived on photos from the rest of the group…

The EFSF Salmon from Canton Creek to Deadman’s Bar is fairly continuous class IV, full of big waves, holes, and scary ferries: a good warm up to the SF Salmon.

Fine Dining at Deadman’s Bar

Day 2: The “Moment of Truth” had arrived, as I crossed my fingers everything would fit in my Diesel 80. I’d managed to pack my life into two Watershed Futa Floatbags, and one WaterShed Chattooga bag that would fit between my legs.

Two-piece breakdown paddle

SPOT Device

Headlamp

First aid kit

Jetboil stove + fuel

Nalgene bottle

Pin-kit

Throwbag

1 union suit

1 long sleeve shirt

1 short sleeve shirt

1 pair of jeans

1 superhero costume

Food (tortillas, cheese, dried veggies, apricots, fruit leathers, Gu Gel, etc)

Miscellaneous Bachelorette Party Favors

The answer is YES! It all fit! (Although a few things had be carried by Super Bride, Susan Hollingsworth (above) and her Green Boat- Thanks Susan!

Ladies on the SF Salmon

Day two saw our incredible group of ladies paddling a total of about 13 miles: the remaining mileage on the EFSF plus another 6 or so miles on the South Fork Salmon. We camped just below the first major rapid, Devil’s Creek, also known as Monica’s rapid for her HERO boat-scouting maneuvers.

The bottom half of Devil’s Creek Rapid

One rowdy class V below Devil’s Creek, we camped on river left alongside a waterfall, just in time to get to camp, set up our tarps, and the rain to start. Don’t worry… this is a Bachelorette Trip. The rain only lasted an hour, we still got to go on a mini hike to the falls, enjoy fun Bachelorette Party antics, and some delicious Pad Thai! Yumm!

Home Sweet Home on Night Two

Mini-hikes…

 to cool overlooks

Day 3: Best Day Ever! The morning broke with sunny, clear blue skies, and the girls were ready for a day of big rapids. According to the guidebook, we had 2-3 more major class IV/V rapids below camp, followed by 5-6 miles of boogie water, and then the big ones would start stacking up, ending in Scissors, and Falls Creek Rapid. After Falls Creek Rapid, the S.F. Salmon mellows out to the Confluence with the Main Salmon.  Luckily, for us Hood-Riveran folk, there were fun little creek lines through most of the rapids for us to enjoy while the Montana gals enjoyed the big water lines.

Hood River ladies finding the creek lines

Christie Glissmeyer sneaking past a big hole at the bottom of Surprise

Lunch Break: (from L to R) Cheyenne Rogers, Stacy McBain, Anika Lofts, Emily McGinty, Christie Glissmeyer, Susan Hollingsworth, Monica Gokey, myself, and Lana Young

Just as we were all starting to get the chills, the big rapids started to stack up, and we had hit Falls Creek Rapid.  A quick stretch for the legs, and we ladies were out for a scout.

Scouting Falls Creek Rapid

 The Crux of Falls Creek Rapid

The river immediately mellowed out below Falls Creek Rapid, lending itself to beautiful scenery and the beginnings of civilization. At the confluence with the Main Salmon, we came upon our last camp: Confluence Camp.

Gear Explosion at night 3′s Confluence Camp

Within minutes, a jet boat pulled up, delivering delicious beverages, and offering us all a jet boat ride. YES! we said, and the Superheroes of the South Fork took off downstream to Mackay Bar, where we had our first re-entry into normal life: played volleyball, hung out in a teepee, and smelled some tasty pizza.

Forty Brodies later, we made it back to camp, and settled in to Mediterranean Night: Falafel, tabouli, tomato, cucumber, hummus, tzatiki sauce. Best river meal ever!

Day 4: The last morning on the river, we finally had blue skies and WARM weather! About time! After a relaxing breakfast in the sun, we  took off downstream toward the take-out, making sure to wash our hair on the way. Dr. Bronner’s soap does wonders!

Myself, Susan and our Ruby Red boats

22 miles later, we made it to Vinegar Creek only to see our van completely FIXED and ready to roll. Only in Idaho does your shuttle driver not only run your shuttle, but fix your van while your out. Perfect!

 Bachelorette Party of the Century- COMPLETE!

See you on the river,

Kim Russell

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