Gallatin River, MT is a go-sort of (pics)

**mtcham** · 04-27-2008, 12:00 AM

My first trip to the river this year finds me running shuttle and puppy sitting our new addition to the family.

The river is at 300 cfs but these guys don't care. Not too often you get to seal launch on snow here.

Riverside booter.

Could be a rare year where the river tops out over House Rock.

Ben

Stetson Dude

Powderfin

BB RidgeKid

And lastly the new pup, nice point for a 7 week old.

**RTR** · 04-27-2008, 09:59 AM

Is that some kind of modified helmet... the cowboy hat? I certainly hope that cowpoke didn't run that boney water with nothing but a stetson!

**awake1563** · 04-27-2008, 11:22 PM

Damn. that looks like a good time. Never tried it. Want to. Not sure if all 6'4" of me will fit in one of those. Would it work?

**cloudpeak** · 04-27-2008, 11:35 PM

Looks like a fun day!

What's with the cowboy hat? Does he have a helmet under it?

**mtcham** · 04-28-2008, 11:16 PM

Yeah I did a double take when I saw the cowboy hat and yes it's a helmet. Somebody's got to be a trendsetter.

Originally Posted by awake1563

Damn. that looks like a good time. Never tried it. Want to. Not sure if all 6'4" of me will fit in one of those. Would it work?

My son (BB RidgeKid) is 6'3", there are a handful of boats that will fit you tall guys but they are higher volume boats and a bit harder to throw around. I've paid the price smashing my feet into too small boats and now have bonespurs on both feet. Get a boat that's comfortable from the start and avoid the pain.

**skibuminwyo** · 04-29-2008, 09:08 AM

Mmmmmm. We must play. I drove by the play wave in Columbus on the Yellerstone, and it was looking fairly good. It is time. It's amazing weather today. I think we finally have spring. *Until tomorrow night, shit!*

**FreakofSnow** · 04-29-2008, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by mtcham

Yeah I did a double take when I saw the cowboy hat and yes it's a helmet. Somebody's got to be a trendsetter.

Cool, but get back to me when he gets in some heavy hydraulics. Something tells me that thing ain't too hydro-streamed.

**RootSkier** · 04-30-2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by FreakofSnow

Cool, but get back to me when he gets in some heavy hydraulics. Something tells me that thing ain't too hydro-streamed.

My first thought, too. Good luck with the chinstrap and your jugular.

**skibuminwyo** · 04-30-2008, 10:20 AM

When you choke out, at least you won't be scared anymore. That could be the ideal V+ helmet.

**Bozone** · 04-30-2008, 01:02 PM

Thanks for posting the pics MTCHAM, that was a fun day( I was in the Green Kingpin). You will have to get wet next time, though I will concede that the 4+ inches of fresh snow at the put in was not exactly encouraging. I also had to do a double take the first time I saw bford rocking the "cowboy strutter", he just wears it as a joke for low flow gally missions. It is definitely not engineered for running of the shit.

**mtcham** · 04-30-2008, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Bozone

Thanks for posting the pics MTCHAM, that was a fun day( I was in the Green Kingpin). You will have to get wet next time, though I will concede that the 4+ inches of fresh snow at the put in was not exactly encouraging. I also had to do a double take the first time I saw bford rocking the "cowboy strutter", he just wears it as a joke for low flow gally missions. It is definitely not engineered for running of the shit.

Did manage to make it out Sunday, looks like it's heading up now to where it is usually this time of year. I think Stephan will be at the pool tonight with his Agent if you want to check it out or you can grab mine and take it. If you're in the KP 6.3 I'll switch with you on the river someday.

Are you on the rock or in front?

**Bozone** · 04-30-2008, 04:19 PM

Thanks, I may take you up on that option in the future. I am the one in the front with the black strutter and the yellow astral. Any who I will probably see you guys at the pool this evening.

**mtcham** · 05-10-2008, 12:08 AM

A few more lowflow pics from the following day. We are finally getting back to our average flows now and it's picking up a bit.

Photos courtesy of Olin's dad Randy.

Olin in his new ride.

BB RidgeKid rockin the hand paddles.

and me, the old man, finally gets wet

**mtcham** · 05-18-2008, 11:10 PM

And runoff has finally started the past few days. 2500 cfs today and climbing steadily.

BB RidgeKid at House.

Unknown Dude- you might want to slide some beverage to the Kid for cleaning up your shitshow. Going solo today really would have sucked.

**RootSkier** · 05-19-2008, 08:25 AM

So what happened? Dude swam? At least he's got all the sweet gear.

**skibuminwyo** · 05-19-2008, 10:41 AM

Yes, where is the backstory now? And root, is the wave in missoula worth bringing a boat along next time I see the fam?

**Tye 1on** · 05-19-2008, 11:06 AM

Why do they call it the Boulder Garden anyway???

3/4 way up Papoose in those other pics, bet it's over today. That's some rockin and rollin...

**hialtitude** · 05-21-2008, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by skibuminwyo

is the wave in missoula worth bringing a boat along next time I see the fam?

That depends on flow. Right now the wave in missoula is not surfable. Early last week it was really good though.

**mtcham** · 05-21-2008, 12:13 PM

The Gallatin was starting to rock yesterday. Glad you got out Lexi-looks like she'll drop down now and come back again. Way too much fun!! Had one swimmer right below House but he got out very quickly. The Kid again was the boat saver-his new rescue vest has been put to good use lately.

Photos by Abbey http://photographybyabbey.blogspot.com/

Powderfin

BB RidgeKid

and me cheating in my Rocker

**RootSkier** · 05-21-2008, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by mtcham

T The Kid again was the boat saver-his new rescue vest has been put to good use lately.

Is he using a tow tether? Because if he is, I would encourage him to stop. Towing a boat in any sort of heavy current is the easiest way to die outside of being stuffed under a log, as far as I'm concerned.

No boat is worth the immediate danger of attaching yourself to it, especially at higher water levels.

**mtcham** · 05-21-2008, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by RootSkier

Is he using a tow tether? Because if he is, I would encourage him to stop. Towing a boat in any sort of heavy current is the easiest way to die outside of being stuffed under a log, as far as I'm concerned.

No boat is worth the immediate danger of attaching yourself to it, especially at higher water levels.

Good point for all boaters. He knows the danger and waits till the boats hit slacker water.

**Powderfin** · 05-22-2008, 05:35 PM

Stephan hit the next level in his paddling. I was impressed.

**mtcham** · 06-02-2008, 11:09 PM

A little action from tonight. Took my father who just turned 70 today to watch my son and his friends run the Gally at 4000cfs. Back in the mid 1970's my father introduced me to kayaking and building racing kayaks with some molds one of his friends owned. Dad worked for General Electric R & D at the time and had access to kevlar and new epoxy resins designed for the aerospce program. We just gave away the last 2 of these boats we made a few years ago.

The rivers on the rise again but more cold weather will put another damper on it in a few days.

Mikal and Stephan

Jordan

Skylar throwing ends.

Setting up.

Stephan

Skylar

Mikal

**mtcham** · 06-20-2008, 11:00 AM

Here are a few shots from last night's roller coaster ride. Definately a no swim night. The Gally seems to be peaking out at about 5200 cfs. This next week should give us a few more rockin rides. The river was surprisingly free of wood but is always a big concern of mine.

Photos by Abbey (she missed the good looking guys though)
http://photographybyabbey.blogspot.com/

Powderfin throwing down.

BB RidgeKid liking the ride.

Watch that little hole on the left.

Bracing into the V wave.