Pigeon

0.9 Dries: Harmon Den to Big Creek

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January 1, 1900

Trip Report

ReporterRobert Maxwell

This is the longest and most technical rapid on the Pigeon Dries. The photo was taken at the bottom on river left.
The Pigeon Dries is paddleable at a large variety of water levels. If you prefer creeky, stay below 750 cfs. If you prefer big hairy fun 1100+ is your game. Here is Ted Hayes hand paddling Chineese Arithmatic at an insane level.
Is it ever too cold to paddle? Notice all the ice! Notice that Kevin doesn't use gloves or pogies!! Chineese Arithmatic is the longest and most technical rapid on the Pigeon Dries. This shot was taken half way down the rapid on river right.
Chineese Arithmatic is the longest and most technical rapid on the Pigeon Dries. This shot was taken at the bottom on river left.
At higher water levels a boof move opens up at the bottom of Chineese Arithmatic. This is Sean Kennedy checking it out.
This is a shot of 'Dumb-S' in the background and the entrance rapid to Nowhere To Land.
Gunnell Buster is one of the last major rapids on the Pigeon Dries.
Look at Boatingbeta.com for the Harmon Den 'brick gage' method for checking the water level.
Nowhere To Land is the most powerful rapid on the run. It rates a solid class 5. This boater nails the boof perfectly as others portage on river right.
Ted Hayes running Nowhere To Land at 1362 cfs. (or did Nowhere To Land run Ted??)
This rapid gets its name from the P-53 painted on a rock just right of center of the main hole. It can only be seen at minimum flows. P-53 is the last of the 3 'warm-up' rapids before Tunnel Rapid.
Rock Jumble
Stairway to Hell is the most undercut rapid on the run. Stay away from the rocks on river left.
Tiney Tower can be run at a variety of ways at different levels. Here's a great boof on river left.
Tiney Tower can be run at a variety of ways at different levels. Here's Don Kinser taking on the middle line.
Tiney Tower can be run at a variety of ways at different levels. Here's Milt Aitken boofing the Tower Rock.
The hole in Tiney Tower can be very sticky. Just ask Kevin.
Tunnel Rapid isn't very photogenic. Its actually more difficult then this shot makes it look.