ARG Richland Creek Trip Report - 12-4-11

[davidbob]

After early mass confusion related to rainfall amounts in the Richland watershed, Marcell, Cap'n Downstream and I met Tim Man and his wife Cindy (the Shuttle Dolly du jour) at Moore bridge this morning. A visual quickly confirmed that there was enough water to run the upper section. 

(Family Footnote #1 - Cindy and I are kinfolks.  She is my first ex-wife's third husband's nephew's ex-wife)

We R2ed a couple of Super Pumas. Marcell suggested that Tim Man and I get in one and he and the Cap'n get in the other. I thought about it for awhile and suggested we split up Marcell and the Cap'n (I didn't think we should put two 60 year olds in the same boat).

There was 13" of airspace on the "new" gage when we shoved off, figuring that that correlates to a level of c. 3.9 on the USGS gage. 

3.9' is a very friendly level for small rafts. At that level there was enough water for a raft to run Roadblock on far river left without portaging. 

We stopped above Green Room to check if 3.9 was enough to run the center slot and, deciding it was not, ran right with no problems (the Cap'n and Tim Man did spend a little time in the Room, but escaped with no penalty). 

The Cap'n and Tim pinballed through the confluence rapid, but only after an ARG rock/spin move. Marcell and I eased into the top of the rock jumble at which point the following conversation occurred: Me: "Looks like there's enough water to run far left."  Marcell, after a long pause, screamed something unintelligible. Me: "Which way do you want to go?" Marcell: (long pause). Me: "I don't care what we do, but whatever we do do we need to do it in a really big hurry.". Marcell: "Paddle hard!  Not that hard!  Pull us around!  Too far!  Spin!  Paddle forward!  Back paddle!"

At this point we were right in the center of a rapid where the center line is not an option. The stern came to rest on top of a small pourover rock. The bow had scooted over a larger rock and was so far out of the water you almost needed a step ladder to climb out. I said "It's okay Marcell. I've been stuck on this rock before.  I know what to do." 

With Marcell trying to climb out of the boat to get us unstuck I felt I needed to do something, so I decided to high side. It turns out that was impossible because the raft was perfectly level. As soon as Marcell's weight left the boat the bow released and swung out into the current. Neither one of us had a paddle in our hand so I abandoned my useless high siding attempt and grabbed a paddle just as Marcell jumped back in the boat, landing on top of me and pinning me to a tube. I managed to get the paddle in the water and move it back and forth a little bit, which was about as effective as trying to move the Queen Mary with a swizzle stick. We bounced downstream another 10 feet or so and got stuck again. Marcell said "Don't worry. I've been stuck on this rock before. I know what to do.". We freed ourselves and slapped our paddles up above our heads in high 5 commercial paddle raft trip style (just like the couple of snake beating tourist goobers that we are).  

We had lunch at the Twin Devils confluence. When we got back in the raft again I noticed our spare paddle had disappeared (Note to Self #1 - try securing the spare paddle with a strap next time). (Note to Self #2 - put the paddle in the front of raft next time so you can see it if it tries to escape of it's own accord.). A couple of rapids downstream I told Cap'n D about our wayward paddle. He looked around and noticed their boat's spare was missing too (what a dumbass).  We immediately wondered what kind of grief to expect when Lance and Maggie, Bob and Jonna (sp?), James, Nick, Scott, Chuck, Hans et al starting finding ARG snake beaters with "Noland" written on them in every eddy on Upper Richland. 

The run after the confluence was, for the most part, uneventful. We took a "non-Roger" line at Upper Screw Up and ran it clean.  Marcell and I did argue about the angle we needed to take into Lower Screw Up. I won and we ran it clean too. We argued about which side to run at Maytag (oddly enough I, the pro-Capitalist, pro-fat cat, Tea Party extremist wanted to go left and Marcell, the anti-Wall Street, Occupy Everything, bleeding heart liberal wanted to go right).  Marcell won and we ran it clean. 

We made it home, unloaded the gear, cleaned up, and were having dinner at Loca Luna by 7 pm. ARG once again proved it is worthy of its reputation as a well-oiled machine. 

P.S.  If you're looking for the ideal Christmas gift for your favorite Arkansas Raft Guide, we're registered at Carlisle Paddles.   

[waterhog]

found ur paddle on left below road block floatn in river left eddie gave it to lance good times on riches

[Shep]

Marcell suggested that Tim Man and I get in one and he and the Cap'n get in the other. I thought about it for awhile and suggested we split up Marcell and the Cap'n (I didn't think we should put 2 60 year olds in the same boat).

Probably best to spread the wisdom between rafts.

[anthony]

other paddle is in knucklebuster.

[Eric Esche]

I see nothing wrong with being in a raft with someone 60 years old, but then my birthday is 11-9-51.

And as to that wisdom remark, it could be accurate in some cases - I know one at least one of "us" has an honest thousand plus trips as a commercial raft guide in our past in addition to private trips.

Lashing in a spare paddle can work for you or against you - depends on how you do it.

Eric Esche

[maggiepowell]

Lance will need to give you guys a trip report from the Shredder perspective as it was my first trip down Richland and I know very few of the rapid names.

I do know we were complimented right off with one guy (forgive me for not remembering him name) saying, "you guys must have paddled that together before". Both Lance and I replied with a "nope". It was also my first time on the Shredder although I do have lots of raft and canoe experience.

We made it through most of the rapids with no problem whatsoever using lots of spin moves which happen to be my favorite. We were turned a little right going over the falls which made me a bit nervous but Lance kept his cool so there was no carnage there.

We did have one swimmer of the day (hint: it wasn't me). But Lance swears he jumped to keep the raft from flipping, which I will fully support since it didn't flip with me in it. Then of course, I had to pull Lances' big a$$ back in the boat.

We ran door #1 through upper screwup and i ended up in the bottom of the boat still trying to paddle as we came through lower screwup.

Another highlight was hiking up to Twin Devil Falls to watch the 5 kayakers run those huge falls. It was an amazing sight for me to see.

I am so glad I got to see Richland for the first time from the safety of the Shredder rather than my kayak. And, I got to see some awesome kayakers run a difficult river live, not on video.

It was a great day on the river even though it was cloudy, rainy and around the upper 40's. What a great experience!

Maggie Powell

[Karla]

Hey Lance, take me sometime, Please! I want to see experience Richland too without my kayak.

Karla

[nathan richard]

What are the prices for a trip with an Arkansas Raft Guide?
i'd like to ride down richland with one of those guys!

[Shep]

What are the prices for a trip with an Arkansas Raft Guide?
i'd like to ride down richland with one of those guys!

I'm torn between "If you have to ask you can't afford it", and "Case of Blue Ribbon". Truthfully though, if you promise to get out and drag the raft over the rocks, I think you'd be in.

Shep

[okieboater]

I suggest showing good intent with the case of PBR before discussing the trip! With a cooler full of the same waiting at the takeout!

[dogpatch]

Davidbob, you've done it again. Anyone who can write that funny can be forgiven for their politics.

[Tim Eubanks]

I suggest showing good intent with the case of PBR before discussing the trip! With a cooler full of the same waiting at the takeout!

My experience has shown that the ARG are partial to good gin when it's hot and bourbon when its not. Bud Lite has been known to surface after running Devil's Hollow Falls.

[davidbob]

.

[davidbob]

Davidbob, you've done it again.  Anyone who  can write that funny can be forgiven for their politics.  :poke2:

Paul - Thanks (I think).

P.S.  Attacked any sharp rocks with your shin lately?

True Friend of ARG, legendary paddler and all around good guy Dave Reid can be forgiven for his error  My dual membership in two elite paddling organizations (ARG and the RBF) can cause confusion. ARG is the more refined of the two groups. For example:

ARG motto: Omnia Ad ARG Gloriam!
RBF motto: (mumble, grunt, scratch)

Tim Man is right. ARG prefers Bombay Sapphire and I always carry an emergency supply of Maker's Mark for medicinal purposes.  ARG has collectively consumed enough Bud Light to bring Richland to flood stage in the middle of a persistent drought,* but Moose Drool, Fat Tire, Blue Moon and Busch Bavarian have graced our coolers too.

* Wouldn't "Persistent Drought" be a good name for the opening act of the next Debo and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Men world tour?

Dave's confusion may have resulted from the fact that PBR is the official beer of the RBF (and, while PBR is our official beer, our favorite beer is anything stolen from a Kwakhead).

[After rereading this post I believe it was clearly inappropriate to use the word "refined" in the same sentence as "RBF." The gentlemen in orange jumpsuits chained together on the front row of the Moffett, Oklahoma Police Court on any given Monday morning are more refined than the RBF. I regret the error.]

[okieboater]

I stand corrected on Bud Lite versus PBR but will add this.

Knowing how thirsty the ARG team is at day's end of a thrilling white water adventure, Bud Lite may be the first choice for liquid refreshment but a cold PBR would not be turned down!!