Paddle. Even If This Is Possible, to Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

July /August 1996 I lw';?'at

Letters ...... 6 Five Ring Quixotism Forum by Elmore Holmes ...... 4 'I But what about Safety

Briefs ...... 55 'I The Rodeo Zone Backcountry Idaho 'I Cheat Canyon Race Results 'I Whitewater Festivals by Kayak V River Voices by Andrew Zimet Conservation V How Fish and Wildlife want your money . 13 V Hydro Update ...... 14 'I Forest Service reviews Clavey ...... 14 Safely Taking the Big Ride V Near Miss on the Wautauga ...... 19 Access on the Clavey V Davey Hearn Acquitted ...... 17 by Bruce Farrenkopf V Management Plan for Upper Yough...... 18 Humor VThe Battle of the Swine King ...... 74 by Ed Ditto A Rubber Duck Goes in Search... by Nathan Lewis

Front cover: Scott Shipley, 1995 World Cup Champion, earning a spot on the 1996 USA Olympic Team. Shipley co-designed his boat, a Predator, with Dagger design team Steve Scarborough and Andy Bridge. Photo generously provided by Dagger. Back cover: Adam Clawson, 23, captures a seat on the 1996 USA Olympic C-1 team. Clawson paddled a Zealot C-I, which he co-designed with Dagger's Andy Bridge and Steve Scarborough. Photo by Ed Michael, generously provided by Dagger. Publication Title: American Whitewater Issue Date: JulylAugust 1996 Statement of Frequency: Published bimonthly Authorized Organization's Name and Address: American Whitewater Affiliation P.O. Box 636 NY 12544 Printed on Recycled Paper Margaretville, American Whitewater v July /August 1996 same fashion. Contrast these articles with the article that you personally wrote about the Clarks Fork, which was equally enjoyable to read, but far more safety con- scious in tone, description of dangers, etc. Your editorials regularly espouse good The opinions expressed in the Dear Bob, safety practices, which I am glad to see. I I just received my MarchlApril issue wonder, however, if the Editorial Dis- features and editorials of Ameri- of American Whitewater and greatly en- claimer which is near the beginning of can Whitewater are those of the joyed the "hair" articles, especially since I each issue shouldn't be expanded to in- individual autbrs. They do not grew up and learned to boat in Washing- clude a statement such as: "The articles ton and spent a year in California where I, in this magazine may describe activities too, stared, on many occasions at the which are dangerous and in violation of Cataracts of the Kern. It shows how far accepted safety procedures. The AWA paddling has come since then (1979) to does not endorse or reconimend these ac- think that people are now running those tivities. " rapids. Despite enjoying the articles IPnd my- Regards, self increasingly concerned by the general Doug Gordon message which is being sent by the major- Salt Lake City, Utah ity of articles in the Journal these days: "Yeah, we're on a hair river and we're ig- oug Gordon is a former member of noring all the safety rules which apply to the U.S. Kayaking Team and an ac dficult whitewater, but we're so good and D complished hair boater. He has so damn macho that we're going to get participated in difficult expeditionary away with it. " runs in Mexico, Quebec, and, most re- For example, consider the Ernie's Can- cently, on the Homathko River in British yon article, where two experienced pad- Columbia. I have seen Doug in action on dlers on a Class V river are leading a third extremely difficult and dangerous paddler down who does not know the run. whitewater. (I was portaging and/or set- I) They make almost no attempt to scout, ting safety on the shore.) Believe me, he despite the fact that the river is only two ain't no weenie! miles long and the paddler who is new to I'm glad that Doug took the time to the river could presumably have walked write this thoughtful letter, particularly the entire river before putting on. 2) They since I share many of his concerns re- appear to have limited safety equipment garding safety and the contents of Ameri- with them. In fact, the author apparently can whitewater. does not even own a throw bag and has In defense of the authors and partici- borrowed one - which he has tossed into pants in the Crystal story... the events de- the front of his boat, thereby guaranteeing scribed occurred during the production of that he will not have quick access to it in the Meltdown Madness video; the Colo- an emergency. The only redeeming safety radans scouted the difficult and danger- feature of this article is that the title is at ous run extensively and set extensive KAYAK least accurate; "Tempting Fate" is exactly safety on shore. Admittedly, this wasn't what these folks are doing. emphasized in the article. RIOS HONDURAS The Crystal article continues in the I do not know the specifics of the run Trip Leaders MARY PHIL HAYES DERIEMER

Editor: Bob Gedekoh, Box 228, R.D.#4, Elizabeth, Pa. 15037 Emeritus Editor: Chris Koll BEGINNER Art directionlGraphic design/Production: John K. Victor, 396 Church St., Chillicothe, INTERMEDIATE OH 45601 Contributing writers: Pope Barrow, Howard Davidson, Carla Garrison, Joe Greiner, Rich ADVANCED Hoffman, Jonathan Katz, John Weld, Mark White EXPERT Production Assistant: Teresa Augustin Advertising Director: Phyllis Horowitz, Box 636, Margaretville, New York 12455 CUSTOM (914)586 -2355 Safety: Charlie Walbridge CALL FOR DATES Conservation and Access: Rich Bowers, Rich Hoffman, 1430 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD, 20910 Phone (301) 589-9453 Fax (301) 589-6121, email: 72732.401 @compusewe.com, 76435.73 1 @compusewe.com (800) 255-5784 Missing Copies and Address Changes: Contact Phyllis Horowitz 10281 HIGHWAY 50 American Whitewater is printed by SPENCER WALKER PRESS, INC., Newark OH. All HOWA KD, CO. 81233 rights resewed. American Whitewater v July /August 1996 through Ernie's Canyon, but I suspect that I don't believe this is true at all, and I very judiciously. Experiencing the Clarks these boaters, who are respected north- would love to see more "gentle" submis- Fork was, in every respect, a penultimate western paddlers, made every effort to ad- sions. paddling experience. But when I returned dress safety issues. I have heard that As for the failure of our authors to home the disappointing question that I Ernie's is extreme and dangerous and address safety issues, I think this reflects a heard most often was, "Could you run ev- that there is only so much that can be problematic attitude in the paddling com- erything on the river?" done to make it safe. But Doug is right, munity at large. In many circles it seems When I answered negatively, I was in- there wasn't much about safety in that ar- that expressing concern regarding safety evitably confronted with smirks that sug- ticle. has become decidedly "uncool". There is gested one of two thoughts. "Maybe ym In general, though, Doug Gordon is not just a disregard for river safety among couldn't run everything, but I bet that I raising a valid point. For better or worse these people, there is an open disdain for could." Or, worse yet, "Why would any- American Whitewater seems to have be- it. This seems to be particularly the case one want to paddle a river where you come the "place" to publish accounts of with the younger generation of "would can't run every single rapid?" These wild,"on the edge" whitewater adventures. be" hair boaters and creekers. people just don't have a clue! This certainly makes for thrilling reading, During the past few months I have During the past season I have watched but it does have a down side. heard about and witnessed a number of a lot of inexperienced boaters attempting The majority of whitewater boaters misadventures which suggest that folks to run dangerous class V+ rapids (Big and most of our readers simply do not need to start thinking about safety a Splat on the Big Sandy is a case in point) have the experience or skill to paddle whole lot more. because all their buddies were doing it. It class V+ water. There is nothing wrong I have seen relative novices paddling seems to me that peer pressure, mindless with this; few paddlers have the time, en- remote class V water without basic safety bravado and big volume, blunt nosed ergy and opportunity to pursue the sport equipment. I'm not even talking about plastic boats are poor substitutes for com- to this degree. I certainly don't want to first aid kits, breakdown paddles, mon sense, experience and skill when it imply that I think that the only kind of carabiners and webbing. I'm talking about comes to running class V whitewater! whitewater worth doing is Class V. The floatation and throw bags! When I asked I have also heard disturbing reports of only reason I don't publish more articles them about this I was informed, in no un- whitewater boaters in trouble requesting about class 111 and N whitewater is that I certain terms, that since they didn't plan (demanding?!?) rescue by non boating lo- rarely get any. Many of our readers and to get into trouble, they didn't need ropes cals. I would suggest that if the local vol- potential contributors apparently labor and air bags. Well, when I go out on the unteer firemen know more about river under the false impression that no one river I don't Dlan to get into trouble, ei- rescue than you, that you don't belong on wants to read about class 111 and N rivers. ther! But sometimes it just seems to hap- class N or V whitewater! pen! The bottom line is that a lot of boaters The sad thing is that these boaters haven't accepted the fact before you be- didn't even grasp the fact that throw come a Big Dog, you have to be a Puppy. ropes are not tools for self rescue, but are These irresponsible boaters are not intended to save others. Nor did they ap- only endangering themselves; they are a pear to understand that a boat without hazard to others. And they are a menace floatation is a far greater menace to those to the sport in general, since their inevi- who attempt to salvage it than to its table mishaps will likely result in access former occupant! problems for all of us, particularly when But, of course, just carrying safety they get into trouble on rivers that flow equipment isn't enough. When I started through public lands. boating almost everyone received some Sure, everyone gets into serious kind of formal or informal safety training, trouble once in a while. And sometimes most often at a club sponsored safety there is no reasonable option except to seminar. But many newcomers seem to ask for help. But carrying appropriate be far more determined to learn to ex- equipment and knowing basic river safety ecute a "truly sweet" boof, than how to and rescue techniques can go a long way save a comrade who is dangerously to make these instances few and far be- pinned. tween. On two separate occasions this winter All of us in the AWA are concerned I watched parties of paddlers putting on about river safety, even if this isn't re- frigid class V rivers (that they did not flected in every article published in this know) so late the day that paddling out in magazine. I will continue to print as much darkness was inevitable. Come on guys, well-written safety related material as I even Rich Weiss and Cathy Hearn can't can. And I will encourage our regular see in the dark! contributors to include pertinent safety I have watched paddlers charging information in their features, particularly blindly into unfamiliar class N and V when they are describing runs of danger- whitewater, presumably because they ous class V whitewater. Finally, as I men- thought it was "uncool" to scout, or ask to tioned before, I am still looking for well- follow someone familiar with the river. written articles about class 111 and N riv- When I ran the Clarks Fork last summer I ers. I really want American Whitewater to was more than happy to paddle in the be of interest to all whitewater boaters, wake of experienced Clarks Fork veterans. not just for those who are responsibly, or And, in consideration of the difficulty and irresponsibly, paddling on the edge. inaccessibility, we scouted and portaged American Whitewater v July/August 1996 undercut before. None of the currently available guide books mention this rapid. The rapid by itself is class IV, but that HIDDEN DANCER undercut makes the consequences of a Dear Editor: mistake serious business. I may be loos- There is a particularly dangerous un- ing my ability to read water with my age, dercut on the Lower Blackwater that can but the undercut did not seem easy to go easily undetected, but poses a very se- spot. If it weren't for the boats pinning rious danger. The rapid is the second be- there, I would of never seen it. low Rock and Roll, and the rapid above the long washboard slide mentioned in Jerry Spence tour - a whitewater 8. smic tour ofChile. most guide books. I recently witnessed Reynoldsburg, Ohio two boats pin on the left side rocks of the WKON, CANADA: Raft the famous run out of the rapid. The spot is rather in- Editor's &$y: Thanks for the info. I nocuous looking, but one of the boats understand that theflood of 96 altered fatshenShi@i/Alsek,the rivers of folded in half an was forced through an both the Upper and Lower Blackwater at a glkiers and &izzlies. underwater crevasse. number of places. As a consequence there .%PORT 1hrzRNAnONAL While assisting a member of my group have been manv close calls on this river -c extricate his boat from this spot, another this year. The Blackwater is a tough river $&2,yderStreet, Whitehorse, Yukon, person flipped and ended up bailing out of and one of consequence, and no place for !&&I++$ (hacia Y I A 3W8 his boat. The current led him directly to complacent paddling. '@${@3)633 -2742 Fax: (403)633-61 84 the undercut. Fortunately we were there, $&; ' Toll Free: 800-779-1 784 because the force of the water was pulling him under the water and into the crack. DEFENDS 1-6 Two of us were able to pull him out to safety. It took an incredible amount of effort to free the boat, and the force of the SYSTEM water pulling into the undercut is very AWA Editor, strong. When I first heard about changing I have paddled through this rapid nu- "outdated rating system" I figured it was merous times, but have never noticed the the gum-flapping talk that paddlers are

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American Whitewater v July/August 7996 Please read this carefully before send- possible; we can not guarantee the safe Don't be afraid to let your personality ing us your articles and photos! This is a return of your pictures. If you want us to shine through and don't be afraid to poke volunteer publication, please cooperate return your pictures, include a self ad- a little fun at yourself. .. and your pad- and help us out. Do not send us your ma- dressed stamped envelope with your sub- dling partners. terial without a release - signed bv all au- mission. Because we publish in black and Profanity should be used only when it thors and photographers (attached)!!! white, photos with a lot of contrast work is absolutely necessary to effectively tell a best. story; it is not our intent to intentionally The editorial staff of American American Whitewater Feature articles offend our more sensitive members and Whitewater carefully reviews all material should relate to some aspect of readers. submitted for publication. We are par- whitewater boating. Please do not submit Please check all facts carefully, particularly interested in receiving full length articles pertaining to sea kayaking or ticularly those regarding individuals, gov- feature articles, conservation and club flatwater. The best features have a definite ernment agencies and corporations in- news, special event announcements, ar- slant... or theme. They are not merely volved in river access and environmental ticles pertaining to whitewater safety and chronological recountings of river trips. matters. You are ledally responsible for short, humorous pieces. Open the story with an eye catching the accuracy of such material, Make sure Articles should fit our established for- lead, perhaps by telling an interesting an- names are spelled correctly and river gra- mat; that is, they should be stylistically ecdote. Dialogue should be used to dients and distances are correctly calcu- pattered to fit into our Features, AWA heighten the reader's interest. Don't just lated. Briefs, River Voices, Conservation Cur- tell us about the river... tell us about the Articles will be edited at the discretion rents, Safety Lines, Humor or End Notes people on the river... develop them as of the editors to fit our format, length and sections. Exceptional photographs and characters. Feature articles should not be style. Expect to see changes in your ar- whitewater cartoons are also welcomed. written in the style of a local club news- ticle. If vou don't want us to edit your If possible articles should be submit- letter. article. don't send it to us! Because of our ted using Wordperfect on a 5 114" single If you are writing about a commonly deadlines you will not be able to review sided flexible disc. Please use the stan- paddled river, your story should be told the editorial changes we make prior to dard default settings; do not alter the from a unique perspective. Articles about publication. margin or spacing parameters. If you use difficult, infrequently paddled or exotic The American Whitewater Affiliation a different word processing program and/ rivers are given special consideration. But is non-profit; the editors and contributors or smaller disks, send us one anyway... we we are also interested in well written, un- to American Whitewater are not reim- may be able to transfer it to our files. usual articles pertaining to class I11 and IV bursed. On rare occasions, by prearran~e- Send a printed copy of the article, as well. rivers as well. Feature stories do not have ment, professional writers receive a small Those without access to a word pro- to be about a specific river. Articles about honorarium when they submit stories cessor may submit their articles typed. paddling techniques, the river environ- our request. Generally, our contributors Please double space. ment and river personalities are also ac- do not expect payment, since most are Photos may be submitted as slides, cepted. Pieces that incorporate humor are members of the AWA, which is a volun- black or white prints or color prints. Keep especially welcome. Open boating and conservation and safety organization. your originals and send us duplicates if rafting stories are welcome.

W I hereby release my work (literary, graphic or photographic) for publication in Signed American Whitewater magazine.

W I understand that my work may be edited or cropped at the editors' discretion.

W I understand that I will not be paid for my work. Date W I accept responsibility for the accuracy of the information included in my submis- sion. I have not libeled or slandered any individual, corporation or agency in this This release must be signed by all the con- work. tributing author(s), photographer(s) and graphic artist(s). W I understand that all or some of my work may be reprinted at some future date in an American Whitewater Affiliation publication.

W I promise that this material has not been and will not soon be published by another magazine or publication and the rights to this material are clear and unrestricted. Send your material to Bob Gedekoh, R.D.#4, Box 228, Elizabeth, PA. 15037. W I understand that once this material is printed in American Whitewater it may be re- Please use regular first class postage.... printed or reproduced in other publications if I wish, providing I notify them that it Not certified mail. has already appeared in American Whitewater. American Whitewater v July/August 1996 prone to. I'm beginning to think some of bers are only of minor importance. Let's Raft Cache, the Cluster, Vertical Vortex; the flap is serious. What's the problem? keep them that way. It's the fun that and some came later, Bruce's Boil. Little There is no problem. We can't expect a counts. did they know on that fateful day in 1-6 rating system to be something that January 1989 that a Northwest gem was it's not. We certainly shouldn't attempt to David Hus found. Since that time several paddlers make it into something that it doesn't Asheville, North Carolina from around the world have twisted a need to be. As it stands the 1-6 rating paddle blade in the turbulent waters and system is inaccurate, unreliable, and Editor's reply: Thanks for your input. breathed air deeply in anxiety in this Cas- prone to misunderstanding and misinter- But I think you are going to lose this cade chasm. pretation. It's approximate. It's just fun. battle. A great deal of energy, coupled I don't get out much with Matt, Jim It's all it needs to be so long as it's recog- with inputfiom hundreds of paddlers, has and Bob these days. They have a much nized for what it is. already gone into modihing the rating more demanding schedule these days Paddling is about insight into per- system... and the results will likely be an- called fatherhood. As for Tommy, he fin- sonal ability. Attempting to accurately nounced soon. ished his Ph.D. and moved to the other determine the difficulty of rapids is mis- Washington. D.C.'s gain was our loss (Hi guided. Accurately rating a rapid for Tommy, from all of us). somebody else is an attempt to tell them So for those would be river authors in a definitive manner how hard a drop please check your river history and facts will be to paddle. Even if this is possible, to give credit where credit is due. Espe- it's more information than a guidebook or cially when speaking of first descents. "the paddling community" can reasonably This is a special honor to those who offer to an individual as they ponder; to treaded before all others. Thanks Matt, run or not to run. The decision to paddle Jim, Bob and Tommy for sharing. a difficult rapid must come from experience and insight. Each river and each Rick Williams rapid has its own unique character. Riv- Maple Valley, Washington ers don't need accurate ratings, they only Dear Editor: need to be looked at. If you can't read a Please help me set the record straight. Editor's Reply: Thanks for the clarifi- line that you can run, either from the A recent article written by Nate Lewis cation. It's great to give credit where cockpit of your boat or from the shore, about the North Fork of the Snowqualime, credit is due. However, I think I should than walk. Knowing if you can run a commonly referred to Ernie's Canyon or come to Nathan Lewis's defense. In his line, or are willing to try, is entirely per- Ernie's Grove, has several factual errors. article he stated, "I've heard conflicting sonal. This is the adventure, the excite- He didn't get the obligatory "second opinions about who made thefirst descent ment, and part of the fun of boating. At- source" confirmation before he went to of Ernie's. It depends on how many por- taching some quantitative figure to the press, so let me help the first timer. I tages you allow," Nathan never claimed to experience is not necessary, though it guess Nate must have hit his head a little "know" who "really" made thefirst de- may help in ego building and boasting to hard on some of Ernie's rocks. scent of Ernie's, and he acknowledged personal success. I was given credit for doing the first this. I would not advocate doing away with descent. I wish I could claim that honor. While making a first descent of a dif- rating rivers altogether. The current 1-6 The honor goes to Matt Davidson, Jim ficult river is an accomplishment, it is not system does help in communicating about Good, Bob Duffner and Tommy quite as big a deal as, say, winning a rivers and gives paddlers visiting a new Templeton. It was those four who intro- Nobel Prize or Medal of Honor. The honest area some idea of what they would like to duced me to Ernie's. Sorry guys, Nate truth is that hardly anyone really knows check out. Stop and think though, isn't it missed a paddle stroke here. Second, he or cares who made thefirst descents of the anecdotal information, the stories of was right that we don't know Ernie. Be- most rivers. This information is diflcult the thrills and spills, the descriptions of cause Ernie was a settler who the river's to document and, oflen, when you think the beautifid gorge and the cool drops lower basin was named after, Ernie's you know the answer, you don't. that attract you to a new river? The num- Grove. Hence how the upper canyon got I remember attending a Three Rivers named. Nate missed again. Paddling Club meeting in Pittsburgh sev- But since we are on this subject, Matt eral years ago where an elderly couple and Jim tried to navigate the canyon in matter of factly presented faded slides their race boats after finishing a course documenting their descents of classic east- work out upstream. After surviving the ern rivers, including the Tygart, Gauley first four drops they hiked out with their and Upper Yough. They had accom- boats a little worst for wear, not to men- plished these runs in the early 1960s... tion their physical and mental state. rowing Navy surplus rafls... long before Matt and Jim soon convinced Bob and any of the "knownnfirstdescents. It came Tommy to join them for round two with as quite a revelation to all of us. Interest- Ernie. Deep down I speculate Matt and ingly enough, they didn't think running Jim just wanted to share the misery. As the rivers first, or getting credit for it, was fortune would have it, later that night such a big deal. eating and consuming mass quantities of For all we know some courageous Na- beer in celebration of their first descent, tive American paddled a birch bark canoe BOAT TRAVEL BAG they named the rapids they could remem- through Ernie's canyon a thousand years "Take me to the River" ber. Some names came easy; Ferry Land, ago! 17 Sunr~seAve Plymouth Ma 02360 5087476255 American Whitewater v July /August 7996 ...... am...... Anita Adams David Fallside Jim Scott Ron Stewart Barry Tuscano Star Route 1, Box 46 416 Ridge Farm Drive 3715 Jocelyn Street P.O. Box 1337 RD 1, Box 32 Edmond, WV 25837 San Jose, CA 95123 NW Chattanooga, Bolivar, PA 15923 Washington, TN 37401 Ric Alesch Bob Gedekoh DC 2001 5 Charlie Walbridge 14262 West Warren Place Box 228, RD 4 Mac Thornton 230 Penllyn Pike Lakewood, CO 80228 Elizabeth, PA 15037 Pete Skinner 228-112 12th Penllyn, PA 19422 2 Snyder Road Street SE Landis Arnold Bob Glanville West Sand Lake, NY Washington, Susan Wilson P.O. Box 4617 66 Deer Run 12196 DC 20003 52 Albemarie Place #I6 Boulder, CO 80306 Glenwood, NY 14069 Asheville, NC 28801 Pope Barrow Joe Greiner 136 13th Street SE 5815 Whitebud Road Washington, Raleigh, NC 27609 DC 20003 Vice President: Pope Barrow Barry Grimes Secretary: Bob Glanville Lee Belknao 124 Hilltoo Drive Treasurer: Jim Scott 1308 ~arylandAvenue Richmond, KY 40475 Glen Ellen, VA 23060 Chris Koll Risa Shimoda Callaway 352 Cameco Circle Phvllis B. Horowitz, Administrative Director P.O. Box 2338 Liverpool, NY 13090- P.O. Box 636 Easley, SC 29641 2732 Margaretville, NY 12455 (91 4) 586-2355 lo explore North Carolina's Cullasaja, Tom Christopher Kevin Mendik Rich Bowers, Conservation Program Director Thompson, and W Fork French Broad Rivers, 931 Union Street Rear National Park Service Rich Hoffman, Access Program Director send $26.95+ $3.00 s&h US. funds to: Leominster, MA 01453 15 State Street 1430 Fenwick Lane Boston, MA 02109 Silver Spring, MD 20910 WILDSIDE PRODUCTIONS Brooke Drury Phone (301) 589-9453 Fax (301) 589-6121 871 8 Whitehorse Road, Suite 103-C 6049 34th Avenue NE Joe Pulliam Greenville, SC 2961 1 Seattle, WA 98115 P.O. Box 1500 AWA Home Page-http:Ilwww.awa.orgl Harriman, TN 37748 Email-Main Chuck Esles office:[email protected] I Name I Qcompuserve.com 114 Bay Path Drive Susan Scheulele Email-Conservation:72732.401 Email-Access:76435,731 @compuserve.com I Address I Oak Ridge, TN 37830- 2121 Ocean Street Ext. City State -Zip 7801 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 L,------1

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American Whitewater July /August 1996 CONSERVATION: AWA maintains a SAFETY: AWA promotes paddling complete national inventory of safely, publishes reports on whitewater The American whitewater rivers, monitors threats to accidents, maintains a uniform national those rivers, publishes information on ranking system for whitewater rivers (the river conservation, provides technical ad- International Scale of Whitewater Diffi- Whitewater vice to local groups, works with govern- culty) and publishes and disseminates the ment agencies and other river users, and- internationally recognized AWA - when necessary-- takes legal action to Whitewater Safety Code. prevent river abuse. EVENTS: AWA organizes sporting RIVER ACCESS: To assure public ac- events, contests and festivals to raise Our mission is to conserve cess to whitewater rivers pursuant to the funds for river conservation, including the guidelines published in its official Access Ocoee Whitewater Rodeo in Tennessee, and restore America's Policy, AWA arranges f0.r river access the Gauley River Festival in West Virginia through private lands by negotiation or (the largest gathering of whitewater boat- purchase, seeks to protect the right of ers in the nation), the Arkansas River Fes- whitewater resources and to public passage on all rivers and streams tival in Colorado, the Kennebec Festival in navigable by kayak or canoe, resists un- Maine and the Deerfield Festival in Mas- enhance opportunities to justified restrictions on government man- sachusetts. aged whitewater rivers and works with enjoy them safely. government agencies and other river users AWA was incorporated under Missouri to achieve these goals. non-profit corporation laws in 1961 and The American Whitewater Affiliation maintains its principal mailing address at (AWA) is a national organization with a EDUCATION: Through publication of P.O. Box 636, Margaretville, NY 12455, membership consisting of thousands of the bi-monthly magazine, and by other (914) 586-2355. AWA is tax exempt un- individual whitewater boating enthusiasts, means, American Whitewater, ( AWA) der Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Rev- and more than 100 local paddling club af- provides information and education about enue Code. filiates. whitewater rivers, boating safety, technique and equipment.

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American Whitewater July/August 7996 Teaming with Dollars! How Fish and WildlifeAgencies Want Your Money by Rich Bowers

wildlife programs through an excise tax on outdoor recreation tenth increase in the cost of using the outdoors in the future. and related products. This tax would be levied on boats, For instance: paddles, recreational vehicles, etc. Congress has finally agreed on a budget for the Department While this proposal has been gathering strength for several ~f the Interior and other agencies. A part of this includes a years, it came to a head on June 6th, when a hearing was held three-year demonstration recreation fee program which will raise before the US House of Representatives Resources Committee, Funds from users for recreation programs and needs. Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. Now, this was A separate and more permanent bill was introduced into the merely an oversight hearing, and no bill has yet been intro- House Resources Committee in late March, a bill which would re- duced... kind of a dry run for both Congress and affected groups! quire outdoor users to pay a substantial portion of the costs of In the hearing, the Subcommittee heard from a variety of recreational services. On the up side, fees would remain in the wildlife groups and agencies who supported this bill. Again and areas collected, but the downside is that user fees will replace again these proponents claimed that: the tax would benefit out- appropriations, meaning that recreation services could get worse, door recreation; that they had talked with outdoor user groups; even though we are paying the tab. and that outdoor users supported a tax that protects natural re- Finally, seeing that national legislation may take too long, sources. individual state agencies are talking of implementing individual There were several glaring errors in this testimony. First, state taxes on outdoor products. many groups contacted by the IAFWA (including AWA) did not Add to this a 2% to 5% tax and we can see that the future of support this bill. Second, while outdoor users have consistently outdoor recreation will no longer be based on who is able and held that they would support measures to protect outdoor re- qualified to enjoy it, but who can afford it! AWA is not com- sources, they have no desire to contribute over $350 million per fortable with this vision of outdoor use. year to just a few select and narrow programs. From the Subcommittee hearing, it seems like the Teaming Those who opposed the bill offered testimony also, including with Wildlife Tax will not be introduced in the near future. outdoor manufacturers, taxpayer groups, and car manufacturers. However, this will give supporters even more time to lobby and Who was not asked to testify? Those who will ultimately pay push for this legislation. this tax - outdoor users - hikers, boaters, climbers, etc.This Here is what you can do. If your elected representative sits point was quickly picked up by Representatives Jim Saxton (R- on the Subcommittee, write himlher and, say that, as an outdoor NJ) and Peter Torkildsen (R-MA). Congressman Saxton also ad- user, you do not support this tax. Address your letter as follows: dressed the actual cost to the consumer (you and me). Here is Honorable - , United States House of Representa- how this "Teaming with Wildlife" tax would work - it would be tives, Washington, DC 20515. Send a copy to the AWA at 1430 levied on the manufacturer, which means that for cahoes and Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD, 209 10, fax # (301) 589-612 1. other gear, a 2% to 5% increase in costs would be imposed before they are even produced. This cost would then be passed House Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee along to the distributor, then to the retailer, and then finally on to the consumer - all the while this tax cost would be increasing Republicans: Jim Saxton (NJ-chair), Don Young (AK), Wayne as different levels added in their mark up. So the original 2 to Gilchrest (MD), Billy Tauzin (LA), Peter Torkildsen (MA), Linda 5% tax would represent much more by the time it winds up on Smith (WA), Walter Jones (NC), Jack Metcalf (WA), Jim Longley the price tag. For big ticket items (including canoes and kayaks (ME). costing over $1000 dollars each) this could represent big money. But the cost has never really been the reason AWA opposes Democrats: Gerry Studds (MA), George Miller (CA), Sam this tax. Our opposition comes from 1) what programs benefit Gejdenson (CT),Solomon Ortiz (TX), Frank Pallone (MJ), Sam from the tax 2) who gets the money and decides how to allocate Farr (CA), Patrick Kennedy (RI). it, and 3) how this tax will work in relation to other fees and taxes being levied on outdoor users. Previous articles have described our opposition. In brief, AWA will not support a tax which dedicates all funding to only a small part of the river conservation issue. We like wildlife too, but we are not willing to give $350 million a year to this, especially when we will still need to find additional funding for othe river needs. We likewise can't support funding state fish and wildlife agencies which represent only a small percentage of out. door users (often to the detriment of other users, like boaters). Our third concern lies in the failure of the IAFWA to recog-

American Whitewater July /August 7996 Forest Service Releases Draft Environmental lm~actStatement (DEIS) for the Westside Wild and Scenic ~ivers'~tud~(Tahoe National Forest, CA)

This DEIS evaluates The Middle Fork American activity, and has been ranked twenty-two rivers and SOUTH YUBA DRAINAGE River, although eligible, was fifth or sixth in the nation in streams, all on the West side - Humbug and Fordyce not evaluated since it flows terms of total recreation visi- of the Sierra Crest and within Creeks and the South Yuba mostly through Bureau of Land tor days. However, important the Yuba and American River NORTH FORK AMERICAN Management land. recreational rivers such as drainages. These rivers were DRAINAGE The Forest Service has Fordyce Creek were not even evaluated for possible addi- - North Fork, North Fork identified Alternative C as their listed under the section "Man- tion to the National Wild and American, Big Granite and preferred alternative. Alterna- agement for Recreation Oppor- Scenic Rivers System. Little Granite Creeks, and New tive C recommends National tunity." Boater comments are criti- York Canyon Recreational and Scenic Status Comments will be accepted cal, as the Forest Service's MIDDLE YUBA DRAINAGE for the North Fork Yuba River, until August 8, 1996, and recommendation is to desig- Canyon Creek, and the South should be sent to Phil - Macklin, East Fork and .nate only three rivers out of Yuba River below Spaulding Horning, Tahoe National For- Oregon Creeks, Middle Yuba the twenty-two. The rivers Reservoir. est, P.O. Box 6003, Nevada Rivers evaluated include: Now is the time for boaters City, CA 95959. For more in- MIDDLE FORK AMERICAN to educate the Forest Service as formation, contact the Forest NORTH YUBA DRAINAGE DRAINAGE to what other rivers and Service at (91.6) 265-4531 or - Canyon, Empire, - North Fork of both the streams in this area are impor- AWA at (301) 589-9453 or by Lavezzola, and Pauley Creeks, Middle and North Fork Ameri- tant recreational rivers. Recre- email at 70732.401@ New York Ravine and the can Rivers, Grouse Creek and ation in the Tahoe National compuserve.com North Yuba River Screwauger Canyon Forest is recognized as a major Forest Service

Reviews Clavey Dam Removal and the case of Eligibilits) for- Edward's Dam (ME) When AWA and other river groups talk about dams on rivers, often the first thing that gets thrown back at us is that en- vironmentalists and recreationists ''just want to tear out all the dams." However, while the AWA is involved with lots of dams (either through direct intervention or through participation in the In late May, the AWA truly an "outstandingly re- Hydropower Reform Coalition), we have asked that dams be re- commented on the outstand- markable" river, worthy of be- moved only on Washington's White Salmon, on Wisconsin's ing characteristics of the ing "protected for the benefit Pine, the Clyde in Vermont, and on Maine's Kennebec River. Clavey River. The Forest Ser- and enjoyment of present and. We have pushed FERC, and hydro applicants, to address vice, in its Stanislaus Forest future generations." (1968 dam decommissioning at every project (eventual removal can be Plan, found the Clavey to Wild and Scenic Rivers Act) one option of decommissioning). But this is only good common have 16 "Outstandingly Re- This is the type of river that sense. Dam owners, just like coal, nuclear and other energy markable Values," yet deter- the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act producers, need to provide the public with long term plans - mined that the Clavey was was designed to protect, offer- before they build new dams or relicense existing ones. Other- "unsuitable" for Wild and Sce- ing-over 28 miles of Class IV, wise, we may wind up with another Elwha situation, where the nic designation. At the heart V and VI whitewater in a dam owner walks away and taxpayers foot the bill [In April, of this decision were plans to spectacular wilderness valley. 1996, the US Department of the Interior released the DEIS for build five hydro dams by the As such, the AWA believes restoring the Elwha River system by removing both the Glines Turlock Irrigation System. that the Clavey represents one Canyon and Elwha dams located in Washington's Olympic Na- However, plans to build of the most suitable rivers in tional Park]. these dams have been killed, the nation for Wild H Scenic Don't get me wrong - there are a lot of dams we would and there is now a second op- designation. like to see come out. But when you get involved in the specifics portunity to permanently pro- For copies of AWA's com- of individual dams, you often find that (no matter how much tect this river. ments, please call the Conser- you may want to) you just can't remove the dam. For instance: In its comments the AWA vation Office at (301) 589- AWA wanted very much to remove Moxie dam in Maine, but stated that: The Clavey is 9453. unfortunately this meant destroying the property values of some

American Whitewoter July /August 1996 250 local landowners. or less fish). This predicated a closer look at other factors which AWA would love to tear out the Fairview Dam on the Upper may have contributed to the loss of fish. Incredibly, the fish Kern in California, but this would allow predatory fish to infil- kills took place immediately after the introduction of Rainbow trate the Golden Trout Wilderness area upstream. Trout. Rainbow Trout offer strong competition for food and On the reverse side, a few interests wanted to remove the habitat with Brown Trout, and both are stocked in the river. Falls River dam in Connecticut, not to restore the river but to Neither Rainbow nor Brown Trout are native to the Housatonic.. improve the stocked fishery. This removal would destroy com- There are still many issues to be worked out, and both the mercial boating businesses and an Olympic training site. Falls River and the downstream Bulls Bridge dam are up for new Sometimes the cost of removing a dam is just too harsh to be licenses in the next few years. In addition, AWA and local boat- realistic. And we need to look not at just our own issues, but ers do not anticipate agreement with this state decision from all how these decisions affect others. fishing groups. The final outcome will have serious impacts on But sometimes - every once in a while - there comes a good New England boaters - look for updates in future editions of opportunity to rip one of those suckers out! To restore a free- American Whitewater, or call (301) 589-9453 to find out what's flowing river... to set things right with nature. Let's face it, just going on. like every other business, some are valuable and some are down- right turkeys! Enter the Edward's Dam on the Kennebec, the first dam upstream on the river. Environmental groups, and even the State of Maine, have asked that this dam be removed. The Hydro Re- form Coalition sees this dam relicensing as THE test case in which, for the first time, FERC could order dam removal against the will of the dam owner (a private manufacturing company who uses the energy to power its own plant). Dam removal would restore the Kennebec river ecosystem and allow fish passage up river. The owner, of course, is not so keen on removal. Based on a technicality, Edward's Manufacturing Company and the City of Augusta have requested that FERC separate the Edward's Dam Project from the cumulative EIS which looks at the other 11 separate projects on Maine's Kennebec River. The licensee al- leges that a FERC staff member participated in both earlier (and unsuccessful) settlement agreements regarding this project, and as advisory staff to FERC Commissioner's on findings and legal issues. This violates FERC's "separation of function" rule. The AWA was a participating member of these earlier negotiations, and continues to work on many of the upstream dams (including the Moosehead and Moxie storage projects). The AWA has not been directly involved with the Edward's Dam, as this dam lies far below the fall line of the Kennebec (i.e. all flat water). However, as a member of the Hydropower Reform Coali- tion, the AWA is working with many of the groups looking to remove Edward's. We agree with these groups; Edward's offers a great opportunity to start working to restore the Kennebec, a Dewatered Black Canyon of the Bear great whitewater river.

Housatonic (CT) Bear River (UT)

In a surprise decision, the Connecticut Department of Envi- In mid-May, the AWA traveled to far eastern Idaho to par- ronmental Protection (DEP) ruled in early June to recommend ticipate in the beginning of the Bear River Relicensing. the discontinuance of stocking Rainbow Trout, the use of PacifiCorp held public meetings in Pocatello, Soda Springs and barbless hooks, and the closing of the Trout Management Area Preston, and these meetings were attended by boaters, fisher- of the Housatonic River from June 15th or July 1, through Au- men, irrigators, local landowners, and an assortment of state gust 3 1st. and federal agency representatives. Over the past several years, the Housatonic has seen heated AWA joined Liz Paul (Idaho Rivers United) and others to debate between whitewater boaters and fishing interests. Fishing head off rumored opposition to improving whitewater flows and interests have contended that flows released below the Falls Vil- access in both the Black Canyon and Oneida Narrows areas. We lage hydro project for whitewater recreation have produced fish determined that 1) the rumors were true, but that 2) this opposi- kills in the river, and have requested that boating flows be dis- tion seemed less problematical once boaters were able to talk di- continued. rectly with each group. However, at the last meeting of the "Upper Housatonic However, boaters must now convince PacificCorp to conduct Working Group" (fishermen, boaters, environmental groups and real and effective whitewater studies. These studies will have a others), the CT. Power and Light Company stated that new flows positive effect on boating, as well as developing needed infor- designed to augment boating were never implemented, and thus mation on fishery, aesthetic and channel stabilization issues. could not have been responsible for the fish kills (some twenty Both Idaho Fish and Game and local Trout Unlimited chapters

American Whitewater July /August 1996 have agreed to support well-designed whitewater studies. AWA is looking at conducting these studies next spring. Local landowners are concerned over trespassing and liabil- Boaters Win Big on the Snake River's ity issues. This is another area which will be addressed during Milner Section (ID) the studies and the rest of the relicensing process. Public comments deadlines were due by July 15th, but if you have direct knowledge of boating on the Bear, or are interested In April, the FERC weighed in favor of whitewater releases in helping with this issue, please call the AWA Conservation Of- in the Milner Canyon section of Idaho's Snake River. fice. We can use all the help and information we can get on the Last year, as part of the Milner Hydroelectric Project Bear - and we would be happy to share our written comments relicense, Idaho Power Company was required to conduct a with you. whitewater boating study (requested by AWA, Idaho Rivers United and local boaters). As a result of this study, FERC found that "further modification to the... project is appropriate to improve boater use and to maximize power generation benefits." This means that for 12 weekend days each year in April, May and June (8 hours each day), Idaho Power must shut down its operation to provide whitewater flows of 10,000 cfs through this section of the river. Of course, this is effective only when there is 10,000 cfs available, in excess of needed irrigation flows. Idaho Power does not have to shut down the project in the April-May period if the flows do not exceed 4,000 cfs, since the whitewater study found that flows below 10,000 were considered by test participants to be hazardous. Special thanks are due to members of the Idaho Whitewater Association and especially to Rob Lesser, who spent many years working on this issue.

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American Whitewater July /August 1996 espite efforts from the highest lev been the position of AWA and local boat- on the Potomac. Boaters have prevented els of the National Park Service to ers since the beginning. Potomac boaters many more drownings by warning and D get the charges against Davey attended the original 1990 meetings rescuing potential victims. Complicating Hearn dropped, the National Park Police where the Maryland laws were discussed, the matter is the police's duty to order took Davey to trial on May 21 just three including changes in the Law to paddle someone to stop an activity which is per- days after he made the Olympic Team. Great Falls. Unfortunately, National Park ceived by them to be dangerous. Davey's From the very beginning, the judge Police did not attend this meeting.) arresting officer stated, "It was not a rec- started questioning the prosecution on the The judge ruled that the National Park reational situation and he (Davey) had no legality of Davey being on the river and Service and the National Park Police are business out there. Whether Mr. Hearn the Park Police's jurisdiction "on the without the authority to close the thinks it or not, I feel I rescued him." river." The Potomac has never been Potomac River, although the National In order to protect experienced boat- "closed" to paddling. Maryland (which Park Service retains the right to close fed- ers against future incidents and to help has jurisdiction on the river) does not eral park land on the banks of the river. communicate the formal rules to both the presently close its rivers during high wa- The judge also dismissed the government's boaters and all the individual authorities ter. AWA board member and lawyer Mac claim that Davey came within its jurisdic- connected with the Potomac River, AWA Thornton had earlier predicted that the tion when he paddled to shore, and told and the Canoe Cruiser's Association of charges would be dropped because the the prosecution and police, "You can't do Washington have asked for a registration1 river was legally open for paddling. Mac that." ... meaning that police ordered permit system to be implemented at high was right about the law but did not ap- Davey to shore and then arrested him. water (there may also be some legal issues preciate the extremely strong feelings of The judge found that Davey had violated concerning rescue that can be addressed the Park Police about this case. no laws. with a registration/permit). In addition, Indeed, it took a judge [after four However, the Park Police's strong AWA has asked for a formal system of hours of the prosecutor's presentation) to feelings about the case still need to be ad- communication between boaters and au- get the Park Police to focus on and under- dressed; otherwise such incidents will thorities in rescue situations to be devel- stand the law. Before Davey had to happen again. Davey's arrest is not the oped. present his defense, the judge dismissed first time certain individuals with author- the case because it was legal to be on the ity have created problems for boaters who The AWA would like to thank Barry river and Davey's troubles started when are operating within the law. Concern Roberts for his pro-bono lead attorney de- he paddled to shore in response to the over drowning in the Potomac sometimes fense of Davey, and also those within the Park Police helicopter that was hovering gets focused on boaters even though no Park Service who sought to help with this over him on the river. [Note: This has kayaker or closed canoeist has ever died situation.

Management PZan for the recreational use, rather than helping to develop an acceptable management plan. On May 22, 1996, a public meeting Upper Yozugh20gheny (MD) was held to discuss this plan at the Garrett Community College and a 30 day In May, the Youghiogheny Scenic and cording to the plan, it is intended to guide written comment period was opened to Wild River Local Advisory Board issued a everyone involved with the river. How- the public. Unfortunately, the deadline Draft River Study and Management Plan ever, not everyone has been involved in made it impossible for AWA to print this which includes proposed changes for developing the plan. in an earlier edition of the Journal. boaters on both the "Upper" and "Top" The "citizen advisory board" consists Here are some portions of the draft Yough. This proposal is included under of the Maryland Department of Natural which will affect private whitewater boat- river access because it may drastically Resources (DNR), riparian landowners, ers: change access to two of the most out- Garrett County residents, and a represen- standing whitewater rivers in the Mid-At- tative of the local government. There are The major goal is to manage and lantic. no known boaters represented on this ensure continued recreation use of the The stated purpose of the plan is "to panel, even with the high density of boat- river, and to protect landowners from po- guide and direct activities to river areas ers and boating businesses located and tential negative impacts associated with which are appropriate for a particular living in this area. While the DNR is now public recreation. use," and designed "to address local con- actively seeking boater input, this is not cerns and to implement State policies to acceptable as the regulation of whitewater Garrett County, in cooperation with ensure effective river management." As boating is a prominent (although not the DNR, should consider the option of de- with most management plans, this one only) issue in the plan. Boaters are once veloping the county-owned properties has some major problems up front. Ac- again placed in the position of defending near Oakland and Crellin as access points.

American Whitewater July/August 1996 Use of the river from Swallow Falls to Sang Run is increasing. DNR should study the need to include this area for whitewater regulation and management. t The Department should initiate a study to evaluate .xm > the impacts of the private whitewater boater on the Ym Includes Fins with a a Pads 5 Straps Youghiogheny Wild and Scenic River Conidor. The study Q, D Only $45 should evaluate safety, levels and patterns of use, levels of conflicts with private landowners and the projected carrying capacity of the Youghiogheny River. The scope of the study should also include a launch fee assessment to the private boater, a launch fee sharing arrangement with landowners within the corridor and local volunteer agencies, an economic impact review that private boating has on the local economy (positive and negative), and the ef- fects other users on the river have on the river and corridor surrounding it. This study should result in recommenda- tions regarding the options and appropriate level of control and management of the private whitewater boater.

For updates on this management plan, or to get copies of the AWA's comments, please call the AWA Access Office at (301) 589-9453 or email your comments to 72732.401 @compuserve.com

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American Whitewater July/August 7996 through the waistband. Normally a stabilization line, rather than a snag line, is used to recover alert, NEAR MISS IN THE stable victims. The trapped person holds onto the line and uses it for support as he or she works free. But the adrenaline was flowing and the group simply pulled back WAUTAUGA GORGE hard. It was a bit uncomfortable, but it by Charlie Walbridge lifted me enough so I could escape. I was AWA Director glad to be in a C-1; a kayak would have sunk much deeper and a paddler would The Wautauga River, west of Boone, Heisler and Cindy Otto, started to pull have needed to work harder to get free. North Carolina, is one of the best techni- back hard. Although I was only pinned for a few cal runs in the Southeast. I'd been down The force pushed me against my back minutes, it could have been much worse. it a few times before, and except for a deck, then lifted me back a few inches. To those who think that they can't get rather eventful first run with Jack Wright My thighs came free. It was time to get into trouble, this narrative should serve as in the mid-70's, had always found it en- out! I kicked my legs back and slid out of a wake-up call. This is a dangerous sport; joyable. The two previous trips had been the boat. potential hazards are not always clearly in the company of local paddlers who My wife was preparing to run when visible and anyone can make a critical knew the river extremely well. This time she heard the screams and investigated. mistake. If you think that river rescue the gauge was reading -8". Half our group She saw me slip below the surface and courses are somehow "nerdy" or impracti- had been down the river before, but none thought I was gone, but fortunately this cal, this incident shows that the things we of us really "knew" it. was not so. I swam to shore about thirty are teaching really work and can make a We'd been proceeding slowly and yards downstream, badly shaken, but oth- difference. carefully, scouting the big drops. We por- erwise OK. My boat, a full-sized Hahn Moreover, there may not be time to im- taged Hydro and ran everything else. We Munich C- 1, was completely under water provise during an actual emergency. Expe- arrived at a steep boulder drop, the last and required considerable effort to free. rienced paddlers who are mechanically in- major rapid above Stateline Falls, that This incident came as quite a shock; clined may be able to get the information some people call "Knuckles". I sat in an afterwards my main feeling was disbelief. they need from reading books. It is sober- eddy while Ned Hughes scouted, then ran. Although I have no illusions that my ing to think that if this had happened back He reported hitting a rock, so I got out safety work provides any special protec- in the 1970's, I could be dead. Back then and scouted the drop also. The base of tion, I consider myself a pretty careful we simply didn't know what to do. the drop appeared shallow, but not dan- paddler. I'm primarily into the scenery, gerous. As I scouted, two other boaters people, and the experience, and not shy went over. They tagged the rock lightly, about carrying big drops. A number of but it didn't slow them up. people with considerable experience on My run was probably farther to the the Wautauga, including a group of local Tools for Teaching left than the others. When I hit the rock paddlers who helped recover my pinned The Kayaker's Edge my boat stopped dead. The outfitting C-1, have said that the rock has been Whitewater kayaking, the basics gave way, throwing me forward in the there a long time, and except for one and beyond. 58 minutes. "The boat about four inches. I hesitated mo- other incident, has never caused trouble. best general instruc- mentarily, then tried to push myself back I suspect that my long (13') boat, carrying tion wdeo on the market Outslde upstream with my paddle. The boat my 240 pound weight, dives deeper than Magazme slipped to the right, then settled into the smaller individuals in modem high-rocker drop against a left-hand boulder. Water designs. Or I may simply have been too Take the Wild Ride shot into my back and flew over my head. far left. Either way, I simply did not read Freestyle kayak competitors. 5: ! mir This jammed me tightly against the front the water correctly. 'My husband borrowed this of the cockpit. I was stuck! If was fortunate that the remainder of rideo, and after 5 days Of I knew I was in real danger. The my group was equipped and trained for watching it, he had to return it. cockpit rim was pressing hard against my rescue. Several of them had been stu- But he got depressed, and hips. The deck of my C-1 was so slippery dents in my rescue. classes, and performed went into withdrawal. SO I I really couldn't push myself upstream. well under the pressures of the moment. bouaht him one." Eileen The current was powerful enough to Ned Hughes, by moving into position, knock me over if I didn't brace myself up- played a key role in setting up the tag Solo right. I was scared, and called for help. line. By getting set up immediately, playboating Whitewater open canoeing. 43 minutes Peter Hubbard, who was onshore, threw rather than waiting for a "leader" to give "Entertaining ... super job me a line. This helped me stay upright, him orders, he minimized my time in the of presenting technical but wasn't going to get me free. I asked water. He held onto his end of the rope points. " Charlie Walbridgc him to move behind me, then I carefully with great difficulty, but fortunately long tried to slide backwards, without success. enough. Suddenly a tag line appeared above My reading and teaching gave me a me. Ned Hughes had paddled to the cen- good idea of what to expect; I knew what ter of the river and positioned himself on was coming and what to do. I did try to a mid-stream rock. I hung my arms over keep my sprayskirt in place as long as it, and yelled for the group at river right possible so that water wouldn't fill the to work upstream to put more bend in the boat. Although I thought I'd released the 350 Riverbend, Durango CO 81301 rope. This improved their ability to hold sprayskirt before exiting, in the heat of :970) 259-1361 Fax:(970) 259-41 48 on and pull. Pete, now joined by Kate the moment I did not. I actually came out

American Whitewater July /August 7 996

A n icy wind descends from Lake enetrates A Kchiganand p my geri The author finds life as a hack on the slalom circuit tric late-twent~somethingbones, alamorless and ernotionallv drainino. But the 0 - leaving me incredulous that Spring is htensity and desire among his fellow racers is nearlv a month old. ~t achallv was hot nothing short of Olympian. Above: Toilino in yesterday when I left my Obscurity: The author cleans a gate at the South home' Trials Qualifieron the Nantahala, Here, some 8 degrees (latitude, that is) due north, a nearby bank clock issues a 35-degree report which betrays the formidable wind chill. My chin buried within the collar of my fleece jacket, I gaze upon the freshly- constructed slalom course on the East Race Waterway, distant-second to Notre Dame football among the attractions

American Whitewater July / August 7 996 which put the shabby rustbelt city of racers to these qualifiers. Matt Taylor. And the K-1W team will South Bend, Indiana, on the map. And, in all likelihood, a saot at Trials consist of one or more of Renata The occasion is the North Olympic Tri- will be the Ultimate and Q& Prize. Be- Buddeusova-Altman, Dana Chladek, Jana als Qualifier, one of four opportunities for cause when the Olympic Games finally Freeburn, Cathy Hearn, Kara Weld. slalomists to earn a starting time in the roll around in late July, the men and The South and North and West and U.S. Olympic Team Selection Trials, a women who advance to the Trials from East qualifying races are of no great con- month from now on the Ocoee River in these qualifiers, will almost certainly be cern to these people. The aforementioned Tennessee. The first opportunity was the at home watching on television. stars are guaranteed a Trials berth by vir- South Qualifier on North Carolina's The composition of the 1996 U.S. tue of their membership in the "A" divi- Nantahala River, held two weeks ago. Olympic Team is all but a foregone con- sion, a class of rankings which the na- This weekend will see qualifiers for the clusion. The two C-1 spots will be filled tional federation calculates each year by North, here in South Bend, and the West, by some combination of Adam Clawson, using some bizarre algorithm which even on the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Davey Hearn, Joe Jacobi, Jon Lugbill; the my mathematical mind cannot compre- River near Seattle. The drama will con- two K-1 spots by Eric Giddens, Eric Jack- hend. Below the elite "A" boaters are the clude two weeks from now with the East son, Scott Shipley, Richie Weiss. The B-, C-, and D-division racers, who must Qualifier on the Farmington River in Con- brother tandem of Fritz and Leck Haller paddle their way into the Trials via the necticut. figure to claim whatever C-2 berth mate- four qualifying races. A berth in the Trials is the Prize: the rializes, barring a mild upset by Barry Most of the A-ranked paddlers are pursuit of that dream leaves dozens of KennonlDavid Hepp or Steve Isenberg/ currently living in the Ocoee region in

American Whitewater July /August 1996 preparation for the upcoming Games. Wimps eddy on river right and then execute an Consequently, many of them were on "I can't believe some of these wimps," extremely tight left-right-left move. Gate hand for the first qualifier on the nearby says Bobby Hartridge, who stands next to 16, a downstream, also hangs above a Nantahaia, using the race as a tune-up. me on the bank of the canal. Bobby is a large eddy, and sends the paddler into a But here at South Bend the field consists South Carolina kayaker better known for must-make surf from 17 to 18. mostly of perennial rank-and-file types his steep-creek conquests (he has ap- Bobby's perspective will serve me well like me, vying for their fifteen nanosec- peared in two Wayne Gentry videos) who these days, for my slalom season has un- onds of fame. A few juniors with bright is now rising in the K-1 slalom ranks. At folded not at all the way I had hoped. futures in the sport are present-Scott this moment he is annoyed by the plead- Back home, a couple hundred miles from McCleskey and Ryan Bahn in C-1, Josh ing of several racers to simplify some of the nearest whitewater, I work full-time as Russell and Scott Parsons in K-1, Megan the tougher moves: "What's the point of a high school mathematics teacher and Stalheim and Amy Brown in K-1W, the C- having a slalom race if any slob can run track coach, and struggle to schedule my 2 team of Chris Ennis and John the course?" Bobby is blessed with re- training around my real-world obliga- Grumbine. markable perspective. tions. "If I had made Team Trials at the But the course is, in fact, diabolically I manage some sprints on the Missis- Nantahala, I wouldn't have come up tough. Gates 8 through 11 comprise a se- sippi River and some moving-water gate here," I will tell K- 1 racer Tom Piccirilli. quence of downstream offsets in the first work on its muddy Wolf River tributary, "I believe that's the understatement of section of fast water, requiring the pad- but this alone will not deliver slalom suc- the weekend," Tom will say. dler to work downstream through a strong cess. Having studied untold miles of vid-

American Whitewater July/August 1996 eotape of the great canoeists, I see tha hell by all the studs there," Scott says, while my forward stroke is up to the refemng to the first qualifier on the task and my leans and pivots have come Nantahala. "It's hard to paddle well a long way, I am outclassed by these men when you feel like you'rethe suckiest guy in certain subtleties which are harder to in the race." measure. Hull kinesthectics. Boat place- "Yeah," I agree; "Sometimes I have to ment. Edge control. "Elite" balance. The go do some mickeymouse race just to re- amphibious savvy and intuition which By morning the sun has emerged and cover some self esteem." only hours on the water each day can de- the air temperature has risen, but the Paddling off for some prerace quiet velop. wind remains fierce. I roll out of bed af- time, Scott murmurs, "Self esteem is a But inadequate training is only partly ter a glorious nine-hour slumber, check good thing." accountable for my problems this season. out of the room, and return to East Race. Other C-boaters have commenced The truth is that my performance is not I amve to find the double canoe class just their warmup on the St. Joseph, and I rec- much worse than it was last season, if any underway, and the profane, exasperated ognize faces from competitions past. worse at all. My frustration has resulted screams which waft up from below the Todd Murdock, whose running times are more from an unreasonable rise in my ex- Colfax Avenue bridge tell me that Bob always faster than mine, but whose nu- pectations which has stemmed a perceived Bofinger and Jack Dawson must be on the merous penalties sometimes enable me to lack of success. Bobby Hartridge, for in- course. beat him, hopes that his Olympic Festival stance, is able to shrug his shoulders and The delicate temperament of their re- experience will carry him into the Trials. say, "Hey, it's only my third year of rac- lationship notwithstanding, Bofinger and A well-conditioned build belies the some- ing, and if I don't make Team Trials now, Dawson are one of the finest tandems what advanced age of Andrew Padyk, a I'll do it later on." My attitude is more, who have never made a U.S. Team. They late-bloomer on the slalom circuit. The "I've been doing this three years now. weave mostly-clean through the tough 8- Criscione brothers are trying to add a sec- When the hell am I going to get good?" through- 1 1 sequence, and their Trials ond boat class to their activities on the berth seems eminent. The outlook Ocoee next month. No A-ranked C-1's You Gotta Pay to Play quickly sours, however, when they have are present, but Scott McCleskey, Ryan to paddle back up after missing #18 and Bahn, Jesse Gillis, and Andrew Bell, reli- The duties of the demonstration run, take a 50-second penalty on #24. able B-rankers all, take on the role of fa- for which Bobby and Tom and I and a A short time later the women are up, vorites. number of other racers have been waiting and they sound off with a few expletives My practice run is nothing short of this dreary evening, have been assigned of their own as the course victimizes its sloppy, but I am unconcerned. Every to Richard Dressen, a talented kayaker new wave of challengers. But, in keeping racer knows it is bad luck to have a great who just missed out on an "A" ranking with custom, the racers descend in reverse practice run. I return to the warmup area last year, but claimed his Trials berth on order of ranking, so gradually the moves with my synapses firing furiously in the Nantahala two weeks ago. Most of become crisper, the runs cleaner. analysis of my mistakes. I am fortunate our predictions regarding the course's dif- When the morning session ends, the enough to have run track and cross coun- ficult moves are borne out by Dressen's Olympic Trials field is five boats larger. try in high school for a coach who under- run. The Criscione brothers, John and Joe, and stood the importance of visualization as a Having seen all I need to see, I walk EnnislGmmbine have capitalized on the preparation tool for competition. out to my car and set my course for the mistakes of BofingerlDawson to qualify in In front of me is the starting wand, Super 8 Motel on the north side of town. C-2. And Joanne Bogner, Becky Brown, and the starter has informed me that I I give the '92 Corolla a reassuring pat on and Anne Mitchell have secured their trip start in thirty seconds. In silence, I stare the dash, whispering a promise that she to Ducktown as K-1W competitors. downstream at those who have started be- will be put to bed shortly. In three and a fore me, trying to glean whatever infor- half years the vehicle has delivered me Gravity mation I can about their progress on the through 30 states and over 73,000 miles, course. the last 600 of which have passed since Shielded from the chill of polypro and "Ten seconds," the starter says. "Five, yesterday afternoon. Desperate for some neoprene, I carry my trusty Fanatic C- 1 to four, three, two, one... GO!" sleep of my own, I wonder how long I can the putin and find Scott McCleskey on the The gradient at the top of the course go on like this. dock, fingering a slab of iron fastened in- is slight. Five of the first six gates are I pull into the Super 8 parking lot and side the bottom of his boat with Bondo. upstreams, and I handle the first three bring the Corolla to rest alongside several "My boat didn't make weight. Had to go cleanly, congratulating myself for my other vehicles bearing boats. Across the to a machine shop for this thing last practice sessions on the Wolf. At #4, street at the Motel 6 are more boats with night," he explains. which hangs over the backwash of a small cars strapped beneath them, their owners We paddle out onto the flatwater of pourover, I am sucked into the maw of inside relishing the luxuries of $28.99 per the St. Joseph River, which has been the hole and flipped, rolling up to the night. The U.S. Olympic Committee dammed to allow for the Waterway's sound of cheers from the spectators on doesn't cough up and funds for grunts like steepened gradient. "I was unnerved as the banks and footbridges. Some of the US. American Whitewater July/August 1996 best entertainment at slalom races is skill level, Plans B, C, and D seem provided by the mediocre racers. hardly more feasible than Plan A. My I paddle on, negotiating 5, 6, and 7 composure has diminished as I return to with reasonable efficiency, and set up for the starting area, and my hope for an out- the first flight of "wicked offsets," as they standing run has been replaced by a are called by the P.A. announcer. For ings twinge of desperation for a run that is most the move of choice at #8 has be ate Out, the g in the process, Rounding out the C-1 class are ~~h~, from Davey Hearn, and to peel Out wide to take #9 Over On McCleskey, and Gillis, and I watch all "You can't think negatively. You have to river left. #9 must be made with boat three take gates 16-19 cleanly arid be positive and have faith. Lots of times angled back to the right in order to sprint quickly. By the time I reach the foot- - that's what separates the higher places over to #lo, on river right. Some pad- bridge overlooking the 8-1 the from the lower places." Having some dlers have made #9 "direct," executing a first K-ls are careening downriver. Worlds medals at home in my sock drawer full clockwise spin to achieve the desired would help. angle, while others, C-2s in particular, Still, if I really believed I couldn't pull have taken #9 in reverse and femed back Scintillation myself together, I would pack up the car to river right for # 10. If you would like to know how hot and leave right now. Instead I am back I choose the former method, but being Hell is, just enter the K-1 class at a na- behind the wand, the starter counting a lefty paddler, I have trouble making the tional-level slalom race. 158 male twin- down the seconds. I sprint out of the gate spin and am swept through #9 pointed bladers made the '95 rankings list, com- determined to produce my best run ever. left. Discombobulated, I made a feeble at- pared with only 90 for C-1, the next-larg- After all, I have paddled well on most of tempt to backpaddle over to # 10. But the est class. So loaded is men's kayak that the course, and I feel that if I can run fast current is much too strong, and my first Bobby Hartridge, a far better boater than and clean through these easy parts and "50" is in the books. I, is only the 10lst-ranked K-1, while I get through the difficult sections without The gradient eases now, and I com- enjoy a seemingly-stellar 51st ranking in any 50s, I will breathe competitive life pose a clean run of the next five gates C- 1. Today the mean difference among once more. before encountering the next tough move first-run scores in C-1 is 25.39 seconds. I plop down through gate 8 into the at 16-19. Boldly, I deviate from the plan In K-1 it will be less than half that, 11.85 eddy and set up to peel back out. Trouble of most of my fellow racers and do a seconds, with many competitors separated is, I never did make up my mind what ex- complete spin in the river-left eddy at by mere hundredths of a second. actly I'm going to do at #9, and I find # 16, setting myself up beautifully (or so I One after another the K-1s descend, myself in the same left-angled predica- think) for # 17. One must enter # 17 with and the fastest run of the "wicked offsets" ment as before. This time I extend for the perfect upstream angle in order to is impossible to discern with the naked several aggressive backstrokes, and find catch the foam of a small wave and be eye. Chris Rush, Bobby Hartridge, Tom myself set up for #10 with no worse than surfed over to # 18. My angle is decidedly Piccirilli, Craig Law pass through the cir- a 5-second penalty to pay. imperfect, and instead of a smooth surf I cuit, darting river left to take gate 9, But the cunning canal will allow me am given a violent jolt which jars my backsweeping back to the right to pass no such fortuitous feat. It snags my paddle grip from my right hand and flops their heads a centimeter within # 10. To- paddle blade with one of its "rocks" (a me wrongside-up once more. By the time ward the end of the order is a cluster of block of cement with a plastic covering I regain control of my stick and right my- A-ranked kayakers who have made the which resembles a section of a Porta- self, I have missed gates 18 and 19, dig- trip to East Race-Billy Brennan, Josh Potty) and over I go. 50-second penalty, ging my hole 100 seconds deeper. Russell, Jay Mulligan, Scott Parsons, Kyle gate 10. Now I'm upset, in violation of the car- Elliott, Brian Parso'ns. They demonstrate The wind sucked from my sails, I dinal rule in slalom... to remain at peace subtle skills which will make their runs a nearly repeat my blunder at 17-18. This with oneself at all times. I narrowly shade faster than those of their predeces- time I paddle back up for # 18, refusing to avoid passing through #23 the wrong way sors, particularly by foregoing a full fold completely, but just downstream at and collecting another "50"; I drift across eddy-out at gate 8 and simply #23 I flip again and score another 50. So the beam of the electronic eye to complete backferrying straight over to #9. much for the best run ever. what is, in my humble estimation, a per- For several minutes I take out my fectly awful run. frustration on the surfing wave just above At the takeout, I find that I am not the Faith the takeout, then shoulder my boat over only disgruntled C- ler. "I didn't know I Throughout the K- 1 class I have stud- to the Corolla, parked on Niles Avenue. was capable of paddling so poorly," pants ied intently the parts of the course which The wind picks up and gives me the Andrew Padyk, who arrives just behind gave me trouble on my first run. Unfor- shakes as I methodically change into dry me. "I have never screwed up a run the tunately, after two ill-fated attempts at a clothes, careful not to flash any pedes- way I just did," announces Eric Revels, couple of moves, I am beginning to trian South Benders. who drifts down moments later. "I had a doubt my ability to pull them off on my I walk over to the scoreboard to face one-touch run going until I flipped at #23 final run. Given my less-than-impeccable the awful truth. My scoresheet is second

American Whitewater July/August 7996 from the bottom. Somehow the judge . which I found all too easy not to . --. .- their personal satisfaction is en- have given me four 50-second penalties A rather than two. But I see no point in fil- hanced by an external reward: a ticket to the next level, the right to work out on the nifty new Ocoee Olympic course, an say, the bottom quartile. McCarthy, Abel Hastings. opportunity to make the really big time-

" Scott ~c~leske~has moved into first From the bridge I spot Todd Murdock the United States Olympic Team. They al- with a clean second run-the only clean walking up the canal. I detect the same most certainly won't do it, of course, but run for C-1 all day. Jesse Gillis settles for aura about him that surrounded the Trials I, for one, will think of them as I watch second with his one-touch first run. Third qualifiers for C-2 and K-1W earlier in the the studs in action on July 26-28. place is filled by a foreigner, Simon day. His demeanor cames no obvious Meanwhile, I have just dipped my feet Twigger. So the final spot for the Olympic celebratory aspect, for such is not good into the second half of my 22-hour round C-1 Trials goes to the fourth-place fin- form for any circumstances short of a trip. I won't get home until 2 or 3 AM, isher, Todd Murdock, who has kept the World or Olympic title, but his inner sat- and any chance of having a productive penalties under control this time. isfaction is apparent. day at work tomorrow is shot. All to fin- I scribble down the results for later Sport is all about setting personal ish one spot out of dead last. I think of a study and return to the car to begin the goals, and having the discipline to attain quote from another great canoeist, Jon ultramarathon drive back to Memphis. I them. Every time I ran a personal record Lugbill: "It's not worth suffering to get to cross the LaSalle Avenue bridge as the last in the mile or two mile in high school, for an end. The means must be enjoyable." few kayaks are making their way down instance, I felt satisfaction knowing I had Am I really enjoying this? I've got to the course. "A" boaters will take the top done something which would have been admit that I can think of more delightful seven places in K-1, so the four Olympic very easy not to do. pasttimes than getting my brains beat out Trials berths will go to finishers 8 through Now, Todd and Scott and Jesse and in some stupid competition. For that mat- 11: Shaun Smith, Ben Gorman, E.J. all the other qualifiers have done some- ter, even when I'm out paddling just for "fun," while my buddies hoot and holler and have the time of their lives, I'm si- lently screaming at myself for blowing a surf or an elevator move I once saw some hot boater do. Is that enjoyable? Maybe not, but if I didn't push myself at all, I wouldn't be as good a paddler as I am, and probably wouldn't have seen the cers and hot shots are wondrous sights I've seen and met all the paddling Dagger boats? interesting people I've met. I have a good Because they are job and a nice little life at home, but I'd go crazy if that were all I had. research and design in In the upper reaches of the Mississippi action. What we learn delta, said home awaits, a blissful mat- from them pushing the tress and pillow under its roof. Just ten limits affects every boat hours to go. we build. "...quality and I Scott Shipley-Current mass distribution rarely go together."

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American Whitewater July/August 7996

After a day and a half of hauling I tried to convince Steve to at least where few, if any, had ever been. By my kayak, loaded with gear and food for boat down to the West Fork confluence early afternoon, after about 10 miles of six days, I finally reached (aptly named) before making a decision. He refused. boating, I reached the Rhoda creek Army Mule Saddle. My partner, Steve, After some angry words we parted ways. confluence, where once again a trail ran had hauled his boat the 12 miles and 3000 Though I hadn't planned on it, this along the river. vertical feet to this "low" point in the was going to be a solo trip. I enjoy boat- I stopped in an old growth cedar ridge the previous weekend. Just four ing alone; it demands a purity of concen- grove to camp. Later that evening I took more miles of bushwhacking and we tration that is hard to achieve when boat- a walk up the Rhoda Creek trail. Al- would reach the North Fork of Moose ing in a group. In addition you get to be though the trail was far from the river the Creek. the probe all the time, and if you swim, glimpses of white, along with the roar of Paddling Moose Creek's North Fork you don't have to buy beers for anyone. fast moving water, convinced me that I had seemed like a great idea last winter So it didn't take me long to get psyched. had to return to run it someday. when I planned the trip. I was looking for But I was a little shaky at the onset. The next morning I got an early start first descents in Idaho and decided that Almost immediately after putting on I and was rewarded with a view of a young the best bet would be creeks that could broached and spent several minutes get- bull moose by the river. To my surprise only be reached by long hikes. I figured ting free, hoping all the time that Steve the lower section of the North Fork was that when I went even better than the previous day's boating. Thanks to the addi- the time skiing and tional flow from Rhoda more than 90% of the Creek it was pushier and more exciting, remote put in couldn't be too bad, because the 1 with lots of big holes work to fun ratio had to that kept me focused. be much better than for backcountry skiing, perhaps even reaching 50%. '6 '4I thing. This was pure - While wrestling 80 boating pleasure. It re- pounds of loaded kayak minded me of a rewed across a steep sidehill up version of the lower choked with alders, I be- canyon of Big Creek, a gan to doubt my arm- tributary of Middle chair rationalizations. Fork of;he Salmon. But by this time, retreat At the take was not an option. out I considered my ex- Finally, after several hours of grue- Left: Fish Lake in Background on perience. Seven hours of great boating some bushwacking, we reached the North the Way to Rhoda after 16 hours of hiking. A little math- Fork of Moose Creek. The creek averaged Above: Falls on the North Fork of ematical calculation gave me a fun to 135 ftlmile for 18 miles and Steve and I Moose Creek work ratio of 30010, not as high as I had had both been worried that the water hoped, but still a lot better than would be too high. But my first impres- wasn't witnessing my thrashing. The first backcountry skiing. sion was that there were plenty of eddies; three miles were both boney and pushy. in fact the creek looked a little boney to This strange combination, which had me ON TO RHODA CREEK me. I thought Steve's concerns about high banging into many more rocks then I water had also been allayed. would have liked, didn't do a lot for my While I was still drying out, I started Unfortunately, by the next morning, confidence. I was worried I was going to planning the Rhoda Creek trip. Although Steve was convinced that although what be broaching and pinning for miles. But I enjoy going solo, it's more fun to go we could see looked okay, the lower sec- luckily the West Fork came to my rescue, with a friend, so I called up Jon. Jon is tion would be a suicide run. He figured padding the river bed and starting the mentally tougher than anyone I know, that the West Fork of Moose Creek, which fun. and I knew that once he got interested in entered three miles down river, would The trip through the canyon was a this adventure I would have a solid part- push water levels way too high. Since blast, featuring lots of continuous mostly ner. this confluence was followed by a six boat scoutable class 3 and 4, one log por- The easiest approach to Rhoda would mile trailless canyon, he feared that we tage and one 14 foot waterfall, which I be to fly into the Fish Lake airstrip and would be committed to running an out of portaged, but Steve ran when he returned then hike eight miles, gaining 1800 ft, be- control river. So he decided to leave his at lower water. Though the canyon never fore dropping three miles down to Rhoda boat, hike out, and return when the water really gorged up the sides were steep, and Creek. Jon agreed that this sounded bet- level was lower. He suggested that I do with the trail 1500 feet up and over a mile ter than the hike into the North Fork of the same. away, I felt the thrill of being in a place Moose Creek and he agreed to join me,

American Whitewater July /August 1996 even though he had just torn rest of the creek averaged 190 some intercostal (rib) muscles ftlmile for eight miles, so there running the South Fork of the were frequent horizon lines re- Salmon at high water. quiring scouting. We portaged Luckily, we sunrived the one complex 25 ft falls and a most dangerous part of the trip couple of drops with logs. when we just missed hitting a We had been boating deer that wandered onto the some pretty intense stuff for Fish Lake runway. Fending off about five hours. On the next the hoards of mosquitoes with scout we saw two horizon lines. one hand while trying to pack I was getting tired and, in a up with the other was not very classic example of poor judg- efficient, but it was the only ment, decided we really didn't way to maintain our superiority need to look since the drops ap- in the food chain. It was a re- peared to be just a few ft high lief to finally shoulder our (though I couldn't see the bot- heavy loads and leave the pests tom of either). It was my turn behind. Lake Creek to lead so I set off, confident that it would I thought that after the brutal hike be a mellow run. into the North Fork of Moose Creek this We didn't reach the confluence of My confidence was shattered by fly- would be a breeze. But much of our route Rhoda and Grotto Creek until 11 am. ing over the first ledge, which turned out lay covered with snow. This slowed us The map showed a steep gorge just to be six ft high. In no time at all I was considerably and we were still two miles upstream, so I persuaded Jon to hike at the lip of the second drop. It was ten from Rhoda creek when we collapsed in a another 114 mile so we could run it. feet high, with a large sharp rock in the heap and camped for the night. The next 1 This short, 300 ftlmile, section got us middle at the bottom. The center clearly morning, aching from the previous day's kick started and put a big smile on wasn't an option and the left side wasn't exertions, we were still moving slowly. Jon's face, despite his aching ribs. The appealing either. It had a log sticking into it. Luckily the right hand side was clean and I was just able to make the move. I scrambled out of my boat to warn Jon and waved him off just in time. We were more cautious after that close call south this fall. and enjoyed the furious class 415 action down to the confluence with the North Fork Moose Creek without mishap. Ex- hausted after a full day of hiking and ur trip is designed to satis@your insatiable desire to paddle. boating, the cedar grove beckoned and we You will paddle stretches of memomble whitewater you can caII pulled over to camp for the night. 0 The next morning we set off down the your own for the day. now familiar North Fork of Moose Creek. There are no crowded rivers in Costa Ria. Especially with a group Though the water levels were considerably size of seven. The only spectators on the river are the monkeys, birds, lower then when I ran it the previous iguanas and other wildlife you will encounter. week, it was still good fun. In all we Your tirne is shared with guides who are international paddlers and spent ten hours boating and nine hours some of the most respected instructors in the hiking, yielding what I considered to be an excellent fun to work ratio of 53% on the Rhoda expedition. ON TO LAKE CREEK Now that I was getting the hang of backcountry boating I wasn't about to Contact us for ttfp ikdesfm Costa stop. On the flight to Fish Lake, I got a quick glimpse of Lake Creek (it runs from RSca and our other paddling adventures. Fish Lake into the Lochsa). It looked very white and I didn't see any logs, so that was my next destination. Jon's ribs were still aching, reagravated after a Crossfire fired into them on the Lochsa, so it looked like I

American Whitewater July/August 7996 ...... BACKCOUNTRY IDAHO BY KAYAK was on my own again. Lake Creek is in a scription of the East Fork of Moose Creek trailless canyon, but a trail crosses it 5 in Grant Amaral's guide book, I might Both photos Rhoda Creek miles up from its confluence with the never have gotten interested in the North Bottom: Lochsa. This would require a six mile, Fork of Moose Creek. If you are willing 2700 ft climb. Since the Lake Creek run to make the effort, there are still great vir- was only five miles long, I planned this as gin whitewater adventures to be had in a day trip, but decided to break up the Idaho. hard work by carrying the boat part way up the afternoon before. The next morn- Editor's note: When he is not making ing, I rendezvoused with my boat and solo wildernessfirst descents of class V continued over the pass and down to rivers, Andrew Zimet lives in Whitefish, Sponge Creek, which merges with Montana. Freezeout Creek 'to form Lake Creek. Running diflcult whitewater alone is I knew that flows had been steadily not without risk, even for experts. This subject has been debated many times in dropping over the last week, but I wasn't this publication. The AWA neither sanc- prepared for the rocky state of Sponge tions nor condemns this activity, but sug- Creek. As I balanced my paddle on my gests that it should be a personal, albeit boat and pushed on the rocks with my informed, choice. hands to inch down the damp rock garden that was supposed to be a creek, I feared it might take an eternity to go five miles. (Of course, this would give me a great

- - think about what I was going to say to my friends to make this trip sound worth- while. Luckily, it turned out that I wouldn't have to lie about what a great time I had... when I reached Freezeout creek it was pumping and I was floating again. The next three miles averaged 250 ftlmile and, except for four log portages, everything was runnable. After six hours of boating down steep continuous complex boulder gardens with lots of 3-6 ft drops but no real falls, I was finally spit out into the Lochsa. With hiking and boating times of six hours, I had a good solid 50010 ratio. BACKCOUNTRY EXPLORING It almost seems a disservice to write about adventures like this. Much of the pleasure of doing these remote wilderness runs comes from figuring out the logistics and not knowing exactly what you'll find when you get there. These creeks may have been boated before, but since I had no information about them, the adventure remained "intact" for me. Perhaps by writing this article I have diminished the experience for those of you who decide to tackle these creeks. On the other hand I hope this article might get you interested in running something you wouldn't ordinarily run. After all, if it hadn't been for the de-

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It was hard to hear anything except the it would be a big embarrassment. I'd have downstream search. Sure enough, in about pounding, booming Clavey resonating off to explain to the rescue crew the litany of 20 minutes I heard the "thump-thump- the narrow canyon wall6 all around me. The mistakes that led to my boatless predica- thump" of the chopper. This time I made crashing river created a reverberating hum ment. I'd likely get a stiff lecture, amid sure they saw me. After circling a few times, reminiscent of rapids in the Grand Canyon. comments relating to my level of incompe- they found a landing site a quarter mile The sun had finally shown itself and I was tence and on and on and on. My EGO would upstream. tired of trampling though the poison oak- need a rescue after the trouncing I would One ofthe rescue crew met me part-way, infested underbrush along the river as well get. "Maybe I'll just wave the chopper away, asked if I was all right, then introduced as the frequent climbing and scrambling. if one shows up." himself as Scott. I apologized for getting The river was high and any 'banks' that it I dozed for about 10 minutes, but was them involved in my boating excursion and might have had were mostly under water, roused by a different kind of throbbing mumbled something about my poor judg- forcing me to frequently climb up and over sound. Scrambling to my feet, I spotted a ment. Scott stopped momentarily, squinted each rocky outcrop. I felt a short nap was in small red helicopter zipping upstream. his eyes and said "Hey, shit happens". order. Waving my paddle overhead I yelled "Over Yeah - that's right! Geez... I LIKE these Rushing this expedition didn't seem here..... Hey...... Damn." But they had missed guys! important any more - I was boatless andjust me. "OK, let's not get hysterical. You don't "We were lucky, this landing area is one trying to get to the takeout in one piece. So need that ride anyway." of only two or three that we found in here," I laid down on a flat rock and let the sun But now that a helicopter rescue was Scott yelled over his shoulder as we headed warm my face. "Will there be a rescue becoming a reality, I quickly began re- for the helicopter. "We don't have the gear attempt?" I asked myself as I was relaxing. assessing its merits, and began to appreciate to hoist from the air, so we figured if we "Is a rescue even necessary?" I couldn't be that it would avoid a grueling trek to the found you we'd probably only be able to more than a few hours from the takeout - I takeout. A bruised ego I could handle. I'll wave hello." They strapped me into the expected to see the takeout bridge each time be humble and grin and bear the criticism. chopper; I introduced myself to the rest of I worked around the next bend. Besides, I deserved a verbal thrashing. And the three man crew and we roared down the A helicopter ride would probably cost what's a few hundred dollars for a helicopter canyon, several hundred feet above the me a few hundred dollars, compounding the ride? It could keep me from making some roiling, boiling Clavey. It's really amazing loss of my Cascade C1, a paddle and assorted even bigger mistakes in this canyon. So I how easily and quickly these contraptions gear that had been stuffed in the boat. And wised up and decided to wait for the return move relative to the plodding I had been doing in that canyon for the last 24 hours. Now I was feeling very grateful for the rescue effort, but now the question began to re-emerge in my brain, "How much is this going to cost?" "Aw, who cares, I'm in one piece!" And judging from the helicopter ride, I could have spent another night down there before getting to the takeout and my three buddies.

I was one of four East Coast boaters visiting ~alifokiafor the first time to feast on her OVER-FLOWING bounty of rivers. It was late May of 1995; California was experiencing a BIG water year, and we were right in the middle of it. Two days earlier we had- run a stretch of the Merced, normally Class 111-IV, but at 6000 CFS a big-water Class V with strong potential for flush drowning. One indicator of the high water was an enthusiastic comment Dick had made when I rendezvoused with the group at the Merced. "I think this level is just about right. I wouldn't want one more drop of water in this river!" That was scary to hear. I had been boating with Dick many years and at the end of some truly hairy runs Dick would deadpan, "It would have been better with another foot of water" and mean it. We were surprised at the scarcity of local boaters on the rivers, but we eventually con- cluded they knew it was TOO EARLY in the season. were waiting for more reasonable water levels and the balmy sunshine of American Whitewater v July/August 7996 Page 33: Looking downstream at the Clavey from John, Dick and I portaged the first drop. put the total volume at two fold the level the put in. Above: The author having a better day at After some otter entries into a foam pile near recommended in the guidebook. Neverthe- "Big Splat" on the Lower Big Sandy, WV. the base of the falls, we cruised off. About less, our approach seemed to be working. As a mile down stream John found a hole that the tempo accelerated, we negotiated one liked his company and wouldn't let him go. pushy class V drop after another. A com- summer. But were exhilarated about Out came John and there went his boat, bee- fortable cadence was developing. being in California and determined to make bopping downriver at an extraordinary clip. An hour later I lost my sense of rhythm, a go of it. John got himself safely to the left shore and something akin to tripping over my feet and Our next run was to be the upper sec- began scrambling downriver to catch his poking myself in the eye at the same time. tion of the Clavey River, a tributary of the kayak. The kayak caught briefly on some Dick had peered over another nameless big Tuolumne. It took us a full day to set the midstream bushes, but wiggled free and was drop and pronounced it a straight shot down shuttle, driving a Dodge Intrepid and Ford quickly swept away into the recesses of the the left. Dick started left, then quickly Escort with 3 inches of clearance over canyon. About a mile further along, the jogged right, just clearing a sharp pointed closed, washed out roads to the takeout. river moderated to a vigorous class IV+ and rock obscured in the middle of this thinly The next morning we were standing at the I paddled over to John, who was sitting covered route. I went left, missed the rock, put-in bridge, trying to gauge thevolume of dejectedly on a rock, having given up the but neglected to avoid a small tree, which the Clavey. Our collective estimate was chase. He was looking over this enticing flipped my C1. In a tight tuck I immediately 1500 CFS and the water was a cold 50 to 55 stretch of river. ~e'knewHis Ride was over started taking a series of thumps on the back degrees. We were being a trifle casual for and was in a fairly cranky mood. He elected of my head and shoulders. I decided to wait this class V+, 8 mile run, lounging around to hike out before the canyon closed in tight. for things to clear before opening myself up the put-in, basking in the 70 sunshine until Dick and I eyed each other before con- and extending for the roll. "Just give me a 11 am. When Holbek H Stanley (authors of tinuing downriver. We were down to two second and 1'11 roll this thing." But it didn't "A Guide to the Best Whitewater in the State boaters. Any "support" needed in the event let up. of California") rate a river class V, believe it. of a problem would be thin. Whatsmore, I remember the tip of my Putnam paddle After scouting the first rapid, just below time was going to catch us with our pants impacting hard once... twice... on the third the put-in, a class VI broken falls, Dale down if we didn't start moving more consis- hit I felt the shaft snap. I waved it around, decided not to take a ride on the Clavey. "I tently. Our plan was to quickly scout the big felt no resistance and painfully realized it just have the wrong feeling about this." drops, from the boats if possible, and de- was bailout time. I've got to say that lately This turned out to be the most intelligent velop some rhythm. We located John's I hadn't had much practice swimming and decision of the week and I shall forevermore kayak broached on some small trees about a so I did a poor job of it. It seemed almost respect his judgment. We decided to meet mile downstream and soon passed Reed impossible to get myself to safety and hang him in Tuolomne City later that day. Creek on the left, which was boosting the onto the boat at the same time, especially Clavey's strength by another 400 CFS. This after being swept through a few holes. It

American Whitewater July/August 7996 was a swirly, bubbly, disorienting ride, punc- hole and rode it for a solid minute before he bouncing down after me. It passed just out tuated with some solid hits, and featuring was able to work free. "Yee Ha! Ride-em of my reach. My C 1 continued through the underwater acrobatics as I coupled a long cowboy!" next drop and out of sight. This was two series of vertical and horizontal body rolls. Dickwas in excellent form and display- paddle-less swims and two times I could After taking the mandatory thrashing I found ing his usual cool head. Above a menacing have used that hand roll I had been working solid ground on river left and crawled up on drop about 4 or 5 miles into the canyon, on. Dick paddled over and handed me my the bankside rocks. Dick eddied out left and I eddied right. spare with a perplexed look on his face. "Wo Baby", I thought, "that water's My eddy was small and had two small "What the hell happened?" cooold - I should have worn my full drysuit. trees annoyingly situated in the middle of The plan at this point was to catch my Now where's my boat?" Upstream my C1 it. I carefully placed my paddle on an boat and get back in the saddle. I hiked had just finished doing the Mamba in a hole onshore rock, grabbed one of the trees, and downstream only a few yards before realiz- and was moving toward me like she had a tried to use it to maneuver my boat into the ing an uphill detour was required to circum- homing device. I grabbed her as she floated more friendly downstream half of the eddy. vent a large rock outcrop. The river canyon by, pulled out the spare paddle, and realized "What in Sam Hill was I thinking?" was tightly constricted with the canyon all I needed now was a short rest to get my The current suddenly caught an edge walls frequently dropping straight into the head back together. and there I was, in a truly bizarre position, churning water. This would be the first of The Clavey seemed to be in an ugly holding onto a tree with both hands, my countless zigzags up, over and down though mood, angry at the prospect of Dick and I paddle on the shore, and my boat inverted pockets of twisted, tangled brush and poi- riding its backside. It was swollen, strong with current forcefully pulling me into the son-oak. I was spending most of my time and full of sharp, irregular rocks - not the drop. I screamed in rage at my own stupid- hundreds of feet above the river, trying to round, polished and friendly kind I had seen ity before I let go of that blasted tree. It was find a route around each obstacle. Dick was in the California guidebooks. The river had a long, exhausting, sub-surface swim. When supposed to parallel me until he could locate the demeanor of an furious Brahma bull, I popped up I swam for the river right and my boat. But I kept thinking, "He's not cinched too tight in the groin and trying to finally got myself to safety, one eddy away going to be able to gauge my progress and shake us off. from the next big rapid. An incredible we're going to lose each other." In 15 minutes Dick and I were back on move, but there it was. After about an hour, while I was peaking the beast. Dick accidentally fell into a big A few moments later my boat came on one of my climbs, I saw Dick paddling away in the distance. He was totally confused about my whereabouts. Inherently I realized that staying together was a much safer strategy, but I felt relieved to see him continue on downstream - because I was feeling guilty about holding him up. Now I could relax about my lousy progress. Progress was frustratingly slow; the biggest problem was the hazard of constant climbing. Often a mistake would have meant a 100 ft fall into the rocks or into the river itself. This was totally nuts! Whatsmore, the possibility of spotting my boat seemed remote, since I was forced to traverse high above the river. A change in plan was in order. 'Forget the boat -just get your ass to the takeout'. I began climbing toward the canyon rim, hoping that if l got to the top of the canyon, walking along the rim would be more efficient. As I ascended my spare paddle came in useful for self-belay on the sections of steep, slide-prone talus. The poison oak was no longer a consideration - my only goal was to keep the stuff out of my eyes, and even THATwasn't easy. My biggest concern was falling, since an injury would plunge me into a major league mess. So I took my time, rested when Dagger Canoe Co., Inc. necessary and avoided risky routes. Adding PO Box 1500 to the aggravation was a cadre of mosqui- Harriman, TN 37748 toes which feasted on my face whenever I Phone: 423-882-0404 came to a stop. Two hours and 1500 vertical Call for a free catalog v; vrvvr uc.v-vr, fvvvrvvru& vvdd feet later I cleared the rim and gazed into - http://www.dagger.corn/dagger.htrnl I paradise. A relatively flat and open forest American Whitewater v July/August 1996 floor spread out before me - I even stopped lifted an arm, my pine needle insulation fell night with brief snatches of sleep. I never to smell the flowers. "This is going to work! away and it felt a lot colder. Secondly, my got the serious shivers, but sleeping rigidly I might get to the takeout road by sundown." hands had to be rife with the juice of poison in one position all night long was more I picked up the pace and felt Energized. oak, which I was still trying to keep out of difficult than I had expected. A slight body walking through this beautiful forested high- my eyes. If poison oak is anything like the shift would cause my insulation to fall away, land replete with mature Ponderosa pine, east's poison ivy - I didn't want it! So I let exposing a limb or two to the chilled air. So rolling grassy floor and patches of wild- the little buggers have my face without I periodically spent time patching my pine- flowers. Another half-mile of easy hiking resistance. Eventually the mosquito swarm needle insulation back into place. brought me to the top of a small rise, I saw was forced to disperse... the temperature Regrets, I had a few. How could I have something that made me feel as if my dropped through the 40's in the early part of so stupidly put my paddle on the bank and battery pack had shorted out. A side canyon the evening. then flipped hanging onto a tree? Yeah, drove a deep cleft across my path - 1000 ft Now I was alone with my dreams. The yeah, I know, there was some other mental down and 1000 ft up the other side. This was dreams came in weird, short-lived flashes, sloppiness, too. This kind ofboating seemed going to ruin my chances of getting out the concoctions of a besieged mind. Images to be overly chancy and in my delirium I before darkness. of swirling water, my wife Paula, restau- considered moderating my boating in the "How about trying to make it back to the rants (it was way past dinnertime) and home future. But the night eventually ended, the put-in? Maybe the ridge is intact going were flying around in my head. I thought sky brightened, and by 6:30 AM I could see back?" Hiking back in the opposite direc- about God. It was a cold, uncomfortable well enough to begin tromping around again tion for a quarter mile with my eyes fixed firmly on the horizon made me realize there was no such thing as an unbroken canyon [XI C rim along the Clavey. r I looked at my watch and realized it was r L'EAU VIVE 7:30 - darkness was just an hour away. It rn would take me much longer than that to get i to the other side of this newly found ridge - if that was even a desirable objective. The sky began to darken with cumulonimbus, [XI and thunder rolled around in the distance. b The wind kicked up to a gale and it started n to rain in gusty fits. Discouraged, I sat on 2 the rim overlooking the Clavey, watching a huge skeleton of a long-dead pine waving i AND WE'VE GOT THE GOODS! around wildly in the wind. The storm finally I blew by and that big stick was still in place. ;a P.O. BOX 18978 BOULDER, CO 80308 Too bad it didn't fall - that would have been 0 303-41 7-1957 quite a show. I headed in the direction of the takeout, looking for a spot to bed down. It didn't [XI make any sense to go thrashing around in b the dark through this difficult terrain. Who n 'PO-~Y~ L'EAU VlVE Inc. knows? Things might look a bit more rosy '.A I ~ov~dercolorado' u s A PADDEl I' in the morning. I had no matches to start a LZTM& SUPER SHOCKTM SPRAY DECKS - KOBER & MOLL PADDLES fire, I was still wet from my swimfest and it had been getting cold at night. Hypother- mia was weighing heavily on my mind. I found a flat patch of ground on the uphill side of a large Ponderosa pine. I dug out a rectangular pit in the loose soil with my canoe paddle, filled it in with pine needles and then made a big pile next to the cush- ioned pit. (Before I go any further, here's a chance to point out another advantage of the C1 over the kayak - the canoe paddle makes a better shovel.) Paddling Shorts for Amphibians I snuggled into my newly made bed and 5- Panel Construction Ergonomically Des~gnedto Fit Amphibians in Paddling Position 4-way Stretch Nylon II then pulled the pile of pine needles on top of Long Legs Prevent Thigh Chaffe me. "Ahh!! Almost like home, except for the P.0. BOX 1363 Bend OR 97709 Or check out your local paddle sto mosquitoes feeding on my face." 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American Whitewater July/August 7996 in the bush. dry clothes and food for me, covered the feet up the bank, high and dry! Dick had I was wondering about Dick and whether supplies with a tarp, and drove the Ford managed to salvage my boat! The Clavey he had gotten HIS fanny to the takeout the Escort up and out the other side of the was swollen to a width of 60 feet and I previous day. I learned later that Dick had Clavey canyon to Tuolomne City. When began pondering how to get myself to the waited a couple of hours by a large pool Dick got to town he found John and Dale at other side of the river. I sat for 20 minutes after recovering some of my gear. It was the rendezvous and told them to call 91 1, staring at that expensive, custom outfitted, approaching 5:30 PM, he was worried about then rode back to the takeout bridge to wait. gear-laden boat, packed with Snicker bars. me, and was becoming anxious about his My only options seemed to be what own chances of getting out before dark. He Just about the kind of swim stroke to use, and where to was facing a solo journey with zero support time Dick found the car throw myself into the water. I could back- on an isolated class V+ river at a very high track to the pool upstream, jump in and volume with no prior experience on the at the takeout. I was swim hard, allowing myself to be swept into river. He knew that there were a series of the river left side of the heavy rapid. It increasingly difficult Class V's and a killer getting a drink at a little would be another cold thrashing. And IF I VI lying in wait for him somewhere in the still had some juice at the bottom of the recesses of the canyon. stream near my bivouac rapid, I could probably get to my boat. The Finally, Dick decided he had to move on. other possibility was to try to swim across We had been pushing our limits. We'd about 4 miles upstream. the fast moving pool immediately in front had some bad luck, lost our mental edge and washed my face and of me, but I wouldn't have given a greased gotten careless. The river's stampeding I Mark Spitz in his prime a chance of getting character, its high volume, tree sieves and after some stretching to to the other side without being swept over scarcity of eddies, led us to allow the Clavey the next horizon line. I was still marginally to set the pace. We had permitted the river unknot my back, I began hypothermic and the idea of hurling myself to wrestle control from us. Our minds had into the Clavey's cold, callous clutches so it become preoccupied with the INTENSITY, to feel re-energ ized. could pound me against the rocks like a and we had failed to pay close attention to sack of laundry, seemed like the wrong way the small but critical details that make the "I actually DID get some rest last night." to go. Nah! Forget it. It's only a piece of difference. Dick knew it was time to stay Boating didn't seem like such a lame-brained plastic. I waved good-bye to my boat. frosty, shake off the unfortunate circum- activity anymore. I was still shivering but I continued zigzagging down the can- stances and get back on the bull for a full 8 I felt that would quickly pass once I got yon walls wishing for some sunshine to dry second ride. motivating. My next move was clear, get the rocks and decrease the likelihood of a Dick wanted to bum through the rest of back down to the Clavey and slog along to fall. A little sunshine would also dramati- the run, but realized that only an ultra- the takeout as close to bankside as possible. cally improve my disposition. I was study- cautious approach would get him to the Any search and rescue effort would start ing the Clavey for a placid crossover, but it takeout. He scouted all the serious drops from there. The streamlet led to a creek became clear that there would be no easy and walked around three, including the (probably Bear Spring Creek) which brought way. I finally gave up, once and for all, the terminal Class VI, pushing himself hard as me down to the Clavey. The hyperactive notion of getting back into my boat. Down the skylight went from yellow to gray. Clavey River was thundering like a stam- at river level a burst of sunlight lit up the While portaging another bone-cruncher he peding herd, but at this point the canyon rocks around me and things finally began saw the last bit of gray light disappear from had opened up slightly, so moving along to to dry off. I took advantage of this new- the western rim, finally plunging the river the bank was possible for longer stretches. found warmth by laying on my back for a canyon into darkness. It was 9:30 and he Just a half-mile down I saw a flash of short nap and then heard the helicopter..... ! could go no further. yellow on the river left side. THERE IT I completed the run, albeit by chopper, He hiked up the canyon wall 100 ft to a WAS, my yellow and red C1, sitting four buzzing the canyon walls far above the semi-flat area, then had to do some digging to accommodate a bedroll and remove the ubiquitous poison oak. Dick's oft-proven talent for bonfire-building came to his advantage. He built an oversize White-man's fire to dry himself and stay warm. He stripped down to hairy nakedness and let the heat soak through his reclining body and his hanging polypro. From where I was sleeping that night, this scene would have looked like the Garden of Eden. Dick was back in his boat by 6 AM. He paddled 15 minutes and found himself at the takeout. In the darkness he had no way of knowing he was within spitting range. After looking around the takeout he found no sign that I had made it out, so he pulled out some

American Whitewater July/August 1996 Clavey. In less than 5 minutes we were looking at the takeout bridge. The chopper circled neatly around the bridge and then gently set down dead center on the span. Dick was there and it was refreshing to see his broad smile. I unzipped my vest and my yellow camera fell loose around my neck. As usual I had forgotten all about it once I had gotten into my boat at the put in. Scott asked with an amused expression, "You brought a CAMERA?" "Yeah." n "Take any pictures?" I answered "NO", a little annoyed with myself. "Well, how about now?" Dick obliged us by taking a couple of have boated the Clavey in reasonable style his C-I from the maws of the Clavey Can- shots of Scott, myself and the pilot i front and without serious incident. Honest. How- yon. John is storing Bruce's boat until of the chopper. When the shoot was over I ever, the high water, coupled with some Bruce heads west again for another epic looked at Scott, scratched my head, and questionable judgment and a certain degree Cali;fornia adventure. asked the painful question. of misfortune, made for a frustrating, albeit "So... how much is this going to cost?" entertaining experience. He looked confused for a Above: The Rescue Squad and Clavey victim at the Another day will surely come. Next takeout bridge, second and then said "YOU don't have to time we plan to get it right. pay anything." Geez... I LIKE these guys! Editor's note: A California boater, John Hanser, recently phoned Bruce Epilogue: On another day our crew could Farrenkopf to tell him that he had rescued REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to ests in river management planning. tion. . Must have a working knowledge of con- Executive Director, AWA, with collaborative Other: . Fundraising for AWA activities. . servation and access issues on rivers in the relationship with other staff and the Board of Attend whitewater and river conservation western United States. . Must have excellent Directors. events in the west to represent AWA. verbal communications and facilitation skills. JOB SUMMARY: Represents AWA and JOB REQUIREMENTS: Ability to work collaboratively with a wide whitewater boaters on conservation and access Must live in western United States or be range of volunteers and associates. . Must have issues in the western U.S. willing to relocate. excellent written communication skills with an PROGRAM MISSION: To conserve and re- Four-year college degree or equivalent, pref- ability to produce large volumes of written cor- store Americas whitewater resources and to en- erably in environmental or public policy related respondence, comments, newsletter articles, on hance opportunities to enjoy them safely. field. Law school and license to practice in a strict timetable. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Implement western states highly desirable. WORKING CONDITIONS: May be required AWAs Strategic Plan in the western states. Minimum of one year work experience in set up an office in the home or co-located with Conservation: . Represent AWA and public policy issues, preferably in the areas of another conservation/access organization, with whitewater interests at all levels regarding the environmental advocacy and/or river recre- the possibility of a future independent office. conservation and.restoration of whitewater riv- ation. Extensive travel in the western states is ers and streams. . Implement AWAs ongoing Hands on computer experience in word pro- necessary, with less frequent trips to the east hydropower program to restore whitewater riv- cessing; database and Internet experience desir- for lobbying, board meetings, and coalition ers. Coordinate western issues with the Silver able. Must be able to use e-mail. building efforts. Spring office and the Hydropower Reform Coa- Background in FERC relicensing process is SALARY: Commensurate with knowledge, lition. . Develop new conservation tools, with desireable. skills, abilities, and experience. The approxi- an emphasis on the economics of recreation Experience in networking with western con- mate range will be $25,000-$30,000. and grassroots activism. . Create a stronger servation and access organizations, local, state To apply for this position, please send a re- network of river advocates -- Coordinate ef- and federal agencies, and recreationists is pref- sume and cover letter describing your knowl- forts of local boating clubs, individual pad- erable. edge, skills, and abilities to meet the needs of dlers, and AWA regional coordinators, and Di- Ability to deal effectively with people, exer- AWA in the west to: Phyllis Horowitz, Admin- rectors in the west. cise diplomacy and discretion in all areas of istrative Director, AWA, P.O. Box 636, Access: . Negotiate access policies and fees. work. Strong organizational capacity. Margaretville, NY, 12455 . Reduce landowner liability concerns. . Guar- KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: (74663,2 [email protected]) by August 30, antee access at hydropower dams. . Acquire . Must be self-motivated and able to work 1996. For additional information contact Rich streamside lands for put-ins and take-outs. . independently and with minimum supervision. Bowers, Conservation Director, Silver Spring Protect public right of travel down whitewater Must be a self-starter for a newly established Office, at 301-589-9453 rivers. . Represent noncommercial boater inter- office; and have a strong commitment to ac- (72732,[email protected]). MELTDOWN MADNFS AN EPIC ltOCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE PRIESPWTED RY A BENEFIT FOR: Wi PRODUCED BY:

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Left: Third major drop' a twisting I by Nathan Lewis falls that may be unrun. Above: Just below, drop #3. A 2.5' I contributing Editor entrance ledae was cro~~edoff.

n Poe's "The Purloined Letter", detectives scour a house to find an incriminating letter stolen from rich and powerful man. The detectives are sworn to find the letter at any cost. They dismantle furniture, they search the spaces between the walls, they question everyone in sight. They do it all. The letter is, of course, sitting right on the mantel over the fireplace... in a place so obvious that no one would think of it.

American Whitewater July/August 1996 A biggie. The 0-deck is on river left.

I I If you're serious about boating you've may have gone to the map room of your local library and spent hours pouring over to- pographic maps, calculating drainage basins, gradient, distances, rainfall... looking for virgin whitewater runs. Usually this doesn't pan out, unless you're investigating the north woods of Canada or the vast basins of China, places accessible only by plane, foot, or dozens of miles of logging roads. Within an hour and a half of a major population and boating center you can't expect to find many unexplored gems free for the taking. Maybe a waterfall or two, maybe a surfing wave, but not a whole river, for goodness sake! You'd think that a river that runs right by one of the major roads through the Cascades would be in the guidebook. After all, the biggest waterfall is visible from the road. The biggest American Whitewater v July/August 1996 American Whitewater July/August 7996 runnable waterfall actually sports its own observation deck, pic- nic area, parking lot, and public toilets; and is labeled on road maps as, ironically enough, "Deception Falls". The Upper Tye was first run several years ago- this we gleaned from some guy who pulled over in his pickup as we tried to hitch a ride on Route 2 after our first excursion on this section. He had boats on his roof and a tell-no-secrets, been there, done that attitude. But not until 1995 did the word start spread- ing through the Seattle boating community... Upper Tye... Upper Tye. Why it took so long is a mystery. The Upper Tye is nothing more than a section of the Upper Skykomish, probably the most well- known and well-used river in the Cas- cade range. Just downstream is the most famous rapid in Washington State Werner paddles have been and one of my favorite Class IVs, Boul- helping paddlers be fast and clean der Drop. Just upstream is Steven's for more than thirty years. Pass, the only route through the Cas- Our paddles the Wenatchee and cades for twenty miles in either direc- the Ocoee have been setting the tion, and home to everyone's second- standards for years. We're now favorite Washington State ski area. offering three new blade shapes to The Upper Tye runs through enhance your paddling pleasure. much of the wet season; in fact, it's a good run to do when there's a bit of water, but not enough to bring up the more esoteric creeks. It's a Saturday afternoon kind of run, plenty of whop- ping big drops, but close enough to home that you can stay out late on Fri- day night. Imagine a three-sided box, 10 feet on a side. The left side is open. The approach side has a six foot sloping ledge. The far side pillows the turbu- lence back into the falls. Imagine boating over the ledge- perhaps nothing would happen. Perhaps, if one's luck was bad, you would backender and get pillowed back into the falls. The seam at the base of the falls offers little floatation- the boat sinks down into the water in backender position, leaving about two feet of kayak above the water, pointing at the sky, and leaving the boater with a faceful of waterfall. Per- haps, in this unfortunate position, you would get stuck, a sort of upside-down backblast in a creek boat. And so I did. It was a rough way to start my second run on this stretch. On our first trip down the two mile long Upper Tye we barely found the put-in. We boated very con- servatively and spent better part of five and a half hours portaging through the forests along either bank. It was interesting, but mostly consisted of bony class 1-11 gravel bars separated by big American Whitewater v July/August 7996 A big double falls. The drop in back is at least twice the size of the one in front, but looks runnable without the log.

waterfalls that we walking around. Later Sheldon Cooper as- sured me that almost all of these were runnable, that he had done it with someone who knew. This I had to see. Hence, my second trip. Running this strange-looking, box- like drop, I was operating on the rubber- ducky theory, which has nothing to do with inflatables. The rubber-ducky theory is: In the middle of the world, at the foot of the majestic Andes, among the headwaters of the mighty Amazon River Many hard-looking rapids demand little lies some of the most spectacular whitewater on the planet. more than passing a smile on your face, RJOS BQUADOR invites you to be one of the first to getting in the middle of the current, and come and explore what may soon be the next world renown letting gravity do its thing. Don't laugh- it white water destination. works at Gorilla on the Green Narrows. But Expeditions for Intermediate, Advanced and Expert paddlers. maybe this little ducky should have gone to For Itineraries and Dates contact our U.S. office at: market or stayed home, because at the RJOS BQUADOR moment I was in a most unhappy situation. P.O. Box 114 Index, WA 98256 Te1.l Fax (206) 793-1705 American Whitewater v July /August 1996 I swam. It was a mistake. When I came to the surface Sheldon was glaring at me with that "how did I get stuck with you" look. My boat floated over the 12' as-yet-unrun falls down below. This was going to suck big time and he knew it. We take no For at least a quarter mile downstream, the river was continuous con- gested 111-V in a vertical-walled canyon. I shortcuts... spent at least an hour trudging along the canyon rim, high above, searching for my kayak. I was amazed- could it have made it through here without pinning? Was it pinned underwater, gone forever? I walked back with the bad news only to find that Sheldon had found my boat in an extremely unlikely eddy at the base o the falls. He was not happy, having had this business to wait an hour while I thrashed through the forest. The next move is a the only shortcut ten foot plume over a trashy ledge. He looked at me is to get out of dubiously as we surveyed it from shore. My credibility was running a little low. "Don't worry," I told him, You don't take the easy route when you use our boats so "I've done this one. Just we don't take the easy route when we build them. Hand paddle straight ahead, or crafted quality takes time but it produces the best value slightly to the right, and in the industry. you'll bounce over all that Call us now for summer specials! garbage and be at the bottom before you know what happened. You go Kayaks Rafts Catarafts first." . "Hey, you're the one who's done this before," he said. "Please? I just got hammered." He took my instructions on faith, pointed slightly right and boofed bril- liantly. It worked! It worked for me, too. We we~en'tnearly as mad at each other after that. After some decent class 111-IV scrambling, the observation deck comes into view on the left bank, and the river plac- wk&ewa&~ /@&taA& idly disappears over a clean horizon. This is the pearl of the Upper Tye. (Deception P.O. Box Z, Kernville, CA 93238 Falls is actually a tad upstream, on Decep- 619-376-3723 FAX 619-376-6014 tion Creek, which empties into the Tye at that point.) The observation deck over- looks a steep, sixteen-foot slide into a

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American Whitewater July /August 7996 For more information hole, which is walled-in on either side by rn Call 800-255-5784 vertical rock. On our first trip I looked at E-Mail [email protected] this long and hard. The falls blows out I Rocky Mountah Outdoor Center Surf htt~://www.rmoc.com I blinding spray- very dramatic. The hole 10281 Hwy. 50. Howard. Colorado 81233 was a mystery. It looked like you would 1 I submarine under and blow out the bottom The Arkansas River provides an extraordinary classroom for leading the art of paddling at high speed. But if you got caught, it a kayak or canoe. RMOC is right in the middle of one hundred miles of beautiful river, would be carnage for sure. ranging from easy first-day-in-a-boat water to the stuff experts dream about. We can Sheldon had paddled it on his first always match your skills and desires with the right stretch of water. trip. "It looks like there's a lot more water this time," he pondered, "but I think it We offer weekend seminars, private instruction, custom designed instructional will be OK. Basically, you just set up on packages and ACA Instructor and River Rescue certification. that little string of bubbles and float over the edge." It was, in other words, a rubber-ducky move. I perched on a rock to take a picture. Sheldon was floating in the eddy above the drop. For a long time. But eventually he started, lined up, bobbed over... he blew out the bottom- no problem. The tourists loved it. But now it was my turn. "Have you ever done this before?" asked a middle-aged woman with a video camera as I crawled around the 0-deck's pilings. "Actually, no," I said. "Oh, I see," she said, and propped up her video camera. What must normal people think of all this? I scoped out the entrance, let the current take me... and did my very best log imitation as I whizzed down the slide and into the hole. It blew me out instantly. Sheldon and I hooted and hollered, paddled around and clowned in the spray jetting out of the little canyon. After a sneak that's a wonderful, nearly-dry slide over smooth granite, followed by a tricky, sticky hole, we arrived at the biggest falls on the trip. At least thirty meaty feet high, it was blocked by a pair of huge logs, so we didn't even have to think about running it. We were able to run a much smaller plume below and continued along a string of acrobatic boofs and lovely class Ws separated by cobbly sections that were mercifully short. One favorite consisted of three ledges spread out in the sun that seemed to be class 111. Looks are deceiving, though; those ledges harbor quiet but greedy holes prone to backender an unsuspecting boater.

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American Whitewoter July/August 1996 Downstream a huge cedar trunk spans the entire river about forty feet in the air. It's a great place to scout the Class IV below it. You can straddle the tree out to the middle of the river and survey the scene like a king. The only problem is that the trunk seems rather rotten. It quivers in a womsome way as you scoot along. Riding a multi-ton cedar stump into the river from forty feet up, like Slim Pickens riding the bomb at the end of Dr. Strangelove, might be worse than anything that could happen in a kayak. There's only one major log strainer in the river itself, in the midst of a class 11-111 boulderfield. From the stories I'd heard about this log, it is one of the river's major hazards. So while I portaged (to some snickering), Sheldon tried to kayak through its branches, and ended up swimming and losing his paddle. After an anxiety-filled half hour, we found it a quarter-mile downstream, floating in an eddy. Now we had matched stupidity for stupidity, and were even. The last class IV on the run is a beauty. The river drops over some small cascades, then pillows up on a big, flat, sloping rock. The outflow from the pillow drills into a wall on the left side. The pillow is unavoidable; if you side surf it, Innovative designs you hit the wall. The trick is to "rail- molded from durable slide" the pillow like a snowboarder rail- crosslink plastic sliding the pipes. To manage this you punch directly into the pillow. But if you punch too hard, you hit the rock, bounce off, and end up against the left wall. And if you punch too weakly, you end up surfing the pillow, again into the wall. Ide- ally, you ride the crest of the pillow, and then, as you pass around the edge of the rock, you paddle over the top into the MONGOOSE Custom, hand crafted composite boats Featuring Jim Snyder squirt boats: WEEKLY Bigfoot, Shred, Maestro and Prize. And more than 65 models by various And now the designers including all plasiic boats Mailing travel brochures. No **444**** experience necessary. For information send a self-addressed For a catalog and the dealer near you stamped envelope to : us at 717-944-6320, fax us at 717-944-0422 call Internet Travel, 680610, email us at [email protected] or visit our web site at P.O. Box http://www.awa .org/awa/yeIlow-pages/newwave/ Miami, FL 33268 New Wave Kayak Products, lnc.*2535 Roundtop Rd.*Middletown, PA 17057

American Whitewater July/August 1996 Resin Head eddy behind. I love that move. From the bottom I watched as Sheldon came down. He bounced down the cascades, blundered Head Covers into the pillow, and got smeared harm- lessly and humorously against the left * Kevlar Composite Layups side wall. Har, har, har! "I wasn't quite * 17 Models Available sure what to do," he said, after he made it * Head sizes extra small into the eddy, "so I just came down the to extra large middle ..." * Minicell Outfitting We pondered the irony that sometimes * Metallic Flake & Pigment the easy rapids take skill while the hard + Solids, Spatters, Runs, ones take, well, what is it? Balls? Curios- Drips, Blotches, Blends ity? Or is it just experience? But the car was just up the hill, and soon we were * Graphics pigging out on tortilla chips and less in- * Outfitting Kits clined towards philosophy. Distributed by You can't make a trip bopping over the Upper Tye's ledges without taking a , Central PA Kayak look at Alpine Falls, just downstream of the take-out. As far as I know, it has yet School to see a descent. Alpine Falls is a steep P.O. Box 263 slide, about forty vertical feet high. Most of the water pours into a big safe pool, 2535 Roundtop Road but some gets diverted into a little chute, Middletown, PA 17057 which plummets down thirty feet, then Phone (717) 944-6904 plows into a rock and makes an abrupt Fax (717) 944-0422 ninety-degree turn to the left. It's not the kind of place you would ever want to be. Of course, if you had the right set up through the waves and holes above you I force jacket@ could just ride the water down into the Quality @ pool below. But, if you screw up... It's rubber-ducky move. You first. (301) 746-5389 second Skin Pilm tights, vests, and one-piece suits "upper youghW Riverside Shop P.O. BOX 70 276 Maple Street Friendsville, MD 21 531 call for Free catalog

A nice Class IV, the last drop on the run.

PquatchSM*S@> Manufactured in the United States by Mountain Surf, Inc. d .- - - American Whitewater v July/August 1996

Tie~o&o zone

by Rich Bowers

The boast, among DC boaters, is that the Potomac River offers a full range of placid to gnarly whitewater at any level. After a year of "weather" on the East Coast, these local bragging rights were severely tested during this year's combined Potomac Whitewater Festival and Great Falls Race. Between 4 and 4.6 feet on the Little Falls gauge, there is usually an exodus of boaters headed out to surf Rocky Island. A little lower, say 4 :o 3.6 feet, and there is a mass upstream migration to 0-Deck. Above 5.4, it's a trip downstream to the hole at the Middle Chute. At outrageous levels, above 13 feet, there is the legendary surfing wave at Brookmont (see Davey Hearn article about the hazards of surfing this wave). Of course there is always Little Falls - and all of this is a short 30 minute trip outside of Washing- ton, DC. Likewise, you can run Great Falls at 3.1 feet or lower. At this level, the run is down the Virginia side of the river and over the "Spout," the traditional (and highly photographed) site of the Annual Great Falls Race (a definite part of the "Adrenaline Tour" of Class V+ races). Last year, when the river went just above this level, race organizer Gil Rocha got creative, and thus was born the first race over the middle chutes of Great Falls. Truly an awesome site to witness. At incrementally higher flows, there is still the option to run the Fish ladder or Bridge Channel routes, but it's starting to get just a little dicey! So it may be understandable that race organizers and volunteers began to get a little ner- vous when torrent after torrent hit the Eastern United States. It started in January, when the Potomac crested at over 19 feet (see March/April Journal). Between then and the start of the festival

nUalll VVYU-LI I, ru~~rna~Fest and race, the river dropped to Rocky Island levels 1996; 6elow:Kyle Marinelle only once. The morning of June lst, the first day of the event, volunteers and participants alike awoke to a Potomac raging at 6.68 feet. This is where the bragging rights were tested. And this is where the Potomac held its reputation - although not for everyone. At this level, a special place is formed - a place known to those who boat it as "THE RODEO ZONE." The zone forms just below Great Falls, at this level a solid mass of foaming cataracts and holes. Brown water swirls out of control, with a mixture of trees, cans and mis- cellaneous trash flushing down from West Virginia, Virginia and Eastern Maryland. However, in the middle of chaos forms an area of surfing waves, outrageous eddy lines, and holes - the zone. Not exactly a place made in heaven - and luckily only a place made in hell for some! The first test came in getting into the zone. Rodeo participants were faced with a put-in which demanded an immediate and strong surf across a series of standing waves. The destination of these waves? A huge boiling (and sometimes exploding) pillow against the Virginia cliffside. The second test came in exiting the zone, which lies just above S-turn rapids. For those who exited sans boat, a long swim through boils and

American Whitewater July/August 7996 whirlpools was in order (several rescue boaters joined the swimmers before reachi the relatively calm water at Rocky).. Obviously, judicious judgment and strong boating skills were the order of the day. The third test came in the zone itself. The location picked for the hole- riding contest was so intense that the possibility of a full-fledged mutiny was narrowly avoided. Participants, including some of the best in the country, flatly refused to enter the shallow, rocky and totally out-of-control hole. Luckily, most boaters are easily bribed and this held true on the Potomac. The hole riding contest was quickly made an exhibition event, with the lure of bonus points to those who dared to sacrifice themselves to the zone. Most did, making this an outstanding spectator event. Also extremely popular in the DC area is squirting, with two separate events held in the zone, the "Squirt-Till-It-Hurts" and the standard surfing and subbing contests. The zone offered definite lines for rodeo moves, including a two-foot deep seamline running through the S-turns. From where I sat, the squirt contests were spectacular but guarded. The penalty for a mystery move in the zone above this seamline must have seemed too harsh, as I saw no one anxious to accumulate downtime here. Since the Potomac is a naturally flowing river, events, schedules and participants needed a good deal of flexibility. Intermediate events, and the annual attainment race were re- scheduled for just after Sunday's Great Falls Race, in the hope that the level would drop to more mortal levels. The Potomac did drop, but just barely under 6 feet (and unconfirmed since the Little Falls gauge was stuck for the entire weekend). Sunday morning brought decision time to those who wished to enter the Falls race, and locked in the only possible remaining route - the Fish ladder. The pre-race safety meeting said it all. "We don't recommend that anyone enter the race. Take a look and make your own decision." Safety teams were established, rope lo- cations were set, and well-known spectators were actually drafted to help augment the safety plan. However, a screw up by anyone, regardless of safety plans, would mean the swim or ride oi their lives. Fifteen boaters decided to test their skills, resulting in one of the best demonstrations of expert boating ever witnessed at Great Falls (or anywhere, at least by this witness). Fifteen perfect runs, on a course that held little room for error. I can't say much more than that; you really had to see it firsthand. Luck- ily, the carnage was saved for the next event, the attainment race. Attainment races are supposed to be fast, demanding, and precise. There is normally no carnage involved. Not so for attaining in the zone, or for any attainment course set by AWA's own Pope Barrow! Pope's quirky humor was fully demonstrated on those who entered this event. First, a mass start at Sandy Beach quickly left boats, paddles and boaters floundering in the wake of . more speedy racing types (Eric Jackson, Clay Wright and Davey Hearn set the tone this day - see results of events posted elsewhere in this Journal). However, even the ending provided spectator gratifi- cation in the form of a boat-pin on the Virginia cliff (yes, the attainment race ended with a reverse surf across the put-in waves), a swim or two, and assorted mayhem. The key word for boating on the Potomac is "FUN." The Potomac Whitewater Festival and Great Falls Race try to reflect this each year, and id.. - " provide a good time for paddlers both on and off the water. This vear. the -*, *L high watertightened the-meaning of fun for some boaters, but thaf;s the good Ur -1 and the bad of natural rivers - some of us wouldn't change this for anything! As we go to press the river has started to drop. This afternoon the exodus is Top to Bottom:Skip Brown Surf!; AWA's own on for Rocky. If you're ever in the DC area, sample the Potomac. If you're lucky, Rainey Hoffman on the Approach to the 2nd maybe you too can experience the Rodeo Zone - a unique boating dimension! hole of the Fishladder - 96 Great Falls Race;Keith Liles at Entrance to First Hole, Fishladder; Keith Liles in Fishladder Rapids

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American Whitewater July/August 7996 Special thanks to those without whom the Potomac Festival. the Great Falls Race Top Left: Expert level "Out if Control". and the many other rodeos and festivals across the country could never have happened. Bottom LeftAdam Boyd41 in Fish Ladder Rapid. Special-Special thanks to the many sponsors who supported the Potomac rodeo and Top Right: Albert Stephan in "Swirls of brown water". race, including the major sponsors of the AWA's National Organization of Whitewater Bottom: Clay Wright squirts ti1 it hurts. Rodeos (NOWR); Perception, Dagger and MTI. National sponsors Prijon, Jag, Teva, Croakies, Kokatat, L'eau Vive, NRS, ICS Books, Canoe €t Kayak Magazine, Mountain Surf, New Wave, Sport Helmets, Adventure Medical Kits, Mohawk, Salamander, Chaco, Menasha Ridge Press, Norse, PD Designs, Stohlquist, Silver Creek, Sidewinder and Werner Paddles, Lotus Designs, Cascade Outfitters, Snap Dragon Designs and Seattle Sports. For the Potomac Festival and Race, thank you to race organizers Ricky Rodriguez and Gill Rocha; all of the volunteers who organize, judge and argue about the events and schedules; volunteers who create the T-shirts, posters and flyers; and the staff at both the Virginia and Maryland Great Falls park. Thanks to local sponsors Hudson Trails Outfitters, Good Stuff, Dave Paterson Photography, Glen Echo Pottery, Ursy's Pottery, Springriver Corp., Outerquest, Ohiopyle Prints, WoodStone Glass, Custom Glass Services, and Patagonia. Finally, thanks to the boaters who show up year after year and make this such a great event.

American Whitewater July/August 7996 The ultimate results of the Olympic First Cheat Canyon Downriver Team Trials were largely as predicted by Elmore Holmes in his excellent article Ring Ouixotism. Members of the 96 Race Kicks Off Festival Olympic Team all reached the trials by virtue of being "A" division racers. Zbel Wins Again! The 96 Olympic team will consist of Rich Weiss and Scott Shipley in K1, Cathy Veteran river guide and hair racer extraordinaire' Roger Zbel smoked the competi- Hearn and Dana Chladek in K1-W, Davey tion at the First Annual Cheat Canyon Race, held on Friday May 3 in Albright, West Hearn and Adam Clawson in C1 and the Virginia. Zbel, inarguably the premiere "hair" racer east of the Mississippi, crossed the team of Horace Holden and Wayne Dickert finish line two minutes ahead of his friend Steve Kauffman. Veteran riverman Phil in C2. Coleman returned from Costa Rica to place third on the nine mile, class 111-IV course. Congratulations and best wishes go to The fastest time in a slalom boat was posted by Pittsburgher Billy, Zollars, who these talented athletes. We'll all be root- finished fourth overall. Kayaker Jan Steckel capped the women's division, followed by ing for you on the Ocoee. C-1 boater Heidi Domiessen in second, and Julie Wingard in third. But we'll also be remembering all The race, organized by Rob Vorhees, served as a dramatic kickoff for the 1996 those dedicated competitors, like Elmore Cheat River Festival. After a mass start within a stone throw of the festival site in Albright, the racers Holmes, who didn't quite make it, this streaked through such classic rapids as Decision, Beech Run, and Even Nastier; and time. Don't give up. Remember, 2000 is dodged (hopefully!) the voracious hole at the bottom of Big Nasty. The Cheat was run- only four years away! ning at a moderately high four foot, not quite high enough to allow the competitors to sneak past two of the biggest rapids: High Falls and Coliseum. Instead racers were forced to tackle the meat of High Falls, and to negotiate the turbulent line that skirts the mega holes Cyclotron and Particle Accelerator, near the top of Coliseum. Happily Second Wolf River everyone crossed the finish line below Coliseum exhausted, but smiling. The Friends of the Cheat and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, the sponsors of Triathlon Slated the Cheat Festival, have said that they hope the Cheat Race will become a permanent part of the Festival Tradition. Wild Wisconsin Challenge The Second annual wolfman Triathlon, an off road event held on and around the Wolf River in Wisconsin's I996 Cheat River Canyon Race Results Northwoods, will be held on Saturday, August 17. Roger Zbel Last year 61 men and women came Steve Kauffman decked canoe, all others K1 from throughout the midwest and from as Phil Coleman far as California and New Mexico to chal- Billy Zollars lenge the course, which combined Rick Gusic whitewater paddling, mountain biking Myk Herrera and a trail run. Scott Stough Competitors start the event by pad- Jamie Klein dling a three mile section of the Wolf Bob Gedekoh River in whitewater canoes, kayaks or Geoff Lewis inflatables. This is followed by a ten mile Chuck Stump mountain bike ride on logging roads and Mike Kinney a three mile run on a riverside trail. Bobby Miller Overall winners in 1995 were Darrell Keith Heasley RWERSPORT Morris of Hayward, Wisconsin in the se- John Edmonds nior men's division, with a time of 2 13 Yough Street Mike Rockwell Confluence. PA 15424 133:12; and Michelle Koss of Antigo, Charles Hartley Wisconsin in the senior women's division, Joe Griffith One of the top whitewater schools in the with at time of 2:04:18. Wally Hatfield The Wolfman Triathlon is sponsored country Riversport offers a safe yet Trip King challenging experience for fim-time beginners. by the Wolf River Territory, an associa- Pa York? as well as experts tion of businesses and individuals whose Jan Steckel Fnendly Instructors. small classes. excellent missions includes the preservation and re- Heidi Domiessen equipment. and a beautiful riverfront camp sponsible economic development of the Julie Wingard combine to prowde the perfect setting for Wolf River area. learn~ngwh~tewater skills. Students are Matt Wester carefully placed In small classes according to Entry fees are $25 per person before Kirk Nelson skill level, paddling Interest and age. We July 3 1 and $35 per person after August John Jeffries guarantee your satisfaction. Ask about bur 1. For more information write to the Lara Voythe spec~alclinics and group rates. Wolf River Territory, po box 265, White Lake, WI 54491.

American Whitewater July /August 1996 he Lexington, Kentucky weekend Throughout the day film fans were forecast was for sunny skies in the not only able to watch the hottest videos, T50's and there had been plenty of but also check out some of the latest pad- rain. Any other time the members of the by Wildwasser Sport of Colorado, made dling gear, new boats and even new, Bluegrass Wildwater Association would be watching a commercial an enjoyable ex- shuttle ready cars. Thanks to the gener- dialin' the gages and packing the racks for perience. A chorus line, beer swilling and ous support of the following companies the river. But this was the last weekend smooth surfing on glassy green waves the Film Festival was once again able to in February - time for the National Pad- contributed a stand alone show that made provide entertainment and money for dling Film Festival, so many of us were me want to buy their boat. river conservation. locked in to donate our time to help raise Please remember these companies in some money for the rivers that usually Different. Attainment Wars - Second the coming year when you are purchasing beckon. We were actually a little worried, Annual Upoer Yough Challenge. This new river gear or services. "What if they all go boating", exclaimed winner of the Racing Category brought Paul "Sockeye" Singleton, president "for a new meaning to the phrase "a tough rapid Adventure Medical Kits while" of the BWA. to run". Try running Charlie's Choice, American Canoe Association Some probably did, but nearly 300 Triple Drop, Heinzerling, or Powerful Pop- American Whitewater Affiliation decided that the next best thing to being per - upstream. James "Boze" Houck, of Canoe Kentucky/Elkhorn Outdoor Center on the river was to watch their pals get New Riegie, Ohio, captured the action as Cascade HelmetslSport Helmets, Inc. hammered on the Green, see the latest, famous Upper Yough paddlers make it Cascade Designs steepest, creek runs, or check out the look easy. Chattooga River Adventure whitewater in Alaska and Chile. With 16 Rounding out this year's video win- Clinch River Paddles entries from across the US, Canada, and ners was A Waterfall In Florida And Dagger Europe, they made a good choice. For the Other Streamside Attractions. Taking Extrasport, Inc. 13th year The National Paddling Film Fes- top honors in the Recreational - Scenic Lunatic Apparel tival continued to provide top notch pad- Category, videographer Will Reeves, of Menasha Ridge Press dling presentations. Atlanta, Georgia, showed us a year's Mountain State Kayak and Canoe Co. So who won? worth of whitewater from Colorado to the Mountain Surf. Inc. This year's top honors, including Best streams of the Southeast, as well as Nantahala Outdoor Center of Show Professional and the audience Florida's highest (only?) waterfall. New Wave Waterworks choice Ender Award, went to Loss of Alti- The Best Paddling Slide competition Northwest River Supplies tude, an exuberant video that profiled the was won by Derek Eggers of Lexington, Patagonia "aura" of whitewater. Daniel and Jennifer Kentucky. His winning entry of a Cana- Paddler Magazine Murphy, two dedicated and talented film dian "war" canoe in a rapid on the King's Perception, Inc. makers from Steep Creek Films of Austin, Canyon River in southern California was PD Designs. Inc. Texas, labored two years to bring Loss of irresistible. The slide is a computer com- Phillip Galls, Inc. Altitude to life. Interviews with familiar posite of two actual photos taken by Prijon Wilddwasser Sport riparians- sprinkled with bent boating Derek. Only the person in the bow of the Quest Outdoors philosophies- round out this excellent en- boat gives away the illusion. It's doubtful Rios Ecuador try that had it's world premier at the that someone in a boat like that, sliding Salamander NPFF. sideways'into a hole of that size, would be Sidewinder Spanking The Monkev (The Northern looking to the stem, and not for a way Stohlquist Waterwave Boys Do The Green) was the Amateur Best out! Subaru of America of Show. The title gives a preview of this hilarious, stylin' video. From the opening Congratulations to If you missed this year's Film Festival scene-a van overloaded with boats tearing all it's not too early to begin to plan for down a dirt road to the twanging surf the winners of 1996 1997. Break out those cameras and snap guitar sounds from "Pulp Fiction" - this those photos and videos. If you would video is crash and bum on the Green After the show it was time to party! like a 1997 brochure or have any com- River to the maximum. As filmmaker The BWA's own band of paddlers, "Utterly ments or questions please write: Rick Gusic, of Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, Rudderless" cranked out tunes until late says in the synopsis, "Tired of watching into the night. When the dust had settled National Paddling Film Festival videos where all the wipeouts are edited? we had raised about $4000 to be divided c/o Bluegrass Wildwa ter Associa tion Big egos hiding their mistakes? Here's a up between the AWA, ACA, and the PO Box 423 1 look at the Green River, uncensored". BWA's designate: The Trust for Scott's Lexington, KY 40544 Another winning world premier video Gulf, a fund established to acquire land (e-mail) bagrim I @pop.uky.edu - with an attitude. for a public wilderness surrounding the Diablo was this year's Professional spectacular Caney Fork River in Tennes- Commercial winning entry. Not at all see. Not bad for two days of films and your typical infomercial, Diablo, exhibited fun!

American Whitewater July/August 1996

Deerfield Festival will make a big splash again this year!

THE DEERFIELD RIVERFEST this event in spite of the rain. Like the whitewater. " He continues "We had so WILL BE HELD AUGUST 3, Kennebec, people and vendors again many local people helping out to make 1996 in the large field across the street came from all over the U. S. to sample the these events work and the fact that boat- from Zoar Outdoor on Route 2, newest whitewater resource and celebrate ers were welcomed into their communities Charlemont, Massachusetts. The Deerfield its rebirth at the festival. The trade show not only fosters a positive image for us as River relicensing story is fast becoming at the Deerfield drew fifty-two exhibitors, a user group, but provides us with an op- the "glamour child" of the environmental many who had come to realize that the portunity to increase our constituency and recreational community as the public- New England boater market was hungry when their kids take an interest in our ity from the Deerfield Settlement Agree- for whitewater products. They just had to sport. AWA gets to build its membership ment continues to focus on this landmark make the to New England and they were and the people of these communities en- agreement between the New England not disappointed at the Deerfield. joy the economic benefits of a non- con- Power Company and a diversity of river The addition of environmental exhibits sumptive activity in their towns. It makes interest groups. and children's games during the after- a great partnership for AWA. The Deerfield River has been the site noon brought in many families to enjoy With so many dams in New England for national championship races in both the festivities. The availability of the lat- up for relicensing these river festivals canoe and kayak events and continues to est in boats developed a longing gleam in play an important role in establishing the build its reputation as the next major the eyes of many ten and twelve year American Whitewater Affiliation and our league whitewater mecca in the northeast olds. This event also have a barbecue and members as important players in this pro- as thousands of boaters now travel to music throughout the evening during the cess. The more positive economic impact western Massachusetts each summer. entire trade show. we present to communities near Through the co-operation of the New En- Tom Christopher, festival coordinator whitewater resources, the easier it is to gland Power Company boaters now have for the New England events said, "Last generate local support in our negotiations the opportunity to enjoy great whitewater year's festivals were significantly more with public utilities. The more credibility just a short distance away from most of successful that we had ever hoped for. It we establish as an important user group, the large population centers in New En- just goes to prove that boaters are hungry the greater our chances for future success. gland. for opportunities to get together with Get out to the New England festivals Last year's Deerfield Riverfest was H each other in a festival atmosphere to talk this summer. When you support the AWA UG E, with over 1,200 people attending about what they enjoy the most- you're never disappointed.

DEERFIELD RIVER DATE: Saturday, August 3, 1996 REGISTRATION: Registration will take P. 0. Box7 LOCATION: The Deerfield River Fest is lo- place at the Festival site from 10:OO A. M. Route 2 cated on Route 2, Charlemont, Massachu- until 3:00 P. M. The race will start Charlemont, Ma. 01339 setts, just west of town in a large field promptly at 5:00 P. M (413) 339-5504 next to the Deerfield River. The field is ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST WEAR AP- across the street from Zoar Outdoor Out- PROPRIATE PFD'S. Springbrook Camping fitters RFD # 1 TIME: 12:OO Noon until 11:OO P. M. There will be three classes of craft: Lower Road CLOSING ACTIVITIES: Chicken Barbecue, SINGLE KAYAKS, TANDEM CANOES, a Shelburne Falls, Ma. 01370 Food, Desserts, Whitewater Trade Show, RAFTS. (413) 625-6618 "PADDLES UP RACE", Vendors, Beer H Wine, Environmental Exhibits, Silent ENTRANCE FEE: Mohawk Park Auction, Raffles, Games 8 More. Route 2 KAYAKS $10.00 Charlemont, Ma. 01339 THE RACE: TANDEM $20.00 (413) 339-4470 The first annual Deerfield Riverfest CANOES $20.00 PADDLES UP race is a unique event open HOTELS 8 INNS: to anyone and everyone who paddles a RAFTS $ 30.00 The Inn at Charlemont canoe, kayak, or raft. Participants will be Route 2 timed and scored over a slalom-like NOTE: NO RACING CRAFT WILL BE PER- Mohawk Trail course on Class I whitewater. The true MITTED. THIS INCLUDES SLALOM RAC- Charlemont, Ma. 0 1339 challenge in this event comes from the ING KAYAKS, DOWNRIVER RACING (413) 339-5796 many obstacles paddlers will have to ne- KAYAKS, RACING CANOES, OR RAFTS gotiate such as a limbo . gate, a rock OTHER THAN HUMAN-POWERED. Zoar Outdoor jump, an underwater gate and any other Box 245 obstacles the course designer i can think CAMPING: Route 2 of the by the day of the race. Mohawk State Forest Charlemont, Ma. 01339

American Whitewater July/August 1996 Shelburne Falls, Ma. 01370 ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES Picnicking-Deerfield River (413) 625-2064 (full service) Old Deerfield Village Guidebook (413) 339-8596 Country Air Campground Deerfield, Ma. (Historic) Mohawk Trail Williamtown Theater Festival Route 2 Salmon Falls Marketplace Williamstown, Ma. (Major pro- Charlemont, M RAFTING: Shelburne Falls, Ma. ductions by well-known artists (413) 625-2996 Crabapple Whitewater Rafting (Artists 8 Craftmen, throughout the summer) Route 2 Potters, The Swift River Inn Charlemont, Ma. 01339 Carvers, Sculptors) Deerfield River Guidebook South Street (800) 553-7238 (Extensive directory to boat- Cummington, Ma. 01026 Mountain Biking ing, hiking, and fishing (413) 634-5751 Wilderness Plus Rafting (Everywhere) throughout entire Deerfield Box 562 River System) Oxbow Motel Wilmington, Ma. 01887 Sterling 8 Francine Clark Mu- Route 2 (800) 83-GO RAFT seum Williamstown, Ma. (Ex- Concerts By The Trail Route 2 Mohawk Trail tensive collection of French Charlemont, Ma. (Weekend Charlemont, Ma. 01339 PADDLING SCHOOLS: Impressionist Art 8 other im- concerts by local Artists (413) 625-6011 Zoar Outdoor portant American painters) throughout summer) Route 2 Forest Way Farm (B 8 B) Charlemont, Ma. 01339 Fishing-Stream 8 Lake (Ev- Amherst 8 Northampton, Ma. Charlemont, Ma. 01339 (413) 339-8596 erywhere) (Major Educational 8 Cultural (413) 337-8321 Center including Smith, Jimmie 8 Paul Snyder North American Whitewater, Hiking-Catamount Trail As- Amherst, 8 Mt. Holyoke Col- Mohawk Park-Route 2 sociation (802) 864-5794 (Ev- lege, University of Mass. and Ashfield Inn Charlemont, Ma. 01339 erywhere) ~am~shireCollege Main Street (800) RAPIDS-9 Ashfield, Ma. 01330 (413) 628-4571

Parson Hubbard House (B 8 B) Shelburne, Ma. 01370 (413) 625-9730 Jeanne 8 Dick Bole Kayak RESTAURANTS 8 OTHERS: The Inn at Charlemont Mexico Route 2 Charlemont, Ma. 01339 Whitewater Bluewater Warmwater (413) 339-5796 (full service) Whitewater Kayaking Adventures Santa Maria Rio Verde Cascadas Micos El Salto Mohawk Park Restaurant IAGUA AZUL Route 2 c ~1 2081462-3361 Waterfalls Travertine rapids Charlemont, Ma. 01339 MEXTCO Expediciones Agua Azul Expert and Intermediate adventures (413) 339-4470 Box 111 Instruction for all abilities Garden Valley, Id. 83622 December - April Affordable prices Charlemont Pizza 72773.3106 @compuserve.com Mexico has it all! Main St. Route 2 Charlemont, Ma. 01339 (413) 339-4472 (pizza 8 subs) SECOND ANNUALUPPERYOUGH CHALLENGE The Depot ATTAINMENT WARS! Monroe Bridge nW INNER - NATIONAL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL - RACING Monroe, Ma. Jr 58 MINUTE VIDEO -k (Great Burgers, Beer, 8 Pool) $19.95 PLUS 53.95 SHIPPING Flower Bridge Chinese Restaura Send Check or Money Order to: Buckland, Ma. BO-POK PRODUCTIONS (413) 625-2570 (full service) 6008 S. Twp. Rd. 113, New Riegel, Ohio 44853 1 or Call to Order: McCuster's Market 8 Deli ? 1419-447-9542 Main Street Shelburne Falls, Ma. 01370 (413) 625-9411

Sweetheart Restaurant Route 2

American Whitewater July/August 1996 ......

Yes, I want to join the AWA and receive a subscription to American Whitewater. I've enclosed my tax-deductible contribu- : tion of $25.00 ($30 Canada, $35 overseas) to help conserve our whitewater resources and promote river safety. 0

I would like to make an additional contribution to AWA's oooo~eoo~oeoeoo~oeoo~~~~e~~~~~~Whitewater Defense Project as indicated below. : 0 Let $25 find a hole in yow pocket -New Member - Renewal Join the AWA today IS whitewater access an important issue to you? How about the con- AWA membership dues ...... $25.00 and receive America: : servation of your favorite runs? The AWA plays tough when it comes to w~pcontribution ...... $- Whrtewater at home. prese~ng,protecting and restoring our whitewater resources. And you Total amount ...... $- 0 0 can help. Your $25 annual membership fee is funneled directly into our Yes, I would be interested in being an AWA volunteer. effective river access and conservation programs. Plus every member re- 0 0 ceives a subscription to American Whitewater- the best whitewater magazine in the world! Isn't it time you joined?

American Whitewater v July/August 7996 I......

P.O. Box 195 ADK Genesee Chapter Garrison, NY 10524 c/o Jerry Hargrave Milwaukee, WI 53202 c/o Suzanne Beaumont 47 Thorpe Crescent P.O. Box 8270 Keelhaulers Canoe Club SAC-01 10 Rochester, NY 14616 University Station c/o Cathy Schilling Bayou City Whitewater Club Knoxville, TN 37916 Atlanta, GA 30332 3384 Marcella Avenue P.0. Box 980782 ADK Schenectady Stow, OH 44224 Houston, TX 77098 G.LO.P. P.O. Box 733 Clarkson Outing Club c/o James Tibensky Schenectady, NY 12301 Box 8565 Lansing Oar 8 Paddle Club Beartooth Paddlers Potsdam, NY 13699-8565 P.O. Box 2576 c/o Karl Pearson P.O. Box 20432 Chicago, 11 60690 Adobe Whitewater Club P.0. Box 26254 Billings, MT 59104 P.O. Box 3835 Clemson Whitewater Club Lansing, MI 48909 Greater Baltimore Canoe Club Albuquerque, NM 87190 251 Fike Recreation Center Birmingham Canoe Club Box 344015 P.O. Box 591 Leaping Lounge Lizards P.O. Box 951 Ellicott City, MD 21041-1841 AMC Berkshire Chapter Clemson, SC 29634-4015 c/o Rick Norman Birmingham, AL 35201 c/o Mike Zabre 3437 E. Green St. Headwaters Paddling Assoc. 34 Russell Street Club Adventure Pasadena, CA 91107 Blue Ridge River Runners Box 1392 Greenfield, MA 01301 c/o Adventure Quest P.0. Box 10243 P.0. Box 184 Bozeman, MT 5971 5 Ledyard Canoe Club Lynchburg, VA 24501 AMC Boston Chapter Woodstock, VT 05091 Box 9 Holtwood Hooligans c/o Jim Cavo Hanover, NH 03755 Blue Ridge Voyageurs c/o Dave Rostad 33 Chester Avenue c/o Larry Gladieux 922 Marcia Lane Waltham, MA 02154 Coastal Canoeists Inc. Lehigh Valley Canoe Club 208 Jefferson Street P.O. Box 566 Lancaster, PA 17601 P.O. Box 4353 Alexandria, VA 22314 AMC Connecticut Chapter Richmond, VA 23218-0566 Bethlehem, PA 18018-0353 Hoofer Outing Club c/o Jan Larkin Bluegrass Wildwater Assoc. c/o Mike Sklavos, Water Safety 151 Hamilton Drive Colorado Rocky Mtn. School Lower Columbia Canoe Club P.O. Box 423 1 Memorial Union Manchester, CT 06040 c/o Bob Campbell c/o Russ Pascoe Lexington, KY 40544 1493 Rd. 106 800 Langdon Street 6009 NE 35th Circle MAdison, WI 53706 AMC Delaware Valley Chapter Carbondale, CO 81623 Vancouver, WA 98661-7229 Boat Busters Anonymous c/o Peter Zagoqcki 2961 Hemingway Ave. Hoosier Canoe Club 837 lombardy Drive Colorado Whitewater Association Meramec River Canoe Club Oakdale, MN 55128 c/o Dave Ellis Lansdale, PA 19446 P.O. Box 43 15 c/o Earl Biffle Englewood, CO 80155-4315 7650 Poplar Road 26 Lake Road Buck Ridge Ski Club Brownsburg, IN 461 12-8412 AMC Maine Chapter Fenton, MO 63026 P.O. Box 179 c/o Wolfgang W. Kaiser Coosa River Paddling Club Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Housatonic Area Canoe 8 Kayal P.0. Box 331 c/o Lonnie Carden Merrimack Valley Paddlers Squad Woolwich, ME 04579 Southern Trails, Inc. c/o George May Burned Out Canoe Club 5143 Atlanta Highway c/o Robert Beringer 157 Naticook Road c/o Fred Vaughn 12 Boltis Street AMC New Hampshire Chapter Montgomery, AL 36109 Merrimack, NH 03054 Box 15 Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 c/o Stanley J. Solomon McConnell, WV 25646 4 Whittier Road Cornell Outdoor Education Metropolitan Canoe Et Kayak Huntsville Canoe Club Lexington, MA 02173-1717 Program P.O. Box 021868 Canoe Club of Greater Harrisburg c/o Paul Kempner P.0. Box 52 Brooklyn, NY 11202-0040 c/o Mary Klaue Huntsville, AL 35804-0052 AMC New York B01 The Field House, Campus R.D. 1, Box 421 c/o Trudy L Wood Road Missouri Whitewater Assoc. Middleburg, PA 17842 ldaho Rivers United 41 W. 96th St., Apt. 3C Ithaca, NY 14853 P.O. Box 3000 c/o Wendy Wilson New York, NY 10025 St. Louis, MO 63130 Canoe Cruisers Association E. Tennessee Whitewater Club Box 633 c/o Mac Thornton Boise, ID 83701 AMC S.E. Mass. P.O. Box 5774 Mohawk Canoe Club 6467 Wishbone Terrace c/o Mark Klim Dak Ridge, TN 37831-5774 15 Andrea Lane Cabin John, MD 20818-1707 ldaho State Outdoor Pgm. 49 Record Street Trenton, NJ 08619 c/o Ron Watters Stoughton, MA 02072 Eastern River Expeditions Carolina Canoe Club :lo Dave Kareken Box 81 18, ISU Monocacy Canoe Club P.O. Box 12932 Pocatello, ID 83209 America Outdoors Box 1173 Moosehead Lake P.0. Box 1083 Raleigh, NC 27605 P.0. Box 10847 Sreenville, ME 04441 Frederick, MD 21702 IPL Hiking 8 Backpacking Club Knoxville, TN 37939 Central Georgia River Runners Foothills Paddling Club c/o Philip G. Mullen The Mountaineers P.O. Box 6563 3628 El Caminito #A Club Andino Bariloche P.O. Box 6331 300 Third Avenue West Macon, GA 31208 ta Crescents, CA 91214-1713 20 de Febrero 30 3reenville, SC 29606 Seattle, WA 981 19 (8400) Bariloche Central New York Whitewater Kansas City Whitewater Club Argentina hiends of the River Moxie Gore Paddling Club Club .ong Beachlorange County c/o G. Rebecca Stark P.O. Box 455 c/o Nancy Howells 5600 Kenwood Avenue Appalachian Paddling Zhapter South Paris, ME 04281-3455 RR 1, Box 770 Kansas City, MO 641 10 Enthusiasts :lo Marvin Panzer Morrisville, NY 13408 c/o YMCA 5122 Greencap Avenue NORS Kayak Et Canoe Club of Boston P.O. Box 60 mine, CA 92714 c/o Mary McCurdy Chattooga River Frisbee and :lo Roger Belson Erwin, TN 37650 Box 6847 Paddling Club jarden State Canoe Club Box 526 Colorado Springs, CO 80904 c/o John Snell Henniker, NH 03242 Arkansas Canoe Club :lo Joseph Pylka Box 603 P.O. Box 1843 30 N. Greenwood Avenue, Apt. D NOVA Riverunners Inc. Danielsville, GA 30632 Kayaking I-IV Little Rock, AR 72203 iopewell, NJ 08252 P.O. Box 1 129 :/o Schumacher Chickaloon, AK 99674 Chicago Whitewater Assoc. 171 Hagemann Dr. Atlanta Whitewater Club jeorgia Canoeing Assoc. :lo Marge Cline Livermore, CA 94550 P.O. Box 33 l.0. Box 7023 Ohio Valley Whitewater Club 1343 N. Portage Clarkston, GA 30021 Ulanta, GA 30357 408 West Water Street Palatine, 1L 60067 KCCNY Newburgh, IN 47630 :lo Pierre De Rham Badger State Boating Society korgia Tech ORGT Zhota Canoe Club c/o Karin Papenhausen 918 E. Knapp #5 American Whitewater July/August 1996 A T E S mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Ontario Voyageurs Kayak Club Paddling Bares Brooklyn, CT 06234 Reno, NV 89503 P.O. Box 41 P.O. Box 22 San Joaquin Paddlers Smith River Valley Canoe Club Adelaide Post Office Milltown, NJ 08850-0022 Susan DeFoe P.O. Box 595 c/o Harry B. Rhell, President Toronto, Ontario M5C 2H8 The River Alliance Friant, CA 93626 15 Cleveland Avenue Canada Palmetto Paddlers 236 Stoneridge Drive Martinsville, VA 241 12 c/o Mandy Maier Columbia, SC 29210 San Juan College Outdoor Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club 284 Shoreline Drive Program Spokane Canoe Kayak Club Columbia, SC 29212 River Rendezvous 4601 College Boulevard 8 P.O. Box 692 P.O. Box 888 Farmington, NM 87402 P.O. Box 819 Spokane, WA 99210 Portland, OR 97207 Perception Kayak Club Telluride, CO 81435 c/o Perception Inc. Sequoia Paddling Club Steep Creek Films Outdoor Adventure Club 11 1 Kayaker Way River Touring Section P.O. Box 1 164 P.O. Box 402 Easley, SC 29640 Sierra Club - Angeles Chapter Windsor, CA 95492 4104 Shoal Creek Boulevard Dayton, OH 45404 c/o Dave Ewoldt Austin, TX 78756 Philadelphia Canoe Club 9624 Saluda Avenue Shasta Paddlers Texas Whitewater Assoc. Outdoor Adventure Program 4900 Ridge Ave. Tijunga, CA 91042 c/o David Bish P.O. Drawer 5429 Bldg. 2807 Philadelphia, PA 19128 1637 Cessna Court Mt. Home AFB, ID 83648-5000 Rivers Council of Washington Redding, CA 96001 Austin, TX 78763 Pikes Peak Whitewater Club 1731 Westlake Avenue North. Outdoor Centre of New England c/o Sarah Dentoni #202 Sierra Club Loma Prieta Three Rivers Paddling Club c/o Barry Adams 10 Pleasant St 533 North Wahsatch Avenue Seattle, WA 98109-3043 c/o Dave Kim 811 Smokey Wood Drive Millers Falls, MA 01349 Colorado Springs, CO 80903- 3309 Oxford Lane Pittsburgh, PA 15218 3001 Roanoke County Parks H Rec. San Jose, CA 95117 Ozark Mountain Paddlers c/o Bill Sgrinia Toledo River Gang P.O. Box 1581 Project Challenge 1206 Kessler Mill Road Sierra Club RTS Springfield, MO 65801 8306 Mills Drive, 1190 Salem, VA 24153 c/o Wini Heppler c/o Charlie Schultz 2321 Broadway, Apt. 5 Miami, FL 33183 18 Columbia Circle Ozark Wilderness Waterways Rocky Mountain Canoe Club Berkeley, CA 94708-2104 Toledo, OH 43609 P.O. Box 16032 Rhode Island Canoe Association P.O. Box 280284 Kansas City, MO 64112 c/o Dave Hevner Lakewood. CO 80228-0284 Sierra Nevada WW Club Triad River Runners 254 Bailey Woods Road 3485 Zion P.O. Box 24094 Winston-Salem, NC 271 14-4094 MELTDOWN MADNESS AN EPIC ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTUnE PRESENTED RY A BENEFIT FOR: PRODUCED BY:

I I'

DRINK OF THE BRAVE

This high-action whitewater kayaking video was filmed during Colorado's high water of '95. Fast paced whitewater action is intertwined with super surfing and beautiful scenery to create a top notch whitewater video. The video purchaser is entitled to mailing in a "Meltdown Madness Sweepstakes" entry form. Two prize drawings will be held: 1996 Gore Canyon Downriver Race & at the 1996 Gauley River Festival (need not be present to win). Watch this video, win prizes and help save America's wild rivers!!!! AN EDGE PRODUCTION CALL TO ORDER: 800482-8085 (VISA, MC & AMEX) TWO GRAND TOTAL PRIZES: PRIZES WIN A WAVE SPORT fifi SPORT OVER KAYAK!!!! $6,000 U. of Maine at Machias Libraty 9 O'Brien Ave. Machias, ME 04654

University of Tennessee Canoe H Hiking Club 2106 Andy Holt Avenue Knoxville, TN 37996-2900 by Doug Ammons

University of Utah The Lochsa river was high that April day, the sky overcast and drizzling. Near the Outdoor Recreation Program water broad-branching cedars woke from winter's spell while the spring rain spread Building 420 over the land, pleasing life and the river. Salt Lake, UT 841 12 I was driving over from Missoula with four new kayaking buddies, one being my USU Canoe H Kayak Team friend Cliff. Cliff and I were new to the Lochsa, but the others had been paddling on it c/o Jean Lown for the last few years. The river had a reputation among intermediate kayakers in the UMC 2910, USU area - it was The Next Step Up. "Watch out," the guys said, "that's big water class four Logan, UT 84322-2910 and only good paddlers should go there." Sound enough advice, but when has youth Viking Canoe Club ever listened to reason? Cliff and I had paddled a whole month and were ready for P.O. Box 32263 anything. The challenge of a new river only tweaked our enthusiasm. Horizons beck- Louisville, KY 40232 oned, and we had the key to their mysteries. Driving the shuttle that morning, we looked at the whole stretch of river we were Washington Kayak Club about to paddle. The view from the road far above the water made the rapids seem P.O. Box 24264 easy. Even so, when we climbed to river level to get a closer look they were much big- Seattle, WA 98124-0264 ger and more imposing than we were used to. This was a bit disturbing to our inexpe- Waterline rienced minds. But we were young and strong, and the water was clear. The river sang C/O IN Tolles of being freshly born from mountain snow melt. When the sun broke though the 103 Bay Street clouds and reflected off the water's surface, it spoke of excitement and fun. So we put Manchester, NH 03104 in - giddy, laughing, and slightly apprehensive. West Virginia Wildwater Assoc. Lilliputians in Gulliver's world, the first rapid overpowered us, slapping our confi- P.O. Box 8413 dence in the face. Experience? Hah! We floundered around and were swept down- 5. Charleston, WV 25303 stream. Swirling in the powerful eddylines, we did a dozen eskimo rolls within sight of the car. Uneasiness grew as the big river gently flexed its muscle and left us gasping Western Carolina Paddlers for breath. We were quick learners though. Each time we popped up our view of the P.O. Box 8541 world expanded with leaps and bounds. The problem was - we had so much to learn. Asheville, NC 28814 But this was a day made for learning! Smiles replaced frowns as our reflexes Willamette Kayak 8 Canoe Club stretched along with our minds. The Lochsa, River of Clear Thoughts - big, fast, clean, P.O. Box 1062 and forgiving. It was a river made of smiles, and we couldn't help but mingle ours with Co~allis,OR 97339 its water. Our group made its way down into the heart of the canyon. Then Cliff and I surfed Yayasan Arung Jeram lndonesia too long at a set of beautiful waves, laughing at each other's flailing attempts. All 11. Bungur Raya 113, Depok Jakarta, Indonesia 16432 thoughts disappeared when we caught one of the big smooth faces and felt the pulse of the river beneath us. A rollercoaster of fun, it told us our fate - of kayaking and rivers Zoar Valley Paddling Club wild. Of friendship and laughter. c/o Ken Ahlstrom Suddenly we realized that everyone else was gone. No matter, a few more tries, 46 Albany Avenue then we let the current carry us downstream expecting to catch up to our group around Dunkirk. NY 14048 the next bend. Instead, as we rounded the comer, the river ended. Alarmed, we windmilled strokes into an eddy just above the brink. The river surged over the horizonline in front of us and fell off our map of the world. Splashes and spray were all we could see; a loud roar filled our ears. We sidled up as close as we dared and craned our necks, but still couldn't see past the edge. "I don't remember this," I said. "What should we do?" "Beats me, the others already went down." We were novices in over our heads. Safety and civilization were only a few yards away, right up the bank and over the guard rail. The noise and swell of the water be- witched us though. Our vision of what mattered didn't go beyond the river - and its ominous end. The minutes ticked by as we bobbed around in an eddy near the bank. The current tugged on our boats, knocking them together. Out in the river just a few feet past the eddyline, the deep water's pull had a firm and unrelenting grasp. A grip that would drag us over the edge into something we didn't understand. "This is kind of scary." Cliff said. "Yeah. I don't like it either." "Where did they go?" "I don't know." Now this was not some life-threatening decision, just a little encounter with the un- known. The obvious thing to do was get out of the boats and see what was going on. You know, just scout the rapid. However, ignorant minds are not necessarily rational. Our month of kayaking didn't made scouting part of our river skills. If somebody had suggested it we would have thought, promise, and what appeared is not really a was a longtime climber, smokejumper, "Wow, that's a good idea!" Instead, our story but an epilogue. In what follows I and an accomplished backcountly skier. paddling had all the forethought of hun- don't know if I've been successful bridg- He has a good sense of humor, and faced gry chickens - pecking full blast was the ing the gap, but I console myself by say- difficult situations with a relaxed matter- only thing that made sense. And like any ing that life is like that - full of unfortu- of-factness - though sometimes you could birdbrains confronted with dinner on the nate impurities hear a little whine before the chuckling other side of a fence, it never occurred to Each in our own way, Cliff and I went started again. us to go around. beyond the first horizonlines we met on Some years after the events in Chowderheads. That's what we were. the Lochsa river. The lessons we found "Horizonline" took place, he was severely And there was only one direction on our there have grown in ways we never imag- injured in an avalanche, nearly dying and river map - straight downstream. Not be- ined. then spending months in intensive care. cause we were daredevils, but because we I've moved houses as a part-time job, He had repeated surgeries for massive in- didn't know any better. Backpaddling, been to college for interminable years, ternal injuries caused by being crushed ferrying, scouting, eddyhopping, we had packed my head full of intellectual matter, and dragged by tons of wet snow over a none of the standard river running skills, married, had 5 lovely kids. I help edit two long rocky slope, through trees and over a our introduction to them lay somewhere scientific journals, have research projects cliff. Eventually he lost a leg above the in the future. My river sense was distilled coming out of my gills. I paddle in wilder hip to gangrene, and much of the use of into the maxim, 'When in doubt, paddle places than I ever would have thought his other leg from nerve damage. His hard'. It had worked so far, but this possible in those early days on the matter-of-factness, the unwavering sup- horizonline was a different animal. We Lochsa. Still learning after all these port of his wife Cathy and a life-long were face to face with out limits. years, now I deliberately search for friend, Ed Ward, helped him through We hemmed and hawed a little more. horizonlines in all parts of my life - be- years of long dark nights, phantom pains, Then, never one to bridle action by too cause the river helped me understand and the difficulties of finding a new way much thought, I said, "If they made it, so where to find the pulse of really, what to live life. can we." Doubtful logic, but at least it matters. Cliff walks with crutches, but in some broke the stalemate. True to my prin- Cliff has confronted much bigger ways I think his stride is longer than be- ciples I took a deep breath and paddled as challenges. Not only a good kayaker, he fore. Perhaps this is because he's seen life hard as I could straight down the middle and over the horizonline. It's a different world over there, past the edge. I found.... well, I found some things that have stayed with me every We have what you 're since. Cliff? He was smarter than me. He went behind, watched me get thrashed, and saw where to go. We both survived, lookingfo r... and both learned some lessons. Since that day on the Lochsa, I've paddled a lot of rivers. Kayaking has Whatever it is, you'll find it in our 88-page color catalog, shown me a lot of fun, a lot of serious- which is the biggest and most comprehensive ness, and a simple fact: Life if full of horizonlines. They come in all shapes and in the whitewater business. sizes - accidents and jobs, people, mar- riage and children. Time is the current that pushes us toward the edges of what We are Whitewater Raft specialists, we know, usually faster than we can cope. but we're also paddlers, and we carry the best names And flowing water is the current of time in the business. Call or write for your copy of made real. I know that fear comes from doubt about where those horizonlines THE Whitewater Catalog lead. I also know that the truths of life, large and small, are what lie beyond each one. After the Horizonline Some truths must be relived a thousand ways before their measure can be taken. Such is life. After I wrote the little story, "Horizonline", I had a choice to make: should I keep the story isolated, or per- Cascade haps ruin it by adding what happened in OUTFITTERS the years after Cliff and I had seen our first horizonline? Poetic license demanded the former, reality the latter. In P.O. Box 209, Springfield, OR 97477 1 -800-223-RAFT (7238) the midst of contradiction I sought a com-

American Whitewater Ju/y/August 1996 from a perspective that most of us would The paradox of flight arising from a never want. His spirit has been more crippled body bites deeply, so perhaps it AWA Safety grounded. As soon as he was able to get is best not to dwell upon it. But to escape around he worked on his pilot's license, one's pain and limitations and gain then got his instrument rating, then his briefly the world of our spirits is an ache Flashcards multi-engine rating, and kept going from we all share. Up in the sky with the there. He is now a pilot for the Forest clouds is a piece of us, and Cliff has Service, flying lead-plane for firefighting found it. Though some might feel he crews, leading low-level dives for slurry gave up too much for this he had no bombers, coordinating the spot planes and choice but to try. reviewed by Bob Gedekoh jump planes. Complex, it's full of careful It's not in his nature to philosophize, We all like to think we are invincible. decisions, analysis, intuition, and difficult but I think for Cliff looking into the past That bad things truly bad things foot flying. It's the closest thing to being a brings back more than the bittersweet loss ...... entrapments, perilous pins, drowning, fighter pilot civilian life offers - and de- of youth. Perhaps it is true there is al- shoulder dislocations, spinal injuries spite having only the partial use of one ways pain with joy, but I believe the real ... only happen on other people's whitewater leg, he's made himself into one of the issue is to continue as best we can - for adventures. But the sad fact is that no best. He has the head for it. From years our lives go on until they end. At each boater is immune to trouble. If you stick as a smoke-jumper he knows what goes step there is more to be found, whether with the sport long enough, sooner or on down on the ground, in the smoke, doubt or joy, fear or discovery, and sel- later you are going to be confronted with burning trees, and dirt. But then, he's dom do these things take the from we ex- a serious situation on the river. learned about a lot of things over the pect. Until our hearts cease beating real- Recognizing this, many of us try to years. ity remains our master and our teacher, hone our rescue and first aid skills. Per- For all the success in the sky, his pad- and as always - we have so much to haps we take a river rescue or CPR course dling continues to be frustrating. His one learn. or read a river rescue book, like the new leg won't hold him in the boat and we one by Charlie Walbridge and Wayne have yet to find a solution. Sundmacher, also reviewed in this issue.

The center of paddling in southern New England is Zoar Outdoor. Our ACA certified school, fully stocked Outfitter's Shop, and location on the Deerfield River put us r at the heart of it! Come visit us this season! Lookinafor a new boat? Come paddle any Dagger, Mad River, New Wave, Perception, Prijon or Announces the release of Creekin' USA! It's 90 minutes of Wavesport boat on real hardcore paddling action as GVP takes you to eight regions OZrTDOOR whitewater before you buy it. around the United States to paddle over 30 creeks and river! with the local experts. Features runs in Maine, Alaska, Wesi / WIfor our Virginia, the Southeast, Colorado, Yellowstone Area, the color hroehure 1 -800-532-7483 1 Northwest, and California.Only $29.95 plus $3.00 shipping Charlemont, Massachusetts 01 339 Gentry Video Productions, 646 Deer Creek Trail, Hoschton. GA 30548. (706) 654-2725. [email protected] New Web site: http://www.mindspring. cod-gentvid/index. html

American Whitewater July/August 1996 But, inevitably, we forget the specifics invaluable information presented in a like a fire truck or ambulance to utilize over time... how to set an effective Z drag, concise, easy to access fashion. these procedures. the correct ratio of chest compressions to The production of the cards has been I have no doubt that these cards will breaths in CPR, how to take care of a hy- a pet project of AWA Director and safety save some lives. There is no reason why pothermic buddy in the wilderness. guru Lee Belknap, who did a commend- every boater shouldn't stash a set in hii or And then disaster strikes... out in the able job in selecting the topics and con- her boat. They weigh next to nothing and middle of nowhere. Where every second densing and editing the text. Belknap take virtually no space. They could easily counts. The situation is tense; you're try- wisely focused on the management of be fastened to a kayak wall, out of the ing not to panic, but you can't remember mishaps and injuries most likely to occur way and out of mind... until you need some critical details of a basic technique. to paddle rs... head, shoulder and spinal them. Not even the most compulsive paddler is injuries, drowning and hypothermia. And the price is right... likely to have packed a river safety text in Technical expertise was provided by Dr. Buy a set now and stash them in your their boat. Besides, this is hardly the time Eric Weiss, a nationally known expert on boat. Someday you'll be glad you did. to start leafing through the pages trying Wilderness Medicine, who is an Assistant to find the information you need. Professor of Medicine at Stanford Medical A set of AWA Safety Flashcards may A friend is in trouble... the clock is Center. be purchased for $8.95 plus $1.00 ship- ticking... If only you could remember... The text, which is uniformly to the ping from AWA, Box 636, And then... the AWA comes to the point, was provided by Rick Curtis. The Margaretteville, New York 12455. (9 14) rescue! graphic illustrations, provided by Sue 586-2355. They are also available in How so? With the publication of the Schaeffer, make it easy to see at a glance whitewater stores. Quantity discounts are new AWA Safety Cards. how to set a Z drag, tie a bowline, recog- available to retailers and clubs. Ten compact, water resistant flashcards nize and treat a shoulder dislocation, give for boaters who wish to be prepared for chest compressions or signal a helicopter. whitewater emergencies. Designed to be All of the techniques illustrated can be carried in your boat, this bound set of initiated with a minimal amount of rescue plastic 3x5 cards, is chock full of crucial, gear. You don't have to outfit your kayak

DEERFIELD RIVER FESTIVAL

'I'hr Derrtield River Fest is located on Route 2, Charlemont, Registration will take place at. the Festival site from Massachusetts, just west of town in a large field next to the 10:OO A. M. until 3:00 P. M. The race will start promptly Deerfield River. The field is across the street from Zoar Outdoor at 5:00 P. M Outfitters ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST WEAR APPROPRIATE PFD'S.

1i:00 Noon until 11 :00 P. M. There will be three classes of craft: SINGLE KAYAKS, I TANDEM CANOES, 8 RAFTS. - - I Chicken Rarbecur, Food, Desserts, Whitewater Trade Show,"PADDLES UP RACE", Vendors, Beer 8 Wine, Environmental Exhibits, Silent Auction, Raffles, Games 8 More. KAYAKS $10.00 TANDEM $20.00 CANOES $20.00 The first annual Drrrfirld Riverfest PADDLES UP race is a unique event open to anyone and everyone who paddles a canoe, RAFTS $ 30.00 kayak, or raft. Participants will be timed and scored over a slalom- like course on Class I whitewater. The true challenge in this event NOTE: NO RACING CRAFT WILL BE PERMITTED. THIS comes from the many obstacles paddlers will have to negotiate INCLUDES SLALOM RACING KAYAKS, DOWNRIVER RAC- such as a limbo . gate, a rock jump, an underwater gate and any ING KAYAKS, RACING CANOES, OR RAFTS OTHER THAN other obstacles the course designer i can think of the by the day of HUMAN-POWERED. the race.

Americon Whitewoter July/August 1996 (With apologies to The Boss) by Matt "River Ratt" Muir Akron. Ohio Meltdown Madness... We amve in the night at the state campground in beaten-up, beer-soaked vans, In the morning we run in the hottest sun, Epic Colorado Adventure! workin' on precancerous tans, by Scott Stough Fresh su~vorsof a Class-N shuttle, Easter weekend 1996... and snowing Those who favor exotic, wilderness Nerves shot, hungover again! Friendsville, Maryland has sur- rivers will enjoy the footage of daredevils And seal-launching into the boil, vived the winter from hell, a record set- challenging the awesome Black Canyon of OOOh! ting 208 inches of snow that started to the Gunnison. And if the adrenalin rac- Baby, this river wipes the cobs from your fall in mid November and is still coming ing scene is your cup of tea, the video bean, down in April. I am beginning to wonder documents what the Gore Canyon Race is It's a wild scene, it's a boater's wet dream, if I'm living in the Colorado Rockies. all about. There is even footage from You gotta run it until you get old, How to cure my seasonal distress syn- Gore in early winter, when the first snows River Rats like us... Baby, we were bo-orn to drome? I pop the new video, Meltdown that will provide the 96 runoff were start- roll! Madness, into my VCR and am trans- ing to fall. ported. The video brings back happy Be forewarned, much of the footage is Sandy, paddle with me, it'll set you free memories of my paddling trip to Colorado gnarly... these boaters are clearly pushing I wanna show you holes and enders, last summer, when an astonishingly the limits. Keep the remote handy; some Point your bow right in, give the crowd a grin, heavy snowpack resulted in a tremendous of the stunts are so incredible, you'll have This spot don't brook no pretenders! .flush... and rush... for whitewater boaters. to replay them several times before you Together, Baby, we'll go over the top, Armed with the comprehensive new believe your eyes. The landscapes are, of We'll run all the drops, Lady, we ain't never guidebook, Colorado Rivers and Creeks, course, gorgeous. The video is of excel- gonna stop, by Banks and Eckardt, we had some lent technical quality and the music is fit- OOOh! wild times. But none quite as astonishing tingly "alternative". Will you stand here with the video? as the whitewater action documented in Meltdown Madness is a "must" 'Cause Babe, it'd make an awesome shot, Meltdown Madness. for every couch paddler and deranged ex- You might scout it and say it's Class VI, The video, produced by Enviro Action pert. If you can't make it to Colorado this But I gotta have that rush, Sports, provides a dramatic overview of summer to witness the meltdown in per- Girl, I need that adrenaline fix! class IV, V and VI boating across the son, this video is the next best thing. state. It offers action to suit every The Friendsville critic rates this video (Here we suggest that you suspend reading for paddler's taste. There is steep creek action a solid Class V. about 15 seconds; stand up, hum, whistle, on the Upper Roaring Fork, Vallecito or woo-woo some Rockin' Riffs while play- Creek, Lime Creek and the incredible Editor's note: A portion of the profits ing a ridiculous air saxophone-go ahead; North Fork of the Crystal. Play boaters from Meltdown Madness are being do- you'll feel good, and no one's watching.) will revel in the footage from the Num- nated to the AWA. Those who purchase bers of the Arkansas and the rodeo at the the video will also be eligible for prizes to All over the river is the scattered equipment of Animas River Days. Those who like to be raffled off at the 1996 Gore Canyon a paddler who's in a bad swim, surf will drool in envy at the phenomenon Race and at the 1996 Gauley River Festi- His mind is addled-he'll grab your paddle known as Big Sur, a perfect monster wave val. (You need not be present.) To order When you try and rescue him. on the Colorado that last appeared fifteen call 800-482-8085. (VISA, MC and He said he's Class V; it's nothing but jive, years ago, during a season marked by AMEX accepted) His roll was simply pathetic, similarly high flows. Let's tow him somehow to the riverbank This boy's gonna need a medic!

(Another Ridiculous Riff-op.)

(1-2-3-4) The river's crowded with middle-aged rafters Who act like the place is their turf, You can see all the holes, you can wait in the eddies But there's no room for a real surf; Together, Baby, in a Topolino Duo, We'll carve up this spot when the rafting season's ooo-ver OOOh! Someday, Sandy, we'll quit our jobs, we'll live by the river, and we'll spend all of our lives in that mon-ster-ous hole, 'Cause River Rats like us... Baby, we were bo-orn to roll!

American Whitewater July /August 1996 The Ultimate Whitewater New Book Now Available Whitewater Rivers End: Features Classic River Tales The Best of American Whitewater Thriller Published

Black Belt Press has announced the publication of Summer Games, a new sports fiction suspense thriller, written by Sabrina Wylly. The author, a forensic therapist who has worked at Atlanta jails and crisis centers, is an accomplished whitewater paddler. Technical consultant for the novel was Hank Klausman, a well- known southeastern boater. Much of the action in this murder mystery takes place on the Chatooga River. The protagonist of the story is an Olympic swimmer and whitewater paddler, who has been accused of murdering a teammate on the river. The novel is available in bookstores.

funny, sincere and just plain fun to be with," Sedivy says. "Most of my best RIO SHONDURAS friends are boaters. I met my wife, Maryl, 10281 Hwy. 50. Howard. CO 81233 on a boating trip." Sedivy's favorite quote from the 800 255-5784 After he left the newsroom in Ohio book: "Never make a life and death deci- Sedivy reached an agreement with the sion on a day when your breakfast came American Whitewater Affiliation to collect from a brewery." looking for a new place to paddle? some of the best stories published in Another favorite: "My idea of a Join us in Honduras and experience American Whitewater since 1985, and put greedy man is somebody who goes to tropical paddling. We offer a variety them in a book of "bedtime stories for work on Monday morning with five dol- of 1-9 day or custom/guide service paddlers." The fifteen tales in River's End lars in his pocket." kayak, canoe and raft trips. Some ol , he says, were chosen to "help fellow pad- The American Whitewater Affiliation dlers endure those times away from the receives 33010 of proceeds from the sale of our excursions through lush rair river." River's End to continue their safety and forests and exhi larating whitewate~ Sedivy's literary whitewater tour runs conservation efforts. are led by renowned canoeist Oot from the New River in the Appalachians to Rivers End may be directly ordered Foote and top notch kayakers Mar+ a float through the Grand Canyon, from from the publisher by sending $15 plus negotiating grizzly infested waters in $2 shipping and handling to Bill Sedivy, Hayes and Phil DeRiemer. Highl+ Alaska's Brooks Range to "Quebec's per- Big Dog Publications, 1410 Country experienced expert guides lead othe~ fect river," from Idaho's pristine Middle Manor Drive, Logan, Utah 84321. Retail- kayak and raft trips. Fork to the treacherous Lower Meadow in ers may order directly from the publisher southern West Virginia. (801) 752-6136, or from AlpenBooks, 1- Call for more information anc River's End features a mix of high ad- 800-290-9898. venture and humor. Some of America's detailed itineraries. finest paddlers are among the story tellers.

American Whitewater July/August 1996 Since I'm teaching college these days, the subject matter all the more digestible. tion (a.k.a. common sense) without being I thought it would be appropriate to start The book covers a lot of material - preachy about it. For instance, they don't this article with a short quiz. everything from proper swimming and take any potshots at you folks who insist Ready? Here goes: self-rescue on running higher and higher waterfalls 1. Worth 100 points. (I told you it techniques to complicated haul sys- while twirling your paddles. Nor do they would be short.) You've just had a great tems, first aid and evacuation procedures rap those who choose to boat alone. run through Damn Big Drop and you're - but is organized in nice, compact chap- They merely point out the potential sitting in the eddy below, waiting for your ters that can be understood and beneficial consequences of choosing such styles of two friends to paddle through. Friend #1 individually. recreation. runs the drop cleanly and pulls into the I found the self-rescue and swimming Throughout this book, Walbridge and eddy beside you. chapters to be particularly good. Sundmacher do an excellent job of stress- Friend #2 begins his approach. . . He's Hmmm. . . Does that tell you anything ing practical solutions to problems. And, too close to the right shore. Oh, no! about my paddling skills? every few pages the authors share a real- Whack! A perfect vertical pin! Water is Seriously though, did you know that it life episode during which practical solu- cascading over your friend's head. There's is a good idea to curl up in a ball when tions are applied or new, practical solu- an air pocket in front of his face, but it you're swimming over very steep ledges? tions are discovered. These short "sidebar seems he can't move! He's just stuck That technique sure makes sense, but, I stories" contribute further to the reader's there. . . guess I wouldn't have thought of it had I understanding of technique, and, they What do you do? You have 15 sec- not read it in this book. help make the book even more interesting onds to answer this question. Yep, there I'd be, floating over ledges to read. What? Too hard? Geez, you guys in the traditional swimmer's position, In the end, this is a wonderfully infor- sound just like my real students! Hasn't screaming for my friend Dave to come res- mative and easy-to-read book that be- anyone out there done the assigned read- cue me, when. . . oh, shit, it's a perfect, longs in the whitewater library of every ing? What is wrong with the youth of to- vertical body pinlfoot entrapment! paddler. As soon as I mail this review day? Too much TV! Doesn't anyone read That would not be funny. Fortunately copy back to Bob Gedekoh, I'll be off to anymore! for me and my friend Dave, though, I my local paddling store to pick up a copy Oh, wait a minute. Sorry. . . I guess I don't really run rivers with bunches of big, of my own. got a bit too caught up in the story line. steep ledges - at least not intentionally. And class, I expect you all to be better So, OK, no one actually assigned you That stuff is for the Big Dogs. I'm into ge- prepared for the next quiz. to read Whitewater Rescue Manual. But riatric boating. every paddler ought to read it. Ah, but I digress. Back to the book. (Bill Sedivy is a journalism professor Written by river rescue gums Charley In addition to covering the latest in at Utah State University, an open canoe Walbridge and Wayne Sundmacher Sr., rescue techniques, Whitewater Rescue paddler and rafter, and editor and com- Whitewater Rescue Manual is an excellent Manual also discusses the latest in rescue piler of the book River's End: A collection river safety primer for beginning paddlers equipment. And, the authors succeeded in I of bedtime stories for paddlers.) and it is a great refresher for anyone who writing a fine chapter on accident preven- has had rescue training before. These guys know what they're talking about. Walbridge has nearly three decades of experience as a whitewater paddler, river guide and paddling and safety instructor. He serves as safety chair for the American rapids, ruins and ra Canoe Association and was safety chair for the AWA from 1986 to 1991. Sundmacher is a professional instruc- 'First clesmnts tor and certified EMT who has been teachingsafety programs for outdoor en- +Intermediateto Expert thusiasts and rescue personnel for 10 +Dagger,Perception and years. He developed, with Walbridge, the Wave Sport Kayaks ACA's Swiftwater Rescue Program. Released earlier this year and available in a paddling shop or bookstore near -ea Verde Expeditions you, Whitewater Rescue Manual is ex- Box tremely easy to read because it is written 476 Salida CO 81201 I7191539-7102 so clearly and concisely. A liberal dose of outstanding photographs by Walbridge and drawings by Sundmacher help make

American Whitewater July/August 1996 o matter what else and slowly began to chew anyone says... the the can. In just a moment Battle of the Swine came the sounds I'd heard Ning w~ll forever be remem- before... a metallic crunching, bered as the Grand Poo-Bah then the pop, hiss, and gulp- of all weird paddling trip ing. The evil bastard was happenings. I've never seen shotgunning our entire stash anything like it before, and of beer! I hope that I never slide to Ye gods, I thought. What that grim and gory level weirdness is this? We must again. save this beer! Twenty cans! It was Friday night, and And then the awful thought we were supposed to run struck me... he had been Section I11 of the Chattooga through several cans the next morning. After a already... and what kind of long drive down from Chat- tolerance for alcohol do tanooga the eight of us swine have, anyway? A found a decent campsite three hundred pound pickled near the put-in at Earl's pig rooting up the camp at Ford and crashed for the four in the morning is not to night. Warm fire ...g ood be tolerated under any cir- food ...g ood cumstances, but what choice conversation... many, many was there? cans of beer. We all I considered the merits of crashed at something like creasing the Swine King two in the morning. My across his hams with a few good buddy, who we'll call hundred grains of copper- Hossenfeffer (or Hoss for jacked hollow point, but he short), had left twenty or so was standing right in front beers nestled in a plastic ice of Hoss's tent, and the conse- chest right outside his tent quences of a missed shot door before turning in. A might be a new part in tactical error, in hindsight, Hoss's hair. Single combat, but we let it slide. maybe? But no, the tire iron A few hours before was safely locked in the car dawn I was jarred awake by several hundred yards away. the noise of an ugly smash- The Swine King was still ing of plastic, a few grunts, nosing through the beer and then one of the strang- stash when the answer came est sounds I think I've ever to me. I eased the barrel of heard... a soft, metallic the .44 out through the tent crunching followed by a flap and squeezed off a quick pop and hiss, and then shot straight up into the air. rapid gurgling and snorting. The cannon blast of the fat What does that mean, I powder charge knocked me wondered. Hottentots? flat onto my kiester from Communists? Boy Scouts? where I'd been squatting, but I rolled over to mv pack it had even more profound and pulled out the .i4 magnum that I reserve for those very an effect on the Swine King... he leapt at least a foot kothe air, special moments on paddling trips, and I crept quietly to the came down hard on his belly, actually swallowed the beer can door of my tent. I scanned the camp, and made eye contact with he'd been sucking on, and tore off into the underbrush squealing a few of the others who were peering warily from behind tent like Ned Beatty. screens. I flicked on my flashlight... We never saw the Swine King again, but the next night we And then I saw him. Mother of Babbling Pearl! The Swine made Hoss sleep outside and we stashed the beer in his tent. King! You see, paddling isn't about soaring with the eagles... the trick My flashlight beam jumped out and caught what must have is to soar with the swine instead of wallowing with the eagles. been a three hundred pound wild boar right betwixt his malig- We figured that if the Swine King came back, he would know nant red piggy eyes. He was standing amidst the debris of the Hoss for one of his own. cooler he had smashed, and as I watched in horror he turned his head away from me, rooted around through the shards of plastic Editor's note: Is this story true? Does anyone out there and ice, and snuffled up a can of beer. He tilted his head back, know if this sto y is true?!?

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