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Thread: Anyone paddled in Pa and Cali? Comparing river difficulty

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Anyone paddled in Pa and Cali? Comparing river difficulty

    SO probably totally overthinking this.

    was invited to do the upper yough on saturday. Totally think I can handle it but the little devil inside of me is making me doubt myself.

    so was wondeirng if anyone who has paddled the yough or similar rivers and stuff in nor cal (NFA, South Yuba) could compare the two.

  2. #2
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    May 2009
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    Yeah, I am also interested with this. Me and my familiy are planning to go there (PA) two weeks from now.


  3. #3
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    Sep 2006
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    The Upper Yough is good, fun class IV at summer release levels. For a class V boater its a playground of slots, boofs, and boulder gardens....while at the same time a good guide can get a solid class III boater down no problem. I'm not familiar with any of the runs in CA you mentioned.

    The serious consequences are easily avoided by just being on the correct side of the river.

  4. #4
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    From all I've heard, Cali ratings given by the guidebook are right on or slightly sandbagged so you should be fine. Keep in mind, the nature of the creekbeds are definitely different out east - ledgier but more pool drop.

  5. #5
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    Just an FYI: Upper Yough is in Maryland.

    What ridingshockgun describes is pretty much correct, you should be fine.
    Montani Semper Liberi

  6. #6
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    Mar 2007
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    D'oh
    I knew that. Yea I haven't heard back from the people I am going with but i confirmed i was in. my one concern is i won't be paddling the boat I am used to, but it shouldn't be a factor

  7. #7
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    Feb 2008
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    Bring beer. Have fun. Laugh when you see the "class V".

    I'm leaving next week for WV. We should boat this summer if I make it back from riding 100 miles above 10000'.

    You too, MarsB.

    That is all.

  8. #8
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    Mar 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by NlytendOne View Post
    Bring beer. Have fun. Laugh when you see the "class V".

    I'm leaving next week for WV. We should boat this summer if I make it back from riding 100 miles above 10000'.

    You too, MarsB.

    That is all.
    yea we definitely do need to get out and paddle. once august hits, my wife will be back in Cali so if i am out boating alot the only one i will feel bad for are the animals

  9. #9
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    Mar 2007
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    So just got back.

    i did indeed laugh at the class V section. it was challenging but i wouldn't put it it anymore than 4+ but if you swam at CHarlies choice it probably would be pretty ugly. i would say its definitely a sold IV/IV+. comparing it to the NFA and South YUba. Imagine the continuousness of E to P but each rapid is boulder garden moves like on chamberlains. its a lot of fun, pretty technical ferry moves etc.

  10. #10
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    Yeah, I would say swimming in some places around Charlie's Choice, and heading down the wrong slot at Tombstone have class 5-6 consequences. I thought for sure that I saw someone's last breath before they headed into the toilet bowl sieve. Thankfully the boat made it through, and so did he a few moments later. Plenty of places to mess you up. As the water level goes up, so does the push, and I'd bump some of the rapids up to 5's.

    The UY is a super fun playground for solid boaters. Stoked to hear that you liked it!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Maryland
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    Quote Originally Posted by NlytendOne View Post
    I thought for sure that I saw someone's last breath before they headed into the toilet bowl sieve. Thankfully the boat made it through, and so did he a few moments later.
    Unfortunately, there's a tree vertically stuffed in Mel's toilet bowl. So, if you swam in there right now, you're only coming out by climbing the tree. However, that sieve is pretty far out of play.

    Glad you had a good run. The UY is a classic for sure.

  12. #12
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    Mar 2007
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    yea. it was a good time. i think i am going to try to head down to the lower and play on the loop on sunday if i can figure out the bizarre parking/shuttle/permit situation

  13. #13
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    Feb 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by thredayevt View Post
    Unfortunately, there's a tree vertically stuffed in Mel's toilet bowl. So, if you swam in there right now, you're only coming out by climbing the tree. However, that sieve is pretty far out of play.

    Glad you had a good run. The UY is a classic for sure.
    Yeah, I noticed that the other day. Happens quite often there.

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