QUICK TRIP REPORT
First a big shout out to all the paddlers who signed on with this trip. Nine total in our party-
Jared, Brian, Katie, Eric, Liam Reese, Jeff Holden, David Chatham, Dave Morales, and me.
What made this group so stellar is the level of awareness for safety. I think all would agree that the run was a solid class IV but forgiving in many ways.
We put on the river at 11:40 and took off (following the lake paddle) at 2:40, some sooner. The level was apx. 2500cfs and dropping. Pushy and squirlley in places but fun and forgiving. Several of the main playspots were washed. There were a couple scouts but most of the rapids were read and run. One notable change has occurred on the significant rapid named Leap of Faith. The BIG rock that used to sit in the center, at the bottom, creating two channels, is now GONE. Hard to figure, but it's just as if it was never there to start. And it was a biggie. Anyrate, this has made the run out at the bottom of the rapid much easier, with consequences substantial reduced.
Thanks to David Chatham's ambition, beers were put on hold for a quick bomb down the NF Tilton - 35min. A big thanks to Liam R. for keeping the priorities straight, to Dave Morales for probing the horizon lines, and to David C. for keeping the torch lit while the daylight remained. Oh, and to my wife for running our shuttle rig in circles around the Tilton watershed. A most memorable and excellent Tilton trip.