The Elusive Little Klickitat

I have been waiting to get on the Little Klickitat for years. After spending a couple days watching the gauges rise and everything turn to red HIGH, I knew my time had come. This gem of a run only comes in about once a year and is tricky to catch.

Having faith that it would rise a little more over night, Nick Jacob and I made a plan and put together a solid crew. Despite doubt from a few, we got up early and headed out. We checked the level at the take out, deciding that not only was it not low, it was higher than anyone in the crew had seen it. Yippee!!

The run started out small, weaving through brush and farmlands. This didn't last long, however, as we were soon dropping into a beautiful gorge with steep, fun rapids.

Kate, Classic Little Klickitat

Photo: Andy McMurray

John McConville in One of the Many Boulder Gardens

Photo: Andy McMurray

Nick Jacob Cruising Toward a Sweet Line

Photo: Andy McMurray

Heather Herbeck Killing It

Photo: Andy McMurray

Nate Herbeck With a Monster Boof

Photo: Andy McMurray

Nate also put together this sweet little video. The first half is the Little Klickitat, followed by Hagen Gorge (another of my favorite runs).

Strewn with boulder gardens, ledges, and a waterfall, this river has a little of everything! The paddle out even had a nice boogie to it. I can't wait to catch it again....in five more years! :)

Mission: Novelty Creeking

I spoke too soon on the change of seasons! It has warmed up here in the Northwest and we have been getting hammered with rain! Yippee!!

With everything on the rise and/or high, the challenge is finding something that will be reasonable. I've been itching for an adventure lately and with all this rain I figured it was a great time for a new run. After talking with BZ local, Dave Hammond, a plan was put in place to check out Major Creek.

Checking Out the Wood Situation

Major Creek is a tiny creek with several gorges and thick vegetation on the Washington side of the gorge. Unsure when we arrived if there was too much water for the narrow gorges, we hiked up from the take out a ways to make sure we could clear the trees. It looked clear and the group decided to give it a go.

Joe Stumpfel Coming Through the Entrance Rapid

We had a good flow and did a lot of brush dodging as the current was fast and eddies few. The rapids were steeper than I had expected with such a tiny creek, but so much fun! There were a few logs, but nothing that was too difficult to manage, requiring only one portage. And, it finishes with a roller coaster ride through a tunnel of fun!!

Scouting One of the Gorges

It turned out to be a pretty sweet little run, super close to home! Mission: Novelty Creeking was definitely a success!!

A Quick Turn of Seasons

With a few days of rain under our belt, and a desire for an adventure outside of the gorge, we decided to head south. The classic Oregon run, Opal Creek, seemed like the perfect option as it was starting to get cold and the road would soon be snowed in.

Taking in the Scenery

Photo: Adam Mills Elliott

It was chilly at the put in with a dusting of snow on the ground for our short hike in. In no time we reached the beautiful, clear water. The rapids on this run are really fun, but the draw to it for many comes from the amazing scenery.

Getting Started

Photo: Adam Mills Elliott

Soaking It All In Below Big Fluffy

Photo: Adam Mills Elliott

Shortly after we put on it began snowing...and didn't let up until we took off. By the time we ran shuttle the road had a couple inches of snow on it. It had changed from Fall to Winter while we on the water and it left us feeling fortunate that we may have caught one of the last Opal runs of the season.

Our Snowy Finish

Photo: Adam Mills Elliott

Let's get out our creeking booties, Winter is here!!

2010 PDX Kayaker Film Fest

This year's PDX Kayaker Film Fest proved once again to be a great success! With a ton of great entries and folks from all over coming out for the event, a good time was had by all! We decided to branch out a bit this year and enter several different pieces.

First up: Ladies of the Little White

Next: Girls, Granite, and Giggles

And the winning entry, produced by Skip Armstrong: Seasons: Fall

Kayaking the White Salmon River, Autumn - Kate Wagner from The Banks Mag on Vimeo.

Thanks Next Adventure for another great event! You guys ROCK!!

CaliBurnFest

Each year to get everyone in the spirit of fall and creaking season, Paul Gamache puts together CaliBurnFest and outdid himself once again this last weekend.

Justin Patt working on taking the lead

To start off the event, there was a big air surf competition at Camel Rock. We stopped by early and caught some waves, but left before the competition in search of some better surfing. Moving on to Mad River Beach proved to be a good idea as the waves were slow, smooth and friendly.

Ryan Scott preparing for some tough work

Luke Spencer catching a ride

Nick Jacob enjoying the friendly waves

Saturday was the downriver race on the Burnt Ranch Gorge section of the Trinity. There was a lot of smiling and giggling to be had while hitting fun boofs and weaving through boulders with 50 friends. There was even some entertainment with interesting lines at Number 2 and Number 3.

Corey Ryan airing out the entrance of Number 3

Kate going for the boof

Photo: Cheyenne Rogers

Luke Spencer lining up for the bottom of Number 3

Cheyenne all smiles at the bottom of Number 3

Taking first in the men's long boat was Dan Benton and Justin Patt in short boat. Miss Kim Russell who was hanging tough in the front of the pack came in first in short boat , and Christie Glissmeyer in long boat.

Kim Russell charging out front

Christie looking good through Number 3

The race, of course, was followed up with a great party and raffle. Thanks Paul for organizing such a fun event!!

We decided to go for something different on Sunday before heading home and cruised over to check out the Pit River (which is scheduled to release all of October but isn't). This was an adventure in itself, getting lost, hassled by a land owner, having to be-bop our way down some very manky boulder gardens (that look like they would be great with some flow) and find our way through mazes of shrubbery. Toward the end of the run, however, there was a little excitement with a marginal waterfall.

Scotty Baker smoothing things out with the neighbors

Nick Jacob probing the falls

Thanks California for another fun weekend!! See y'all next year!

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!

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 . . .

Drew gearing up at the trailhead

Welcome to paradise

Scouting some slides

Mountaineer Creek

Colchuck Lake

Lunch break, looking up at Aasgard Pass

2,000 ft. up the pass, Drew starts to wonder what he got himself into

The big climb

Whew, made it . . .

Just before dark

Drew hauled some surprise Strongbows up the pass for my birthday!

Home sweet home

The tentominium

No-bake birthday cake

Whoa, hello. Good morning!

Day #2

Camping on the pass was a little frosty

The bathroom

Upper Enchanted Lakes Basin

Gone fishin'

Heaven meets earth

Tranquil Lake

Just another day in paradise

Isolation Lake

We were stoked to run into this guy

Crystal Lake

Inspiration Lake

Lake Perfection

Prusik Peak

Lots of trout in this lake!

Drew cleaning a cutthroat for dinner

Camp #2

Day #3

Leprechaun Lake

Temple & Vivian Lakes

Another mountain goat!

Lower Enchanted Lakes Basin

Dropping down into the Snow Lakes zone

Dinner!

Snow Creek

Scouting more slides :)

Nearing icicle on day 4 we realize we never set shuttle. Taxi service?

A really nice lady we met a mile from the trailhead lends us her

brand new Armada to get back up to my truck. Priceless!

The Loop

All in all, this was one of my best trips EVER!

Christie's Top 10 Backpacking Trips:

1. Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

2. Enchanted Lakes Basin, WA

3. Teton Crest Trail, WY

4. Wind River Range, WY

5. Druid Arch, Canyonlands, UT

6. Juan de Fuca Trail, Vancouver Island

7. Copeland Track, NZ

8. Routeburn Track, NZ

9. West Rim Trail, Zion National Park, UT

10. Abel Tasman, NZ