After a 1-1/2 hour ride over NF roads, we boarded the rafts at Boundary Creek Ramp. We were introduced to a nice Cl III rapid within the 1st 0.1 mile. Then it was a continuation of Cl III - IV erapids for the 12 miles covered before stopping at "Joe Bump" to camp. I paddled at the front of the 18' Avon.
Camp 1 - Joe Bump
On day 2, I resumed my front paddle position for a lengthy 23.5 mi of Cl III+. Two paddlers got tossed on day 2, icluding yours truly. Unfortunately mine was rather benign, merely tumbling backward upon impacting a rock. Dave, one of the Grand Canyon 6, from our '09 trip, had a much scarier ride. He got swallowed by a huge hole. We took the hit head on and the raft almost folded like a taco. He was swept under the raft and surfaced on the downstream side. Jeff, my BIL, grabbed his paddle and Frank, another GC6 grabbed him by the shoulder straps and fell back into the raft, while pulling him up, textbook. We were met by a slow but steady rain for the last hour on the river. I knew this would present some challenges for the evening. I set up my tarp "porch style" and it quickly became a popular place for happy hour.
Day 2 Camp - Stateland Left
Day 3, I had convinced our trip leader that I had rowed a lot on my previous Grand Canyon trips. He agreed to let me have a go at the oar boat for the short 10 mi planned. I quickly learned that rowing on the MFS is a whole lot different than the wide and deep Colorado. The shallow rocks can turn a downstream oar into a torpedo. I can see why they do not have oar locks on these rafts. Although I was working my a.. off, I was allowed to stay at the helm and row through the certifiable Cl III "Jackass Rapid". I was totally exhausted at the end of the 10 mi. After setting up camp and lounging a couple hours, we headed downstream along the river for a 8 mi r/t hike to Loon Creek Hot Springs for a much deserved soaking of the body.
Day 3 Camp - Rock Island
Day 4, back on the paddle boat. This was a HUGE day of rapids covering 27.5 mi of Cl III's and a couple Cl IV's like Tappan Falls and Tappan III and Earthquake Rock.
Day 4 Camp - Wollard
Day 5, after paddling or rowing for the entire 74.5 mi covered, I decided to take an easy day and ride as a passenger on an oar boat, where i could concentrate on taking photos and video. I managed to get a few videos of some challenging rapids. We also visited a beautiful spot called Vail Falls. It is a small waterfall that drops over the edge of a monsterous cave or grotto. The flow turns into a mist and dances in the wind and sunlight as it plunges 150' to a fine rain on the floor.
Unfortunately, our luck ran out for hanging. I tried about everything I could. I managed to hang my hammock from a boulder in a tallus slope, of 1' - 2' sharp edged granite boulders, and a large tree about 25 feet away. It would have been treacherous for entry and exit, so i elected to use the sandy beach instead. Although i was prepared, equipment wise, i was not mentally prepared. My tarp attached to it's ridgeline became a cumbersome task for setup. To add insult to injury, after settling in to a clear and cloudless evening, a blowing rain began in the middle of the night. I had to completely rivise the tarp setup to give shelter from the rain. After 4 nights of blissful sleep, my Neoair on a smooth sandy beach was not cutting it, and I managed very little sleep.
Day 5 Camp - Cliffside
After a mostly sleepless night, we only had 12 mi to complete the trip. I don't think any of us realized that part of it would be the most intense rapids of the trip. This proved to be the case at "Rubber Rapid". We had another swimmer, Frank, yet another of the Grand Canyon 6. His oar raft took a hard hit from the left latteral and slung him off like a bull rider. he was retrieved quickly and was OK.
All good things come to and end. we drove to Salmon for a shower and a bed. Had a nice dinner at the "Junk Yard Bistro" and retired early. Got on a twin engine Piper with Salmon Air and returned to Boise. I did get to ride in the co-pilot's seat.
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