Great photos by Marc
Remaining photos by Niki and Martin
Because I already have skied in the beginning of November my summer and winter gear was all mixed up on my bedroom floor. I packed for this trip at 5 a.m. by indiscriminately scooping things off the floor into my river bag. Once we were on the river and I was looking for my sunglasses I found, and among other, useless items in my bag, a pair of goggles.
Just in case it snows on us… (click to enlarge)
Before anyone tries to certify me as insane I need to point out that it was Jim’s idea to run the Westwater Canyon in November. And, because it was still summer when we talked about it, we all agreed to this trip.
The weather cooperated and we didn’t freeze to death right at the beginning of the trip. We took three oar boats and agreed to make a clean run because the water was too cold for anyone to swim in it. 40-degree water (Fahrenheit), little sunlight in the Canyon, a short day, and the cold air in the afternoon made for an amazing, wintry whitewater trip. The glare from the low sun angle made it difficult to see what’s ahead in the rapids and made the floating river foam look like small chunks of ice. We were the only people on this stretch of the Colorado River and I was enjoying the landscape in solitude. Well, it would’ve felt like a complete solitude if it wasn’t for Mike’s iPod in Levi’s boat few hundred yards behind us…
I feel pretty useless with boats stacked three high. Yes, there are people taller than me. (click to enlarge)
Rigging the boat at Westwater Ranger Station. (click to enlarge)
Just before we floated away from the ranger station, the ranger asked us to help him lift some heavy gear in his storage unit. Once we were on the river it dawned on me that we just helped him put away all his rescue boats and related ger. Taken apart, cleaned, put away for the season.
Marc and I in the lead boat as we enter the Little Dolores Rapid. (click to enlarge)
With the low sun angle I could barely see what’s ahead. See Marc’s shadow on me. (click to enlarge)
An amazing calm in the canyon. Not a ripple in flat sections of the river. (click to enlarge)
From the left: me, Jessie, Marc, Niki, Jim, Ginger, Levi and Mike. (click to enlarge)
The otter was not happy about us floating by. Hissing he slipped back into the river to eat his fish in peace. (click to enlarge)
Jim and Niki in their new “The Hoop Dee” boat. (click to enlarge)
Well defined in low water Funnel Falls rapid. (click to enlarge)
Entering Skull rapid. (click to enlarge)
A happy boat right behind us. (click to enlarge)
Even in low water we all ended up completely soaked by the waves. (click to enlarge)
Dropping into Sock-It-To-Me rapid. (click to enlarge)
Everyone’s hot. (click to enlarge)
It’s hard to believe that we are in the moving river. Not a wrinkle on the water. (click to enlarge)
Some “warming” drinks later… (click to enlarge)
Farmer Jim. (click to enlarge)
Niki and Jim. (click to enlarge)
Canada geese. (click to enlarge)
Near the end of the trip. Late fall days are short. (click to enlarge)
Marc (click to enlarge)
That’s it for 2008 rafting season! This was (I hope) the last trip. I was hesitant to go on the river in November but now I am really glad that we went.
Filed under: River, Summer | Tagged: Colorado River, Rafting, Westwater Canyon
Those are Canadian geese (yes, I checked passports). Awesome photos!
I just knew that Levi would say that! Levi, did they have valid visas? Work or tourist visas? We sure don’t want any illegal immigrants in Westwater Canyon…
Beautiful!! Colder than I like to see even with skis underfoot. You are all crazy. But we knew that already. Here is a new one… Greer misread the caption and thought you guys were rafting through Funeral Falls rather than Funnel. After a few flips, she might be right!
Anyway. I hope to see you all on the slopes.
The Canadian geese got their visas from the antelopes — not the pronghorns, too.
Adrienne
Thank you, Martin!
Jim might need to re name the boat “Lake Hoop-dee!”
Niki
Illegal or not…the pictures tell a tale of daring and beauty only true “diehards” can appreciate. I, too, hope to see you all on one slope or another…GREAT photos and story Martin…I felt like I was with you.