ATTN: Kayaking season in ID/MT is on indefinite hold

**SuperChief** · 04-20-2008, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by ridinshockgun

Have fun out there, looks like we're all done for the year with the exception of dam release and hurricanes.

Big Sandy and the Cheat are running this weekend, too bad I have to catch up on all the schoolwork I neglected over spring break. We are supposed to have a good deal of rain the next few days.

Trade ya houses root, only 30 minutes to the put in on of one of WV's best class iv v rivers, 45 minutes from damn release upper yough all summer and when it rains, specially during hurricane season there is so much stuff to get your hair crickin on.

**RootSkier** · 04-20-2008, 08:07 PM

Nope, just closed on a house in Missoula on Friday. Spent all weekend working on it, but that's OK, because it's currently DUMPING here in Hamilton...definitely the latest start in the 10 years I have been boating.

**skibuminwyo** · 04-21-2008, 10:34 AM

It snowed 3 inches in town yesterday. GRRRRRR!!! Where the hell is spring boating? Nothing is really running over here yet. I'm ready to boat, dammit!

**RootSkier** · 04-23-2008, 08:23 AM

DUMPING huge fat flakes in Hamilton. Again.

**Lost in AK** · 04-23-2008, 12:19 PM

Have faith. Run off will come and it will be HUGE! dumping in zoo town till about an hour ago too. Blue skies are peeking through though.

new boat on order. I need to paddle. This is killing me but it will come.

it will come won't it?

**skibuminwyo** · 04-23-2008, 12:26 PM

Don't you guys have the play spot sitting right off Higgins? There are these things called drysuits.

**RootSkier** · 04-23-2008, 10:03 PM

Yeah, I have a drysuit. Park and play doesn't really give me a huge boner these days, but once I'm up there and done working 16 hour days, I'll hit it up some.

**FreakofSnow** · 04-26-2008, 05:01 PM

What the word Root, you getting after it this weekend? What a day.....but I spent it drinking beer over at the Maggot Fest, fuck.

**RootSkier** · 04-26-2008, 05:08 PM

I've been moving...posting this from the kitchen of the new pad in Missoula.

No good trips for the next two weekends, family will be in town. Nothing's really running much yet, anyways.

**ridinshockgun** · 04-26-2008, 08:31 PM

Been gettin me some down here still. It ain't over yet.

That is one late ass start you guys have going there. Im waiting on the Big Timber Creek pics from this year. Hell, I might start driving now to fire that shit up. Take a shot for every rapid you portage.

**Powderfin** · 04-29-2008, 12:05 PM

Lochsa is up 2000 cfs in 2 days... could this be it?
I don't know if I can take another teaser.

**hialtitude** · 04-29-2008, 12:20 PM

This will definetly help, but colder weather is expected through out the area later this week.

**RTR** · 04-29-2008, 12:43 PM

"Oh Mr. Sun, Sun... Mr. Golden Sun, won't you please shine down on me..."

It was beautiful in Boise, this morning, now it's cold and rainy. I suppose the rainy part isn't bad... I keep wondering when the desert rivers are going to pop...

**Lost in AK** · 04-29-2008, 04:37 PM

This is it. It has to be cause i'm going AK in two weeks. I need some pipeline sessions. Weather all week but all the weather is rain and after that warm weekend. its getting started. it has to be.

I'm a bit slow in the tech area can someone link the site for the relevant river levels please?

**hialtitude** · 04-30-2008, 08:25 AM

This link shows the Lochsa in cfs and ft, although the ft guage is NOT the one that most people use. The link will explain.

**RootSkier** · 04-30-2008, 10:06 AM

Yeah, but the AW website is notorious for not updating their readings.

Go to the source.

Idaho: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ID/nwis/current/?type=flow

Montana: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow

The Lochsa hit 4000 yesterday, titties for Pipe. Too bad it's getting cold again and already dropping.

Hey Lost in AK, do you paddle a yellow Fluid?

**Lost in AK** · 04-30-2008, 10:17 AM

No green astro. I haven't really been out this season. School was kicking my ass. Daily wave sessions start tomorrow though.

Thanks for the link

**RTR** · 05-18-2008, 03:02 AM

It's going off, and it's ohhhh soooo gooood!!!

I heart Idaho.

**RootSkier** · 05-18-2008, 07:55 AM

We did the Lochsa marathon yesterday. 27 miles at 17,000. Pretty fucking sweet.

**mtcham** · 05-18-2008, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by RootSkier

We did the Lochsa marathon yesterday. 27 miles at 17,000. Pretty fucking sweet.

We were planning a roadtrip to the Lochsa this weekend but I killed it due to the 4 grand a day rises and not knowing the river. Any recommendations on flow for the first time running it? I was thinking 7000-10000, maybe a bit less pushy at those levels??

**RootSkier** · 05-19-2008, 08:18 AM

Hmm...I guess it depends on how comfortable you are in big water. At flows above 15K, lots of features start to wash out, and you are mainly dealing with long wave trains of exploding and rogue waves with enormous faces. It's really hard to describe, since I really haven't seen waves like that anywhere else.

The lower section (the most commonly run) doesn't really have too many moves to make. As long as you line up properly, it's tough to get into trouble as long as everyone's roll is 100% bomber. A swim would be devastating and you could kiss your boat goodbye.

In any case, I don't really think it's harder at higher flows, but it's definitely more intimidating. I got worked on a couple eddy lines....in a creek boat.

So yeah, rambling aside, anything below 15K would probably be fine...but really, my favorite Lochsa level is around 4500-5500. That's when there are eddy serviced play features and Pipeline is at its most epic. Then around 8-10K is probably the most classic level, with huge, well defined features.

**FreakofSnow** · 05-19-2008, 10:08 PM

What no pics Root? Was the whole MSO crew over there this weekend? I was stone cold spectating down at the wave on Saturday for the Best in the West. It was a pretty damn good turn out, except the wave was disappearing by the hour as the water came up.

mtcham - For example this is Lochsa falls back in 2003 at about 19,000

**RootSkier** · 05-19-2008, 10:13 PM

pics...from the Lochsa? Usually the camera only comes out when the throw rope does, so not too likely on the might Lochsbra.

Nice facebookin, geek. Call me any afternoon, we'll get some beers at the Kettlehouse.

edit: as for the MSO crew, Saturday was the slowest day I've ever seen on a May weekend. Probably only 50 people ran the river that day.

**ridinshockgun** · 05-20-2008, 05:40 PM

There should be some old schoolers from Charlotte out that way now.

Quay Hunter is one of the guys name's. Glasses, paddles a Diesel and and EZ. If you run into them, show him down something good. Great boater and has some crazy stories.

**RTR** · 05-21-2008, 07:56 AM

FreakofSnow: I know that patriotic, red, white, and blue "Y" in the picture. Either that's a picture of "Butter," or it's a picture of the owner that sold it to him...

I second that the Lochsa is best enjoyed at epic flows on a warm (albeit frigid water), sunny May afternoon!