Beaver

Taken during Beaver Fest (Sunday)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVDvTggih3w

YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVDvTggih3w

Don't be fooled, the last section of four drops is solid Class 5 at release levels. There are easier drops upstream, one of which in particular gets run multiple times by athletic boaters willing to carry back to the top; it's about a 10-12 footer. If your mortality is never in doubt, feel free to portage the final four drops on the right, a common strategy.

The first drop, upstream of the putin. Thanks to photographer Kenny Unser, who graciously shared this photo.

Ted DeVoe running the slide upstream of the putin. Thanks to photographer Kenny Unser, who graciously shared this photo.

Ted DeVoe scouts the put-in slide as the water ramps up to the full release level. Thanks to photographer Kenny Unser, who graciously shared this photo.

This is a cool perspective of the right side of the first falls. Tim is about to launch off the ledge and land in the eddy below.

Took forever for her to screw up the courage to run her first waterfall. She had a great line.
The rock at the left edge of the major boof in this rapid is badly undercut. This boater crawled his way out of there, whereupon the others could scramble to the spot and help haul him out. If you gotta swim...swim to the right!

More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.

Too many top dogs runnin this part...
A man to learn from....
Sharon testing her new H2 out !
Another happy paddler

This was Sharon's first freefall.

Check out the braids.

This is a great way to start off the run. We ran both sides of this drop several times and the only thing that kept us from doing it more were the other great drops waiting down stream and the Eagle Section which was also on the schedule.

The Beaver releases are one of the coolest boating experiences I've had. Outstanding whitewater, the people you meet are just as wacked as you are (you all know who you are, especially the girl from Boston who yelled 'f!$k at the bottom of each rapid), and the camping is just about as laid back as you could want. Too bad it's a nine hour drive each direction. In five years I've gotten on nine different runs and I look forward to my next trip.