Russell Fork, part DOS

Last weekend marked my third consecutive weekend of paddling class V water. While many people dislike and fear the Russell fork gorge, over the last two weeks I have found myself every comfortable running it. This last weekend I meet Alex and his dad for one last run before the release season stops. The trip started off with me driving the whole 9 hour drive by myself.

 Alex was in West Virginia so his dad went to pick him up for fall break and then headed over to meet me. The plan was to meet at breaks Interstate Park, which I rolled in around 1:30am. As I drove in I spooked a black bear about 50 yards from the campground. This was the first Black bear I have seen while on a kayaking trip. As I lay in my sleeping bag, all I could think was what a great start to a trip.

The next morning we woke up and headed to the lodge for breakfast. With the US wild water trials going on the releases were starting at 7am, which allowed us to get on the river at an early time. This was Alex’s first time down the gorge, and with no other boaters around it was just the two of us heading down. We scouted tower and triple drop before we ran into some other guys. Alex ran the hairy ferry, while I walked it (I’ve done it before and feel the risk, if you were to mess up, isn’t worth it). I ran fairly clean lines until triple drop where I went over the third drop backwards. After triple drop we meet up with Kevin and Scott, too other kayakers who helped us down the river.

Next was El Herando, I thought I had a good line but at the bottom of the drop I got flipped. While upside down I heard my shoulder pop, after missing my roll, I finally popped up. I’m not sure what happened but my shoulder really hurt, and there was a sharp pain. Being only half way down the gorge, I had to continue through the pain. Needless to say the rest of my run was not the greatest. Once at the take out I decided it would be best not to run another lap so Steve and I went to set up camp while Alex ran another lap.

The next morning I was in enormous pain while lying in my sleeping bag. I was about to tell Alex I wasn’t going to boat but I decided I didn’t drive 9hrs to hang out in the woods. My run on Sunday was amazing. I focused really hard on all my lines and ran the gorge the cleanest I have ran it yet. Overall a great trip, I didn’t take any video as I was focusing more on guiding Alex down. I did get a nice time lapse of the clouds over the gorge. Here is the video. Enjoy until the next adventure.

Russell Fork, Take 1

This last weekend I headed over to the Russell Fork River in Elkhorn Kentucky. This is one of my favorite runs from last year, and with it releasing water all October, it was sure to be a good time.

The Russell Fork gorge starts in Virginia and ends in Kentucky. It is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi. Besides the beauty of the steep canyon walls and trees changing colors, the amount of drops in the gorge make it a boofing (landing flat off a waterfall) paradise. The trip started off with Curtis Elwood, Rebecca, Coby, and I. We rolled in late into the campground and in the morning were greeted by the professor, Freddie, Raymond and the SLU kayak club kids.

After a nice breakfast at the lodge we rolled out to set up shuttle for the upper. Once on the river and through the first rapid, we already had two SLU kids swimming. All I could think was “that did I get myself into!” Overall the upper was ok, but knowing the gorge was below made it seem really boring. Once at the take out, everyone got off the water except for Elwood, Raymond, Professor and I. We headed down and into the gorge.

The Gorge is a Class IV-V run with sieves and undercuts. Overall our group was good; the professor took a severe beating at tower. At one point it looked like things could have been very serious. There were a couple of swims by other people, I didn’t have any. My Saturday run was super clean, I was very happy but once again the box boof got me at the end. Sunday was a different story, being tired; my lines were not the cleanest.

The Russell fork is one heck of a river and I will be returning this coming up weekend for some more action. Here is a little video I made, I tried a new camera angle and it makes everything look flat and small, it’s not. Enjoy til next time.

Gauley 2011 Trip

Two weeks ago I received a phone call as I was heading down for a Saturday night cape run. On the other line was Rick letting me know that once again I had a spot on the Gauley overnight trip. WOW! Last year was a blast and this year was even better. 

The trip started off by leaving St. Louis Thursday night with The Upper Yough in our sights; there was a scheduled release for Friday. After driving til about 2am we called it a night, we still had another 3 hour drive in the morning. We left St. Louis with blue skies and warm weather and woke up to cloudy and cold. 

Slim getting his Boof on at National

As we pulled up to the take out, there were only a few cars, and the wind had picked up. It was going to be a cold day on the river, but a much better day then teaching back in the lou. Having never been on the Upper Yough, I found it to be a lot of fun. Once the rapids started they seem to continue throughout the whole river. This will be another river to hit up during the summer. 

Gauley Dam 3200Cfs

After paddling all day we headed to outback for a man’s meal and after a couple of drinks, head to the Gauley. It was now raining and cold; we were all tired and decided to get a hotel for the night, what a great choice. In the morning we meet up with Steve for breakfast, traded Dustin for  Alex and headed to the upper G. The overnight is a long process because we have to haul and pack the rafts at the put in, plus the shuttle takes a little over an hour to set. 

Overall the trip was great, more water than normal, at 3200Cfs. It did rain all Saturday and Saturday night but we made the best of it. We ate and drink like kings. 

Here is a little video of the trip, I had more footage but after Pure Screaming Hell on the lower I decided I didn’t like the camera anymore and dropped it in the river, and took a little swim(to clean my boat of course,lol). Needless to say GoPro’s do not float. The Russell fork is this coming this weekend, so stay tuned for some creekin’ footage. Enjoy til next time.

Gauley 2011 from Curtis Ahlers on Vimeo.

Labor Day weekend on the Ocoee

Last weekend the crew headed down to the Ocoee for some Labor Day weekend fun. Once again Nicky was the trip leader, figuring out meals, beds and the cabin. While every trip is great, this time Nicky really out did it. I meet Matt at my house after work and after receiving a phone call from Chris, which his car wouldn’t start, Matt and I headed over to Wal-Mart to pick him up. While the drive isn’t a long one, I do like to take my stops. As we pulled up to the cabin (around 2am) we could see Rick’s and Larry’s trucks parked outside. At first glance my jaw dropped. Once inside all I could say was how awesome the cabin was.

front pouch view!

Everyone was passed out from a day of kayaking except for rock, who wanted to welcome us, so we toasted a drink and soon after, went to bed. After getting a late start we put on the upper around noon and made our way down. Chris wasn’t feeling so good so he sat the morning out. The upper crew was Rick, Jim, Larry, Matt and I. After running alien boof multiple times we headed down to the race course.

Photographer for the weekend

Race Course Boof

Rick Flying!

Throwing down in Callahan's Ledge

At the third drop matt went over a poor over and just as he boat came out, so did he. We didn’t really get to run the course because of the boat chasing but still had another day.

Don’t swim or else you’ll get to drink a booty beer

By the time we finished the middle it was already 6:45, which gave us 15minutes to get back to the top if we wanted to run the middle in the long boats we decided not to rush and instead enjoyed some tasty beverages.

Long boats loaded and ready to go

Rain? what rain, the boats are covering the windshield

Sunday was a fun filled day. Rick and I started the day by bombing the middle section in the long boats and then headed to the upper. While at alien, rick told me the line, which at first I didn’t believe him. After watching him run it, I kind of understood. Rick was right and with the longer boat, you went flying over the falls. It was unreal; when I landed I had a smile from ear to ear. It was awesome.

getting ready for some high speed whitewater

Racing the middle section

Going BIG at Alein

Big boat BOOF!

Monday started off with heavy rain from the tropical storm that was heading up the east coast. With the rain and an 8 hour drive home, nobody wanted to boat except for Chris and I. About an hour before we headed out, Chris was back in the bathroom throwing up. With Chris not feeling good, I took out the stinger for one last bomber run. With a 50 min run plus an 8 hour drive, we were back in the lou by 7:30pm. Not a bad weekend at all. Enjoy the pictures, until next time.

that's one long ass boat!

Surf party at Howell

This last Friday, brad called me and wanted to do some surfing. Howell had been too high the last two weeks and was finally coming down into the prime level. Earlier in the week I meet Larry and Rick at Howell and while the surf was ok, it wasn’t the usually fast/ loose Howell, which I’ve come to expect. Anyways, brad and headed out on Friday and had a great time. The level was prime for all the 360’s you could handle. Here is a little video of our finally surf, which we surfed partied. Until next time, enjoy.

Surf party at Howell 7-15-2011 from Curtis Ahlers on Vimeo.

Howell Island 6-18-2011

For the first time in my life, this last week, I had to say no to a kayaking trip. Kevin won’t let me miss our family party for father’s day. The second blow that came this week was when rick invited me to go to Colorado with him and I had to decline because of a family trip and money. This grown up stuff sucks!

Howell Crew

So, to get rid of all my frustration, Brad and I headed to Howell Island for some good ol’ surf. We showed up a little late but when we got there Larry, Rick and Josh were ripping it up. The level was a nice 24.5ft and the 3rd wave was rockin.

Brad setting up the camera

This was brads first time at Howell, and he was quite impressed with the wave. After about 4 hours my arms couldn’t take any more.

Larry and Josh ripping it up

What a great way to spend a sunny Saturday. Here is a little video I made. Check out 2:26! Until next time, enjoy.

Howell Island 6-18-2011 24.5ft from Curtis Ahlers on Vimeo.

Ocoee Trip

Upper Ocoee Crew

A three day weekend at the end of May can mean only one thing – a Southeast paddling trip.  While there are many from which to choose, attractive female raft guides, guaranteed river flow, a run full of play spots, and a clean 7’ boof that begs to be run all day, makes the Ocoee River the obvious choice.  And so Curtis and I loaded the boats on the Subaru Friday afternoon and headed to Ducktown, TN to catch up with the crew: Rick, Nicky, Matt, Jenny and the always entertaining Fireman Larry.  As we made the trip down, Curtis had the twinkle in his eye, almost as though he was coming home for what I’m sure will be the first of many trips for the season.

Larry getting his game face on

For the weekend, we had the set-up: a house in Ducktown, great home-cooked meals, help running shuttle, and even a photography crew through the Olympic section.  Two runs on the upper and three on the middle for the weekend provided plenty of memorable moments.  

Larry at Alien

Larry styled Alien Boof with the hand paddles.  Rick just stomped the boof.  I rode out the entire rapid in a bow stall at Blue Hole (completely by accident).  Curtis cart-wheeled Callahan’s Ledge like no other.  Matt rolled up on a rock just above Humongous and teetered just the right way to GO LEFT and save himself from a potentially not so good day. 

Rick on Alien

mid cart wheel

Jenny tried her hand at a ducky on the middle, and Nicky not only rocked on the water, but with the planning and the cooking as well.  Perhaps the highlight of the weekend for at least Curtis, Rick, and Larry was Matt, Nicky, Jenny, and I drinking from the boots – it’s always delicious and enough to make you try that roll just one more time in the future. 

Chris first boof

Getting some

A great weekend in all thanks to a great crew! Enjoy the pictures courtesy of Nicky – with help from a few of the fellows at Alien. The video is courtesy of Matt’s and Curtis’ GoPros.  Jenny shot some video that’ll certainly be featured in the next Nomadic Adventure Films production.  To steal a line from C-Money (Curtis asked to be referred to as that): until next time, enjoy.

- Chris “I Can Use Spell Check” Polley

Ocoee Trip from Curtis Ahlers on Vimeo.

Missouri Creekin'

driving to Crane Pond put-in

 It’s been awhile since I last posted, but this last weekend Missouri got dumped on. The saint hit 16ft over D bridge, too big to paddle safely, so we decided to do some Missouri creekin. Once we got the group together, Crane pond was the creek of choice.

Getting ready for some kayaking

The run starts by paddling 1/2 mile across crane Pond Lake. Once across the lake, we had to portage down the spill way to the creek.

Crane Pond spill way (Put-in)

Crane pond was one of the most creakiest creeks I’ve paddled in Missouri. The rapids were nice and steep; the only thing that sucks was the willows. Lots of strainers and moving water made for some hairy paddling.

Rick running the Dam

After crane Pond we head to carver creek, after scouting the first rapid and walking it due to wood, that was the theme for the rest of the run. We portaged so many times, there was numerous times we thought about just walking out. There were some nice boofs and slides but the wood made for an unpleasant run. After paddling all day we stopped for some beer and pizza, while in the restaurant more rain came through and by the time we left there was over 2in in the place. Here is a video of both runs. enjoy til next time.

Missouri Creekin' from Curtis Ahlers on Vimeo.

Happy Hour at Howell

One nice surf wave

Yesterday I meet Rick, Larry, and others for some surf after work at Howell Island. Howell Island is very unusual surf wave. It is created when the Missouri river rises high enough to flow over a low water bridge. Both sides of the wave are more like poor overs, but in the middle you get a nice surf wave. What makes the wave so unique is that it pluses. One minute you will have an amazing wave and the next it’s just a big brown tongue. Yesterday was no exception, the first couple of runs were flushes, but once I got the wave’s timing, it was smooth surfing and 360’s all day.

Larry

Rick

If I was to compare the wave to anything, I would say it is very similar to Glenwood Springs play spot in Glenwood Springs Colorado. Howell Island has the surf and bounce to allow you to throw ends, blunts, and rumor has it that Larry has even loop here. With the water as cold as it was I manly stayed with surfing. Here is a little video I made. Enjoy.

Sunset at Howell

Howell Island 3-3-2011 from Curtis Ahlers on Vimeo.