I'd like to go down Robe Canyon for the first time on July 4th. If anyone who knows the run exceptionally well would be interested in showing me down, I would appreciate it. Being the first time down and all, I'm willing to do a lot of scouting, talking through the rapids, walking around anything I'm not comfortable with, or even hike the fu*k out if I'm in over my head.

good idea Oscar, i dont know the run exceptionally well but ive been in there a few times and the NOAA forecast looks good. Ill be in lake stevens thur/fri and probly headed to skyfest sat/sun. will 2o8~84|~75BB

I actually have no intentions of walking out, and I'm trying to figure out what I mean by writing that. I guess what I mean to say is that I respect others decisions and if it came down to that, then that's something I would do, but I've never walked off any run and don't intend to walk off Robe.
As far as scouting goes, I guess I actually like taking a good look at rapids, talking about the run, and figuring out what the water is doing. It's part of the sport, but I understand how too much scouting can be bothersome.
I've got another day and a half to meditate on this, and I'll get back to y'all, either through email or phone conversation.
This is actually a great conversation to have on a thread though, because I think a lot of paddlers ponder the step up.
When I saw Robe, I believe the level was about 5.8. Now it's around 5.4. How does the level of difficulty change?

5.4 will be a lot more mellow than 5.8. Some of the lines will not be as "clean". There are a lot of f*ck you rocks that get covered up above 5.7.

I personally believe that 5.8 is easier than 5.4. I think the toughest normal flows are in the 5.5-5.7 range. I've had my worst lines and most carnage in the 5.6ish levels.

Thoughts?

Maybe someone would like to share their first time experience down Robe. What was it like at what did you think? We're you anxious to get to the "putout!"

I have to agree w/ Danimal's entire post, and esspecially the above quotes.

Lower and Upper Icicle are easier than Robe (until you add lots of agua to upper Ici). Yeah its farther away from seattle in terms of driving, but Robe is far from EVERYTHING if you are hiking out of it w/ a boat.

My advice to the dude who is in "step it up" mode is to show up early before the run and hike in to scout. Last Sunshine is the toughest move on the run, and yeah you could walk it, but I would go in there once you feel you could run it. The stuff between there and Hotel comes at you quick, and Sunshine drops you right into the thick of Robe. But after Hotel, more pools space the rapids out and the pace is not as full on. Still a ton of big rapids though.

As far as scouting, I respect the ethic of seeing what you are about to run. I tend to be a scouter. I came of age when boats were fiberglass and not scouting blind corners/drops was a sure way to fu*k yourself up. But there is a reason that it is important to be somewhat able to run w/ the varsity team when you go to run Robe:
It is a long run. There are tons of rapids. Scouting everything and walking a few other things would take forever. Even a lengthy verbal description above each rapid can really drag out the trip. I think you want to go in when you can enjoy it rather than have a harrowing white knuckle experience.

Ok my last post for a bit on this thread - I promise!
In honor of you request...

My first run down Robe was on April 19th of 2008.
Rob and Brock were my trip leaders, although D1 and Brad X also provided invaluable beta and lines to follow. I think Brad was still getting to know it. I was paddling the old Diablo, which was slicey out there, and I pitoned twice (once at Hotel Cali running a line no one seems to run any more, and once in Off Broadway), but its easy to do in that pointy, slicey boat. It was definitely a handicap paddling that thing in there the times I've done it, and I'm glad to have a boat that makes it cushy 'n gravy like the rest of you have.

The run was a blur, but according to my river log, I never got out to scout once. Just followed Rob, and he gave pretty good beta above most of the drops. By the time I found Robe though I already had a solid history of paddling class V, even if I was "off the couch" a bit in those days. I had to paddle pretty hard, taking it all on the fly. I don't remember being anxious to be at the take out, there is a long paddle out where you get to unwind.

It was 5.05' that day, but in many ways it isn't the same run. I haven't run it that low since 2008 (no one really does, generally). Had some later trips at 5.2' that seemed boney. These days 5.35' or more seems to boat pretty smooth. 5.2' being my official low water cut off, and 5.35' being my preferred low water cut off. I got about 70 trips in there total.

The last thing I'll say is I wouldn't rush to gain access before running the other local "steps" up to it a bunch (Icicle, Icicle), but once you are in there running it well you have an excellent play ground to keep your skills sharp for whatever you want to boat.

I will, however, be out there with my boat. I've got my sights set in this run.

fu*k it, I'm going to take everyone's advice. I'm going to Icicle tomorrow. Who's going to be out there? Help this brother get ready for Robe!

Dude, I have a raft trip tomorrow, seems like an early meet time. I may be able to meet you in the P.M. for a run.

I sure would be down to run something on Icicle w/ ya. Should still be some good options (haven't been on it in over a week- my longest absence from it in a few months).

We can firm something up later today or tonight.
Ain't nothin wrong with having a goal and taking a patient approach to achieving it. Too many people take a hastey approach to whitewater, IMO. But I think meditating on a goal and preparing for it can only make the goal more enjoyable to achieve.

I knew this post would pay off. Sometimes it's hard to change your mind on something you're set on and swallow other people's opinions and thoughts, but in the end, after digesting it all, I think the direction I'm heading in is much better. Everyone's input is much appreciated. When i'm ready, I'm going to revive this thread and at that point i will have some more rivers under my belt. Robe isn't going anywhere and I'm really surprised at how long that stretch is in.
In the meantime, For those who are interested, I'll be in Leavenworth around noon tomorrow. I'll probably sit down and drink some coffe and see who calls. Although, I think I may have someone coming with me already. jP, it would be great to paddle with ya. Here's my number, 206.910.2599 or 206.913.3697. I'll be able to check this thread too.

Man, my raft trip is gonna make it tough to join you and Im bummed because Id love to run w/ ya.

I won't be done till 4 I bet. I'll call you anyway but I'll have to play it by ear.

Our first run was 2003... oh boy I feel old now! Some cool pictures in this link, I'm pretty sure that's faceplant and the rapid with the big holes I'm not sure!

Old timers describe Robe http://cascadeclassics.org/Kayaking/Stillaguamish/Robe/Spring03/Robe_Spring03.htm

I don't understand the aversion some people have to scouting/walking. You can actually walk most of the drops in Robe, and we walked several when we did it the first time. It has really really changed since those days though!

I point this out because my favorite runs have been with limited beta and scouting everything for ourselves. I'm noticing a shift to having a guide down new runs and I think there's something to be said for personal first descents being exploratory.

Edited by Travisimo - 05 Jul 2013 at 12:42pm