KCKA Summer Novice WW Trip - July 17-19, 2004
Chris Collins
July 17-19, 2004. This was my first paddle trip in Colorado and I was hooked before my boat hit the river. Not only was the scenery beautiful, the temperature was so cool that people build new homes without air-conditioning. We camped at 9K feet on Friday night in the San Isabel National Forest and found no insects.
This year we have several members that have demonstrated an interest in Novice WW activities and need training and experience. Novice WW trips, with instruction and experienced leadership, are few and far between so we all really appreciate them when they are available. This was one of those trips. It was fun for those with knowledge and experience to share, and a great learning experience for those of us that needed the training.
Since I consider myself a novice at whitewater, I initially scheduled this trip and then looked for someone with more whitewater experience to take the lead. My plan worked. T.J. Hittle took the lead and did a really great job, as he always does. Thanks a million TJ!! I took careful notes so I can replicate this trip next summer. By the way, anyone can get started leading trips using this technique. Simply participate, take careful notes and then replicate the trip later at a time that fits your schedule.
TJ selected specific sections of the Arkansas River near Salida, CO that were suitable for novice training. The river levels at Wellsville, CO at 8:15am were: Day one, 760cfs, Day two, 968cfs, & Day three, 886cfsThe first day was all Class II. We used some of the same sections that the Colorado Whitewater Association (CWWA) uses for their beginner/novice training trips. The section used the second day added three Class II+-III rapids. These rapids were easily portaged by some who felt they were not quite ready. A few more Class III rapids were planned for the third day but in the interest of the participants and getting home at a decent hour, TJ selected a short Class II run for Monday morning.
Saturday’s float participants included Steven Deyoe (Wichita), TJ Hittle & Jackie Rawlings (Manhattan), Jackie’s grandson Levi Oxford (16) (Lawrence), Tom Anderson & Deb Cavarretta (Buena Vista, CO) and myself (Wichita). Deb rowed a small one-person two-hulled raft, TJ and Levi paddled an inflatable tandem kayak, Jackie paddled “old white” (her solo WW canoe), I paddled an Enduro/Crossover kayak and the rest were in standard hard shell WW kayaks.
At the put-in, the water was 64 degrees and the sun was felling pretty warm. The river appeared small so the exposure to an inadvertent swim would probably be short. I quickly shed my dry suit and wore only thin polyester. Most of the others were dressed for a tan. About half way through the float, we lost the sun, thunderstorms moved close, the wind picked up and all of us were scrambling to dress warmer. Most of what we actually got was gusty wind, spray, a sprinkle and scary thunder. Bear Creek was the most exciting rapid of the day and I think everyone ran it without incident. TJ said it was Class II at the current level. The map lists it as Class III. Since I had never run a Class III rapid, I kept asking TJ “Was that a Class III?” each time we ran a rapid that seemed bigger.
Sunday we were joined by Bob Chance (Wichita), Tom Hadorn (Wellington)& his daughter Megan (15). Heavy storms in the mountain’s Saturday night added much needed flow to the river. TJ added three Class III rapids to test our skill. We scouted both Badger Creek Rapid and Tin Cup. Several portaged these rapids and several ran them. After running or viewing Tin Cup, Red Rocks Rapid was run by all participants with hardly a second thought.
Badger Creek required more maneuvering than had been previously required of me, and it was easy to see why it was rated Class III. The first step was to miss a couple of small boulders that guarded the main event - a large mid-stream bolder about the size of Volkswagen bug. Next, it was necessary to maneuver left around the large bolder and then quickly move right a little to miss a rock wall on the left. The current was, of course, trying to take each boater into both the large bolder and the rock wall following the boulder.
Tin Cup looked huge but required only getting lined up for a straight shot and then staying upright through the large waves and foam. If you missed, there was a nice big pool at the bottom to catch you. As I remember, Red Rocks Rapid was just a bolder farm and although rated Class III it seemed pretty benign after running Tin Cup.
Monday’s participants included Steven Deyoe, TJ & Levi, Tom Hadorn, Megan, Deb Cavarretta and myself. We did a short Class II run so we could have more daylight to drive home.
In summary, we had several thrills, spills, successful Eskimo rolls, a couple of boat over boat rescues and no one suffered an injury. Megan did find a black and blue spot on her leg but could not remember getting it. We all had a blast and we wish to express special thanks to Tom Anderson and Deb Cavarretta for their very gracious hospitality. Deb makes Etouffee (shrimp & crawfish gumbo) that is so good that no word can accurately describe it.
I would also like to thank TJ for the rescue classes and workshops this last winter. I was able to use what I learned in class to help a boater empty and reenter their boat on the water, after a wet-exit. The river rescue was much easier on the paddler than it would have been to swim to and climb up on shore. TJ will again teach kayak rescue techniques once or twice this coming winter. Everyone should learn the techniques that can be used to help others or yourself in a variety of situations. Kayak rescues are applicable for both whitewater and flat-water activities.
Steve and I got to Wichita at 12:30 AM Tuesday. It was exactly10 hours (517 miles) from McDonald’s in Salida to Wichita without a dinner break. We came home to 3 days of 100 plus degrees, flies and mosquitoes. We WILL go back next year.
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