Northwest Livin': September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Feather Fest 2010

Low water and cooler temperatures mean that it is that time of year again....dam release time! Gauley Fest is a highlight on the east coast, and Feather Fest on the west one. This year was the 20th annual Feather River Festival and the turn out was GREAT!

Chris Arnold digging in on Tobin

Photo: Nate Pfeifer

There were several new events this year including a river clean up and film festival as well as the standard downriver and slalom races and of course the party. Over 500 people showed up to enjoy the Rock Creek and Tobin releases. The best part about it is that there is something for everybody, with stretches of river ranging from II-V.

More fun on Tobin

Photo: Nate Pfeifer

Taylor Robertson was the man of the weekend, winning the Tobin race, the SUP slalom, being the entertainment of the evening (the Taylor Robertson Blues Band) and also coming in first in the first ever mass start Tobin race! Yeah Taylor!

Taylor taking the lead

Photo: Callie Daniel

Taylor Robertson Blues Band

Photo: James McLeod

Also to be mentioned, Chris Korbulic took first in the short boat division, Diane Gaydos in the ladies short boat, and none other than Miss Katie Scott in the ladies long boat.

I also decided to branch out a bit and try my hand at slalom (in my Solo). It was much harder than I expected, and was shocked when times were revealed and I came in first. Haha!

Giving the Slalom Race a Try

Photo: Melissa DeCarlo

Big thanks to American Whitewater, Chico Paddleheads, Macy Burnham, Eric Petlock, and Roland for organizing such a great event!!

Eric and Macy announcing the winners

Photo: James McLeod

In true California paddle festival form, costumes were out in full force!

Photo: James McLeod

Can't wait until next year!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Enchantments

Last year on a kayaking trip in Washington, my boyfriend Drew and I discovered an intriguing trailhead leading to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I put it on my wish list for another day. With summer coming to an end and my birthday around the corner, I decided it might be a good opportunity to do some research. I stumbled upon some stunning photos of the Enchanted Lakes Basin. I learned that camping is very restricted in this area because of the fragile ecosystem and concern for the mountain goat population. Without a permit from the annual lottery in February, the only option is to show up at the ranger station the morning you want to start hiking and get lucky enough to draw some slots from a cancellation or the 5 person/day lottery.

Drew said he would do whatever I wanted for my big day, so bright and early the morning of Sept. 10th we were standing outside of the Leavenworth Ranger Station with our name in the lottery. The ranger said, "Okay, who is feeling lucky today?" I said, " I am! I am!" and ran up to draw a name out of the pot. I had a little spaz attack when it read: Christie - party of 2!

Wahoo, three nights in the Enchanted Lakes Basin! Awesomness. We were ecstatic as we drove up Icicle Creek and 8-mile road to the Stuart Lake Trailhead. We had our gear packed in no time and headed up the trail to Colchuck Lake. We had 4 days to hike the 18 mile loop up to 7,800 ft. through the Enchantments and back down through the Snow Lakes zone. From here on, I'll let the pictures tell the story because it was so incredible I could barely put my camera down . . .