The Pilchuck Watch
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=8926
Printed Date: 04 May 2025 at 5:43am
Topic: The Pilchuck Watch
Posted By: JoesKayak
Subject: The Pilchuck Watch
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 8:45am
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Lots of rain falling here in the north end. Maybe she'll go! I'd love to get on the crik if it comes in for Saturday. Anyone else?  |
Replies:
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 8:58am
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Well I'll reserve it for a back up plan. If, for example it gets super ragin high, and I'm around, I'll be down. But I'm gonna try to run somethin new -- got my sights on the OP.
------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 9:26am
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Yeah, with the current forecast, it's probably going to be in maybe tomorrow, but low Saturday. But you know how the weather forecasts can be around here. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 9:42am
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hmm. Can you rally it tomorrow? It's an option.
------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 11:07am
| Nah... got that "work" thing goin' on. |
Posted By: highndry
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 12:32pm
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We are hitting it tomorrow the 20th if the flow is good. ------------- highndry |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 4:26pm
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Depending on the time and flow I might be down for tomorrow and/or Saturday.
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: highndry
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 4:42pm
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If your in, meet at the bridge at 9:00AM. Hope to see ya. Matt ------------- highndry |
Posted By: TomMarley
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 5:18pm
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jP! What's up, man?
Hey, can you guys tell me what that log down near the end looks like? I've only seen it at like 700 cfs, and I'm wondering how feasible portaging a raft would be at higher flows. Thanks, and have fun out there! |
Posted By: tiziak
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 6:45pm
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Hey, how far is Pilchuck from Seattle? I might be able to tag along...
------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Daniel Patrinellis 360.434.4616 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 7:40pm
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Depends on where in Seattle. Probably comparabe to driving to the Sky. Drop this address in GoogleMaps and find out what it says your drive will be. This is the takeout: 29600 Washington 9 jsdisplay= - Arlington, WA 98223 jsdisplay= - onclick=">href= - Get Directions |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 11:20pm
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I am a question mark for tomorrow depending on flows and how out of it I am after work (I am working until 5am). I'll post here in the morning if I am coming. On the plus side: I am at the base of the hills that feed Pilchuck Creek, and it definitely will go tomorrow. Maybe too much go!
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 5:51am
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I am out for today. The level is too high for me.
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: tiziak
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 8:34am
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You other guys heading up?
------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Daniel Patrinellis 360.434.4616 |
Posted By: ThrowYaMittsUp
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 9:25am
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Originally posted by TomMarley Hey, can you guys tell me what that log down near the end looks like? I've only seen it at like 700 cfs, and I'm wondering how feasible portaging a raft would be at higher flows. Thanks, and have fun out there! There's been some BIG water in there, and a lot of wind, since our trip. Who knows where that log is now. When we did our trip, there was a small, 1 raft eddy on the left just above the log. Its not trivial to catch, but if you're on it, it shouldn't be a problem. From there, it shouldn't be too hard to pull your raft over the log. Be careful. ------------- "Call on God, but row away from the rocks." ~H.S. Thompson |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 1:24pm
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Affirmativo, compadre.
Yo Tom!
Brian is right on with that response. And to flesh it out further, due to the shape of the boulder on R. Left where one end of the log was broached, it could have lifted up and floated onward to the Stilly. I doubt it would get hung up anywhere else downstream.
Still, it could be in there, so towards the end (odf the middle) when you see it canyon up, eddy out at the top on R. Right and spy downstream. Perhaps 3-4 eddies down is where the log was, perfectly visible. Eddy out on R. Left. It is a raft sized eddy.
Be alert, 'cuz who knows... ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 3:46pm
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Did anyone get out on the crick today? It looks like it might go tomorrow... crossing fingers. |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 3:50pm
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I am game if you want to meet a little later in the day. Maybe look at the Sauk or middle Stilly for a back up?
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: highndry
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 5:33pm
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Ran both sections today at 4.5 on the gauge. That's about 8" of water coming over the top of the rock you can see from the bridge. The run was pretty clean. The log is a douglas fir with broken branches. It spans the last gorge and at 4.5 on the gauge it would be real bad news if you missed the eddy. There is a great eddy on river left. I would be hesitant to take newer boaters down right now. I definitely would NOT run a raft. Good luck and stay safe. ------------- highndry |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 6:13pm
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Thanks for the info!!! Me and Nick plan on boating the Pilchuck tomorrow if the water holds. Meet at takeout at 9. If it's low, we may just run the middle run, but ideally want to run the upper too. If it's TOO low, the SF Stilly is our backup plan. Give me a shout if you want to join. I will update any changes in the AM. |
Posted By: PowWrangler
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2009 at 6:56pm
| If it holds above 1200, a couple of us might be up for it. Probably not getting to the takeout before 10 however. |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2009 at 12:56am
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Looks like the Pilchuck is out for tomarrow. It is at about 750 CFS and falling with no rain in the north country. When and where for the Stilly?
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2009 at 2:24pm
| Just got back from the Pilchuck. Great run today, did both sections with plenty of water. Looks like the level came up this AM just a little bit. At the end of the run the gage read 3.8 to 3.9 feet. I think it was a bit higher when we put in... maybe 4 feet. The rock was covered more. |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2009 at 6:42pm
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Anyone planning to do it tomorrow?
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2009 at 6:47pm
| I want to get out tommorrow, but there's a good deal of rain forecast tonight so hard to say what will be running then. I wouldn't mind hitting Pilly tomorrow if it doesn't come up too much. |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2009 at 7:42am
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Ugh... the DOE gages stopped updating data last night (as they sometimes do) so can't get a reading on the Pilchuck today. Based on other rivers.. it may be in, but likely a bit lower than yesterday. Anyone want to get a visual and see if it's in? Or just run something else? SF Stilly and Sauk both look good today. |
Posted By: SupaSta
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2009 at 8:48pm
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What's a good flow for this run so it's not too boney or pushy? ------------- Life is short, paddle hard! |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2009 at 2:32am
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1500-2000 on the DOE gauge. 6000-11000 on NF Stilly gauge is what AW calls for. ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2009 at 3:06am
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The middle section runs lower than the upper, For the upper section You want at least 1000 cfs. The lower section runs as low as 700 cfs without having to portage the falls, I have done the middle as low as 500. It is doable at that level, but you will definitley leave a lot of plastic on the rocks (and walk the falls).
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2009 at 7:40am
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Originally posted by SupaSta What's a good flow for this run so it's not too boney or pushy? I ran it this weekend twice. Saturday we had levels dropping from 1000 to 800 which equaled about 4.0 to 3.8 feet on the stick gague. Sunday it was steady at 4.1 feet on the stick... which I'd guess as 1,100-1,200 or so (the online gage stopped reporting data Saturday night). It was good to go on both days, but it would have started getting boney if we went much lower, so 900 cfs is probably a good bottom end level. I haven't run it high, so I'll defer to those who have for upper level. There is also the rock gage at the bridge, I've taken a couple pics of it at different levels. I'll post them when I get a chance. |
Posted By: arnobarno
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2009 at 8:54am
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Some of the information from AW's site about flows is not internally consistent between what it says about flows on the Upper and Lower, rock gauges, cfs correlations, etc. AW says, If water is only just reaching the rock but
not really flowing up on it then you probably
want to skip this upper section and just paddle
the http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2178/ -
middle section . If water is flowing up over
the rock then this is the level where the upper
section becomes boatable (around 4.5,
approx. 1390 cfs). But, yesterday the gauge was 4.2 when we put on and a little over 4.1 when we took off. And, water was just flowing over the rock (different than what AW says). As an aside, the reading at the time of take-out is much more indicative of the water level while one is paddling if one is traveling at roughly the speed of the water and the gauge is at the takeout. This wasn't a big deal for us yesterday as it was surprisingly steady but given the flashy nature of this run and a typical .1 (or more) foot drop (or rise) per hour, it could be a big deal. I have nothing to compare it too since it was my first time down but things seemed relatively padded out on both the upper and lower. We utilized a put-in about 3/4 mile further upstream thanks to a suggestion by Matt. That gave us about a mile of class III boogie water as a warm-up before beginning the Upper run. The Upper run has better action but the Middle run is much more scenic (or maybe I was overdosing on adrenaline too much to notice on the Upper!). We must have seen a dozen waterfalls from the sides of the canyons on the Middle section and at least two eagles (we saw the same eagle multiple time, I think). Thanks to Dave, Bryon, Joe and Matt for assistance on my first-d! ------------- arn9schaeffer@gmail.com (remove 9 for my real email address) |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2009 at 4:31pm
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here's what I have down in my river log for the two times I ran it. I'm not 100% sure how accurate my numbers are, but they should be close.
1/11/09: 4.5' on stick gauge, or 1500-2000 cfs. Rock above HWY 9 bridge pouring over, but the porover was above the surface of the rest of the river flowing by it. This was a great "medium high" level. I liked it enough to go back...
10/31/09: 4.85' on stick gauge, or 2000-2500 cfs. The above mentioned pourover was sunk down into the muddy water, with a fat, velvety brown curtain of water only about 4" tall. The upstream hump of the pourover was barely raised above the rest of the river's surface. Definitely higher than the trip on 1/11, and much more fun, IMO. The river was closer to bank full. I'd call it the higher end of Medium High. Maybe the Lower end of "Highwater". I don't know. That stuff is always subjective. All I know is that's the flow I like it best: I give the whole run (Upper and Middle combined) a solid IV rating, or maybe a IV- rating, with some IV+ spots, and lots of bigwater class III+. It's very continuous and that's why I call it a solid IV at that flow. It had a few in our group huffing and puffing and needing an eddy to rest in from time to time, and it had one guy paddling into wood in a delerious stupor. I give it a IV.
------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2009 at 1:42pm
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The gauge is finally back to reporting data including all the data from the weekend. It looks like on Sunday we had about 1200 cfs, and the stick gauge was showing 4.1 to 4.2. That seemed like a great medium flow to me for both sections. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2009 at 10:20am
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sounds about right. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: huckin harms
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2009 at 9:27am
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should be good today. |
Posted By: arnobarno
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2009 at 10:21am
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I wonder about that, Mike. It looks like it will be quite high today, but what do I know. The day that JP & crew did the high water Pilchuck run a few weeks ago, the Pilchuck gauge stopped collecting data so it was unclear of the flow (but > 2500 cfs). That day, the NF Stilly gauge peaked at just under 14K (according to AW, 6K-11K on NF Stilly is a good suggested range for the Upper Pilchuck). Today, the Pilchuck gauge again looks stalled as it is soaring, and the NF Stilly just peaked at 25K (almost double the flow of the high water day). ------------- arn9schaeffer@gmail.com (remove 9 for my real email address) |
Posted By: arnobarno
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2009 at 10:24am
Some more info:HEAVY RAIN OVER THE CASCADES OVERNIGHT WILL DRIVE THE STILLAGUAMISH ------------- arn9schaeffer@gmail.com (remove 9 for my real email address) |
Posted By: Monk
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2009 at 8:40am
| Anyone interested in the Pilchuck today? Lowish perhaps. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2009 at 8:29pm
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...in other words:
Originally posted by huckin harms
should be good today.
so how was that today?anyone get out on it? ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2010 at 12:57pm
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Don't look now, but the PIlly has been coming up to runnable levels the last couple days. |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2010 at 3:39pm
...and it looks like it might be in this weekend. Come on, rain! |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 1:23pm
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My guess is it may be in Sun, more likely Mon, if it comes in. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2010 at 12:32pm
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Well, I'll be dipped! The ole Pilly shot up today to a nice, juicy 2100 cfs and of course is now dropping and will be too low tomorrow, most likely. I hope someone spotted that and made it out to give her a run. it would be a shame if no one got on this little blast of h2o |
Posted By: Texas Dave
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2010 at 1:55pm
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Wow - good catch Joe.
Anybody want to hit it tonight? I can be at the takeout around 3:30 - 4. Just enough time to make a run.
Give me a call soon.
425-754-9477 ------------- Dave |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2010 at 3:37pm
| Man!... I wish. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2010 at 8:24pm
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I wish, Too! Who'da thought? Gotta be quick on the draw for that one!
------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 10:06am
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Be advised! She's a spikin' fast!!! And rain forecast all day... might be in for Saturday! |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 10:12am
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Think I'm going for more FITness on the Wah ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: PowWrangler
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 10:18am
| I could be into that if she's anywhere in the 1,300 to 3,000 range. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 10:36am
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I'd go for 2000 and up, but its FITWah season so... ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: skim
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 12:42pm
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i would be game for this if it's in. ------------- boof it for crying out loud |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 12:57pm
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If it is in and you guys get a early enough start time I'll go. I got to work at 5pm though so something around 8am would be ideal for me.
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 31 May 2010 at 8:29pm
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Did it ever produce flows for you guys? did you make it out on Pilchuck? It would be interesting to know if it went...
------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2010 at 12:40pm
| She's a comin' up!!! If she stays in for a couple days I'd like to hit it Friday. Anyone else? |
Posted By: kurle
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2010 at 1:32pm
| i'd be up for friday. thursday too... |
Posted By: up4air
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2010 at 7:27pm
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Don't you people work?
------------- More water, please. |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2010 at 7:49am
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Hmmm... don't look too good for Friday right now. It only spiked up to 700ish and is dropping with only showers and cooler temps for tonight. Sunday it will likely be running high from the storm coming in Sat night... I hope it doesn't kill off too much snow. Sounds like a warm one. |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2010 at 10:20am
| The gauge just updated... I was looking at old info. Flow this morning is around 1100. Perfect! If it sticks around that level, maybe a run is in order tomorrow. |
Posted By: PowWrangler
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2010 at 10:40am
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I'd be down for a run on Sunday if it's 3k or lower. |
Posted By: kurle
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2010 at 1:22pm
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I'm up for a run tomorrow, probably sunday as well if it's still in. Matt 360-four34-13nine0 |
Posted By: wwaddict
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2010 at 4:19pm
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What time are you thinking of getting out. Can I make it if I leave seattle by 12? -joe
|
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2010 at 6:30pm
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Hmm... I was thinking earlier than that, Joe. I think that would be too late a start to comfortabtly get on the upper and middle run... but walking in to just to the middle would be do-able time wise. Right now, though its just a waiting game to see what weather brings. The run was perfect today dammit... but is dropping out now. If rain doesn't at least stop the drop tonight, might look at running SF Stilly (3 run, not robe) or Sauk instead. Anyway, got a Friday off and would like to get out. |
Posted By: wwaddict
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2010 at 9:43pm
| cool man. well it was worth a try. I might just find a bottle of whiskey instead. |
Posted By: up4air
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2010 at 9:18am
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Where are you getting pilchuck gauge info? The https://fortress.wa.gov doesn't seem to be working. Wonder if that portage has gotten any better. ------------- More water, please. |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2010 at 10:30am
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It was 907 CFS at 7:45 this morning. The gauge seems to be working fine. The best info comes from the 15 minute interval graph link below the charts.
Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: up4air
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2010 at 10:52am
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ah yes now the link works... wonder if Joe is on it now? ------------- More water, please. |