Cataract Canyon at High Water - video and analysis

[ActionJackson]

Golly. I don't know much about rafting or the "BDs" in Cataract, but I'm guessing that raft captain knew he was screwed long before the flip. Game effort though.

[gapers]

Holy McBurly Balls

[ecjohnson]

There are a bunch of videos on YouTube from 1997 and 2005. One boat flips in the waves between Little Niagra and Satan's Gut. Our shuttle driver in Novemeber was telling us about running it in '83 and endo-flipping baby J's in the North Seas. It could be an epic season down there this spring!

[sj]

Been lucky enough to catch cat at 45 and 60. it's big. I was also lucky to be a grand guide in 83 and 84. Everything in the Grand is cheat-able when it gets super big not so on the bd's at 60. The clip tells you all you need to know.

One of the things that gets over looked here is the few other rapids in Cat at HW. #7 at 60 is bigger than Hermit at it's biggest(high teens low 20s) and at 45 is about the same. Huge wave train cheat-able but why. Mile long starts to wash at 60 but at 45 has a bit of a punch. Weird breaking waves in a play boat I was enjoying the waves just floating no momentum. When a wave behind me broke mostly down stream sending me over the top much like getting caught to high on an ocean wave as it breaks. sj

[benpetri]

Originally Posted by JBL

That is scary. Just plain scary. I know some like it big but that's too damn big IMO. Too many things can go wrong and a fun high-water trip can quickly turn into a hellish nightmare. I ran the Main Salmon in '06 when it was running 92,000 cfs at Whitebird and it was fun but I was so gripped most of the time (except when in camp with a stiff drink in my hand) that it wasn't really that much fun. We made it with no flips or issues but for me boating isn't about 'just making it'. However, I'm glad I did it and can always say that I did.

That's what big water is all about! Scare the shit out of yourself during the day, party like a rockstar at night, wake up hungover, dehydrated and puking the next day so that you're good to go again. Big water is so awesome, I can't wait for this year!

[bcrimmins]

It was my first year as a guide, 128,000 in Cat. We ran the canyon w/ park service helicopters overhead. The 33 foot moter rigs w/ j-tubes, looked smaller than your boat. Not to brag, but that was a crazy year. Warm Springs @ 50,000, Westwatert @60, and the Deloras around 25, I think.
Alot of boaters don't know the haunting dull roar of flood stage. I still remember scouting rapids that year, and having to yell to person next to you on the route and game plan.
If the snow keeps comming we may see some epic shit this year.

[peak]

so whos got any predictions? what did Cat peak at last year? this year? i bet it won't top 30k...

[ecjohnson]

Originally Posted by peak

so whos got any predictions? what did Cat peak at last year? this year? i bet it won't top 30k...

In 2005 it hit 72,000 I think. At least down here in the San Juans, we're above our 2005 snowpack for this time of year. The northern mountains are still getting hammered. I'm not making predictions, but I think it has potential to be an epic season.

[ritatheraft]

what does warm springs do at 50K?

[ecjohnson]

What happens in Westwater at 60? is Marble Canyon almost full? Here's to hopin that the Dolores runs!!

Originally Posted by bcrimmins

Westwatert @60, and the Deloras around 25, I think.