MFS

[canoe]

OK, I was waiting till davidbob no longer had Internet to post about our trip to MFS. Since they launch on the Selway tommorrow i think I'm safe.

1st day: How did i get here? there I was, holding on to the front of my cat, in the ice cold water of the MFS, uhable to climb back in due to a combination of fatigue, heat exhaustion, and total demoralization, floating down the MFS, alone, well past our designated camp, with no one else in sight.

We had driven to Stanley, Idaho via Kansas,Colo., Wyoming, thru southeast Id., thru Crater of the Moon, to Sun Valley Lodge,before meeting up with Gail and Walter in Stanley. We spent a day there, got a great massage at the meadow creek inn, and spent the next day in Challis buying the last minute(6 hours) food and packing. Later that day, Susan and Dave Smith and Paul and Judy McCune arrived in Stanley, but where were Cowper and Debo? Still on the road, not having left Arkansas till about Noon monday(launch is Thursday) Conversation with Cowper"I'm in my drive way, about to leave").

Wed., we head to Boundry Creek, where Walter and Gail seem to know everyone in the camp, including a group of rangers who are launching on Thurs. as well(more on this this to come). Cowper and Debo show up.

We rig, boats in the putin eddy, party down with most of the folks in the camp. weather is rainy and cold, level is about 4.5ft.(highest I've run MFS). Question?, how do you dress? I overdress with thick full thickness bodysuit under my Drysuit the Morning of Launch.

The 1st day on the MFS is continous, big water. We get thru Velvet, Powerhouse(I think), when an eddy is called for. I can't get there, tell Pam to jump out with the bowline, she can't hold us and ends up holding on to the front of the cat, me trying to pull her in for about 1/2 mile, till I tell her to swim to shore. I finally eddy out, Paul and Judy pick her up. I'm a limp noodle, can't hardly speak, much less oar. Gail gets in with me and Pam with Walter. We have lunch above Sulper Slide. I have 3 episodes of orthostatic syncope(passing out when I stand up). Sulpher Slide pins Gail and I for awhile, till she spins off the rock, with only a minor dent in the frame. More to come.

[T Yamashita]

It sounds like a epic trip. Can't wait till the next installment--Lone Ranger!!!
ty

[canoe]

Gail is oaring, because I'm beat, plus she a better oarsperson than I. After awhile, we start swapping out when she tires. We are to camp at JOE BUMP(about 13mi.). We hit the eddy low, fast, Gayle on one oar, me on the other. We miss it, Gayle jumps out, can't hold the boat, I jump out, can't hold the boat. I grab the frame, being swept downstream, without any ability to do anything but hold on. After an eternity, Linda ranger and kayak ranger appear. Linda ranger gets me in her raft, transfers me to mine. We eddy, kayak ranger puts his boat on my raft and oars.(2nd thing he says is"Damn, you are loaded"). After much decision making, the rangers allow our group to camp at Fire Island, about 5 miles below where we were supposed to camp that nite. They decline to to stay with us, but we see them several times the next few days. dale

[canoe]

Day 2
Late start after the previous days excitement. Fortunatlly, mostly flatwater untill Lake Creek and Pistol. Lake Creek continous to change. Now there is a big hole shortly after the entry. Everyone did OK, but Paul landed in the eddy below the hole, and spent a long time trying to to not get sucked back into the hole. I hit the hole far left, and my right tube almost came down on top of Paul.

As I ran the approach to Pistol, I hollered at the girls(who were walking} to go check on Paul. Gayle ran 1/4 mi. back upstream,and was able to grab Paul's raft, and help him slip out the back end of the eddy. I run Pistol, play with the left cliff, but everone does ok, except Pam and I are parked on the downstream side of Pistol Creek. Not a big deal, except,I have to swim Pistol Creek to get to lunch(Walter pulled me out before being swept into MFS). After lunch, Pam and I hike up Pistol Creek, cross the bridge and hike to our boat. The boat is actually on an island, I ford part of Pistol Creek, and have to throw a rope 3 times to pendulem Pam over to the Island(Those Green jackett Throw Ropes are pretty Lite)

[Dave Smith]

Dang aren't you a ray of sunshine

Seems like I remember things a little different......

8 days of Whitewater Rock and Roll from the get-go!! Yeah some drama insued but hey that's the stuff of campfire stories right? 4.5ft sure ain't 3.5ish feet we had the first trip :shock:

Getting to spend a week hanging out, watching and learning from paddlers that I respect along with some of the coolest ladies anywhere! I swear if I ever grow up to be 1/8 the rower that Cowper is I'd be happy.

Learning that the new Tappan 3 is a big ole sucker....man I'm glad I didn't know about that one beforehand. Nothing like getting chundered in that big honking bottom hole to only turn around and see you style it! Two more strokes and I would have had it.......

Gayle and Walter's planning and food.....don't have to say anything else on that one.

Nuf said....

[Clif]

I don't think we're on Richland Creek anymore, Toto. :shock:

[Fish]

Who was the lucky permit holder for this one?

Glad y'all got to go to the big country this year!

- Fish

[Dave Smith]

Susan was the lucky one!

[canoe]

That would be the lovely Susan. Wish i could figure out how to post the video of Pam, Susan, Gayle rocking out to FREEBIRD at layover at Camas(there were busstiers involved). Dale

[dogpatch]

Here's the photo!!!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/movingwater ... 0177933042" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paul

[dogpatch]

Now that I've finally figured out how to do it....here's one more.

http://picasaweb.google.com/movingwater ... 2638394946" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[canoe]

thanks so much Paul I could have done without that one lol .. Loved Susan's hope your leg is better let us know if ya need anything. Happy traveling ................. I don't recall if I told you and Judy how much I loved your company on the MF .. We will have to do that again . Ms Pam

[davidbob]

OK, I was waiting till davidbob no longer had Internet to post about our trip to MFS. Since they launch on the Selway tommorrow i think I'm safe....

A.D. - I don't know whether to feel flattered, offended, or chastened (I pick flattered ). - D.B.

[Ryan Center]

Dale, if you ever need a an oarsman, just holler. Hell, you can even sit it the front and look pretty.