River Run

[sled_guy]

Well while all of you were riding the snow in Northern Utah I spent 2 days on the Colorado in Westwater. River run off is coming up crazy. Monday it was 31,000 cfs, Tuesday when we dove in to the rapids it was 37,500 cfs... highest I've ever been on it or anyone in our group.

Rapids were washed out quite a bit but still a dang fun time. None of us knew what to expect with the high water.

They are predicting 50,000 cfs for both the Green and Colorado... if anyone had the urge to run Cataract at it's extreme this would likely be the year.

Now back to winter.

sled_guy

 

[phatty]

Well while all of you were riding the snow in Northern Utah I spent 2 days on the Colorado in Westwater. River run off is coming up crazy. Monday it was 31,000 cfs, Tuesday when we dove in to the rapids it was 37,500 cfs... highest I've ever been on it or anyone in our group.

Rapids were washed out quite a bit but still a dang fun time. None of us knew what to expect with the high water.

They are predicting 50,000 cfs for both the Green and Colorado... if anyone had the urge to run Cataract at it's extreme this would likely be the year.

Now back to winter.

sled_guy

Funny thing is due to budget cuts the "first aid/rescue/ranger rafts/station" in cataract is no longer there. probably the craziest/highest water year in 30 years and they remove the life savers from the canyon... going to be some deaths for sure...

 

[JedInUtah]

News story on that said that the rangers will be around some in powered boats, but don't expect them. They said if you are planning to run it, you better make sure you know what you are doing or hire a professional guide service. Most guide services down there have their own safety teams on powered craft.

On that note they said that peak flows in a HIGH year are between 60-80,000 CFS. The one ranger said the highest he has ever run it was at 80,000.

They are predicting at peak this year that it could go as high as 110,000 CFS. I couldn't even imagine!! I will need to see pictures if someone goes that way.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15654426

 

[phatty]

I am going down in 2 weeks, but probably wont run the river, even though my group will be. My dad and brother were on the hoback in snake river couple years back, boat turned over in a hole and one of the guys on the raft drowned. Pretty much dont want anything to do with rafting after that.

also have a cousin guiding down there this summer, i will make sure she takes a go pro with her when it gets up to 110K...

 

[sled_guy]

Yea, Cataract will be nuts this year. Big Azz J rig and hold on.

I've only been 'rowing' for 3 years now and it still gives me a pretty good scare dropping in to Westwater.

sled_guy