When they open up the gates at the dam on the Gauley River, it is
one of the most impressive sites you will ever lay eyes on. The water roars out of these massive pipes with a sound
like the end of the world, and rafters and kayakers put in right there and ride the river down it’s several stages. I
have only rafted the Gauley once, but it was a great experience.
Paddler Magazine seems to share my
enthusiasm. This piece on the virtues of the Gauley brought back some fine memories of the days when I was a junior
guide and rafting was my life…one wonderful, albeit short summer long ago.
Full Bore
Speaking of bore
tides, I found this piece in Paddler that lists several of the major places the where the biggest bores can be
found (no, not Capitol Hill…ba dum bum). What are they? Tidal
bores are moving waves or holes that rise from the ocean, appearing at full or new moons, their size depending on
weather, swell and season.
Some of the places where the bores rage and can actually make for good surfing are the Severn River in
Glouchestershire, England; Turnagain, Alaska; Shubenacadie, Canada; Pororoca, Brazil, and The Dragon, China.
Checking Out Vancouver
The Northwest is always held out as a great paddling destination. And for very good reason. IT KICKS ASS. There is
something almost spiritual about paddling up in Vancouver. But the
whole area is ripe for general exploration, whether by kayak or car.
Here’s an article that takes you around the region as part of a five day meander up the island’s east coast. In this
driving/kayaking tour you head from Victoria to the town of Campbell River, along Trans-Canada Highway 1 and Highway
19A—a one-way roll of 165 miles, or an average of 33 miles per day.
Taking it slow in this part of the world is a necessity, as it is the details of the place that are so great. The
small roads that you turn on and run into an old totem pole, the unknown bays where you discover the ideal place to
have lunch. Just thinking about it now brings break great memories of the place.
Rafting the River
Haven’t posted much about rafting here, and yet, as a junior guide one summer in Boulder, I remember how much I
really enjoyed the sport…or the activity. Or whatever you call it. I remember in particular the thrill of shouting,
“BACK PADDLE BACK PADDLE!” to older gentlemen who could have been my father or boos, and watching the terror swell up
in their eyes as we dropped into nasty hole called Satan’s Crotch or something.
Well, this story is far tamer, but
still gives a good flavor of the rafting experience as well as some advice on how to raft the South Fork of the
American River. This is California gold country. Some of the finest land on earth, and this is a great trip for rafting
beginners and experienced alike.
Got No Plans This Summer…Work in Alaska
Sure you can sit at your desk, type up your memos and let the bleat of the fax machine be your sparrow song…but
wouldn’t it be great to pick up and go to, say, Alaska?
Here’s a site where you can get the suummer job of your dreams in the
nation’s largest state (unless, of course, your dream job is to make Powerpoint presentations).
The seasonal jobs are based on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. The positions generally require skills and experience
in natural history interpretation, guiding, outdoor leadership and recreation, fish guiding, rafting, maintenance
and/or hospitality. Surely you can finesse your resume, right? Walks in Central Park = Outdoor leadership.
Employment for these seasonal jobs runs from mid-May through mid-September.