Randy runs Warm Springs
None of us knew what to expect this day. We knew we needed to kiss the Tiger Wall to make sure we would have a good run at Warm Springs, but we had no idea what this all meant. We got to Tiger Wall within an hour. Because of my helmet, I didn't make my first attempt, so I had to hurry and kiss the wall while it was flying by - I made it, but I came very close to losing an eyebrow...
We also ran into the research team who were finishing up their trench filling and sediment studies.
At Warm Springs, we all took a look and discussed the line. Joan, who was in an IK, was nervous, but we were all proud of her for going for it. I went down by the river to take pictures. The rapid was straightforward and runnable, but it would take some pushing. Joan followed another boat and was too far left. A wave stopped her and the next wave flipped her. She swam the big hole, and it spat her out. She took a swim, but still did a great job. I took the easy run - rather than starting center and working right, I ran the big waves on the right and stayed right until I passed the big hole.
Not long after regrouping, we came to our camp area - Box Elder. A couple of the guys walked down to make sure that the camp we wanted was available. In the meantime, a pair of bighorn sheep walked right by us and crossed the river. Box Elder 3 was available to us, so we landed at the big beach. We had a great lunch and set up camp in the trees. A few of us explored the shallow caves at the other camps and saw a small group of deer.
Before dinner, the ranger came by and looked at our permit and gear and gave us some information. He showed us a photo of the camp from a week before, when there was 6 inches of snow on the ground. A bit later, the research team and another group passed by and said hello.
The evening was cold, and it was really nice that a couple of people had brought heaters.
We also ran into the research team who were finishing up their trench filling and sediment studies.
At Warm Springs, we all took a look and discussed the line. Joan, who was in an IK, was nervous, but we were all proud of her for going for it. I went down by the river to take pictures. The rapid was straightforward and runnable, but it would take some pushing. Joan followed another boat and was too far left. A wave stopped her and the next wave flipped her. She swam the big hole, and it spat her out. She took a swim, but still did a great job. I took the easy run - rather than starting center and working right, I ran the big waves on the right and stayed right until I passed the big hole.
Not long after regrouping, we came to our camp area - Box Elder. A couple of the guys walked down to make sure that the camp we wanted was available. In the meantime, a pair of bighorn sheep walked right by us and crossed the river. Box Elder 3 was available to us, so we landed at the big beach. We had a great lunch and set up camp in the trees. A few of us explored the shallow caves at the other camps and saw a small group of deer.
Before dinner, the ranger came by and looked at our permit and gear and gave us some information. He showed us a photo of the camp from a week before, when there was 6 inches of snow on the ground. A bit later, the research team and another group passed by and said hello.
The evening was cold, and it was really nice that a couple of people had brought heaters.
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