grays

My Second time back to the Grays river, and it doesn't disappoint.  The first time I was here the level was much higher and I was in my playboat.  This time I came prepared with a Burn, needless to say it was a totally different experience. 

Most, and probably the best shots were taken by Logan Seamus Farrell.   

 Jenn Peterson

peanut gallery watches from above

                                                                                                 Susan Holingsworth 

Michael McWhirter

So above was all Superbowl

the next class V rapid "Picnic" is just around the corner.

You can choose to portage this one but its not the best seal launch though

                                                                        Susan Hollingsworth

Susan's seal launch went fine... but others were not so lucky                                                                     

And this is what happens when you portage... Seal launch right into a hole that doesn't let you go. now your swimming.

table rock fork gorge

  Every once in a while certain runs get a bad reputation.  This has been the fifth decent I've done of this gorge, and so far only one of those have had carnage.  I'm not telling everyone to go charge this section with no worries, but more trying to salvage it's name.  A previous write up by Oregon Kayaking dubbed this run above  600 cfs  to be a solid class V undertaking with vicious hydrolics.  Well I've done this section at 1200cfs to 2600cfs, and found it to be very managable by most class V kayakers.  Not to discard the fact that the Boiler room is a very backed up hole that will require a rope to swim out of.  Setting safety is a must, as well as a perfectly timed right boof.  After dropping through the Boiler room you are left with one more drop split by a rock.  It is ran on the left at most flows, and can be ran on the right at higher flows.

                       John Edwards

after a five minute paddle through class 2-3 you reach the enterence known as Dan's den.  A five foot ledge with a busy run out.

Just around the corner you reach the crux of the section.   Catch the eddy on the right just above the horizon line. This marks the Boiler Room, scout this drop before running.  If you don't want to run it then you should hike to the road and call it a day, because by the time you reach the top of the gorge you are closer to the road than you are to the seal launch.  afterwards you are rewarded with amazing scenery for the next half mile.

John scouts the Boiler room

After  running this drop I like to get out on the left to set safety.  

                     John Edwards

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