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  

Can you raft it???!!!

I'm definitely interested.  Hopefully I can make it over. 

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.





Edited by Fish - 19 Jun 2009 at 8:33am

Any thoughts on the following quote from the Wenatchee World:

"American Whitewater will screen boaters to help ensure only experts enter the water"

yeah, at least you won't get hyperthermic while sitting stuffed in a seive.

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?

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

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".

Hey Tobin,  Tom would know best, but below i copied part of a  statement from the Chelan PUD site.

Kayakers are required to preregister 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.

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

Quit whining Leif. Your just scared.

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.