Staton's Creek

Heath styles the tricky boof at 'Johnny Wise's Hole' on Statons Creek, VA. Photo by Gordon Dalton.

how low in cfs can you run those 'park and huck' drops does anyone know if like at low low levels(10-20)cfs if they are runnable or immpossible?-cam hall likes male action

Michael running Cascade- ~400cfs

Note the log wedged under the mossy rock behind the boater's stern. The log is chocked in a very undercut crevice. No problem if you're on-line and in your boat, but could be heinous if you had come out of your boat upstream.

Great low-runnable level. The hole at the bottom is benign at this level, but beware as it approaches 180 cfs.

Level was 125 cfs. Great low level. At this level, you don't have to worry about the hole at the bottom. As the level climbs to 180 cfs, you better have a rope ready to pull you out if the hole decides to bite you.

We ran it today and the gauge is way off it said on usgs that the level was 180 and it felt alot more like 115 to 130. just wanted everyone to know.

T.O.

NEW WOOD!! After Boof Right (after chunderslide) There is a riverwide log that is new. At higher levels this will be deadly. Directly after Cascade is more new wood. The last new wood is the first drop into logflume. going to try to get in there soon and clean it out but other than these three it was clean today.

It is critical that if you are not familiar with this creek that you are very aware of the consequences of this run. Do not take the drops on this creek lightly. At lower levels most of the drops are relatively innocuous, however several are known to cause problems. 'Log Flume' has an extremely tight move, like an s-turn with 90 degree angles that has flipped several very experienced boaters, broken many paddles and scraped the skin off more than a few knuckles. I have run Statons many times and had my first incident this weekend, Saturday, October 7th. The fifteen foot vertical falls now has a very large log running the length of the entire drop right smack in the middle. Make sure you run river right, but beware... going to far right and you may land on rocks. This hole is extremely sticky at the right levels, (not just really high levels). It worst at really high levels, but gets retentive again at particular levels as the creek drops. I ran the right side of the drop on Saturday, but did not get a good boof because I was concerned of going too far right and running into rock problems. I had a good 45 degree angle but was immediately sucked backward. Knowing the dangers of this drop and the retentiveness of the hole, I admitedly panicked and instead of looking where I wanted to go, was staring at the rocks to my right because I could not get a good paddle stroke in. I yelled for a rope and was quickly brought to safety. It is likely at that level, (somewhere between 200 and 250cfs) that I would have popped out fine, however easier said than done sometimes. Please be careful and if you are running this creek at unfamiliar water levels take a look for yourself before taking the plunge. Needless to say, despite all the great water, I took it easy and ran the Maury on Sunday... be safe,

Brett Mayer-Aschhoff

mid Flume

Last Friday, December 16, 2005, Mark and I attempted a very low and bitter cold run down Staton's. The level was somewhere in the neighborhood of 85-90 cfs. The Chunderslide, the Cascade and the Second Big Drop were still loads of fun, but be aware of Log Flume at this low level. In my opinion, there is not enough water to run the part of the drop next to the undercut wall rock, especially in these icy conditions. Mark set safety while I ran the boof move into the crux of the drop where all the water hits a rock wall and turns 90 degrees to the left. I made it down just fine, only to find a large block of ice protruding out into the middle of the next part of the drop. Luckily, I was able to hold myself in place, while Mark threw a rope to pull me out. I kicked my boat in front of me, which first disappeared into the hole, and then was wedged under the block of ice. We were unable to find my paddle, and believe it was swallowed by the undercut rock. If anyone happens to run across a purple Lightning paddle, I would love to get it back. It probably would have not been a big deal, but ice in the creek, and on the rocks, changed the scenario.

October 9, 2005

Mark and I went to check out Staton's Creek after running a few drops on the South Fork of the Piney. It was probably somewhere just below the recommended level to run it, but we scraped down a few drops, before pushing the limits on daylight. We were able to scout most of the creek, and even below 120 cfs, this little guy is definitely worth the drive, non-stop action! We can't wait to run the whole thing.

there is a sneaky piton rock here

This is perhaps the most fun drop on Staton's Creek in VA. Just a big bounce and a deep pool! :)

We got skunked this day and the run was too low, but that didn't stop us from hiking down the hill and hucking this drop a few times.
We got skunked this day and the run was too low, but that didn't stop us from hiking down the hill and hucking the Cascade a few times
Eric doing some cold weather hucking on Statons Creek VA.

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Chunderslide

Notice the man standing above the falls.

The log on the left side of the picture was blocking the best line so we had to use an older line down the middle off a tricky shelf.

Not a bad way to end the day. The locals call this one Johnny Wise's Hole. At higher water the hole at the bottom can be dangerous.

Great background scenery.