The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog

I realize I’ve blabbed on quite a bit about this recent trip to the Cal Salmon, but there are a few more stories worth sharing. [For some previous posts about this trip, check out: Whitewater Rafting in January, High Water on the Cal Salmon, and Cal Salmon Pictures] This account is actually the description of just a few moments in time, but they are the kind that can define a day and that most boaters can relate to…
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This was the last of our three days out North. [See Whitewater Rafting in January, Winter Rafting Attire, and Beautiful California.] Now one of my favorite runs, (See 5500 on the Cal Salmon) I can’t say enough about this river. Following are pictures of four of the bigger rapids of the day.

Right:
Scouting Bloomer Falls

This is the first big one, and you reach it within five minutes of putting on the water! My first thoughts upon scouting this one? … “So, how hard is it to portage?” There are two huge reversals with a small line up against the left wall.

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OK- All you people who don’t want to drive a few extra hours to get up to the Cal Salmon must have no idea what you’re missing! Our trip out there last Tuesday had to have been one of my favorite runs ever. The water was huge, technical and clear blue. There were waterfalls around every corner, green moss on the rocks making up the narrow gorge walls, and mountains all around. Does it get any better??

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This was our first day of rafting on our Northern Coast trip. The weather was decievingly beautiful. [See earlier post about Winter Attire Learning Curve.] Despite the shivers, we had a really fun, easy day. Great just to be back out on the water!

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I’ve got a lot to say about this recent rafting trip to Northern coastal rivers this last weekend, but wanted to first dedicate some time to describe this awesome shuttle. Monday morning we set out early from Hiuchi to do the one and a half hour drive to put-in for the North Fork of the Smith. Despite its length, this has got to be one of the best shuttle routes in California.

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I always liked to think of myself as a fast learner, but have lately had a few experiences that might suggest otherwise. One of the most recent of these occured this last weekend, when I went rafting on the North and South Forks of the Smith River, and finally on the Cal Salmon.

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A few weeks ago, I started really missing the river, and decided to write a blog about where to go Winter Rafting in Northern California. Considering that the blog was written completely based upon talks, interviews, and reading, it only quenched my thirst for a small moment. In fact, I ended up wanting to get out on the water even more than before I wrote the thing.

So you can imagine my excitement when I got the invitation last week to go along on a trip to the Smith and Cal Salmon rivers on the Northern California coast. Four of us, (Smokey, Adam, Brad and I) all headed out last Friday night toward Redding, then completed the drive to Hiuchi on Saturday.

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Helpful Definition Before Reading Further: Oscar = the ammo-box-turned-toilet contraption brought along on Multi-day river trips…

I’m sitting here at a coffee shop on a sunny Sunday morning, searching for any interesting river stories in the recent news. Just a minute ago, I came upon an update from the USDA Forest Service about improvements to river access on the Wild and Scenic Trinity River. (Which, by the way, is another good winter run for anyone looking to get out there before Spring.)

What, you may ask, does this have to do with the Death of Oscar? Not much. Except that in the update the Forest Service proudly describes their state-of-the art composting toilets being installed at the Trinity put-in.

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I’m not usually a superstitious person, but I am a firm believer in what some people call “River Karma.” Although different missteps can result in a run-gone-wrong, River Karma usually manifests itself for the following reason: Failure to Respect The River- you get a teensy bit too sure of yourself, and the river gives you a few slaps on the wrist (or turns in a hydraulic) to put you back in your place.You are probably thinking that I’m crazy… that the river is obviously not a cognizant entity and therefore not capable of reacting in any way to our words or thoughts. My response- there are those who believe and those who one day will. So to save you undecideds out there from learning the hard way, I’ve recounted one of my own experiences…

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The next morning began with our hike back into the canyon. We were all hoping that the water had gone down enough to ensure that our journey out would be by boat that day instead of foot. Once back to the rafts we were happy to see that everything had remained intact. The river, however, still raged with all its might. The Clavey itself had gone down quite a bit, though, which meant that we might be able to get across its currents and take a sneak route down the right side of the rapid. Again, all the guides scrambled to higher ground to get a better look while we sat nervous at the water’s frothing edge.

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