New Year's O.P. watch
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
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URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11458
Printed Date: 17 Sep 2025 at 6:37am
Topic: New Year's O.P. watch
Posted By: water wacko
Subject: New Year's O.P. watch
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 12:45pm
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This thread is dedicated to the New's Year's weekend O.P. watch. Many rivers to choose from all over the O.P from II to V. Interested parties stay tuned and offer suggestions as to the rivers they want to hit. If we have a big enough group, it is very feasible to have simultaneous trips each day. Let's watch the gauges, ask questions about runs (hopefully we will ALL be getting on something new!) and figure this shin dig out!! Potluck? I'll bring some PBR.
I would like to emphasize this as a community event as much as a paddling event. I know Fish has some Fireball left from the Truss weekend. Let's DO THIS!!!  ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Replies:
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 1:16pm
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Some likely base camping options:
Matheny/Sitkum zone Humptulips zone Satsops/Vance/Wynoochie zone Duckabush zone? ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: septimus prime
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 2:14pm
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------------- Jon Shell Bee |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 3:49pm
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im always in for Olympic missions ! i did a number of multi day van (peace to the previas!!!) camping things out there last year i think matheny zone if water is high , wynoochie/ satsops if its low
one of the coolest new things i did last year on the Olympic was Sams river , what a place ! i would love to do it again , and i would love to add the upper section also ... even tho it adds a few more miles to the hike in...... we camped at the queets/sams confluence for a few days running laps on matheny waiting for the water to come down enough for sams .... was a great trip
camping at the put in or take out of matheny is good ... the nat. park camp ground at the queets / sams confulence is nice to and could take a large group, its a ways from the highway tho
as far as a site in the wynoochie/ satsop id have to think about it, there r tons of hunter camp spots and party spots all over , but i cant think of any good ones right on the rivers off hand , but then again i have never camped in that zone since its less then an hour away from my hot tub on the bay :)
oh and can i just say this cold dry weather SUX!
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Posted By: septimus prime
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 5:10pm
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For the Satsop drainage option, we could camp at the put in for Baker creek. It could hold several cars in a flat area... ------------- Jon Shell Bee |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 6:42pm
Yeah, BW!! I just got a Previa Alltrac a couple weeks ago. I've already put 3000 miles on it! Really. And I forgot about the Sam's! I'd love to get in there too. Never been. We've been lucky to find camping spots in past OP missions, but this could be a big group that needs space (and dry wood!). Can't wait.  ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 9:30pm
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ok Bret, you are officially nominated Chairman of the OP Shin dig comitee- I am down. I spose there's a slim possibility I'll be out of state (new years), if so, have a great time without me!
I like BW's matheney/ Queets idea, tho, and I GOTTA say: I WANNA GET ON THE SAMS REALLY REALLY BAD, so count me in if I'm around (prolly will be) I know a Green River extravaganza is gonna happen too. We'll just have to plan it on a different weekend- can't have conflicting river maggot parties, now can we? More river maggot parties, I say. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2011 at 10:02pm
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Ok Bret, just don't set yourself up for disappointment: remember there's the possibity that mother nature won't grant us the water. So contingencies need to be considered geographicly or temporaly.
EVERY PARTICIPANT SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BRING FIREWOOD AND WISKEY. OTHER stuff to consider for a proper OP aquaulove fest: Did I say Firewood? a substantial amount per individual. Ain't NO DRY wood over there in yonder OP forest! Wiskey. Say no more. Goes with firewood. Ok, byob. Pick your poison. I'm bringin the Fireball. Its great in my patented gourmet cowboy coffee. Ask around. Tarps- for the uninitiated: listen up- you need at least two tarps per individual. Dr. Pizzle's Wilderness Handbook recommends the following: - 1 tarp minimum for van, truck or car. - 1 BIG tarp over tent. - 1 tarp under tent, provided tarp over tent sufficiently shelters ground tarp - 1 tarp Inside tent, for those extremely wet weekends - a small tarp is handy for changing on. Me? I'd probably rally the van, with two van tarps, one community tarp, and three other tarps on standby ready to deploy for misc. Purposes. Lastly, if anyone has a chainsaw, they are encouraged to bring it, mostly for the roads up in there. I got a bow saw I can pack in either Eskimo boat for on river purposes. and I'll prolly bring both. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2011 at 6:37am
I bet we can rope the OP ninja into this one. He's got all the wood handler's permits required to get us into any of the dark places on the OP. I have a big tarp and maybe 2 other smaller tarps. I don't really have any line to string them up with. I'll look around. I really do want to keep this a community event and less of a Class V event. That said, I want the Sam's too. Sam's and lower Matheny could be an option. I'd love to hear what other people are thinking some other options are? What do you wanna get on? Let's pencil some stuff in, so we know what levels to watch for. New Year's on the O.P. is ON!  ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2011 at 8:36am
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Yeah, slick. I was in Fool's a couple weeks ago, really low. under 2000. Went fine, not wood, except for the 'landslide' rapid toward the end. At normal flows it would be covered up. That said it was an easy class IV move to avoid it. The scout made it look worse than it was. Winter in the OP!! ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2011 at 5:57pm
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Fool's Canyon was great Thanksgiving weekend at 5,000. I would call it a class IV undertaking that boated like fat class III if you are an accomplished class IV boater. Squeaky clean. I go back n do 3 laps. Prolly want to set a double shuttle.
I say we watch flows and shoot for Matheny. It has a few different sections. If Sams is in I'm in with it. Potluck, tarps, campfire, and Fireball Wiskey!!! Then adjust accordingly to boating plans depending... ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jalmquist
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2011 at 7:55am
| For "community" rather than "class V", Clearwater campground has great camping and provides adjacency to some good rain-fed options. And if the loop roads are open, egress N to Calawah / Sitkum and S to Queets tribs is easy. |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2011 at 9:44am
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As a very low water option... the EF Quinault. I might just go out a day early and peek in there. ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: AdamG
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2011 at 11:48am
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I'm all in on this idea. All we need is someone to turn the faucet back on
Adam
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Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2011 at 12:43pm
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Yup- and maybe just warm things up 5 degrees or so. But copious amounts of rain would help.
My new years plans could yet be up in the air, but potentially I may be into an early trip over yonder to check that out (EfQ). Gotta play it by ear. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2011 at 7:15pm
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Count me and my dog IN!
Be warned, I'm pushing for the lighter side (class IV playboat runs or easier), but thissound like it could be a really good way to flip the calendar. |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2011 at 9:24pm
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Yeah, man!!! It's gonna be a really fun time. I've camped in the OP wilderness a number of times and no matter how cold or wet I always want to stay longer and can't wait til the next time.
------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: brig
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2011 at 9:42pm
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I Want OP Goodies ------------- Chris B. |
Posted By: GHannam
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2011 at 7:58am
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Depending on the verdict of what peeps are planning to run, I'm game. I'd be up for Matheny, forsure! Fingers are crossed that these atmospheric highs that keep developing off our coast will take a break, and the temperatures rise just a touch, so we can get some rain in!!
What an awesome idea, Bret!!! Thanks for being such an awesome Chairman
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2011 at 11:34am
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Since this is a community event, I see possibly two or three simultaneous trips happening over the weekend and then we can all camp and relax at the same base camp. Look through some of the suggestions on this page and see if one sounds good, then keep an eye on levels for the run you're interested in. If everyone brings some dry firewood we could get a nice fire going, too. Potluck? Communal feasting only adds to the stoke, especially in a special place like the O.P. - Brett ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2011 at 1:58pm
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I'd vote for Matheney Creek as the most centralized camp to afford the most possibilities, but whatever. Seems like that way there are multiple options in all directions.
This is gonna be highly dependent on weather and rain, so either a backup location and or plan should be considered, too Bret. Btw- Bret isn't a chairman, Gwendolyn, he's an Almbudsman. Titles matter. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: Jed Hawkes
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2011 at 2:07pm
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Ombudsman. ------------- The line will become apparent 978-273-7723 |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2011 at 2:38pm
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 12:40pm
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JP, I figure we can work out the details the week of, when we know where the rain will be and what runs will be running. Matheny sounds like a good plan to me, though. Very centralized to many options. If yer thinkin' about it... you might want to make it a priority. just sayin.. ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 5:55pm
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Thanks for the correction, Jed- I usually shoot for better accuracy than that, but then, James may be onto something!
Yeah, Bret- I'm making it a priority. And I hope Santa drops a bunch of cats and dogs all over Washington for Christmas (note to Santa if you are reading this, please don't take me litterally. The last thing I'd want is to show up at Matheney Creek and see heaps of cat and dog carcasses filling the riverbeds. It's a figure of speech) shoulda just asked for rain. But- what if the Queets drainage is obviously bone dry? That discussion needs to take place. Because if it is I don't want to drive all that way to bump n grind down stuff. We need to discuss a minimum flow requirement for heading out there. Forgiveable low water is one thing. Ridiculously bone dry is another. Would the weekend get cancelled? Rerouted to Hoody McRib? Bumped back to another date? (Try not to place it in conflict w/ the Green Overnighter) ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 6:09pm
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Bigwah seems to be right: High presure systems seem like thet may dominate over the next week, with some light sprinkles, but we gotta wait n see ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: irenen
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 7:44pm
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Originally posted by jP The last thing I'd want is to show up at Matheney Creek and see heaps of cat and dog carcasses filling the riverbeds. Awesome visual JP. :) I may never approach creeking the same way again. ------------- It's all fun and games until someone loses a paddle. |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 8:34pm
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Well JP, I believe we can make the levels we want, especially as a bg group who really want this thing to happen, sooo... I'm going with the 'power of positive thinking' as PLAN 'A'. Plan B is if mother nature doesn't cooperate. However, I believe she will. The proof is this dry spell. This is merely, and literally, the calm before the O.P. STORM!! Now, we aren't shooting for flooding and scary high flows. We're aiming for ideal flows on the rivers the New Year's O.P. crew are dreaming about paddling. Let's set our sight NOW, shall we. Believe in the power of positive thinking and it'll happen. And let's not get into a debate about this ethereal practice, please? nuf said. This dry spell is also giving us all time to whet our appetites and research the runs we really want to get on. So let's ALL jump on this bandwagon I propose, pick our dream rivers and dream flows, not talk about how this ethereal process is about to unfold, and simply put our collective attention on silently making our dreams... a reality on this special magical weekend. Sound good? It'll be fun. let's all nod in silent agreement.
Plan B? Let's cross that bridge if we need to, but more importantly... keep our attention on plan A. Plan A Plan A. Ideal flows. Ideal rivers. Ideal camping scenarios. As the days move closer we can all watch the predictions and figure out where the rain is going to fall. This can turn into a cool little project. The silence, I'm proposing, will only add to the cool factor.  Let's be cool about this and watch the magic unfold. Mother nature is a sweetie. She wants us to love her. So show her respect and ask for what you want. Respectfully and to yourself. Let the magic unfold...
What rivers do you want to paddle? Think about that. Ask questions here if you have no idea, or aren't sure how to find flow info or whatever. We have peeps on here with answers and river suggestions. Look through the Korb O.P. guidebook if you have a copy. Look through this thread for some ideas. Look on the PP 'rivers' page for other ideas. Get stoked!! This is the O.P.!! On New Year's WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!! ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 8:37pm
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FUUCK YEEEAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2011 at 9:12pm
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Well, Brett, I am doing my raindance on a frequent basis. Darren just posted a thread showing links to the new forecast graphs- cross your fingers, keep the raindances jiggin---
Just maybe....  ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: AdamG
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2011 at 10:13am
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Brett - well played. The forecast looks promising, very promising. Is this still ON? Fired up! http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/p120i12.gif - http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/p120i12.gif
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2011 at 8:33pm
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Adam, in a word ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2011 at 7:44am
Let me reiterate...     ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2011 at 1:19pm
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anyone heading out there on Fri ? or Thur night even ? |
Posted By: septimus prime
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2011 at 10:47pm
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If there is water, I will. Ooff all week if anyone wants to boat. ------------- Jon Shell Bee |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2011 at 7:28am
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Hopefully I will be heading out there Fri as well. I'll post here if so. JP, are you heading out Fri? ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: septimus prime
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2011 at 7:40am
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People are welcome to stage at my place on Thursday night for an early start Friday. Plenty of space. Contact me if interested. ------------- Jon Shell Bee |
Posted By: AdamG
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2011 at 8:05am
| I plan on heading out first thing Friday morning |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2011 at 9:20pm
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I'm gonna bring some of the best Christmas goodies ever made, too. Mom's home made Potato Fudge. yum ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 1:51am
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Lets figure this out wed. I could get excitdd about possibly kicking the whole thing off with Jefferson on thurs, if that starts to look viable. I gotts check flows some more, but yeah- still interested.
Gotta say though that Im gonna go where the water is... ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 8:53am
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Thinkin bout just heading down there today or tomorrow... ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 9:16am
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Flood Statement
WGUS86 KSEW 281419 FLSSEW FLOOD STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA 619 AM PST WED DEC 28 2011 ...THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN WASHINGTON... SKOKOMISH RIVER NEAR POTLATCH AFFECTING MASON COUNTY. .FLOOD BULLETIN NO. 2 OLYMPIC PENINSULA REGION HEAVY RAIN ALONG THE SOUTH SLOPES OF THE OLYMPICS TUESDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY THIS MORNING DROVE THE SKOKOMISH RIVER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE. A SERIES OF WEATHER SYSTEMS WILL KEEP THE RIVER NEAR FLOOD STAGE THROUGH FRIDAY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... DO NOT DRIVE CARS...VANS...OR TRUCKS THROUGH FLOODED AREAS...THIS IS THE CAUSE OF MOST FLOOD RELATED DEATHS IN WASHINGTON. BE ALERT FOR RAPID CHANGES AND MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS BY LISTENING TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL MEDIA. && WAC045-282319-/O.CON.KSEW.FL.W.0064.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z//SRPW1.1.ER.111228T1351Z.111231T0600Z.000000T0000Z.NO/619 AM PST WED DEC 28 2011 THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE SKOKOMISH RIVER NEAR POTLATCH * FROM 6 AM WEDNESDAY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. * AT 6:00 AM WEDNESDAY THE STAGE WAS 16.8 FEET. * FLOOD STAGE IS 16.5 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CREST NEAR 16.9 FEET AROUND 8 AM THIS MORNING. THE RIVER WILL RECEDE LATER THIS MORNING INTO THIS AFTERNOON BUT REMAIN NEAR FLOOD STAGE THROUGH FRIDAY. * IMPACT...AT 16.5 FEET...THE SKOKOMISH RIVER WILL CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING OF PASTURE LANDS...WITH WATER FLOWING QUICKLY OVER EAST BOURGAULT ROAD AND SKOKOMISH VALLEY ROAD. $$ FELTON WEATHER.GOV/SEATTLE Come Hell or Highwater, the van will go. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: dave
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 9:38am
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I just noticed that everone going has a truck or van to sleep in. You guys should man up, carpool and sleep in tents like the rest of us poor people. Dam vans are going to ruin our environment! ------------- Nomad |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 9:44am
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You can sleep on the porch of my van, Dave. Under one of the many tarps that will be strung from it. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 1:11pm
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welp we definatly have water .... lower matheny is prime at this lvl .. wish i could have gotten out on the water today
if it rains more tonight i may be heading out to the moshpit tomorro and staying up on the Olympic all weekend
is it safe to say you guys will be camping at Matheny ? once i leave town i wont have contact with anything but the river
Is Fri morning at Matheny the plan for most ?
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Posted By: septimus prime
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 4:41pm
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I think that would make the most sense for a central location. Also, heard that Matheny Campground has a hunters camp with posts for securing tarps. The Power of Positive Thinking. Lets get it! ------------- Jon Shell Bee |
Posted By: WA-Boater
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 6:19pm
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I'm hoping Jefferson will be running both Thurs and Friday. I'd like to get out there one or both days. If anyone is planning to go either day please call.
Darren 253 549 3945 ------------- |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 6:20pm
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Bigwah- I'm gonna try to call you tonight and triangulate. Sounds like its pow-wow time. Bret- you too. Gonna call ya ina few.
Septimus, you too. Now: who else is in? This thread has been awful quiet. There looks to be water out there this weekend. Some PPeeps gonna go get their Hoody MacRio on, but Ima save that for later this winter. Brett's New Age Fairy Dust approach seemed to have worked: we got some water. (I also have been bustn out some of my own raindance moves). So who is gonna pack up the tarps and come camp and boat in Washington State's "state within a state?" Sure, this plan won't appeal to the fair-weather weekend Wenatchee warriors, but for those who crave an adventure... Remember: this OP rendezvous is OPEN TO ALL SKILL LEVELS. While anyone who joins us is encouraged to CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE somewhat, there are enough of us going who know our way around out there good enough that we can show you around if you are new to the OP or new to boating. I don't have any agenda other than to boat, hang out under some tarps, eat some good food, and tell some River Lies around a campfire. I'll boat anything from class II to class V, depending on who shows up and what the flows do. Just let us know you are coming sooner than later. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 6:22pm
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Jefferson: that was the other pertinent matter at hand. I will call you tonight as well, D ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: PaddleGirl
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 8:18pm
| Well jp I'm thinking about it but I have to work Friday. Haven't made an official decision just yet. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 8:26pm
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Cool- I think brett is workin a partial day fri (?).
I will probably roll out tomorrow. Waiting for our Ombudsman to pronounce a plan of sorts, but it sounds like we are converging at Matheney Creek. Hoping it doesn't drop out on us- Some fronts will continue to move through thurs and fri. Most of the river graphs show a drop followed by a bump back up later on friday. Forks' forecast calls for rain throughout the weekend, and the larger models show a slightly drier trend sat and sun compared to thurs and fri. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 8:47pm
| Call me i may be coaxable out of the woods for some matheny. |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 9:47pm
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So it's looking like I'll be able to head out Fri morning for a lap or two on Jefferson first. I'm going to look through and see what could be running (this could be a long list) from class III-V on the Matheny side of the OP for the weekend. Right now, for Sat, if it looks good I'd like to get on the Sitkum if it's low enough. The Sitkum is a 2.5 hour drive north from Aberdeen, so we'd have to start early. ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 10:10pm
| My plan is to run the NF Snoqualmie on Saturday, and then drive out to the OP to have a brew with you all to close the night. Boating whatever my boat and body can handle on Sunday. Mosh Pit would be excellent, but by then levels might not be right. Maybe some easy class IV or super playful class III run, who knows. Just looking to maximize what's available. |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 10:19pm
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That said, Jan. 1er surf is looking playful, as well......
The OP has breaks to explore, and offshore winds all day. But that is four days from now. Breaks can be fickle. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 10:45pm
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Cool, Grinch- it would be great to see ya out there. Just be sure (and this goes for everyone) not to under estimate the distances involved. Even a Saturday's Sitkum plan is gonna involve some drivin back to Matheney if we stick with it as a base camp ( sounds like the plan). Not sayin there's anythimg wrong with that.
For me it just always seems to be a lot of drivin. So the key is simply getting an early start. The more the merrier. There doesn't seem to be a huge buzz though. Probably cuz PPeeps got New Years plans with family ect. I'm just gonna remind everyone to come prepared if you decide to head out there. Its pretty remote, which is also what makes it so rad. Bring at least 2 bundles of firewood per person and maybe we'll have plenty. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2011 at 10:50pm
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So here are some options I think will be good over the weekend. I'm doing some quick posts and you'll have to follow up to see if the run is to your liking, but if it's listed this way: Calawah forks II+ to IV that means there are multiple runs rated II+, up to IV. And the rating is for the whole run. If there is no beta on this site americanwhitewater.org has a lot of O.P. beta as well. I've learned recently Sam's has become a 4 mile hike. The Korb Book also has many descriptions of these runs.
North of Matheny Calawah forks II+ to IV Sitkum III to V Bogachiel II+ Sam's IV-V Hoh forks II to III Quinault II Matheny south Matheny III to IV+ Clearwater II to III-IV Sollecks III-IV Stequaleho II-III (V+) Humptulips forks II to IV+ Wynoochee II-III (V) My A list is Jefferson Fri, the Upper Upper and/or Upper SItkum for Sat. Matheny Sun. I'm totally open to other suggestions and will go with the flow if the flow goes another way. I've done both already. Sam's in another A list possibility for Sat, but it is going to be a 4 mile hike to the put in. That's what I got. These are all predictions. Mother Nature gives the final call.  What says the peanut gallery? I'm sure I missed some runs that will be in that zone and running.------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 8:28am
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im up for whatever ... altho driveing from jefferson to the sitkum is a long ways , you proly wana go around the north side if you r doing that wich puts you no where near matheny , stikum is on the total opposite side of the peninsula from jefferson .. close to 200 mile drive upper upper stikum is cool , but waterfalls r not my thing anymore (i can always walk around them to save my back) im still up for doing laps on lower matheny its great when the queets is over 20k , play creaking ... i use a playboat ,its more like a river at that flow and has some good waves ... also running matheny top to bottom is an amazing day, over 12 miles of great Olympic river and as of last year it had ZERO wood, a very rare thing for runs up there and yes sams is at least a 4 mile hike in (seemed like more).... and another 2 or 3 miles if ya wana add the upper (still havent done that) ... and the road/trail suxs it has tank traps dug out at every creek crossing ... i also had to cut 4 trees out of the road and got a flat on the way to the first washout ..... if you dont start hiken in eary you will have a very rushed day in there ... camping in the area the night before is almost a must to have enough time for Sams... oh one good thing is that the shuttle is much shorter now becouse the queets road blew out at matheny and they opened the pass between the forest lands and the park so people can still get to the queets campground, this saves you from driveing all the way back to 101 and back up the queets road
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 12:48pm
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Hey BIGwah, would you mind updating the beta on these rivers? This isn't my zone even though I love the OP, and don't know the road system that well. What's your A list? Are you on for Jefferson tomorrow? ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 2:00pm
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If Jefferson is too low Sam's look like the next likely candidate or Sitkum. I'd probably want to leave Seattle tonight for the Sitkum, though. Thoughts? ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 2:32pm
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Since I'm making lists (and I know more people are coming than who've posted) here is one more. These are the folks planning on coming. Please post if you're coming and what rivers you want to hit so everyone can see and plan accordingly. It's Thursday night and time to show your hand. You might just choose a run someone else wants to get on, but doesn't know about.
Is Matheny camp also Clearwater CG? I've never picked a group camp spot out there. Also, it might be helpful for people to put there numbers up on this thread. It's possible to take a wrong turn once you get out there and not a lot of roads are marked well. Having phone numbers is a GOOD thing. ;) Cell service isn't great either. Both days: James dave AdamG septimus prime jP D1 jalmquist water wacko BIGWATER brig GHannam Sunday: Mr Grinch SOPBoater Maybe no days? PaddleGirl MKeppler rpmmax myak My number is: two woah 6 three 53 five won 01 This is my A list, and like I said before I'll go with the flow if the group wants something else. Fri: Sam's or Sitkum Sat: Matheny or SF Calawah or Sollecks Sun: Matheny or EF Humptulips or Fool's Canyon ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: GHannam
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 2:43pm
| What time are people rallying on Saturday morning? I might have to drive out early Saturday morning, but am still trying to iron out some logistics... |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 3:20pm
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hey i just got back from Jefferson creek ... good med. flow .. duno if it will have water tommoro was dropen fast ... but it may rain a ton tonight if it rains crazy and the nassele or moshpit are in i think thats what ill do tomoro .... if there is no rain ... sams may be good ... altho unless you leave supper early its gona be a rushed day .... may be best to do some matheny stuff on Fri so its more chill and think about sams next day since you can camp there and have a nice early start ... as far as camping on matheny ... the put-in for lower matheny has a large pull out near the bridge that is dry and has room for a big group.... the take-out also has good camping but its wet and smaller
the clearwater campground is nice also ....and close to the upper clearwater run and the sollecks... but its not in the matheny/ sams area , maby 30 min drive
feel free to call me tonight .... chris at three 6 zero 867 one nine two one
thats a land line i have no cell phone .... old school !
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Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 3:23pm
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also i have at least one buddy from Oly comeing out tommro ,,, may be rallying more
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Posted By: PaddleGirl
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 4:10pm
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alright, i'm in for sunday for sure.
but i'm not sure if i'm gonna do the nf snoqualmie then drive out thing, or just drive out in the morning. probably depends when folks are rallying.
Pretty much down for anything that isn't class V... it's all new to me.
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Posted By: PaddleGirl
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 4:13pm
| ** just drive out in the morning ** - means drive out on saturday morning, depending on when folks are rallying. |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 4:19pm
| hey paddlegirl ... come out for the fun !.... but if you are driveing out sun. morning , make sure you leave supper early... like 5 or 6 am so you can hook up for the first run of the day , if we are camping there we may be starting early since daylight is limited this time of year ... or we may be all hung over i duno |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 4:23pm
| oh you said sat morning ,,, still same deal early is good i thinks |
Posted By: kurle
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 5:03pm
| kim and i might head out saturday afternoon and meet up with you guys, should be a good time! |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 5:15pm
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Yeah, right about now I want to caution anyone who wants to meet us for half the weekend:
In my personal opinion it is better to rally friday night. Just gettin to Matheny involves a healthy drive. Definitely leave early if you roll out sat morn. Gwendolyn, maybe you oughtta team up w/ paddle girl? Sounds like you are leaving the same time. But here's the deal: Bret crafted up a sweet little list. There's a lot on it. But YOU need to set some sort of agenda too. Like Bret said, now is the time to express yourselves as far as what YOU want to paddle. Hey, if I can run upper Matheny, I'm going to be game for anything. Yes I love the Sitkum and would love to go back but I'm not sure I'm fired up about the drive. Sams? Yeah I'd love to run it too, but I could just as easily hit the Humptulips or even the Wynoochee on Sunday... I'm flexible. I can boat whatever. Jusy sayin, don't shy away because it sounds like the momentum is all going towards class V creeks. But shape the agenda the way you want and stack the deck w/ some more PPeeps who want to boat that stuff. This is a group participation thing. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: wday
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 5:18pm
| i'll probly head out sat sometime too and try to locate the PP basecamp...! |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 5:49pm
Bret, sounds like we're gonna see each other tonite and can plan a little then. Yes, Bret- I do have the much coveted "edit" button!! BUT I earned, buddy! Ha ha ha 
But Related to these last few posts: Maybe we need to hash out some better details about where to camp and rendezvous. May as well be organized about it, so PPeeps can find us. Want to say put-in OR take out for Lower Matheney? That gives us options and allows PPeeps the means to narrow it down n figure it out. We gotta remember we never know what we'll find when we show up. Roads could have windfall blockin the way, blown out chunx, ect. Hell, the Bridge over Jefferson has sunk and practically torn away from the bank. This is an ever changing world in which we paddle... ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: PaddleGirl
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 7:16pm
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I hear ya jp, but I don't think I'm gonna be making it out Friday night, or ass early Saturday.
So I'm thinking of doing the nf snoqualmie sat then shoot on over to the op basecamp.. or I might not actually paddle sat and shoot on over to the op sat afternoon. I'd love to camp at matheny and run matheny on sunday.... pool drop style creeking is my fave. I'm not a big fan of high water levels with big holes... I'm open though, all of these runs are new to me except for middle matheny. |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 7:25pm
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Originally posted by jP
Like Bret said, now is the time to express yourselves as far as what YOU want to paddle.. My shoulder is still sub-par, and I'm 100% paddling Snoqualmie on Saturday. For Sunday, I'd like to keep it easy, depending on how my body handles Saturday. All that and I've got some funny thing going on with one finger in my right hand, don't know what that's all about. Still, what better way to end the year and start the next?! Of course, I am still monitoring the ocean.......but I won't let that get in the way of a soggy night in the woods with other people who are obviously crazy. |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 7:39pm
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Oh, yeah, by 'easy' I mean class IV or less and runnable by mortals (suck boaters like myself) in playboats.
Also, where is the encampment planned? |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 7:40pm
| Dogs allowed? |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 12:34am
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Matheny may be dropping out after Friday eve, if not sooner. Tommorow may be a low medium. It may be drying out sat onward.
Sat may still be a decent low... I don't know- not too familiar with it. I could potentially do the East Frk Humptulips or something between Olympia on Sun. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 7:01am
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welp looks like most of the storm went south into OR, i almost wana rally down to lake creek here is my plan.... im heading out from Oly this morning around 8 with a buddy and we are going to do some laps on lower Matheny and camp there tonight ... he has to be back on Sat night so we are bringing 2 cars... i may head back with him and hit something like the humptulips or Satsop on Sat. ... or i may stay up there on Sat night depending on what people r doing and boat sunday also looks like things will be droping fast all weekend , but there will stil be stuf to do , just not epic bigwater the Tilton may be down to nice play lvls by sunday ... its still crazy big right now
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Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 8:20am
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Well we are heading out to Matheney this morning, too. We will likely be puttin in on the Upper, running the middle also, camping there.
PPeeps are getting their stoke up for the Sams for saturday. I am going to have a hard time turning that down, though the water will be dropping. Anyone interested in queing that up with us on Saturday should call us this morning, and be out camping on Matheney tonight. Bret is now talkin bout the Sitkum on Sunday. So by default that is how things have shaped up. I'm not sure of water on Sunday up there, but I'm not too fired up about driving up there anyway. I could do the Humptulips or something on Sunday. Would like to hear from someone other than Bret's crew if I'm gonna alter plans. Chris- as it stands right now I may have to chase the Sams on sat. Will be out there campin on Matheney tho fri n sat ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: PaddleGirl
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 8:48am
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well I'm bummed matheny probably won't be in on sunday.
AW has the humptulips as lower runnable... do you think that will still be in on sunday?
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Posted By: PaddleGirl
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 8:54am
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so is there anyone else out there that doesn't want to run sitkum but wants to boat on sunday?
I'm not quite sure what i want to do now.
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Posted By: AdamG
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 9:55am
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Originally posted by PaddleGirl so is there anyone else out there that doesn't want to run sitkum but wants to boat on sunday? I'm not quite sure what i want to do now. Yes - all the Humtulips runs will be running all weekend and I'm sure there will be plenty of folks eager to paddle there, including myself. I'm heading to Matheny now |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 8:43pm
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This is all good and well, sounds like Humptulips will be manageable Sunday, yeah?
Still, where would I go on Saturday night to camp out? Is my potential to inspect the ocean surface in integral expression, unrelated to boating, taboo? |
Posted By: PaddleGirl
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 9:26pm
| Grinch I think the spot is the lower matheny put in, middle takeout. At least I think, someone correct me if I'm wrong. |