Earlier this month I took a float trip down a section of the Yakima river with some friends. I went with friends who were ground dwellers, and true to my nature, I had to do a few things different than them. First, I used my folding sea kayak, made by Feathercraft, then I had to do a little fishing (which yielded we lines, but no fish), then I hung in comfort and warmth in my Snipe Hammock. Even though, it's technically still winter, the daytime temps were well into the mid forties. The Night time temps were in the mid to low twenties.
I had a great time, and I prepared well, even for the 2 times I unintentionally rolled the yak and took a drink of the cold clear river. Note to self: sea kayaks aren't really made for white water. I was wearing the appropriate gear and stayed warm despite my clumsiness.
The frist video is the condensed "preview" and the second is the extended trip video. I had about 5 hours of video to condense into about 13 minutes.
02-26-2013, 01:18
mugs
Always love watching your videos, they are top shelf. Looks like you had a great time. Sorry you missed the winter hang, but I would say you had your own little one with this trip. Glad to see your getting out and about, when you can.
Cheers.
02-26-2013, 01:30
Buenos
Quote:
Originally Posted by mugs
Always love watching your videos, they are top shelf. Looks like you had a great time. Sorry you missed the winter hang, but I would say you had your own little one with this trip. Glad to see your getting out and about, when you can.
Cheers.
Thanks mugs! I was so bummed not to join you guys for the winter hang. I had to get out, though and that was my chance. Next year, I'll be all over the winter hang.
02-26-2013, 10:01
DigitalJanitor
Dude, you floated right by mah 'hood, lol!
Did you dump it in that big standing wave serious below the Thorp bridge near the sandstone cliffs on the left side? Those are the biggest I remember in there and it's been flowing pretty good lately.... Gotta do it again one of these days. In summer so I don't become a popcicle. :)
02-26-2013, 10:22
Buenos
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigitalJanitor
Dude, you floated right by mah 'hood, lol!
Did you dump it in that big standing wave serious below the Thorp bridge near the sandstone cliffs on the left side? Those are the biggest I remember in there and it's been flowing pretty good lately.... Gotta do it again one of these days. In summer so I don't become a popcicle. :)
That is exactly where I took my biggest drink! I tried to eskimo roll twice, but no joy. I knew I had no air left, so bailed. fortunately didn't hit my head on a rock. The Black Rock beanie stayed on my head, but I lost my sunglasses.
This was so fun, and I plan on making it a yearly trek. Though I will either rent a plastic kayak or sit in the raft with everyone else.
02-26-2013, 11:02
Hiker Philly
Great vids and nice editing. I love the different cam positions :)
02-26-2013, 11:05
mbiraman
Nice video. Nice to see someone else using a stick. Good Yak. Thanks
bill
02-26-2013, 12:24
DigitalJanitor
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buenos
That is exactly where I took my biggest drink!...
Hahahaha, awesome...
One time in a SUPER low flow season/year I floated most of the section from the T-way to the pullout by the house (the irrigation intake right below the sandstone cliffs) in just a wetsuit. Husby, a buddy, and I all started with tubes but the water was so low he popped his somewhere below Bristol flats, so I just opted to float in the suit + holding on to husby's tube when I needed to. Wasn't a problem since the river was only barely shin deep in the shallow parts but that standing wave section kinda had us worried.... got through it though with just a story. Of course it helps to take on such stupidity on a 90+F day. :laugh:
We've got an Advanced Elements double inflatable kayak, need to get another single now that the kid is getting bigger. We've been eyeballing the canyon section of river thinking the trees on the opposite side would be PERFECT for hanging.
Another option we're throwing around for spring would be driving up through Selah then north on the dirt roads to the closest trail head, then mountain biking into the old Roza townsite with all the camp gear. There's some nice aspen groves back in there and definitely not a 'busy' spot.
02-27-2013, 18:58
canuck_kayaker
Just watched the preview... saving this page to watch the full after I get home, looks cool!
02-27-2013, 20:34
Kalmed
Nice trip
Very nice trip! Hope to do at least one kayak/hang trip this year, as well as all the possible hike/hang trips too!
02-27-2013, 22:05
canuck_kayaker
Just watched the full video... looks like an awesome time, thanks for sharing!
Sucks having to wet exit though... I did that once a couple years ago, only I did the opposite - I took a river boat on a calm lake lol. I got about 500m from the entry point and was under water... Oops.
Cool website BTW... you have IM
02-28-2013, 15:16
Boomer
Cool Trip Jose. I watched the longer version. Not much fishing, huh? Did you use a Tenkara setup?
How'd you learn to do an eskimo roll? Do you have any other boats?
03-01-2013, 21:07
Buenos
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbiraman
Nice video. Nice to see someone else using a stick. Good Yak. Thanks
bill
Bill,
I love my Greenland style paddle! Versitile, light and to my eyes classy. Also I love the questions and looks I get from other paddlers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalmed
Very nice trip! Hope to do at least one kayak/hang trip this year, as well as all the possible hike/hang trips too!
Kalmed,
This was my first kayak/hang. Loved it and I hope to do more. I highly recommend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by canuck_kayaker
Just watched the full video... looks like an awesome time, thanks for sharing!
Sucks having to wet exit though... I did that once a couple years ago, only I did the opposite - I took a river boat on a calm lake lol. I got about 500m from the entry point and was under water... Oops.
Cool website BTW... you have IM
Canuck,
Wet exits are fine. If you're in a yak, it's a necessary skill and I am always prepared to do it. Eskimo rolls are tuff and take a gob of practice. I've never needed to do one until then and have practiced many under controlled circumstances and with an empty boat. I'm glad I know my limits and didn't waste energy on too many efforts. Wet exits and entries are old hat for me.
I have owned this boat for many years and have taken it around Lake Iliamna, many years ago. I'm hoping to do that again in the best year or two.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boomer
Cool Trip Jose. I watched the longer version. Not much fishing, huh? Did you use a Tenkara setup?
How'd you learn to do an eskimo roll? Do you have any other boats?
I love my Tenkara set up and use it often. It's become my go to set up for backpacking.
I did my first Eskimo roll screen years ago while living on lake Iliamna, AK. Taught it to myself. Oh, and I'm not very good at it.
Thanks everyone. I had a great time, and was glad to share.
