Spillimacheen

The Spillimacheen is a great late season run that features six 8 to 20 foot ledges in a short action packed 3 kms. This river is so big and steep that despite a "run of the river" dam diverting water it still only becomes paddleable in mid - late September. The first drop you come to is Birth Canal, a narrow 8 foot sliding ledge into a small hole. This is followed immediately by Astro Glide, a steep 20 foot slide with a tight line between numerous piton rocks. After a little boogie water the river drops into a long continuous boulder garden that flows right into Reach Around. Reach Around has a technical lead in followed by a nice clean 8 foot ledge. Out of the pool you have three small ledges that leads into the next sloping 8 foot ledge. The pool from this drops right into my favorite Rapid on the run, L drop. L drop slides into a hole then promptly makes a 90 degree turn to the right, dropping off a eight foot ledge into a hole. This was a particularly tricky rapid with a ton of cool angles for video and photos. Next up is Happy ending a perfect 20 footer to finish off the run.

In total 12 different people combined for 3 different runs over the weekend. Ryan and I had three each, Flex had two and the rest just had one run. I have never seen so many people so excited to be paddling.

Flex and Ryan set saftey on Astro Glide

Chip finishes off Reach Around

Flex psyching himself up for L Drop

My self (Mikkel on L drop) photo: Chip Powell

The entourage and paparazzi at L Drop

Shane on L Drop

Ryan and the Happy Ending