Showing posts with label waterfall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waterfall. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Beaverated Again (sort of)
By now, you're probably all familiar with this video, since the blog you're reading is named after it.
But it's good fun to watch again (and again, and again, and...)
Last weekend was Labor Day Weekend, better known as Beaverfest, and as usual hundreds of paddlers flocked to the western Adirondacks to get some Beaver. It also happened to be the 6 year anniversary of my rebirth as the Beaverator Kid, and while I didn't paddle the Taylorville section this weekend, I'll be making my way back there in the coming weeks.
More importantly, I stepped it up in a big way elsewhere.
If you're lazy and/or don't care to hear me describe the incredible awesomeness of the weekend, feel free to skip to the bottom paragraphs which contain the morals!
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| Staph is no fun, notice the size difference and the red streaks |
Last year, I had a staph infection on my knee that made walking difficult, and the idea of shoving it into a thighbrace unfathomable. It was the first Beaverfest I hadn't paddled in 7 years. I spent the weekend surrounded by friends and strangers alike running the river...over and over and over again. I was miserable, but I took a bunch of great photos and determined that no matter what I'd be healthy the following year.
And so I found myself here a year later:
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| Scouting out the first third of the enormous spillway at the Moshier section. |
In years past this was something I had paddled quickly by, barely glancing at it, certain I'd never run it. Every year, more and more people run it, but in the relative crowd that shows up for the rest of the river, only a handful of people step up.
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| Mostly because of this... Ben Schott sliding by. |
Yeah, that's a massive roostertail. It stems from a ledge/rock that juts up about 2 feet out of the bedrock right at the bottom-middle of the slide. There's a pretty solid amount of flow that crashes straight into it, making a normally large and ominous slide downright intimidating.
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| This provides reasonable perspective |
Surprisingly, I bucked up and ran it. It took a little while, but after watching a number of people miss their boof and sloppily bounce down and still making it to the right too early, I remembered the wise words of Kate Daniel: "What could possibly go wrong?" And so I dropped in, nailing a boof and waiting to make the move to the right, finding it surprisingly smooth.
Stoked on finally firing up one of the biggest drops in NY, we headed down for an eventful run down the normal stretch. An unnamed paddler that looked vaguely familiar to me and may or may not have taught me everything I know took a stout beating at the second drop, followed by a swim. Then another anonymous individual took a brutal hit to the face in one of the no-name rapids.
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| The beaverator tradition continues! |
Unfazed, we continued downriver with a couple more (justifiable) swims and 2 hot laps down Moshier Falls for me. It was the first year I really felt in control coming through the pushy series and into the boof.
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| The boof! |
The Eagle followed, where Catherine got to practice her boof, and others sneaked in and out of eddies between KONY Racers charging down the course.
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| Catherine was one of the few paddlers to remain focused at the last drop |
The following day, Taylor decided that buying a Beaverfest sticker and putting it on the back of his car wasn't enough, so he passed up an awesome time on the Raquette to paddle the Taylorville section (again).
And by awesome time on the Raquette, I mean it must have been interesting to watch, since I botched a line at Colton, requiring me to reset in the eddy above the boof and then battle a submerged rock at the bottom before ultimately rolling and scrambling into an eddy. Dylan seemed to be thinking twice after I said "it's not that hard, watch me..."
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| Dylan also managed to not be too distracted... coincidence? |
We continued quickly down to the Tubs. Dylan had a clean line, and I headed up to run it myself, confident in my past experience.
It should go without saying that I was overly confident.
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| Dylan with a sweet line |
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| Plugging into the not so sweet line |
I don't know how long I was in there, but I thought about swimming a couple times. Then I rolled up and saw where I was. With a pillow of water pushing me back towards the curtain and an swirling current securing me deep in the pocket, I realized no matter how bad things seemed in the boat, I didn't want to go swimming here.
After getting violently tossed, having my paddle snatched from one hand, and getting bowstalled underwater, I finally rolled up and managed to draw my way out before styling the second drop.
Dylan followed me down Particle Accelerator to continue the carnage. His right hand was totally shredded, but I think he got away without stitches. Catherine saved him the carry out by joining me for the remainder of the run, and all in all, the day was a success.
So here's the moral:
Even though I styled my lines on the Moshier, I feel that the beatdown and my ability to surf out of it speaks more to my skills as a paddler. Doug Ammons states that "The real measure of skill is not what you can paddle in optimum circumstances" but "what you can do when the worst happens and you're at rock bottom." While I was far from rock bottom (only figuratively speaking) I can at least say my ability to adapt quickly to a plan b or c has evolved greatly since the Beaverator Incident. No matter what class of paddler I become, paddling rivers I started out on will always hold a special place in my heart for the sense of renewed perspective and growth I can find on them.
Bonus moral:
Getting worked sucks, but it makes you a better paddler. Try it sometime.
Labels:
2012,
Adirondacks,
Beaver River,
Eagle,
Fall,
Falls,
Kayaking,
Lowville,
New York,
paddle,
The beavearator kid,
waterfall
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Canada and "Almost Canada"
Since I left the west coast roughly a month ago, I've spent the majority of my time in Canada or Northern NY, which is almost Canada. Despite the widespread belief that our neighbors to the north live in a cold and barren tundra, there's actually some reasonably good (REALLY FREAKING AWESOME) whitewater up there.
Now don't get me wrong, I won't be making poutine a regular part of my diet and saying "eh" at the end of every sentence any time soon (that's almost as bad as "y'all"), but I think it's safe to say that my passport is going to get a good deal more use before the summer is through.
First up was the Cheticamp. Ben Schott, Mike Mainer, and I had planned on getting a source to sea first descent on this one, but low water thwarted our attempt in the last 6 miles or so. Nonetheless, it was a huge accomplishment to get as far as we did, and I'll have a full TR with more supporting photos after I find out if I'm going to be famous or not. Until then, feel free to salivate over these shots...
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| The first "real" rapid, and out campsite for night 1. |
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| Yours truly dropping into the committing one Mike Mainer photo |
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| Mordor |
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| we named this one Mike's Panties, I'll leave you in suspense for now... |
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| Mainer on the last big one...it was basically Metlako... |
After a long 3 days of hiking/hucking and another 2 days of driving, I headed back to "Almost Canada" for something a little easier. I settled into a routine of safety kayaking and raft guiding on the Black River.
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| My family promptly took advantage of my guide status... |
Before long, the river had reached dismally low levels, and Tony G and Chris Morelli convinced me to seek water elsewhere. And where better to seek it than one of the largest rivers in the east?
So we loaded up some Pyranha Jeds and rallied to the Ottawa after our respective rafting trips. The 4 hour drive turned into a 5 hour drive while Tony experienced some "difficulties" crossing the border. Nevertheless, we made it to a campground under cover of darkness, and woke up in a field full of tents and playboats. After a breakfast of fruitloop-peanutbutter sandwhiches and some help from the locals, we were on the river and headed to Garb...after a short detour.
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| Dirtbags for life! |
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| Garb is a great place to learn to blunt... |
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| It does most of the work for you. Morelli going big. |
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| "Hey hold on a second, I'm about to go huge" Tony throwing down some nasty Pan Ams. |
All told, I spent $30 on the trip. There's a reason I'm chief dirtbag...
Labels:
2012,
Black River,
Canada,
Cheticamp,
First Descent,
Garburator,
Kayaking,
New York,
Nova Scotia,
Ontario,
Ottawa,
rafting,
Summer,
waterfall,
Whitewater
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Monday, June 11, 2012
Falling
(This is the truth, and also more than the truth.)
It sure does feel like falling. If you try to fight it things just get out of control. That's how you end up hurt. It's best to just let go, tuck up, and wait it out. Of course, sometimes you do everything right and things still get broken.
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| Letting go and tucking up on Metlako Falls, Eagle Creek, OR Kate Daniel Photo |
It's always a choice, too. Whether it was a spur of the moment decision with a convenient pool at the top or a missed takeout where you ended up gorged in at the lip with no choice but to fall, there were a series of choices that led to the moment you tip over the edge.
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| One of the ones without many options. Brokeback Gorge, NY Taylor Krammen Photo |
And once you've made that choice, it's all what you make of it. Things accelerate quickly. Changes are hard to react to. Sometimes, even letting go doesn't work as well as you had hoped.
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| Reacting. Pixley Falls, NY Brian Murphy Photo |
When you're falling, that's all that exists. For some it's natural. Others feel their stomachs drop out. Everyone takes some time to wonder how they got there in the first place. Inevitably you start to wonder how long it's going to last. Above all, it seems bigger than it really is.
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| Metlako Falls, OR Kate Daniel Photo |
So you hang there.
In ecstasy or agonizing anticipation.
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| "Remember, this was a choice." Metlako Falls, OR. Ethan Smith Photo |
And just pray you don't hit bottom.
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| Kate Daniel Photo |
And now for something completely different.
Labels:
2012,
Brokeback Gorge,
Eagle Creek,
Kayaking,
Metlako,
New York,
Oregon,
Pixley Falls,
waterfall,
Whitewater,
Writing
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Bigger things to come...
I've been pretty busy ghostwriting, instructing, and yard working for the last little bit. So instead of writing silly blogposts and assembling magazines about kayaking in my free time, I've actually been kayaking. It's a tough world, man...
The last few months have been a blur of new friends, new rivers, and a lot of work. It's been very rewarding, but not without its fair share of frustrations. It's hard to teach intro classes on Class II when the gnar is running. It's also hard to constantly be surrounded by elite paddlers that think nothing of multiple laps on the Little White Salmon (LDUB) and multi-day first descents. It sorta puts you in your place and makes you feel like maybe you're not as cool as you think you are...
But feelings like that, when handled correctly, can inspire growth. They set the standards just a little higher. And when you make friends with a similar drive, great things can be accomplished.
This:
Becomes this:
With the right people, those challenges that seem so frustrating become something to laugh about.
So I made the most of my time on the mellow rivers. I taught, learned to teach, and just learned more about kayaking. We created EDDY, SUPed, and watched the pros race down Canyon Creek.
Of all of the above, EDDY has been the most influential in my skill development. "Beaverator Kid, please bestow upon me the wisdom of this great and powerful creation," you say. And truly, the information is too important to be kept a secret.
EDDY is a game. A game not unlike HORSE or PIG as played in basketball, but applied to the river, and, specifically catching eddies.
EDDY
Suitable for 2+ players, ages 0-160+
Objective: Create a line through a rapid that ends in an eddy that is difficult or impossible for the other player(s) to repeat. For each line missed, paddlers progressively receive the letters E-D-D-Y. Players alternate turns creating lines. End the game with as few letters as possible.
The Rules:
All the challenges and small frustrations were washed away as I drifted in the twilit flatwater at the end of the Little White. Truly it seemed that though "nothing was different, everything had changed." My perceived lack of progress was really only a product of my ever raising standards set by the elite paddlers around me. The feelings of stagnation were indicative of expansive growth. And for that, I have my great friends to thank.
The next few weeks are sure to hold more growth with bigger things to come. Until then, here are some of my favorite shots from my time out here so far.
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| Especially in places like this... Sahalie Falls, McKenzie River, OR Sam Drevo Photo |
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| Those feelings are enhanced when you find yourself in situations like this... Canyon Creek, WA |
This:
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| Kate Daniel gettin' stylie on the Lower Clack |
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| Kate, equally stylie in downtown Portland on a SUPer moon adventure |
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| Like a waterfall that you just aren't nailing the boof on like you want to. |
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| Or taking those blind strokes off the lip for your first time (Gus is killing it, btw) |
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| Harrison Rea about to boof the rainbow... Canyon Creek, WA |
EDDY is a game. A game not unlike HORSE or PIG as played in basketball, but applied to the river, and, specifically catching eddies.
EDDY
Suitable for 2+ players, ages 0-160+
Objective: Create a line through a rapid that ends in an eddy that is difficult or impossible for the other player(s) to repeat. For each line missed, paddlers progressively receive the letters E-D-D-Y. Players alternate turns creating lines. End the game with as few letters as possible.
The Rules:
- The player creating the line must broadcast his/her intentions. If they don't hit the line they said they would, they get a letter.
- The following player must catch the same eddies and use the same features as the creator, unless otherwise specified. If they do not succeed, they get a letter and must catch the next eddy possible.
- Players may not return to an eddy previously used, unless it is part of the specified line.
- Surfing waves, holes, hitting boofs, and cross bow strokes qualify as part of "the line" created.
- If a horizon prevents a significant line from being created, the creator may create half of their line and commit to the second half after the follower(s) have caught the staging eddy.
- Rules are meant to be broken. Adapt this game to the river and your needs, but stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the challenges set.
So there you have it, young grasshopper, the game of eddy, and the key to me surviving this:
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| The LDUB aka The Little White Salmon aka The GNAR |
The Little White Salmon pretty much deserves every bit of its reputation. It's a nonstop tumult of whitewater pouring down the side of a mountain, with crystal clear water, and some of the best rapids in the world. It is difficult.
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| This is about as mellow as it ever gets. |
There are a lot of places you don't want to be.
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| Like here... a little far right on Boulder Sluice. |
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| or here... a little coser to the meat of Wishbone than I had hoped. |
There are some really big holes and a handful of pretty stout drops.
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| like the sweet boof at the top of S-Turn |
It is incredibly gorgeous.
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| A pretty classic move in Gettin' Busy... ride the pillow, take a boof, repeat. Whitewater as far as the eye can see... |
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| Cheap thrills... Kate Daniel Photo |
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| Thuggin' with the ACA Pacific Northwest Collegiate Trophy Ben Small Photo |
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| Pretty much the coolest photo of feet I've ever seen Kate Daniel Photo |
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| An intimidating line on the Little White, Stovepipe |
Until next time...
Labels:
2012,
Canyon Creek,
dirtbag's guide,
Falls,
Hiking,
Kayaking,
Little White,
Little White Salmon,
Oregon,
paddle,
PNW,
Sahalie Falls,
Strainers,
Summer,
SUP,
Washington,
waterfall,
West,
West Coast,
Whitewater
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Dirtbag's Guide To Whitewater
For the last month I've been working on an online magazine I've come to call "The Dirtbag's Guide to Whitewater." With the help of several contributors and lots of free time, I managed to pull it all together. Truth be told, it's got be more nervous than most big rapids. Future issues will depend on reader's reception, so if you like it, let me know and a new issue will follow sometime near the end of May! Comments are welcome, as are emails to the address on my blogger profile.
Big thanks to all the contributors,
we hope you enjoy!
Happy New Year!!!
Labels:
2011,
canoeing,
dirtbag's guide,
Kayaking,
New York,
Pennsylvania,
rafting,
Scott Martin,
UVM,
Vermont,
waterfall,
Whitewater
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Brokeback Gorge is full of wood...
This may or may not mean exactly what you think it does.
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| Really big wood... |
Brokeback Gorge is a section of river I am proud to call a backyard classic. After several days of scouting over the course of nearly a year, I got on this committing classic with Taylor Krammen shortly after Moosefest 2010 for what we believe to be the First Descent.
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| When I say committing, I mean this is the lip of a 30 footer... |
The moves aren't all that difficult, but there's a bit of added intensity. Most of the time the walls are just under vertical, and the rock isn't quite as strongly bonded as it may once have been.
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| Unless you scout it when it's dry or scramble down some sketchy slopes, this is the best view of the big one you're gonna get. |
Ok, so you probably got the picture as far as the commitment is concerned. The main point here is that there's a bunch of wood jammed in there, and the real problem is that I'm not positive on exactly where it is. I hiked it about 3 months ago and saw 4 logs in places that were portageable, but we've had some high water since then, and they very well could have flushed into the crux.
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| That would be this... |
Today, I headed in with my dad to free this sucker up, but recent snows have the walls coated fairly well, and there was much more water than I expected down there. This is especially bittersweet. It's very inconvenient that I can't get in there to remove the wood, and I probably won't be able to until after Spring Moosefest. Snow, water levels, and temperatures just won't allow it. On the other hand, if there was that much water in there with what little snowmelt we've had, it would appear that this stretch takes less water than the Independence to pop into a runnable range.
I've got a super clean 30 footer, and instant classic creek in my back yard that runs multiple weeks per year. If I can just get it to stay wood-free, I think we'll have something pretty cool on our hands.
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| Something pretty cool indeed... |
Bottom Line: Don't go in there (unless you plan on cutting the wood out) and let me know if you have any tips on keeping this clean in the future!
Labels:
2011,
Brokeback Gorge,
Falls,
First Descent,
Hiking,
Kayaking,
New York,
Roaring Brook,
Scouting,
Strainers,
waterfall,
Whitewater,
Wood
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About Me
- Eric
- I am a freelance writer and photographer, collector of experiences, adventure lover, and outdoor goer.
