Cossatot Maiden Voyage (Saturday May 9, 2009)

[JohnB]

Probably better than you'd think. The first timers trip was cut short at the falls by a big thunderstorm. Robin and I hauled ax through the Falls, heading to the truck at the bridge, but ended up having to seek shelter for a little while before continuing. All in all, a very fun day and a nice level!It's now even better.

[hellbender]

twas a great day for all! sad to see everyone leave so early.i've got "some" photos from yesterday and will post them up later.would like to find names for them also.So well,everyone left for home or went to eat so i had to get some SoulBoating in on Baker before dark.It was at a great level! Jodie B

[Cowper]

Considering that the "official" trip had to be cancelled due to lightening, with radars indicating more likely on the way, I would still call it one of the better first timer's trips, even before you add in the recovered raft.

My perception was that overall, we had a relatively stronger group of paddlers than in some past years, with several who had run the Tot at least once before, or were multi-time veterans of other runs like the Hailstone. So it was a major disappointment to not be able to do the Falls, but, with a sponsored float you can't roll the dice on lightening or choose to take other chances as easily as a group of private individuals might choose to do. I hope the participants understand that, and still feel like they at least got to see the lay of the land, maybe learn a few shuttle roads, and will return to paddle with us on another day.

[MStrobel]

I want so send a big THANK YOU to all of the safety boaters/ instructors who came out on Saturday to help us First Timers run the Tot. And a double THANK YOU to Walter for organizing this trip. I had a great time and look forward to taking on the falls sometime soon. Without such a wonderfully supportive and knowledgeable group, I most likely would never had taken on this river.

[Mike Reynolds]

How did the video at the Esses turn out? Too bad the video wasn't set up at double drop It was so good to be back and see many of my paddling friends and make a few new ones.

[Walter Felton]

The trip was a huge success even if we did not get to run the Falls. Everyone did great on the river and I think we will be seeing most of the First Timers on the Cossatot again in the future. Huge thanks to all of the support boater that showed up to help this year and in past year. The support and enthusiasm for this trip is what has kept it alive for so many years. It was started by Max Wellhouse in the 1995 time frame and is showing no signs of people losing interest.

Now on to the not so fun part, doing the paperwork that makes the trip possible.

Walter Felton

[paddlinggoddess]

There was a video boater on the trip. Jason got everyone coming through Zig-Zag, the Esses, and Double Drop. We are working on editing the video for Walter and will have it asap. Unless of course I have to paddle tomorrow.
Sabrina