Quality. I love Marty's commentary. It cracks me up every time I watch that video. Marty, you should be a sportscaster; it would make television so much more entertaining.
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"The world would be a better place if everyone kayaked."-Brad Ludden (Valhalla)
"You only get one chance to run a drop blind."-DD
Wow, nice video of Gore Rapid, that's why you'll see my boat putting in at Pumphouse with a cooler full of beer, two dogs and a couple guy's fishing. I'll leave the Class V stuff for you hardcore guys and first year media types with 16 days of experience sitting in a commercial boat. Maybe I should go on 16 commercial trips to build up my skills and confidence. Nahhh! I think I'll keep my sorry ass on the class III stuff and hang with the dogs. Can't wait to "Check out your blog" after your Gore trip, then teir should be some content there. Go check out the Gore Festival and watch other's do it or the hell with all us naysayers and conservative types and just Do it. Nothing motivates me more than someone or everyone telling me I can't or shouldn't do something, plus in the end you'll never have a better feeling than completing it. That adrenaline rush should keep you high for a good 12 hours.
; watch it in hi-res. Just made it today. From a run at 2500cfs with all rapids shown except Scizzors and Toilet bowl, cam mounted inside. That was from the run on 7/12.
As you can see, the water there is quite *busy*. Video makes it look a little easier. Go with people who have run it many times to get a handle on the particulars with each rapid. If this is your first year of serious rafting, maybe save it for a different year on a private trip or go during the festival as there will be plenty of safety on race day. Nice research work, well done! See you on the river.
I just found this little gem and thought it was pretty entertaining:
From Jim Stohlquist's Colorado Whitewater, 1982
Quote:
The most difficult and technically demanding runable [sic] rapids on the Colorado are those in Gore Canyon. This canyon, unlike all others downstream [sic] requires the boater to be an expert, capable of handling dangerous rapids, painful portages, and emergency situations that runs like this one often create. If paddling the Gore for the first time without a guide, walking the whole section prior to boating is strongly recommended.
The action begins at the first big drop 1 mile into the run. See photo. [book shows photo of Tunnel ] You'll want to portage at low flows...Class VI. The next rapid, called "The Gore" is a series of large drops commencing with a Class VI undercut situation. Portage. The drops below (within this rapid) should be individually scrutinized. The next dangerous spot is the waterfall adjacent to the third railroad tunnel. Do not enter the rapid without scouting first. A portage, river-left, is recommended. More of the same type of blind drops precede the last large rapid, Class V, named for Walter Kirshbaum. Kirshbaum was the man who's been credited with many first descents of western canyon runs. His rapid should be scouted from river-left. Special Note: This is an expert run. The sketchy description above is intended as a help for the expert paddler and is not intended for the advanced intermediate boater who is unqualified to make the run.
Water conditions are critical. Below 1000cfs you'll probably make about 8 portages. Above 2500cfs you'll make one...the whole section. Use expert judgment when scouting drops to determine their runability [sic]. All drops have been done, but not all at any give [sic] water level, or with style. Be prepared for accidents. Bring safety equipment.
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__________________
"The world would be a better place if everyone kayaked."-Brad Ludden (Valhalla)
"You only get one chance to run a drop blind."-DD
I believe this was the first guidebook for paddling in Colorado. A Floater's Guide to Colorado (I believe this was the next guide) calls Gore Canyon a "better hike than float."
__________________
"The world would be a better place if everyone kayaked."-Brad Ludden (Valhalla)
"You only get one chance to run a drop blind."-DD
I believe this was the first guidebook for paddling in Colorado. A Floater's Guide to Colorado (I believe this was the next guide) calls Gore Canyon a "better hike than float."
Ah yes- the Floaters Guide to Colorado- along with Rivers of the Southwest- by Fletcher Anderson (god rest his soul) the books that stuck fear in many kayakers and rafters- and made me want to prove them wrong. But remember- they were talking about running stuff in u-disco rafts and other truly suspect equipment. So Cross was no place for rafts (I have helmet cam video of Cross if any one cares to see it) Gore wasn't for rafts (video available) Pine Creek was too small for rafts. The numbers too tights for rafts etc. etc. But what was truly impressive was Walt Blackadar running all this stuff (and way more) in a glass kayak. And this is what I kept in mind when I first ran this stuff- I was simply faking it compared to what he did.
] You'll want to portage at low flows...Class VI. The next rapid, called "The Gore" is a series of large drops commencing with a Class VI undercut situation. Portage. The drops below (within this rapid) should be individually scrutinized. The next dangerous spot is the waterfall adjacent to the third railroad tunnel. Do not enter the rapid without scouting first. A portage, river-left, is recommended. More of the same type of blind drops precede the last large rapid, Class V, named for Walter Kirshbaum. Kirshbaum was the man who's been credited with many first descents of western canyon runs. His rapid should be scouted from river-left.
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