ECE Mission:Pingston Creek Part 3 - The Upper

Saturday morning I met up with Joelle, Joey and Dave. Finally, people to paddle with. We put on the Upper run at noon with a near perfect flow. We made good time on the warm up rapids walking one rapid because of a log, and had no issues on holes that caused problems on previous trips. The first major rapid we came to was a terrific 40 foot slide with a couple of guard rocks at the bottom on either side, making it an interesting run as you have to hit your line perfectly to avoid the nasty piton. The others decided to walk but I ran it, hitting the big rooster tail dead center and sliding right in between the two rocks.

Mikkel in perfect position on the 40 foot slide

Next up was a great section with 4 or so six foot ledges, nothing crazy just a great fun class V rapid. Then comes Highway to Hell, which starts out with a steep 20 foot slide and heads straight into that second part of the rapid which is a broken ledge that pushes left then right into the bottom hole. This marks the beginning of the steeper middle section as you approach the near mandatory portage. Joey and Dave decided to walk but Joelle and I decided to give her a go and we both had clean lines. After Highway to Hell the river gets steeper and more continuous, there are no major drops here but some great class V kayaking, you just have to beware of the major rapids that come towards the end of this section. We did walk one rapid due to a couple of logs, it might still have been possible but not really worth it.

Joelle running the first part of Highway to Hell

Joelle in the Second part of Highway to Hell

The large canyon contains three large drops and I am only aware of the last one being run at low water. After you walk around this you are into my favorite section of the river, it contains some of the best rapids and less stress as you are nearing the end of the run. The very first rapid after you eddy out is a series of boulders you work your way through before missing a guard hole and punching the bottom ledge. Next up is a ten footing sliding ledge into a hole, then you come to a really fun 8 foot ledge into a hole and you have to slide in between two rocks located in the landing. Then finally my favorite rapid on the river, which is called Stairway to Heaven, it is a series of five ledges all right in a row. The first ledge is a slide into a hole then a 8 footer with a sweet boof followed by three more ledges that you run down the right. Stairway to Heaven isn't the scariest rapid on the run just fun clean kayaking. After this there is only one more ledge that you want to slide up onto the rock on the left, then your are only a couple corners away from the takeout and the cold beers.

Walking around the second drop in the big Canyon

Joey running one of the many clean ledges in the lower section.

Joelle on the second ledge of Stairway to Heaven

Dave in the 4th ledge of Stairway to Heaven