Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Spring Break 2010


The Owyhee

This spring break we decided to mix things up and explore some whitewater in southeastern Oregon. I had heard rumors of the Owyhee River, its 3,000 ft. vertical canyon walls, sandy beaches and hot springs. It sounded too good to be true so Drew Eastman, Kim Russell, Jesse Becker and I decided to pack our boats for a three day self-support trip to investigate the 38 mile section between Three Forks and Rome.





We were not disappointed! The Owyhee is so completely different from the mossy gorges we're used to paddling around Hood River. It flows through some of the most beautiful and desolate high desert country I have ever seen, complete with coyotes and tumbleweeds. Luckily, I think it was a bit to early in the season for rattlesnakes.




Looking down on Three Forks,
the confluence of the North, Middle and
South Forks of the Owyhee.


Setting up camp at the put-in



Just downstream from the put-in
the walls start closing in . . .

Owyhee country


The river may only run for a few weeks each year, usually from late March to early May. Luckily, the river came up just in time for spring break and was hovering around 1,500 cfs. The first two days were a combo of lazy bends, big Class III wave trains, long Class IV rapids and one manky Class V boulder drop called Widowmaker. The last day was a 5 mile flatwater paddle out.


Side hike

Half-mile Butte


Night 2 Camping in the 'Bombshelter'
a beautiful sandy beach with
a convenient rock overhang

Dinner time

Cocktail hour on the Owyhee

Jesse & Kim

Drew


Christie

Hunkered down in the Bombshelter


On the morning of day two we woke up to a blizzard and were so relieved to hide out in the cave until the storm passed.

lovin' it


The Portage

Widowmaker Rapid


Night 3 Camp

When in Rome






Racing the Upper Wind River

March 20-21
The 3rd Annual Upper Wind River Festival near Carson, WA, was a big hit again this year. Two days of mass start head to head racing provided a ton of fun and entertainment for both competitors and spectators. The Oregon Rafting Team organizes this event every year to kick off the Western Whitewater Championship racing series for kayakers, rafters and catarafters.

Excitement is high at the registration booth

Oregon's new
Women of Whitewater Rafting Team

Gearing up for a practice run

Short Boat Race

Longboat Race

R2 Race

The Finish Line

Results:

Longboat:
1. Drew Eastman
2. Ryan Young

Drew Eastman

Shortboat Men:
1. Trevor Sheehan
2. Lance Reif
3. Laurence Rosen

Trevor Sheehan

Women's K1:
1. Kim Russell
2. Christie Glissmeyer
3. Roberta Grant

Kim Russell and Christie Glissmeyer

R2:
1. ORT Red - Tim Brink & Bryan Carrington
2. Dan McCain & Jacob Cruiser
3. ORT Grey
Tim Brink & Bryan Carrington