Russell Fork

This is a post from Clay Warren made in the BWA Forum on June 7, 2010:

Just want to start getting the word out that the Main Line at Fist has changed much for the worse from the big water event of early May (2010).

My take is that I'll be gunning for the eddy on river Left just above the cave (what I call the low water line) at any level up to about 725. This line has no significant change as far as difficulty. (still dangerous as hell if you f up the move).

From about 725 up to about 1000, I would strongly consider taking the far river left sneak into the eddy and doing the Hairy Fairy....or walkin it. I will say the Hairy Fairy is no joke as levels get above 900.

Above 1000, you can start doing the Fire Escape move on far river right. Always know the level if you go for the fire escape as you can get rejected at levels below 1000 and go through a really bad spot backwards.

The moral to this story is that if you're planning on running main line Fist, you owe yourself (and your group) a scout before you commit. In my eyes, main line is very very sketch right now. The issue rests in the movement of the old 'fan rock,' which is now creating a huge rejection wave/hole, which WILL typewriter you left. Gerald was discussing this w me two weeks ago and I was in complete agreement after running main line at a low 700 level. Went for the eddy on my next lap! Now after seeing the Gorge at a release flow this wkend, it may be an interesting October. Thus, probably a good idea to start spreadin the word now. Who knows tho, as dramatically as it's changed over the past 10 yrs, it may move again before then.