Putting this one out to the PP.com brain-trust:

We're heading up to Whistler for a mellow family vacation from the 16th to the 22nd - and I'm debating bringing the boats up.

It'll just be the brother-in-law and myself on the river, and neither of us will be looking to push it while we're there.

I know there's world-class gnar up there - but I'm wondering whether there's enough moderate water up there (within 1/2 hour of Whistler) to warrant bringing the boats? I think we'd be down for anything up to a non-sandbagged (WA) IV.

Many thanks for any thoughts, insights, or suggestions including "leave the boats at home until you grow a pair."

-Jay

cheakamus and soo, definitely.

I am not saying I know your boating style super well Jay, but I would not call the Balls to the Wall Section a run in the range your looking for. There is certainly class IV in there and there is not really any stand out class V water but there are certainly areas of class V consequence with class IV moves which changes it a bit.

The upper cheak is certainly more of the class IV run that you are looking for. A cool water fall to kick it off a couple of class IV rapids and plentiful class III+. The Cal Cheak is more of a play run without any massive play features but plenty of fun little waves and weirs. Worth checking out. I have never done the lower birk but that is on the verge of being in the hour away zone but certainly a cool river. The upper Birk is called class IV by locals but again with the right water levels it has some IV+ rapids for sure and a few spots that could get into the -V level.

Claudia Schwab's BC book has some nice easier stuff too in the general area. If you don't have a copy Jay, you are welcome to borrow mine. I could drop it by SBRI sometime if i don't see you on the water.