A Week with the Most Amazing Kayakers in the World

Being from Hood River, we are lucky enough to kayak with some of the most talented folks around pretty regularly. This particular week, however, we got to boat with the most amazing kayakers in the world. They aren't the most amazing because they are running huge drops or throwing big tricks however. They are amazing because they are brave, persistent, and inspirational....oh, and they have all battled or are battling cancer.

Gearing up for the Klickitat!

The three of us all got to share at least part of the week with this great group of folks, taking photos, safety boating, and helping with instruction as volunteers for the Washington First Descents camp.

Getting used to Class III in a raft

First Descents is such a fantastic program, offering a week of kayaking and fun activities to young adults recovering from cancer. If you are unfamiliar with First Descents, please check them out! There are many ways to be involved!

Practicing new skills

It's difficult to explain what it is like to be a part of a camp, the connections that are made, and the family that is formed. Experiencing it is really the only way to know and it was a privilege to be able to.

Group Hug!!

The courage, perseverance, and determination of these folks is hard to compete with. Thanks First Descents for letting us be a part of your awesomeness!! We heart you!!

Already looking forward to next year!! Pixel, Beanie, and Tush

aka: Kate, Christie, and Melissa :)

Memorial Day Mania

What better way to kick off the summer in Hood River than with a visit from Katie and Lizzy and a ladies weekend on the Little White!

Lizzy English showed up in Hood River to take #1 in the 8 mi. Super D mountain bike race and get in a few laps on the Little White. Katie Scott rallied up last minute for a couple of no portage Little White/Green Truss laps and to liven up the gorge nightlife. Mission accomplished. This town is definitely even more fun with these two girls in it!

Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho

I was thrilled when I got the call from Rachel Crowder, inviting me on a 7 day trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. Whitewater, wilderness, and hot springs....what more could a girl ask for??

I headed out early to hit up the North and South Forks of the Payette for a couple days (thanks Preston, Skip, and Bailey for awesome lines!!) then headed to Stanley bright and early Saturday morning. The drive was beautiful with the morning sun and fog in the valley.

The Drive to Stanley

Stanley, ID

After packing and organizing everything and meeting with the rangers to select our camps for the week, we were all buzzing around with excitement. We had a group of 13, half from the west and half from the east....a good mix of folks.

Put in excitement

We put on in the sun and at a nice friendly level of 3.86. This was exciting for us as we had a first time rower on our trip. Here is a short summary of how things went the remainder of the week....

Day 1: Popped 1 tube

Day 2: River has come up slightly, raining, popped another raft

Day 3: River has now reached 4.5 ft, everyone had an awesome day, still raining

Day 4: River rose to 6 ft overnight, still raining, we watch logs float downstream

Day 5: River rose again overnight, probably around 6.5/7 ft, big water, still raining

Day 6: Water is brown and huge with debris floating downstream, 1 kayak swim, missed camp, alternate camps under water, pouring rain, group decision to head to the take out a day

early, huge waves in the canyon, rescue a rogue, fully loaded raft, take out with the river

at 8ft.

Popped tube #1

Joe fishing at dusk

Kate Cecchini Beaver enjoying some hot springs

Oh look, it's a log floating down the river!

Opening up for a bit

Cave drawings

Of course, there are many many things that happened inbetween those things, but hopefully the photos and video can fill in the blanks! The Middle Fork is a gorgeous river and I would go back in a heart beat! I am, however, starting to wonder about my luck with multi-day trips and epic, high water days....

Party in the USA

With my California addiction kicking into high gear, I decided it was time for another road trip. It didn't take much more than mention of double run days and the Coloma Club to convince Melissa DeCarlo to join me.

After a quick detour to Gold Country Casino in Oroville to meet up with some friends, we rolled into Camp Lotus just in time to pass out in the parking lot for a few hours.
We met up with the Montana crew in the morning, making a plan to head to Canyon Creek. After spending some time figuring out exactly which Canyon Creek it was, we headed out to catch the one release of the year. This group turned out to be even more directionally challenged than the Christie and I. We lost our way several times, one of which took us on a Class VI shuttle in which we lost the boats off the car, but just once. There was nothing but smiles and giggles however, as we were jamming to "Party in the USA" the entire drive (with the exception of the brief history of Coloma lesson we received from Mr. Matt Parker).

Wait, did we take a wrong turn??

Oops! Lost the boats!

We finally made it to the put in only to take the wrong trail to the river, missing some of the best rapids. Doh! After a very quick, fun run we all decided that we would need to return the next day for redemption. Here is a short video of rockstar Katie Scott and the adventures we had over the two days on Canyon Creek. Yes, we saw Lance....and got free shirts! (consolation for having to pull over for an hour on the way to the river)

After a really fun run down the South Yuba 49 to Bridgeport the next day, it was time to start thinking about heading home. Boo. Melissa and I decided that we would hit up Pauley Creek before the push North and were excited to have fellow Oregonian Jesse Coombs join us as well. We had a blast on Pauley Creek, be-bopping down some really fun waterfalls and class IV rapids!

Melissa gettin' some Cali love!

photo: Ian Buckley

My boat NOT enjoying the Cali love!

Nothing like boat repairs at the put-in!

Getting started on South Yuba

Kate trying to straighten it out on the last drop of Pauley Creek

Once again feeling sad to be leaving California, it was time to go. Now it's time to think about Idaho, but there is no doubt in my mind that I will soon return.

Slides, Snails, and Simultaneous Beatdowns (California Roadtrip Part 4)

East Fork of the Kaweah

We woke up at the Three Rivers Hideaway surrounded by our friends ready to fire up the East Fork of the Kaweah. We had been planning on doing the Hospital Rock section, but didn't really want to put on with just the two of us after we found out that it was a pretty juicy flow. After quite a bit of discussion, we decided to hike in and join the boys for the last couple miles of the run. With the boys all talking about this being the highest level they have put on the run, we figured this was a good bet as it would give us an opportunity to get a little taste without being totally committed to the whole run.

We got directions and started off down the road, only to find out the neither of us knew the name of the road we needed to turn on. Christie was convinced it was Mineral Rd. and I was certain it was King Rd. So, like any stubborn drivers, we decided to wing it. We both broke out into laughter when we pulled up on a sign for Mineral King Area.

We make a good team

Feeling a little nervous about hiking in on private property, we quickly got dressed and headed down the road.

Christie cruising to the put in

Following a quick hike and the use of our ninja skills to dodge the Poison Oak, we made it to the river. Spotting a nice sunny slab of rock to chill on, we hopped in our boats and ran a quick drop.

Kate on the entrance drop

This is the only picture we got on the river, as once the boys showed up we were moving!

We were soaking up the sun when the boys came around the corner, a couple of them excited to see us with the belief that it would let up a little for them. That comment was greeted with a giggle and a "Oh, we saved some stuff for the girls!" Oh boy, what did we get ourselves into?

The river was awesome, filled with big slides and fun boulder gardens! This is also where the simultaneous beatdowns happened. It went a little something like this:

We came around a corner to see the last of the folks in front of us, with the exception of Drew, going over a horizon line....

Christie: "What's the line?"

Drew: "Well, you kinda want to go left. There are two knob things, you want to go

between them." (Christie then disappears.) "Yeah, that looked good, go where she went."

As I paddle over the edge, all I can see is a baby blue boat getting worked in the big hole at the bottom. Oh no, I'm gonna hit her! I'm pretty sure I just froze at that point, certain that I was going to take her head off with my boat, then CRASH!! There was an explosion and I was suddenly on my stern, paddle flying, and before I knew it I was taking a little dip. I was relieved to look over and see Christie in the water with me, head still intact. Luckily she was out by the time I crashed into her boat. We really know how to put on a show!! We all had a good giggle, got situated, and continued downstream.

Christie and I were so excited about the run that once we ran shuttle we decided to drive upstream and check out some of the stuff we missed. Holy steep! We giggled as we reviewed the day and felt good about our decision to only do the last couple miles.

Some of the goods upstream

Christie checking out the put in from the bridge

We agreed that this was the highlight of our trip and that we couldn't wait to get back to the mighty Kaweahs!

Slides, Snails, and Simultaneous Beatdowns (California Roadtrip Part 3)

Dry Meadow Creek

Paddlers:

Trevor Sheehan, Kate Wagner, Corey Tucker, Christie Glissmeyer, Justin Patt

Music:

Brent Amaker and the Rodeo

A trip to Kernville wouldn't be complete without a hike into Dry Meadow Creek. Waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed, we headed to the park to watch a little slalom racing and pick up Trevor for our Dry Meadow adventure.

Our official California Tour Guide, Justin Patt, preparing for the hike

After a quick hike over the ridge we reached yet another amusement park of waterfalls. What a cool place! Nothing like standing at the edge of the world!

Corey admiring the scenery

Trevor showing us the way

The afternoon was filled with smiles and giggles as good lines were had by all and we were kissed by the California sunshine.

Relaxing at the take out

We were a bit sad to leave Kernville, but it was time to get back in the truck and move on to Three Rivers.

by Kate and Christie

Slides, Snails, and Simultaneous Beatdowns (California Roadtrip Part 2)

Brush Creek

Anxious to get out of Snail Land, we were back on the road early. After a few wrong turns and some challenges getting back on the highway, we rolled into Kernville around 5:00 and headed straight to Brush Creek for a quick lap. Our run down this amusement park of slides and falls left us feeling refreshed and excited to meet up with friends, so we headed to the Kern River Brewing Company.

One thing led to another and before we knew it we were singing "Like a Virgin" at the bar down the street.

Brush Creek Race

Despite late nights and way too much bad singing, everyone showed up fired up for the race the next morning. There was a lot of excitement on the course, starting with the Downriver Race and finishing with the Giant Slalom.

Jason Hale taking first place

2. Eric Giddens

3. Drew Duval

Amanda Marusich finishing first for the ladies

2. Christie Glissmeyer

3. Liz Brackbill

9 year old Sage Donnely killing it

Ian Buckley adding some style to the Giant Slalom

Serge getting a helping hand from Jason Hale in the Giant Slalom

For full results of the races check out boof.com.

Slides, Snails, and Simultaneous Beatdowns (California Roadtrip Part 1)

To celebrate the completion of our first Femme45 segment (which can be seen in LVM #33) we decided a road trip was in order. We had been planning on going to Vancouver Island, but when the weather didn't cooperate we made the call to rally down to the Kern River Festival to soak up a little sun.

To no surprise, our adventure started off with a bang. We made it to around Orland Thursday night, finding an RV park to crash around 1am. Since it was late and dark, we threw our pads and bags on the ground and passed out. A short while later Christie was up and moving around...she had been woken up by a snail in her hand, several inches from her mouth. She quickly chucked it across the yard and settled back in. About an hour later, I woke to Christie kneeling in her sleeping bag, staring at me. Thinking she may have lost her mind, I asked her what was up. She replied with, "Snails! They're everywhere! Hundreds of them!" She then pointed out the snail making it's way across my pillow to my head and exclaimed that she had woken to one on her forehead, rolled over and crunched several more, and discovered all our stuff was covered with snails and slime! I would pay some serious money to be a witness to the scene that followed, with the two of us squealing and jumping around trying to shake the snails off ourselves and our stuff.

Attack of the killer snails!

After finally relocating to the back of the truck and settling back in, Christie had the unfortunate experience of finding that the snails had actually taken over the inside of her sleeping bag as well!

Christie's little surprise

Ahhhh, let the adventures begin!!

Northwest Creeking Competition 2010

The sunshine, healthy flows, and excitement in the air can only mean one thing....race season is officially here! The Northwest Creeking Competition was once again a huge success with around 75 racers in 8 different races!

Let's get ready to rally!!

The event started off with the Men's K-1 Pro and Expert classes, followed by the Women's K-1 Pro class, K-1 Fun, IK, K-1 Long, and R-2. All classes had some stout competition and even a little carnage!

Men's K-1 Pro

1. Tao Berman

2. Darren Albright

3. Ross Henry

K-1 Men's Expert

1. Drew Eastman

2. Nick Hinds

3. Dan Rubado

K-1 Women's Pro

1. Kim Russel

2. Christie Glissmeyer

3. Kate Wagner

A little excitement in the gorge!

Christie with a good start in the Long Boat Race!

K-1 Long Boat

1. Tao Berman

2. Darren Albright

3. JP

Kate rounding the corner at Screaming Left

To finish off the races for the day and to provide a little more carnage, a mass start race was added to the event this year. Spectators were entertained as multiple boats flew over Sunset Falls simultaneously, some with some questionable lines. The race turned out to be a great addition, with participants and onlookers alike having a blast.

Kayak Mass Start

To finish off a great day of paddling and hanging out in the sun, Next Adventure once again treated everyone to a BBQ. After the raffle, it was time for our big Femme45 debut by hosting the LVM #33 premiere.

Enjoying LVM #33

For complete results, check out www.northwestcreekcomp.org.

Special thanks to Luke Spencer, who always does a wonderful job organizing this event, Next Adventure for being so supportive, and all the other sponsors who made this event happen! We heart you! Thanks to Allen Satcher and Melissa DeCarlo for photos. :)