Chelan Gorge Releases
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8445
Printed Date: 25 Apr 2024 at 12:11pm
Topic: Chelan Gorge Releases
Posted By: Fish
Subject: Chelan Gorge Releases
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 4:36pm
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Hey Everyone, American Whitewater has negotiated with Chelan PUD, to release water in the Chelan Gorge, on July 11,12, 25,26 for the first time ever to the public. To boat the releases, you need to sign up online with the below link, fill out the waiver, fax it in, and be present the morning of the release. Follow the link below. This is a great opportunity to boat class IV/V whitewater during the hottest time of year! I'd love to see a great turnout from our community to show support for all the hard work AW has done to get these releases. Sign up here, sorry i couldnt get the hyper link to work http://www.chelanpud.org/7077.html |
Replies:
Posted By: Travisimo
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 5:18pm
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Thank you Fish! I have been trying to find out where to do this since I heard about it! Can't wait! ------------- H2O please |
Posted By: franzhorner
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 7:56pm
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Can you raft it???!!! ------------- MORE RAIN PLEASE |
Posted By: franzhorner
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 8:02pm
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Originally posted by franzhorner
Can you raft it???!!! I guess not... ------------- MORE RAIN PLEASE |
Posted By: tradguy2
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 10:42pm
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I'm definitely interested. Hopefully I can make it over. ------------- ... preparing for a river beating! |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 11:40pm
| It looks like you could IK it though... |
Posted By: Fish
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2009 at 8:19am
I plan on bringing my Ik in addition to the hardshell, although in the fine print it says "hardshell plastic kayaks only" I'm unsure how the enforcement of craft will work at the put in. I do know, that there will be somone there at the putin with a clipboard, double checking boaters to make sure they have signed up, filled out a waiver, and are on the list. i'll email Tom O'Keefe and inquire about craft and let ya know Horner.------------- |
Posted By: Weide
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2009 at 2:11am
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Looks like a lot of fun from the video. What is with the paddle spinning? I like the guy doing flat spins in his creek boat. |
Posted By: RemAcct2
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2009 at 9:43pm
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Any thoughts on the following quote from the Wenatchee World: "American Whitewater will screen boaters to help ensure only experts enter the water" ------------- |
Posted By: jondufay
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2009 at 11:34pm
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Wow,
Watch the quick time videos that AW has on their site from this section. That entire river looks like sieves that want to chew you up. On a bright note, it looks warm though... ------------- ahh, f--- it dude, lets go boating... |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2009 at 2:54pm
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yeah, at least you won't get hyperthermic while sitting stuffed in a seive.
Nothin wrong with a 'lil paddle spinning while you're at it.
Seriously though, I'm game to go check it out.
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Posted By: okeefe
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2009 at 10:14pm
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Originally posted by leifkirchoff Any thoughts on the following quote from the Wenatchee World: "American Whitewater will screen boaters to help ensure only experts enter the water" All I can say is the reporter did not get in touch with me before they had to go to press and I take no responsibility for that quote. Exercise good judgment and be safe. Providing this opportunity has been a significant amount of effort and many people at this project and at others across the region are watching closely to see how it goes. More details to be posted on the AW site soon. ------------- Thomas O'Keefe PNW Stewardship Director American Whitewater |
Posted By: RemAcct2
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2009 at 10:25pm
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I didn't think they would have gotten a comment like that from you, Tom; however, I was concerned who else they might have been speaking with. That said, I probably won't get in there. Most looks good to go, but a few of the drops look a bit sketchy, and I am unclear if they can be portaged. Nasty looking sieves, for sure. I think the amount of paperwork the PUD is asking people to sign is a bit out of hand; I am guessing they can do this because they own the put-in? ------------- |
Posted By: WA-Boater
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2009 at 11:11pm
| ...its God's water, you can't own the water!!! |
Posted By: Fish
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 4:52pm
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Bump. Just a reminder that the first Chelan Gorge release is this Saturday and Sunday. Don't forget to sign up online if you havnt already, and fill out the waiver. If you want to see media on this run, check out the link below. http://www.chelanpud.org/documents/Photos.pdf ------------- |
Posted By: JayB
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 5:04pm
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Looks incredible! Wish I had the skills to boost the paddler numbers over there by one, but I'll probably have to leave that job to the A-Team this year. Have fun. ------------- -Jay |
Posted By: okeefe
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 7:56am
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Details Here: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Article/view/articleid/30472 Two important points: - All paddlers considering this run need to carefully evaluate their skill level and understand that continued access to this river and the opportunity depends on our ability to safely enjoy it. - The success of these first couple weekends will be judged not on the number of paddlers or the number of trips, but on our ability to be safe and be off the water well before 6 pm. We have plenty of people to justify the release and nobody should feel that they have to register to "demonstrate interest". ------------- Thomas O'Keefe PNW Stewardship Director American Whitewater |
Posted By: Tobin
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 8:15am
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Tom / Fish,
Is there a process I would need to go through if I wanted to take photos? In one caption they mention that "safe" access was granted by the sheriff. Just curious if I came over if I would be allowed to spectate in several location? ------------- Sure? |
Posted By: Fish
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 8:22am
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Hey Tobin, Tom would know best, but below i copied part of a statement from the Chelan PUD site. Kayakers are required to preregister http://www.chelanpud.org/whitewater-boating.html - on the PUD Web site in order to participate, and they will be given access badges the morning of the runs. Badges will also be required for immediate members of support teams and for media who want access to restricted areas. All who kayak or enter the hazardous parts of the Gorge will be required to sign liability waivers. The Gorge area is considered highly dangerous with steep cliffs and difficult terrain. Participants, support team members and the media are asked to check in at
Chelan Falls Park starting at 8 a.m. the day of the tests.
Public viewing of launching is available along a trail in the flatter area of
the upper river. ------------- |
Posted By: Tobin
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 9:24am
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Thanks Fish,
I am going to see if I can confirm I will be there and if so get in my forms and stuff. I am trying to study the access and see how it corresponds with the drops. ------------- Sure? |
Posted By: HoldinOn
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 10:02am
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I am curious who is definitely headed up there this weekend. I keep hearing people talk about how great its going to be but that they are not going to make it out. I am hoping to head up Friday afternoon/ evening (depending on what I can manage with my work schedule) from the Seattle area, if anyone is interested in carpooling hit me up. -Ian 530-320-0257 ------------- "Wait for it....." |
Posted By: RemAcct2
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 10:09am
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I am sure it will be great; however, I am going down to hood river, somewhere where there won't be representatives from government agencies telling me when, if, and how I can go on the river. The level of control being exerted over this event is unacceptable in my opinion, and ought to be protested by no one showing up.
Just my opinion, but I'll tell you this - you shouldn't have to sign releases to venture on public lands. ------------- |
Posted By: ThrowYaMittsUp
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 10:20am
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Originally posted by leifkirchoff That said, I probably won't get in there. Most looks good to go, but a few of the drops look a bit sketchy, and I am unclear if they can be portaged. Nasty looking sieves, for sure. Quit whining Leif. Your just scared.  |
Posted By: HoldinOn
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 10:23am
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Like I said, lots of people saying it is going to be great but coming up with excuses to not be there. Personally I think we should be appreciative of the great work AW has done for the paddling community and not complain about the three minutes we have to spend filling out a form. I am not thrilled with the litigious nature of our society either but that's America buddy, love it or leave it! ------------- "Wait for it....." |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 10:38am
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What a great set of posts to get it more off topic ... I'm getting suckered in too i guess... Does the fact that you as a tax payer have to waive your right to emergency assistance but dumb ass climbers on mount rainier don't make sense? I think it is sad that the waiver contains such ridiculous clauses to force kayakers into some group of fools venturing into a death zone. Certainly there are many drunk jet skiers on chelan that are more foolish by action but yet they don't refuse to help those dumbasses. On a seperate note .... yea I am going 4 shurzle. If I can't work into a group or work up a group I will just hike it and check it out. I have to be back on Sunday so that limits my plans. Leave Thursday/Friday and come back on Sat night. |
Posted By: fiddleyak
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 11:01am
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Originally posted by HoldinOn Personally I think we should be appreciative of the great work AW has done for the paddling community and not complain about the three minutes we have to spend filling out a form. Well said Ian. It's the wrong time to complain about a little bureaucracy, how many runs that are permanently shut off get special releases just for kayakers? I say be stoked that someone is advocating for us and giving us this opportunities that we normally wouldn't have. I can't make it this weekend but I'm looking forward to hearing the reports and hope to make it out the following weekend. |