Log Condition/Chop List Sticky Thread Proposal

[FarPastGone]

So with all the wood that collected in creeks after the ice storm I think it would be a good idea to sticky a thread that can update everyone on the status of runs. I really like how they have it done over at Alabama Whitewater (see HERE ). Obviously some of the steeper, more obscure creeks are always going to have problems (which at Bama Whitewater they just put under "Chronic Offenders"), but as we found out this weekend the area around the put-in for Beech was tree free. Had we known that, then I know of at least one instance prior to this weekend it could have been run. Another reason I think it would be beneficial is the ever changing wood issue on creeks in Arkansas, just because Richland was clear Sunday/Monday, does not mean it will be clear after the next good rain. It would be a good way to alert people to new wood in creeks (that are currently clear), and a supplement to the new threads about wood conditions (which I think would still be a good idea to post) that become buried in the forums after a day or two.

The thread will also offer the other benefit of allowing us to focus on specific runs that need more attention then others, and hopefully allow pro-active individuals or small groups that have a free day information on what needs work and what doesn't.

While I think this could be rather straight forward I know there will be some issues and debating with the idea. I know the ACC isn't solely focused on whitewater, but I think the thread would be better served focusing on wood in "whitewater" runs. Like I mentioned above I am sure there will need to be some type of discrepancy on what runs are included or not on the list (for a number of reasons). We all also perceive wood in runs differently, so I think this will likely spark some debate in regards to what needs to be cleared as some wood is passable at different levels, is in a flat stretch and can easily be portaged, is only across half the run and is easy to avoid, etc...

Just an idea that I thought might benefit everybody and help start get some of these creeks clear. No worries if it isn't possible, like I said, it is just a thought.

Thanks,
-Matt

[jermdog]

I second the motion.
Sandy Springs is horribly choked.
Upper 2 gorges on EFLB are very bad as well.

[sugarmtngal]

Hey Matt,
Would you be willing to volunteer with your buddies in hiking and clearing and reporting back, etc...............would be good work for the ACC!
Come on, college students can always get away!
Have a good one!
Gretchen

[RomanLA]

I had seen something on similar on KayakIdaho and recommended a sticky thread last year. It just listed the hazards people reported though. Anyway, it was up for a long time, but I guess when the water went away, the thread did too. Good suggestion!

[FarPastGone]

Gretchen I would be happy to help with what I can, and hopefully a Chop List thread would spark some more initiative on the part of all of us (I know a number of people have paid their dues in respect to cleaning and clearing). I also think that with all the members on the message board that have checked on some of their favorite runs we could do a pretty good job on compiling a list off what is already known. Plus there are places that, at least I don't think anyone has hiked into, like Boss Hollow, that you can tell from the road or the extent of damage in the area that are going to have major wood issues (not that it didn't before, but as an example).

Think of the possible Chop List thread as a constantly evolving "To Do List" that serves not only the purpose of letting us know where there is work to be done, but also providing information on possible hazards (or unrunnable stretches) that have yet to be cleared/need to be cleared. With the main goal of getting these creeks cleaned up because it is nice to have options sometimes.

-Matt

[jermdog]

So what would it take to make a sticky cut list?

[Heath]

I am going to nominate LBEFLB. I have run a few creeks in the state but this one still seems to have the most to offer.In my opinion it has more drops than most steepies and you have to paddle the last two gorges of EFLB at a stout level.

[Lazer]

Just a thought,

The AWA pages allow people to post ALERT comments for reasons such as wood, access or other issues/hazards to warn other boaters about.

Go to http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... _state_AR_ Click on the creek section and add a comment if you wish to add some info to the page.

The comments can also be used to add other information such as, the creek is clear of wood, or alternate access, your thoughts on the run, etc.

[A Savage spanke]

Jeremy, when did you go down E.F.L.B. last? When we did it last time with Fish and Matt the gorges wern't choked up

[FarPastGone]

Spanke the first gorge has some wood in it apparently, but the 2nd and 3rd are good to go (unless something has changed in the last 3 weeks).

-Matt

[Fish]

The lower two gorges are clear on EFLB, but the upper one is not.

Good idea for a sticky thread for the "chop list". We really need this right now. Top priority for me would be Osage Cr. and Bobtail Cr. Second Long Branch and Boen Gulf. Sandy Springs and Boss Hollow too. Also Devils Forks.

- Fish

[Heath]

I think bobtail would be last on the list. considering the land slide and all.

[Fish]

Good point - I thought about that, but it's so good and runs so often. It's a draw perhaps.

Think we could push a 4WD path through the slide if we could get a dozer in there? I've not seen the slide, but I know any fix would probably be pretty temporary... Perhaps a logging road style thing up and over the top of the slide? Just wondering about opinions from those who've seen it.

- Fish

[RandyJ]

LOTS of cubic yards in the slide, and LOTS of trees on top of that. Up, over, and around as a temporary measure might work, but Canoe (Dale) says there's still lots of unstable stuff up there. I'm no engineer, nor do I play one on TV, but I'm thinking it's going to be years before that gets cleared, unless Obama sends some civil works "stimulus" our way.

And Fish, if you have a dozer, I need it here in Tulsa. Bring it over when you can.

Finally, Mountainbuzz (Colorado message board) has a forum called "Access & Safety", which I like. Could our message board Powers That Be create a fifth forum on our board for this? We could probably get a dozen valid items posted there in short order that would be much less transient and easier to find than putting them in the General Discussion forum.

[Cowper]

I like Lazer's point that we really should help make the AWA page our "one stop shopping" place, because when we all get bored and quit maintaining this page, that page may remain.

But, I feel strongly both ways - I like having it on the ACC page too. I think it is a great idea; I also started a similar thread awhile back, but it has drifted into the back pages of this forum. I see now that what it was missing was the "updated summary" of the Alabama example.

If somone will prepare and maintain that summary, I'll see to it that the thread gets the valuable sticky, and that it stays stickied until folks beg for the mercy of some new sticky topics as has occurred when anything stays stickied too long.