Big Drops and Sudden Stops

Becks in her old stomping grounds, the Rockies.

No more sunny weather, time to paddle again. All the local creeks and rivers have been blowing out around Revelstoke so we headed to the Rockies to find more reasonable flows. Great paddling on all the classic creeks and rivers. Unfortunately witnessed a nasty piton that resulted in two broken ankles. It appears that the left line on the first big slide on Red Earth Creek has a log pinned in the hole about 30cm below the surface. The log was impossible to see when we scouted the line. Two out of three ran this line and missed the log, number three, not so lucky. I recently purchased a creeker with a shock absorbing system in the bow (Jackson Super Hero). I dont think I will ever creek again without some form of effective shock absorbing system in my boat. Its time for all the boat manufacturers to put some effort into more effective safety systems in creek boats.

I wonder how my back is gonna feel after this?

Leviathon at low flow, still one of the best drops in AB.

Will stoked as usual.

Sure hope my paddle doesn't smack me in the face.......

Flying season turns on

Dave climbing out in Revelstoke

Its never easy sitting at home in the spring with a broken boat. All the rivers are pumping and I feel like I am missing out! Luckily the flying has been ridiculous. Endless flyable days, little wind, tons of thermals...unreal. From Pemby to Rev the flying has been going off. Last week saw the best day yet in Revy, all the locals had great flights up to 3800m (~13000ft) and hit all the local classics. Martha and back, Cartier, and just soaring over the valley until 8pm.

Mt. Begbie in a haze of Forest fire smoke

Hey look there's a ski hill down there!

This is what you look like after being hypothermic for too long, Mt Revelstoke park and Mts. Cousier, Dickey, and St. Cyr in the background

Time to warm up

Miss Bristow warming up for the season

After a long season of skiing and shoveling my driveway (and roof!) the only reasonable thing to do is head south and warm up. We headed to the Sierras in California to hit all the classic creeks and rivers that run in april/may. We had two weeks of great boating until I broke my boat 1 mile into a multi day mission. At least the hike out was through poison oak! Gotta love California.

Whats wrong with this picture?

The best thing about small western towns...good mexican food

Becks styles another one (click on pic)

Only 5 more miles to the put in.....

ahhh california

Hmmm this doesnt look good