What can you say about the Black Canyon? An utterly amazing place with a work and danger to paddling ratio that most kayakers would never sign on for. If this run was in an average canyon, it would see little to no traffic; but it isn't. The Black Canyon is about enjoying an epic adventure in the most scenic place in Colorado, running a handful of cool rapids and fraternizing with the other high-class individuals who frequent the place.
On my first foray into the canyon in 2010, I dislocated my shoulder twice, destroyed my feet on the portage, and generally got my ass kicked due to the physically demanding nature of the run. The flow was 600 cfs and I swore I would never do it any lower.
Fast forward to 2011. Tragically, after running strong for months, the watermasters droped the river to a paltry 580cfs the night before. Oh well, we didn't all drive to Montrose for the arts scene. Better go kayaking anyway. At this low end of runnable flows, most of the rapids are quite manageable. There are very few hard decisions to make because most of the rapids are either Class IV or V+. A word of caution though- this is not Numbers Class IV. This run is littered with sieves and should not be attempted if you ever find yourself upside down or out-of-control in Class IV as a small mistake could be fatal. Enough of the scare tactics, here are the pictures:
Rolf braves a low water Daywrecker experience:
Jeremy runs a nice line in the entrance to Double Drop. This rapid usually runs clean, but contains a gaping sieve on the left out of the frame.
Triple Drop- no thanks.
The Principal's Office- one of the 3++++++ rapids in the Black. The extra +'s are for what happens if you miss the line.
Scott Dent cruising into possibly my favorite rapid- Lower Intestine.
Cali Nick in Ballcrusher.
Rush hour at the waterfall. Heise scouts while Jason boofs.
And then, there is the portage. Maybe it was better footwear, or maybe it was knowing the route a bit better, or maybe it was the cooler weather, but somehow, it did not seem nearly as bad this time. Don't get me wrong, it's still really hard, but doable. And as a bonus, I don't even have much poison ivy...yet.
The best place ever.
Cave camp pool in the morning.
Mr. Black Canyon- Tom Janney running Next Generation, sprained ankle be damned.
Yup, more of this.
Til next year...
On my first foray into the canyon in 2010, I dislocated my shoulder twice, destroyed my feet on the portage, and generally got my ass kicked due to the physically demanding nature of the run. The flow was 600 cfs and I swore I would never do it any lower.
Fast forward to 2011. Tragically, after running strong for months, the watermasters droped the river to a paltry 580cfs the night before. Oh well, we didn't all drive to Montrose for the arts scene. Better go kayaking anyway. At this low end of runnable flows, most of the rapids are quite manageable. There are very few hard decisions to make because most of the rapids are either Class IV or V+. A word of caution though- this is not Numbers Class IV. This run is littered with sieves and should not be attempted if you ever find yourself upside down or out-of-control in Class IV as a small mistake could be fatal. Enough of the scare tactics, here are the pictures:
Rolf braves a low water Daywrecker experience:
Jeremy runs a nice line in the entrance to Double Drop. This rapid usually runs clean, but contains a gaping sieve on the left out of the frame.
Triple Drop- no thanks.
The Principal's Office- one of the 3++++++ rapids in the Black. The extra +'s are for what happens if you miss the line.
Scott Dent cruising into possibly my favorite rapid- Lower Intestine.
Cali Nick in Ballcrusher.
Rush hour at the waterfall. Heise scouts while Jason boofs.
And then, there is the portage. Maybe it was better footwear, or maybe it was knowing the route a bit better, or maybe it was the cooler weather, but somehow, it did not seem nearly as bad this time. Don't get me wrong, it's still really hard, but doable. And as a bonus, I don't even have much poison ivy...yet.
The best place ever.
Cave camp pool in the morning.
Mr. Black Canyon- Tom Janney running Next Generation, sprained ankle be damned.
Yup, more of this.
Til next year...
1 comment:
Hi,
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