Wednesday, June 18, 2008

More from Colorado

The paddling is great and the scenery is not bad either. I drove from Buena Vista to Crested Butte via the Cottonwood Pass over the continental divide and could not believe what I was seeing. It was probably the best view I have ever seen. I went back to OBJ to find high water and fast speeds. I also paddled the Numbers of the Arkansas from 2100cfs to 3000cfs, a little bit different than last years run at 400cfs. The Numbers is so much fun with awesome down river freestyle. I found myself throwing countless wave wheels and rock spins that would end with 4 foot boofs back into the 2500cfs. I feel my skills sharpening every day and I am very grateful for the chances that have presented themselves. I'm going to run the Source to Boulder Creek this afternoon and then heading to the Sonic Bloom festival in Winter Park tomorrow. All is good in Colorado.



Day 11 & 12- Work on the farm
Day 13- Black Rock section of Clear Creek
Day 14 & 15- The Numbers section of The Arkansas (Fibark Festival)
Day 16- OBJ (High water) and Daisy Creek
Day 17- OBJ (Still high) and The Numbers Section of The Arkansas
Day 18- Heading to the Source (wish me luck- it has good flow)
Black Rock- Me running Rigor Mortis
Cottonwood Pass Elevation- 12,126 ft

Taylor Reservoir below Cottonwood Pass
Big Wood Falls on Daisy Creek
Rip Your Head Off from below the entrance slide
Rip Your Head Off from below (it lands flat on bedrock and caused my skirt to implode- no swim!)
OBJ Valley
Colorado at 70 mph
I will post again soon. Audios!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I'm in Colorado

Colorado is awesome. The scenery and hospitality are more than I could ask for. The rivers are continuous, fast, and cold. I have a great opportunity with work on my aunt and uncles horse farm and board at their pool house. It was a long drive out here which resulted in me driving straight to Lawson Hole on Clear Creek. I have been blessed and paddled 9 out of the 10 days I have been here. All is good and I am ready for more. My runs are as follows:

1-Lawson Hole (Awesome)
2-Lower Boulder Creek (solo)
3&4-South Saint Vrain (Super Continuous After work Mankfest) (AKA- The SSV)
5-South Saint Vrain (High Water- First Swim- I put up a good fight but lost to the hole)
6-A Day of Rest ( still worked at the farm)
7-Source to the Upper Eagle and Homestake (AKA- Home slice- including piece of s**t)(gnarly)
8-Clear Creek of the Arkansas (2 Runs - Cold)
9-Big Cimaron (long shuttle- lots of wood)
10-Oh Be Joyful (AKA- OBJ, big beautiful bedrock)










Beginning of the narrows on the SSVSSV SSV Canyon Homestake
Me at piece of s**t

Clear Creek Valley

The source of the Big CimaronTeva Mountain Games and Bouldering World CupPretty CoolView from OBJ camp groundTom hitting the boof on the 18 footerMe going Oregon Style on the 25 footerAvalancheOBJ (Snow on the ground)
Here are some photos from Tennessee that keep me company so far from home