Good to be back

Rains been pretty steady here in the SE this fall making it real easy to get off work and paddle. Ended up gettin on Overflow 4 times in 2 days, UWP, Green, and Russel fork the past few weeks and the shoulder has been holding quite well! Overflow was great to get back out there such a classic quality run that will get your adrenaline pumping while still being relaxed due to the scenery. Green...well is and always be the infamous green river






I was really excited about getting to paddle Russel Fork and heard of how great and beautiful this gorge was. Towers was the 1st rapid, a fun 3 foot boof over a pocket hole, but easily managable. Fist was directly after and is a terrifying class III with a VI undercut. We opted out and did the hairy ferry instead. Some boogie and Maze and Triple drop are next and might as well be considered 1 rapid as to hardly any break inbetween the two. Not long after is EL Horendo, which is the highlight of the run with a fune slide (Race line) on the left and a boof over a big hole (Main line) to the right. After the Climax the river mellows out and time to take in the scenery. FTW camping is another highlight here at Russel Fork.

Here are some pics of the following paddlers: Mason, Clint, and Dirty Dave

The next week we got some rain so proceeded toward the smokies. Mr. Bone called and said West Prong and Ravens were at a good level, having never done the WP we met at Chimney Trailhead. I didnt get any pictures so Ill keep it short, but this river was probably one of the best times Ive had on the river since I started kayaking. Ended up making it down to the bridge with 2 marginally sized cracks in my boat and watched Bone and Andy fade away. All was good I jogged up hill 2 miles back to my truck got my dog and hiked up Road prong for a ways. Smokey Mountains is a beautiful place to hike and paddle and I cant wait to get back up there and get some pics

Gilman

Gilman of the Eagle River is a must hit if your in Vail and a IV-V- paddler. This was an incredible creek 4 miles long dropping at about 120 fpm, and a ghost mine halfway down which we had to explore. We ended up spending 2 days on this one cause at 1000 cfs made for some big water fun! First day we paddled with Chris G after the Homestake race. Me not being in shape couldn't keep up and ended up being behind everyone and resulted in a very long and lonesome surf, which Andy was kind enough to knock me out. About Halfway down comes the first big rapid right under a low bridge. At this level it became a very technical rapid with big holes thrown in here and there. A few more juicy rapids and come to a flatwater section with the infamous slurry pipe just down stream. We all had some interesting lines with the Guardian hole (below the bridge) flipping left, right, back endering, everywhich direction except the one intended.

OBJ was a very unique run for me, its short but packs so much punch. This was a great area for camping, scenery, kayakers, and not to far from town. Fearing that our vehicles wouldnt make it across the slate we hiked the whole time we were there. If you havnt got acclamated yet hike OBJ, which we did 2 or 3 times a day for 4 days! OBJ did have its number for us with 1 broken ankle from the Ode to Joy Slide, banged up ankles from going deep on the big one, and one boat run without the boater, which resulted in alot of beer drinking and story telling by the fire. Heres some pics until I get some video up. This was a great micro creek which felt similar to Ravens drop style.

Soccer Mom loaded up

Big arse tunnel

A creepy day on Kebler

OBJ Camp Ground is breathe taking

So is the hike in ; )

Its really steep if you dont have a vehicle to cross the slate

If your not into running Ankle Breaker you can put in here

Another view of the alt. put in

Mac on the 1st one

Clint with a interesting line

Andy below a fun s-turn into a this drop into the slide below

Slide about Halfway down

The big one. A little right but ended up pulling it back down to 45.

Mac on the big one

And below a series of how not to run the bigone (thanks Andy for demonstrating)

Below

Clint's boat ran the sh*t

Avalanche into Ode to joy slide.... : ) Good Fun!

its True

Colorado (post surgery)

Just off the couch and out of rehab, rallied a group together and headed west at 8 pm. Rolled into boulder about 8 that night...pretty beat down from harldy no sleep, we finally got some rest. Next day went over to Eldorado State Park since it was a hike an huck and no shuttle vehicles. When we got there is was richter high (around 290 cfs) so we opted out on Harmon due to a boxed in hole leading into Harmon and put on right below. It was really hectic being in there and especially in a boat just outfitted prior to puting in.

(a week after surgery)

This was a very cool slot we ran due to the water being up. I had a terrible line almost flipping in the top landing on the rock in the center and putting about a 12' crease in the boat

Kebler pass on our way to OBJ in the largest Aspen Tree forest