Beating the Low Water Blues

Every year around this time the same problem arises....low water.  This leaves us with a couple of options,  stick to the stand-by runs and try our best to find every line we can, take a bit of a drive to catch the Ohanapecosh and Cispus Rivers, or hit up the good ol' Washington summertime classic - the Lower Wind.

Jessica Farrell getting started on the Lower Wind

Rachel Crowder in High Bridge Rapid

Kate at Beyond Limits

Brian Zabel making it a little more exciting

The beauty of the Lower Wind is that it is close and short so can be done before or after work.  It also offers a great mixture of boulder gardens, ledges, and waterfalls.  It is a perfect low stress training ground for the fall rainy season.

Joe Stumpfel finishing up The Flume

Checking out the first falls at Shipherds

Joe styling the first falls

Jessica on the second falls at Shipherds

Joe finishing up the third falls

If none of these options are doing it for you, perhaps you should spice things up by attempting a new craft...which is exactly what we did.  We declared last Saturday "Canoe Appreciation Day" and took 4 tandem canoes to the Klickitat River.  Of the eight of us, three were experienced canoeists.

Mike and Stephanie Glass getting the feel of it
Photo Credit:  Tom Slye

Nick and I loving every minute
Photo Credit:  Tom Slye

Rachel Crowder and Joe Stumpfel looking like pros
Photo Credit:  Tom Slye

Brian Zabel and Shalynn Lathrop cruising into Ishy Pishy
Photo Credit:  Tom Slye

Success!!
Photo Credit:  Tom Slye

 By the end of the day our faces and stomachs hurt from all the smiles and giggles.  The day was deemed a success as we were all reminded that we can always learn more from and about the river.