I'm sure many of you have already heard of my never ending and embarrassing swim the other day on The Sky, and if you haven't seen the Dramatic video I put together of it, here it is for you all to laugh at. I'll tell you that I was parted from my boat from Ned's Needle, all the way until Split Rock surf wave!!! It just wasn't my day and thankfully Rob was there to rescue my gear. All I really wanted to do that day was to park n play, but ended up putting in at the confluence and paddlin anyways...I guess you really should stick with your original plans sometimes...

Anyways, to top it off, my wife came to hang out at split rock wave while I played, but instead got to watch and film me getting slammed into house rock and swimming the best parts of the river. A loving wife never puts down the camera, no matter how much danger her husband may be in!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eng_qnFz2Kc

P.S. If I knew how to embed the video (James...) I would.
Behind the scenes footage of what really happened following BD is available only on my computer! Must be 18yrs or older. I may have stripped my drysuit and clothing due to hypothermic delirium and danced around like D4 does when D1 isn't home...

This is really tough I know... if you click the button and follow the instructions you should be able to do it. Complex... extremely, impossible... not really.

My browser doesn't offer that YouTube link. I'm on a Mac using Safari and I fear change. You kids and your high tech gadgets!

5000-5500??

4673

If it is, the gauge is off.

Blair,

The hole below Crack?

Blair,

Not to be critical, but you seemed like an amazingly passive and indifferent swimmer in the video.  I mean, it's good not to panic and all, but isn't the idea (of being a good swimmer) to continue to read the water and decide where you want to go instead of just letting the current take you wherever?  Again, I'm not trying to go negative after you posted such entertaining footage, but I'm always looking for something to learn in these videos.

Props for jumping into Ned's at 5k plus.  Definitely not something I would attempt.

John

I'd have to disagree. If you notice, the video is in slow-motion, so it looks like I have much more time to make actions. Also, the camera has a much better view on top of my head but realistically, I couldn't see sh*t before getting splashed in the face or pulled under. I didn't even know I was headed into House Rock. I just knew I hit something big which knocked my paddle and boat out of my hands instantly. I did manage to miss the big hole beneath with a few backstrokes. After the messy part, I was trying to catch my breath and then attempt to get my paddle, which went out of site (watching the footage, having known the paddle was behind me, I would've turned around to fetch it asap!). I know the run fairly well so I knew I had some distance before the Weir as well so I wasn't in a hurry. I could've got out of the river right there at the end of the video but I was going for my paddle, but I cut the video before you can see such.

Regardless of this situation, I do need to work on my self-rescue skills.

I think I'd have to agree with you, Blair.  Even slowed down, sh*t is happening fast.  I was mainly concerned about the way you floated into House Rock, but after getting worked below Ned's and coming out of your boat, it's definitely going to take a few moments to get your wits about you and start swimming to river left.  (Assuming, of course, that you realize the current is probably going to shove you more to the right, straight into House Rock.  Same thing has happened to me before, after floundering around below the Needle; not swimming, but not really in control of my boat yet.) 

Anyhow, I'm just trying to learn from other peoples experiences.  

(Nice choice of music!)

John

Dan, no disrespect recieved... yeah that's the rapid, last one... tried running it down far right but that's not the best way to start, imo.  The middle line at the top sets up for the final turn around the rock outcrop.  Lots of current pushing into the wall on left that is all carved out.  Man, that is one of my favorite runs ever. 

Anybody who posts a video on PP is literally asking for comments.  (Or, rather, they'd be very disappointed if they DIDN'T get any comments.)  But does every single comment have to be a simple Attaboy?    Guess I never saw that rule in the forum guidelines.