liquid cascades: January 2012

Washington's Olympic Peninsula is possibly one of the most amazing places in the PNW for wilderness exploration. Super threaded drainage systems, Giant old growth forests, and an abundance of wildlife. Surprisingly still not a whole lot of tourists probably due to the rain that seems to appear every day. Perfect weather conditions for the motivated kayaker who doesn't mind hiking a little ways into remote canyons. Then going back to camp for a night of rain. Just be prepared to be wet for the remainder of your visit to the OP. Here is some of the goods we sampled on our new years adventure

Dec 30...Matheny Creek...Class 3-4

Put in creek. Run this 1/4 mile to the confluence

JP getting ready to practice self rescue

Looking good so far

Happy to empty his boat out after a quick visit with log claw

After this point we were running short on light so we cruised through the rest of the run without stopping.

Dec 31...Sitkum... Class IV

For every good Creeking run there is a town full of hillbillies, the Sitkum's town is forks. Home of the new "hit TV show" Twilight. Good to see the local support.

The put in says it all

Dave chargin

Brett flying off the put in drop

Crushin the foam

John wanting to make the eddy

Brett comin in hot

Good to go!

Flyin off one of the best drops on the section.

Sweet triple drop

The third drop

Getting ready to run a perfect 30 footer located in the middle of the run on a trib creek

Jan 1...Fools Canyon...Class IV

Boating on the first day of the year is a must. No better way to kick off the new year than in your boat. Guide books will tell you it's not recommended to do is this run. With vertical walls making it imposable to portage, and the forest of alders surrounding the canyon when you get to put in. Makes this run very committing. Luckily it is very manageable class IV with a continuous nature, and spectacular scenery through a very narrow canyon.