(no subject)
The lower gorge on the Kalama River in southwest Washington is one of my favorite places to be. With class 3 and 4 rapids in a deep gorge that has a scenic and remote feel despite the fact that the road is rarely more than 200 feet from the river, this run always leaves me smiling.
Today's cast of characters include Jared, paddling an Eskimo Salto; Pete, an englishman paddling his first river in the US; and myself.
Climbing down into the gorge is the first (and sometimes most difficult) challenge on this run. This morning's hike in was made more complicated by the frost making the steep, muddy trail even more difficult. Fortunately, after the first thirty feet the path eased up, switchbacking down to the river (much easier than the other path that drops straight down to a point slightly upstream).
At the river we put on next to a disgruntled fisherman and headed into the gorge. The first boulder garden appears after a couple of short class 2 drops. Since this drop is long, and somewhat complex, we hopped out for a look.
Looking down the first boulder garden
The final ledge in this boulder garden drops into a pool with rock walls lining the river left side.
Pete and Jared below the first boulder garden
I walked up and ran the bottom part of the rapid again
We continued downstream, running a couple of small class 2-3 drops before we came to the second major boulder garden. This rapid is basically a large double drop with a center line at the top and a center and river left ledge. Because the rapid is so steep you cannot see the second drop until you're committed to the first drop. I explained the lines to Pete and Jared then peeled out, going over the first drop with left angle and ferrying left to the 5-6 foot left side ledge. I eddied out and watched the others make their runs, both taking the center line at the bottom.
From here the rapids become largely class 3 with a few small playspots scattered around. One notable rapid is a pair of four foot high ledge drops with a short pool inbetween them. Following these ledges the river starts to calm down leading to the last mile of flatwater occasionally interrupted by small class 2 rapids.
When you reach the big red barn you're at the takeout. Load up your car, run shuttles, and do another lap down this great run.
Today's cast of characters include Jared, paddling an Eskimo Salto; Pete, an englishman paddling his first river in the US; and myself.
Climbing down into the gorge is the first (and sometimes most difficult) challenge on this run. This morning's hike in was made more complicated by the frost making the steep, muddy trail even more difficult. Fortunately, after the first thirty feet the path eased up, switchbacking down to the river (much easier than the other path that drops straight down to a point slightly upstream).
At the river we put on next to a disgruntled fisherman and headed into the gorge. The first boulder garden appears after a couple of short class 2 drops. Since this drop is long, and somewhat complex, we hopped out for a look.
Looking down the first boulder garden
The final ledge in this boulder garden drops into a pool with rock walls lining the river left side.
Pete and Jared below the first boulder garden
I walked up and ran the bottom part of the rapid again
We continued downstream, running a couple of small class 2-3 drops before we came to the second major boulder garden. This rapid is basically a large double drop with a center line at the top and a center and river left ledge. Because the rapid is so steep you cannot see the second drop until you're committed to the first drop. I explained the lines to Pete and Jared then peeled out, going over the first drop with left angle and ferrying left to the 5-6 foot left side ledge. I eddied out and watched the others make their runs, both taking the center line at the bottom.
From here the rapids become largely class 3 with a few small playspots scattered around. One notable rapid is a pair of four foot high ledge drops with a short pool inbetween them. Following these ledges the river starts to calm down leading to the last mile of flatwater occasionally interrupted by small class 2 rapids.
When you reach the big red barn you're at the takeout. Load up your car, run shuttles, and do another lap down this great run.