Yuba Gap

What a run! After hearing reviews like 'the hardest run in cali' and 'some of the stoutest white-water you'll ever see' we were always interested in trying to bag this seldom run gem, but with dubious flows and little beta we didnt actually think it would come into fruition... we were wrong. While enjoying some whisky at the plush accomodation of 'The Ranch', Barny and I were getting onto logistics for the Summit Run section of the South Yuba. Phones calls, txts and checking flows... things were coming together. Out of the blue someone suggested we think about Yuba Gap and after calling around we got the put-in and take-out information but still had an issue with shuttle and there was only two of us. Fortunately Shannon Carrol's name arose, who was eager to get ANOTHER run down this season. So the plan was set, 10am meeting at the Route 20 and Washington Road corner... it would of probably been smarter to slow down on the Whisky... nah! Here are some photos of this stout run.



- Barny on the first drop of the day (P. Jordy)


- Shannon on the 'hour glass slide' (P. Jordy)


- Barny firing the big one (P. Jordy)


- The view of me running the monster from the bottom (P. Barny)


- Lining up the next drop below the slide (P. Barny)


- Me running a seldom run double drop (P. Barny)


- Shannon boofing off a clean drop (P. Jordy)


- Barny running a clean 15 footer (P. Jordy)

All this and a LOT more was before lunch, also during this time we noticed there was an increasing amount of water in the river. We later found out that the 230cfs we put on at rose to almost 600! After some well needed snacks, stretching and relaxing in the sun we put back on for some more solid white-water at a much higher level.


- Shannon soaking it in (P. Jordy)


- Barny preparing for the next four hours (P. Jordy)


- Barny running the slide after lunch... high water (P. Jordy)


- Shannon firing it up (P. Jordy)


- Me coming through the bottom (P. Barny)


- Me boofing clear (P. Barny)


- Shannon and Barny routing a big slide (P. Jordy)


- Barny running a sick 25 footer (P. Jordy)


- Barny's perspective of me running the 25 footer (P. Barny)

This was a sick mission with so much white-water that it blurs the memory. It was a long day even though we had Shannon who knows the run well and without a 'guide' I would think it would take a minimum of 8 hours. We are hoping to get on this again but for today we'll have a rest. Chur.

Devil's Canyon - Middle Branch of the Feather

In preparation for some of the more full-on multi day Califonia river trips we decided to check out the Middle Feather. A two or three day river trip that boasts continual white-water in the class IV+ - V realm and unparalleled scenery, this was sure to be a good time. With plenty of time in hand, and some severe hang-overs from a Kiwi bender at the Caloma Club, we elected for a 3 day mission. After a lazy morning, midday and afternoon we made our way to the put in at 6pm! Charging through about the first 8 miles in the evening twilight, we were doubting we would meet our other three more organised counterparts waiting at the camp sight. Fortunately just before nightfall we found the others, fire already lit and smiles were all around. Day two and three packed plenty of read and run white-water, a few bigger drops, another amazing camp site and of course a few hairy moments... with Sanga winning the involuntary rodeo competition closely followed by Jamie and Rach Moore. Here are some photos of this must-do classic californian multi-day trip.



- Camp 1 on the second morning (P. Barny)


- Me running Franklin Falls (P. Barny)


- Chilling out (for like 6 hours in the sun) at camp 2 (P. Barny)


- Rach Moore dropping in


- Me rolling the dice on a big hole, thankfully coming through clean


- Me coming into the final drop before the portage (P. Barny)


- Rach Moore loving life

This trip was very worthwhile and I will try get on it before I leave Cali. It was three short days for our crew but would be a good river for some class IV - IV+ boaters to take their time and test there skills... make sure you have a good forecast, it makes the trip SO much better!

Upper Middle Consumes

After a few days of paddling on the South Yuba and partying at the Auburn River Festival we checked flows and all signs pointed to the Upper Middle Consumes. The character of this river is more low volume steep creeking in a sort of pool drop fashion. Barny and I got on this run two times in the last couple of days. The first trip was a late start on a sunny day with the Kiwi/Auburn boys, where we got down pretty quickly with smiles all around. The second trip, thanks to Charles King, was a long day in cold wet weather, a large group and a variety incidents. However, all made it to the take out before dark and only gear was broken. Anyway, here are some photos of this amazing little creek. Enjoy.



- The boys getting ready for our first trip down the UMC (P. Barny)


- Jared M waiting for the line (P. Barny)


- Me running a sick double drop early in the day (P. Barny)


- Me smashing into an eddy through a big hole (P. Charles)


- Barny running the big ski-jump type drop (P. Charles)


- Barny running what we called UMC Cess-pit (P. Charles)


- Me running the blind 25+ footer (P. Charles)


- Skux coming on down (P. Barny)


- Me dropping over ANOTHER horizon line (P. Barny)


- Barny on the class IV+ boogy (P. Charles)

The Upper Middle Consumes is a great class V run, with nothing too hard or stacked but a few things that are there to fire if you want it. Our first run was at around 325 cfs and the second was over 400, I think there is room for a bigger flow but you'd want to know it, have good granite gripping shoes and your big set for that day!

First Run in USA - 49 to Bridgeport

After flying to Auckland to meet Barny, flying to 12 hours to San Fran and dropping off our boats, flying to Seattle to pick our car, driving 13 hours back to San Fran to get our boats and driving to Caloma to set up camp we were ready to get down to business. My good mate Skux suggested a run down 49 to Bridgeport on the South Yuba River, so that is what we did. Here are some pics of this classic low elevation run.



- Barny boofing through one of the many classic drops (P. Jordy)


- Me coming through the same rapid (P. Barny)


- Barny boofing through a tight slot (P. Jordy)


- Skux feeling small in a big river valley (P. Barny)


- Barny going crazy horse (P. Jordy)


- getting ready to launch (P. Barny)


- Barny charging into the "bishy-bashy" stuff (P. Jordy)


- Me on the lead into the "bishy-bashy" (P. Barny)


- Barny eating the meat (P. Jordy)

This is a super classic that reminded me of the Whitcombe but with a greater number of and diversity of drops. We also got on the Purdons section of the South Yuba, above 49 to Bridgeport, but because we we're travelling at MACH - Justin Pat I only got to take photos from one point.


- Justin doing his crazy boof (P. Jordy)