Log in Roadblock

[Benji]

Ran Richland at around 12 inches of air space and it delivered as always. Me and a first timer were running alone and I explained to him to catch the eddy above the final drop and watch how to run the sketchy last drop.He caught the eddy like a Jedi and I peeled out of the eddy and headed for the bottom. I literally got within a paddles length and was on my line like I needed. At the last moment the turd log was in site and there was no stopping. There was(because of a healthy flow) about a 2-3ft gap between the river right boulder and edge of the turd log but not enough to run cleanly(unless you're Pat Keller or the likes of) I was committed and took a hard stroke to try and get the appropriate angle and managed it half a** but still came up short and was absolutely clobbered by this turd log. Luckily my paddle was not relieved from my hands and I rolled up at the bottom. And lucky enough again my partner was experienced enough to know something was wrong and instead of charging like a hero he scrambled up the rocks to see me in the eddy fine. He carried around safely and we had a awesome rest of the trip. I could have been pinned and drowned by that turd log today but I guess I had an extra life to spare and the big gig in the sky wasn't ready for me. What was learned? To not be f***** lazy and check for new wood after a creek floods out at 10,000 cfs.Be safe out there!

[anthony]

I have always said that running the right side of roadblock isn't worth it. Go left, the risk isn't worth the reward. I saw a very skilled paddler do the same thing with that log today. That rapid is going to kill someone, go left.

[Benji]

Agreed Anthony and honestly the only reason I run it right is because it's padded and less abusive on my boat. It really sucks to disregard the rapid as I have and have my most terrifying experience on something so simple...humbled.

[anthony]

I ran it right for a while too, but I have seen at least 5 times I can think of off the top of my head where people should have never flushed through the right side of that rapid. Humbling indeed. It would have already killed someone if we had the traffic on Richland that the rivers out east do. I really hoped we would Eddie out today only to see roadblock boulder moved back 10 feet. Someday maybe it will happen.

[Twindad]

What turd log? I ran it in December and January. Is this new wood?

[anthony]

New as of the flood march 16th.

[anthony]

Log or no log, don't run right at roadblock.