Ramblin' On... : October 2009

Wednesday: Two Runs on the Watagua then a jog up to the top of Hawksbill for some steller views

I called Mike Huggins and he was up for a couple of Watagua runs before he had to get to work so we met up there at 10:45.

Some views from the Brown Mountain Overlook on my way up 181.

^ The gage when we got to the put in. It dropped about 3 inches between our first and second runs. The first run felt like about 400 cfs.

No pics on the first run. Mike and I just bombed it. We hooked up with Keith Sprinkle for shuttle on the second run. The shot above is Bill Clipper going "around the world" at Edge of the World.

^Jonathan

^ Bill

^ Andy

^ Dave

^ Andy. Sorry I took the shot a little late.

^ Jonathan

^ Sprinkles

^ Bill

I had considered getting a run in at Wilson Creek but I had to go right by Ginger Cake Acres on the way home so...

From Gingercake Acres on my way out:

Amos' Epics

Watagua Sunday with Gaston Gagne

It was a cool morning, about 44 degrees when I got to the takeout. It warmed up nicely and there wasnt much wind while we were on the river. The views on the way up, during the run and on the drive back down were incredible.

Gaston Gagne at Edge of the World:

A few shots were taken on the drive home:

Wilson Creek at an exceptional level after getting skunked at both the Gragg Prong and at the North Fork of Harper Creek. Thats Creekin'.

I got up very early and noticed the levels were coming up and there had been a good bit of rain between midnight and dawn. I started making calls early, my first at around 7:30...
Steven was the first to call back and the only one willing to head over and start on the search for some water. Gaston had other obligations and I couldnt reach Johnny Calhoun. Mike and others outta town for the Russell Fork Rendezvous.
I figured if Wilson Creek was much over a foot, my usual fall back of hiking up and running Upper Creek then heading back to Wilson Creek for an afternoon run after it had dropped would be the best plan. Based on the rain gages I thought the Gragg Prong may have run around dawn but not much after. Grandfather Meadows had gotten pounded but it had stopped before we got to Wilson Creek.

We checked on the Gragg Prong and North Harper but both were too low. Steven, Crankee, and Johnny Calhoun opted for something up towards the Watagua and ended up getting three runs on the Red Roof Section. I stayed and ran Wilson Creek.

I met three guys from Virgina who needed a guide and I needed a group. JP, and the two Phillips. Two of them had run it for the first time last weekend at around -6". We took our time, I showed them the lines, we took pics and video and overall had a good laid back juicy flow Wilson Creek run. I think a good time was had by all.