This Week’s Thursday Photo Showcase: High Water Tuolumne
March 30th, 2006 by Robyn Suddeth
High water Tuolumne trips… one of the most powerful, exhilarating, and rewarding of all of California’s spring runs. Especially after a night of rain when the water is churning a milk-chocolate brown, and every little side stream is doing its very best to matter. The whole day is in constant motion. The river is dynamic, breathing, and very alive.
The first in this set of pictures are Mark Reiner’s from his day out there last Spring, and then the last three are Scott A’s from our trainig day out there after a huge storm the night before, the water churning a milk-chocolate brown…
[For last week's Thursday Photo Showcase, click here.]
Mark Reiner’s High Water Tuolumne Shots:
Rock Garden (sans rocks):
How Can You Not Smile When You’re Wearing A Purple Wetsuit?
Clavey:
Scott Armstrong’s High Water Tuolumne Pictures:
Meral’s Pool, 10 am, smiling over nervous stomachs (at least mine was):
Danny and Matt Scouting Clavey:
A Look At Clavey From Above… It’s HUGE!
March 31st, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Ohhh, high water “T” trips… Nothing like the butterflies you get in the eddy at Meral’s Pool preparing to start your trip. For me as a guide I think they are worse there than anywhere else. Once I get going, well the nerves settle a little bit. Just a funny memory from last year, a Tuolumne 1-day trip were I was following Robyn (remember this one?) Adam W was leading with a boatload of trainee’s then BC had a raft of guests, then Robyn followed by yours truly. I think Travis D was sweep that day, but I’m sure he was entertained by me. We were at Grey’s Grindstone and I had mild tunnel vision and wasn’t watching Adam & BC’s lines as closely as I should have been. If you can watch Brian C. go anywhere you’ll be right on the money. Robyn was working her way left as was the plan and I was following and watching her. (by the way Robyn you did great! It was my mistake.) She had what I thought was a slightly bumpy ride over a rock and I thought, “I better not do that.” So I went to the right of the rock… and boy was that a BAD idea!! Right into the hole at the top of Grey’s and sent 7 campers into the river! Oh my! I don’t care to repeat that stunt. Everyone was fine and I think I had the longest swim, which I must say was humbling.
But I’ll be ready again this spring for some more excitement. As long as I am not always involved!!
March 31st, 2006 at 9:09 pm
What can I say… the Tuolumne is the best river and not to far from the Bay Area. The ride is always exilerating and is a great get-away. I have been down this river countless times and each time is different. I am already trying to get in shape for June as it should be the ride of my life.