Russell Fork

Great Run! here's a video of my run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJskP-CjPg

Dave Crawford, rolling just in time out of the upper hole to go off the last ledge at El Horrendo

Had a great run down the Gorge on Oct. 21st. 2 R-2 teams. Video link showing all major rapids:

https://vimeo.com/52204488

Russell Fork at 250cfs

Picture of Fist from the Breaks Interstate Park overlook

The 2007 Lord of the Fork Best Race Finish Award goes to Howard Tidwell for his dramatic crash and burn swimming line finish out of the 'Box' in Climax rapid during the annual extreme race. For more info about the Lord of the Fork Races please visit: http://www.russellforkrace.blogspot.com/

Big water day with only 3 takers and everyone else on Grassy Creek. El Hydraulic was an impressive 15Ft tall wall of water that crashed in on itself every few seconds
Huge water day on the Fork Gorge
Hard to see in the image but the wave is building higher up on itself to over 15 feet and then it crashes in on itself. This was a river wide nasty obstical.

Stay off crack!
Crack Kills!

Taken after release (around 4pm), this is a composite of the rapid.

In Maze, if there's enough water, you can turn left at the bottom of the chute, avoiding Undertaker Rock completely (best). If you have to go in front of Undertaker, be aware that it is a large rock sitting on three smaller rocks, so the water washes under freely, with almost no pillow. It's nice to paddle under at less than 200 cfs, but very scary at higher levels.

The center line at Climax should not be run at less than 800 cfs. This channel passes over a table rock---too little water and you go under, end of story. At 800+, this line is, in my opinion, easier than the Box. Simply start right, angle left 45 degrees, hit the diagonal wave head-on, go over the rock. Turn right to punch the second hole, behind the table rock.

Matt going for some rodeo action to escape the bottom hole...the picture of composure!

Cold but wonderful day at the fork!
Those are really ice sickles in thier beards.

very intimidating but great rapid.
on line!

setting safety...or a safety break?

boof straight onto the rock and let the current push your stern around...

The only drawback to Climax is that it is the last significant rapid on the Russell Fork.

You can see the undercut looming in the left side of the picture. We knew this was a serious rapid when the local Ky. crew took a collective sigh when we were all safely in the eddy at the bottom. As usual, Jerry ran this first after saying he couldn't look at it any longer while we were scouting.

Not sure who this is, but the pic turned out nice.

The box move at Climax.

The rapid scene at the 'El Horrendo Huck Fest' during the Extrasport Challenge on the Russell Fork. (This image is a composite of two captured video frames stitched together)
A non-Huck Fest competitor taking the normal route over the bottom drop. The run looked good - but the hungry undercut ledge just below this drop tried to eat this boater. See the next image...
Just when you thought it was safe to relax after running El Horrendo - the ledge reminds you it loves to eat unsuspecting paddlers. This boater managed to escape the undercut's maw unscathed.
Traditional run at El Horrendo is to start from the left and catch the eddy before the ferry to river right and the big drop.
An Extrasport Challenge competitor looking for points at the El Horrendo Huck Fest.
An Extrasport Challenge competitor looking for points at the El Horrendo Huck Fest.
An Extrasport Challenge competitor looking for points at the El Horrendo Huck Fest.
All the cool guys and gals taking in the action on the rock at El Horrendo.

To get to the Extrasport Challenge and the Huck Fest at El Horrendo required paddling the gorge or hiking in via the train tracks.
Dustin and the 'Boonesboro Boys' claim the Russell Fork as their home stream.
Competitor in the drop at the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
Hugo making a move in the small drop just below the main falls of El Horrendo.
This view highlights the significant drop in El Horrendo - a major 'loss of altitude'. Video capture from the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
Ready for fun in full metal gear a boater enters the small top left drop in El Horrendo.
The Extrasport Challenge was blessed with sunny 80 degree temps on both days of the competition - just right for a little sun bathing in fuzzy rubber.
Competitor entering the top drop at the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
You know your a good boater if this guy is aiming the lens at you. Wavesport team member and photographer Dan Gavere shooting competitors at the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
Dan initiating a rock 360 in the drop just below the the falls in El Horrendo during the Extrasport Challenge.
Dan at the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
Competitor in the drop at the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
This might be called the 'sneak' route down El Horrendo.
Competitor in the drop at the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
Only the most experienced attempt the Russell Fork Gorge in a raft.
Competitor in the drop at the Huck Fest during the Extrasport Challenge.
Steve is the Russell Fork's main man and has numerous fans out there:-) Be sure to check out his Water Watch web pages on the RF here:http://www.elkhorncity.org/russellfork/
A competitor in the Extrasport Challenge Huck Fest hits the river bottom and bends the stern of his boat (see next photo).
After wave wheeling off the falls this competitor in the Extrasport Challenge Huck Fest hit the river bottom - but continued to paddle and score points in his newly designed boat.

Jimmy Blakeney competing and winning 1st place in the Extrasport Challenge Huck Fest.
Willie making his move towards the big drop in El Horrendo.
Bryan about to wave wheel off the big drop in El Horrendo at the Extrasport Challenge Huck Fest.
Extrasport Challenge Huckster
working the top crease in El
Horrendo.

The boof on the main line at towers.

Maze rapid is immediately above
Tripple Drop.
David had personal first descents of
the Russell Fork Rendezvous and
the river on this weekend.

One over (he makes his roll:-)and
another coming...
Gerald making the boffo boof move.
Over the left edge in the 3rd drop of
Tripple Drop. Boaters taking this
route skip the standard flush move
that's to river right of here but be
ready for a quick loss of altitude:-)

This sticky drop looks benign from
here but will heartly thrash the
unwary.

Jon hits the second boof of the Double Boof move at towers.

Gordon Byrd running the second drop of the Triple Drop Rapid on the Russell Fork River in a Dagger Medieval at 450 cfs.
Adam Thomas running the second drop of Triple Drop Rapid on the Russell Fork River in the Breaks Gorge.
Adam Thomas on the Russell Fork River at Triple Drop Rapid. 450cfs.

Gordon Byrd at the top of Elhorrendo Rapid on the Russell Fork.
Gordon Byrd safely at the bottom of Elhorrendo

ElHorrendo Rapid on the Russell Fork River at 450cfs. Paddler Unknown. Picture by Gordon Byrd
Unknown Boater running the ElHorrendo Rapid on the Russell Fork River at 450cfs. Photo by Gordon Byrd.

Gordon Byrd getting trashed while running ElHorrendo Rapid in a Dagger Medieval on the Russell Fork River in the Breaks Gorge. 450cfs

The first of several Cascades that I wore out. The first time I paddled this there was only the Gyra Max, then there was the Slasher, scary on the Russell Fork, but a real ride. Photo by Steven Hughes.

The Boof at El Horrendo from above.

2 in a row for the River God's paddle collection.
I don't need no stinkin' paddle.

Raft over the lip at Tower.
Duckie at Tower
Lewis scouts Tower rapid.

somewhere around 220-250 cfs at fist. Some movement of rocks happened just a couple of months after this pic was taken. This is NOT what it looks like today