Here is a stupid question.

I cant find the information for Robe anywhere? It isnt called Robe on the river page, is there a way to search for runs that are not named by thier river name? If not maybe we should have some sort of a search engine?

Also the default font of 1 hurts my eyes, it is so small...3 is much better.

The river is S. Fork of the Stillaguamish. And the section above Robe would be more suited for you.

Err.. I think you meant Dave is starting to get old.

Or at least his posts are

PP only shows the parent river in the rivers page. That is a problem if you are looking for a run and dont know the river name.

There's some powerful water in there, so be careful (assuming you are serious, it's hard to tell). I would recommend a few intermediary steps before going in. I would try to construct a steady diet of Heavy Class IV for a few weeks leading up to your trip.

Go down and Run the Truss. Eat Icicle for breakfast for a few weekends. I wouldn't go into Robe planning on portaging a lot- it'll make for a long day for you and those you are with.

Good point, Bill!

Farmlands (2-3x), then Truss(2-3x), then Robe!!

i agree with JP, dave. you don't go from paddling the MM and Green and SFSno to running Robe. It's awesome that you want to step it up, but there is a progression....I spent the last  2 years running stuff like Foss and Farmlands with an eye toward the Truss. When I get comfortable on the Truss, then maybe Robe...

I say just get some Metal! and follow Daves line!

Dave, if you have a crew that wants to make a full day of Robe and is willing to look lots and wait for folks to portage things, it might not be a bad idea. That said, some things might be so easy to portage. You might have more actual fun doing something easier, like Vance Creek on the OP or Clear Creek up north with less critical prescision and more carefree lines. Don't get hurt Dave!! I like your posts. :O What the 2 harderst things you've run?

ps I have no idea where that rivers page is, either.

I don't know Clear Creek in CO, but Icicle and FITW are both good training, not to mention the Cooper is great for working on different types of boofing. Boofing is a vital skill for Robe, as well as a fast roll. I feel very confident when I have a bomber rool that's quick. Playboating is great cross training. The number one cross-skill you get is flip-over/roll-up/repeat. Work all the holes and waves you can. Eventually you will develop your own quick little tricks. Love to help you out with it, Dave. Good luck, bro!

I suggest you get more comfortable on Upper Ici at  flows HIGHER than you did it (last year, I think- that trip I was on with you). Lower flows on Upper Ici don't approximate Robe's PUSH.

That's how I see things, too, Chipper. I don't see the appeal in boating over your head, but I see people doing it all the time. I think it retards your growth as a paddler. It's not really possible to imprint good technique on harder runs. It's much better to imprint good technique on easier water where the consequences aren't so huge, and then take your good technique to the harder runs.

I know a lot of paddlers for example with sh+tty ass rolls who boat really hard stuff. If it takes more than 2 attempts to roll up, you should go back to the pool, or stay off of IV+ and V until you work the bugs out. Say for example you run some easy drop above, let's say, the approach to a waterfall and you flip...


To more clearly address your original problem "can't find a river" (BTW if I wanted to be more a dick than I already am, I could have had a whole lotta fun with that comment...see examples below)

Every river's proper river name has (most of) the runnable sections listed after it:
they are even numbered.

The one for Robe is #3 for example and stated thus: "Verlot to Granite Falls (Robe Canyon Run)"
If you couldn't find that, you weren't looking.

"Can't find a river? In Washington?! Man, kayaking must not be your sport!"
-or-
"Can't find a river? It's safe to say that Old Man Robe Can't hurt you!"
the possibilites are endless...

I think you missed Chipper's Qualifier. Maybe he didn't craft his sentences perfectly to make it clear, but I think he meant that if he were to portage Meatbal, Bob's, Double Drop, and Zigzag Canyon IN ADDITION to Big Bro and BZ, what's the point.

Hell, I don't always drop Big Bro. Ran BZ once, and I'm open to the possibility of running it again, but it's a wait n see kinda thing to be decided just upstream.

Still waiting to feel the magic that will compel me to get "Spiritual"...