James Robison running Suzie's Slot on the left of the Washing Machine.
Lance Jones running the same drop.
We had another fella in our group with us that I didn't know. Above the Machine he was given clear instructions by Jason to run over the top and down the gut. I then demonstrated, Jason Melor repeated and then Greg Stacey repeated again for good measure. The fella clearly had seen the 3 of us commit the proper line.
And then... for whatever reason he leaves the river left eddy below BMF and attempts to execute the around the world river right line that is normally run at much lower levels. I give you the result...
This was shot from the river left eddy below the Machine looking upstream.
The carp suck... leading to eventual failure, separation of paddler from boat and boat cleanly running Whiplash and Shoulder Bone sans paddler who deposited upon the river right rocks above Whiplash.
A text book high water swim below the Machine. He was okay and Jason wrangled his boat back to him later.
The remainder of the run was fun too. The staff gauge at the Hwy 4 takeout bridge had registered 2.9 feet on the gauge before we ran shuttle earlier that day. When we returned to the takeout after paddling the surge it registered 3.9 feet on the staff gauge. A foot rise in 3 hours or less. That was cool. The Vandervoort gauge read in the low 5's during that same time.
And now as I wrap up this report the watershed just got pounded again earlier this morning. Good grief! What an epic few days of fan-TAB-U-lous weather. I may never live long enough to see it this way again in late July - first of August.
I thought I did ok for my third time to ever run the falls! As I replay it in my head I just got pushed around at the top and messed up an easy line! Better luck next time. And thank you Jason for saving my boat. I live to paddle another day and glad I could show everyone how not to run the machine!! 