Darren, I was in my boat, holding onto the rope for about 10 minutes before I was even spotted in the cave, from above. It didnt feel dire, but there was at least 10-12 knots of current flowing/boiling upstream that would've been impossible for me to get beyond to paddle out of there.

It took another 10 minutes for the group to rig a line with a 'biner on the end and get it down to me. My grip was pretty weak by then, making it very difficult to stay upright, hold the 'dangling line', balance my paddle, and clip the rescue line on my PFD's rescue belt so I could be hauled out. The rescue line, I discovered after I was out, was anchored to a 3-man rock that had broken free from the wall many moons ago and was perched somewhat precariously close to the lip. As I was hauled up and out I got closer and closer to the veil with nothing to hold onto to stabilize myself to stay free of getting caught by the downward flow of the falls. The rock was very smooth and slick.

Had I come in contact with the falls directly there was a very real chance I, and the others helping me (as we were all statically tied together at this point) would be pulled off our respective perches into the river, tied together. Most certainly that 'anchor' rock would've come down on us as well. I asked a couple of other guys to move a bit further downstream to drop me a 'control line' to help me stay out of the veil. They were able to use the control line to also help pull me up. Everyone else ran the drop without problems.

When I ran it, I flipped immediately at the bottom of Behemoth, rolled instantly, but was on the boil, facing/going into the cave. I thought for a brief instant, as I was back-paddling on the boil, of trying to swing 'er around and paddle like hell to get out. The very real likelihood of flipping and getting violently worked over in there while no one knew where I was.. kept me from doing this as well as spotting the rope in there that was already dangling down. I knew I could hold on until I was found. I knew there were enough experienced guys (who were all out of their boats scouting) up there to pull me out... or something??

The flow last year was a 'healthy' 660 late in the season with last year's snowpack being much like this year's; i.e. it's all coming from the tiptop and I felt the river had more water in it proportionally than what the gauge reflected in other years. I could be wrong in this assumption as it was the only time I had done the run, but seems like a reasonable assumption. The river had plenty of water and the hole in the rapid above Behemoth felt juicy.

I agree with Darren that the line is pretty doable and that all this banter about the cave may make people feel more timid about running Behemoth, causing potential increased carnage which isn't necessary. The line isn't that hard to make. MANY more people avoid the cave than go in it. I didn't scout either. Got some quick beta from the guy who went first, had seen many pictures previously, and rallied right after he did. I wanted to get it over with :) In hind sight, and certainly after my ordeal, I would/will scout it from now on, just to be sure. Much rather deal with the hole on the bottom right in the runout, than the cave. I will also make sure a line is dangling in there (even if I have to leave mine) and that a guy is in a good spot downstream to throw a rope. It's a great place to set safety. No reason not to.

Darren, it didn't look like I could paddle behind the veil to the river right side either. It looked pretty terminal back there. I'll have to dig up the helmet cam footage..

peteg, I agree that setting safety is becoming a dying art. I'd like to see that change as well. Cavalier attitudes are becoming more prevalent and I see less folks signing up for rescue courses or even thinking of/talking about a preplan. One of the things I really took note of and enjoyed reading in the oregon kayaking posts was the strategic safety that was set at so many of the drops that were run. Great stuff.

After I was hauled out and my boat was in the swirling pool at the base, I walked/scrambled/ whimpered my way downstream along that STEEP river left wall clinging to whatever vegetation was there. It was NOT easy at all and took 15-20 minutes to get below the falls. I think I was below the bottom hole/above the last rapid. I did it, but it sure wasn't fun. It would've taken hours with a boat. I've heard it's possible to hike out above the class IV drop above Behemoth, but that THAT option isn't very easy either. Getting back in below Behemoth would be very difficult from either side.

I portaged it ten years ago.

A friend went behind the falls. He was the second to go. I quickly scrambled from the ledge out the wall to a tree from which I could see him behind the veil. I threw him a rope and wrapped it around the tree, then also secured myself to the tree. Unfortunately, he decided to clip the end of the rope onto his kayak before he got out of the boat and attempted to climb up to me. The water sucking into the cave and under the wall caught the boat and pulled the rope out of his hands. He swam clawing and scraping under the wall, cycled under the veil, and came out circulating in the eddy on river right. He was able to get on shore on one of the cycles.

I decided at that point to check out the portage options. I went back to the ledge and scrambled about 20-30 feet up a gully. From there I was able to hop from tree to tree along the steep, scrabbley slope about 50-60 feet above the river until I reached a point that I could climb down.

The first paddler joined me scrambling back up to the ledge. We still had our swimming friend's boat tied off to the tree. We were able to connect three throw ropes linked end-to-end to the boat and then pull the boat until it cycled behind the falls and up the eddy to where our buddy was waiting. It kinda looked like we were working a huge fly rod together as we pulled on the ropes, and this process took maybe 30-40 minutes. Once the boat reached the guy in the eddy, he pulled out his breakdown and ran the bottom ledge.

Then the three of us who were on the ledge hauled my boat and Andria's with us up the gully and then passed them from tree to tree. It was slow going, but the portage certainly didn't take us an hour. Maybe 30 minutes? Buy we had just scouted out the way before we tried it with the boats.

Epic day.

Some people have natural and/or learned ability to problem solve and perform in rescue situations.Some people think they do and like to talk about it. Some people consider others ideas, communicate, and work as a team to achieve a common goal.Others think they have it all figured out and wont consider fellow team members input and ideas, usually to the detriment of the common goal.  And most definitely creating tension and frustration between team members.  No fun for anyone.         Some people think it is perfectly ok to be completely stoned in a creeking situation where others lives may depend on them.Others dont!        Class 5 creeking has an element of risk that is offset by ability, knowledge, good judgement  and team work.  Misadventures are great adventures. Our ability to deal with them can sometimes mean the difference between a fun, eventfull day and a complete balls up, or worse, a disaster. Choose your team carefully, for your enjoyment and your safety.

mikenash...

Very well put.  To be honest I don't know which category i belong in.  I think I've been almost every person you describe...

I try to learn, and really like this site and the people on it.  I know I'm a much safer paddler than I was 12 years ago.  My video shows I still have room to learn.  Rivers are humbling, I think that's part of the reason I keep coming back.  Every time it's a new experience.

I carry two throw bags, Daniel. My lines don't usually go either way when I scout. I chose poorly in that scenario and learned a valuable lesson. Everyone did what they had to do, man. I got no problems with what happened that day. No finger pointing, BS'ing or bad feelings coming from me. I've thanked you several times for helping me out and it goes both ways. I believe I've pulled you out of the river as well. Take it easy bro, we're ALL between swims here.