North Fork of White River - Testimonial
By: Clifton Finley
My Background I began kayaking in the Pacific Ocean ten years ago. I had a sit-on-top Ocean Kayak--a Scupper Pro. After six years of playing in the bays and surf, and running Class II rivers, I had maxed-out my boat and skills. I wanted more, so I bought a Necky Jive and took three, two-day classes from California Canoe and Kayak. I subsequently ran several Class III and IV California rivers, most of which were within a three-hour drive of my home. After moving to Wichita, I saw only one instance of kayaking in two years. My skills were very rusty. I had lost my Eskimo roll (I didn’t think that was possible) and felt uneasy even in Class II water. One month after meeting Jim Johnson, Roger Norton, and Chris Collins, and after boating with them briefly a couple of times in Wichita, I made a weekend trip to the North Fork of the White River.
The Trip The trip is approximately 800 miles round-trip from Wichita. I had to chuckle at myself for driving seven hours to run a Class I river, but I enjoyed getting better acquainted with Chris Collins enroute. We rendezvoused on Saturday morning with ten others who also made the trek from various points.
The Setting The river is fed by several natural springs. (When you go, make it a point to see Althea Springs at Patrick Bridge. It is probably the prettiest spot on the river). Water quality: clear and refreshingly cool. The shore is lined by groves of trees, though houses are occasionally visible. We saw many turtles; fish; deer; a water moccasin; and several birds, including an eagle swooping down over the river. The days were warm and sunny, with a little breeze; the nights were comfortable and cool with few insect pests.
The River On Saturday we ran 14 miles of the river, from Hammond Camp to Patrick Bridge. There is a nice drop about halfway down (approximately a two-foot drop). It is a fun place to surf. On Sunday morning we ran the five miles from Patrick Bridge to Dawt Mill. (Beware of the much-steeper drop at Dawt Mill).
The water level was perfect to practice skills. (The gauge at Tecumseh read 2.75 feet/900cfs). We did eddy turns, peel-outs, Eskimo rolls, and surfed to our hearts’ content. Learning to surf in Class III California whitewater had been intimidating for me, and didn’t afford me the best opportunity to perfect my technique. On the other hand, surfing in the smaller waves of the White River allowed me to focus on technique without having to battle more substantial hydraulics. It was a difference I thoroughly enjoyed, and I am now confident enough in my skills to look forward to the Ozark whitewater trip coming up May 8th-9th.
It was a wonderful trip for many reasons. I am thankful that God made rivers, and that He made friends with whom to enjoy them. Hope to see you on the river!
April, 2004
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