I woke Friday morning and checked the level at the weir. It had jumped a considerable amount, probably due to the warm weather and rain. No paddlers had arrived and I decided to paddle the middle by myself. I think I made the decision to prove just how difficult it is to paddle this river since the implementation of the hydro project. Levels were rising and I didn't want to miss it for the third year in a row.
This wasn't a decision made lightly, i understood the risks of solo boating but I chose a section I was familiar with that was well within my abilities. I took extra precautions by putting my first aid kit in my drytop pocket, attaching my pin kit and throw bag around my waist and carrying extra power bars in my life jacket as well as loading my boat with a break down, warm dry clothes and more food.
I put on and paddled the first few kilometers of class 3 quickly. I was definitely nervous but the rapids were easy and I was making good progress. I stopped to look around any corner or drop I was unsure of and stayed focused and aggressive. My lines were so clean I didn't need a brace all day. I set up the tri-pod and camera on a few rapids and managed to get a bit of the run on film. By the time I made it too the big boulder garden I was quite ecstatic, the take out bridge was right around the corner. The scariest part of my day followed, a 15 km hike back to my truck armed only with my singing voice to ward off the bears. I made it with only a few blisters and a torn pair of drypants. I drove to cell service to check in that I was alive and well and was stoked to have three messages from people ready to join me.
Since the run I've had some time to consider the pros and cons of solo boating and in some ways I feel I'm safer alone than with a group. My girlfriend remains unconvinced. I paddled extra cautiously knowing I had no backup. The safety of a group can make you complacent thinking that your friends will pickup the pieces if you mess up. In most cases on class V you are on your own whether in a group or now, there's little your friends can do to help. That said I wouldn't make a habit of it. Besides, it's way more fun to boat with friends.
to be continued ...
The put in on the Middle Pingston
Me on one of the better rapids, Middle Pingston
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