Sky this weekend
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11637
Printed Date: 19 Sep 2025 at 12:12pm
Topic: Sky this weekend
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Subject: Sky this weekend
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2012 at 6:39pm
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Well, looks like what's happening, yes? Might be some Lower Green action, but with sunny days ahead, why not? Of course, if LG is around 750-800 I'd be game for hitting cave wave pretty hard, but considering the dam usually doesn't change much over the weekend, that all depends on what they've done in 48. Anyway.....
With projected nice sunny days this weekend and most other stuff drained out, who's up for some big time, day long river time up there? Might be at good levels for what a few of us have talked about: spending all day at Boulder Drop and supporting each other trying different lines. I've taken Airplane Turn most of the time, but want to gain experience on other routes through Picket Fence, and I know a few PPeeps have said the same. Once again, this is favorable flows allowing, and comfort zones respected. Not that I don't like the rest of the run, of course I do, I've had some great times messing around in the other rapids. Sure, a run can be done at some point to break up the monotony, but does anyone else want to spend some time focusing on BD and gaining technique in this gem of a rapid? |
Replies:
Posted By: BrianP
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2012 at 10:24pm
| That sounds like a damn good idea. Multiple people have been suggesting this as a training exercise to get into the creeking world. |
Posted By: ENDO
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2012 at 10:49pm
| Would these flows be good for a class II+/III boater to get their skills up or a bit to pushy? |
Posted By: BrianP
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2012 at 12:04am
| It'll have to come down a bit for me to jump on it. If levels cooperate and a bunch of people show up who want to set safety then maybe?. I don't know how you boat so I'm sure someone else will be able to give you a better answer, I'm no expert, hence the above statement about wanting flows to come down. |
Posted By: Courtney
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2012 at 7:40am
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Endo, no it wouldn't. Boulder Drop is a solid class IV rapid at regular flows and the books say it's pushing a class V above 5,000 cfs and it's just above that now. It's big and fast at this level. A good first time level would be below 2,000 cfs preferably 1,000 to 1,500 being optimal. |
Posted By: JayB
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2012 at 3:23pm
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Agree with Courtney. If you are in the Class II+/III range there are waaaaay more benign settings where you can start building the skills that you'll need to get through tougher rapids safely. You can do a lot of good by picking up a vid like EJ's Strokes and Concepts and hammering away at ferries, eddy turns, etc in a setting like the Powerhouse run on the Snoqualmie. I've been boating for a while and I always feel like I get a lot out of heading out to the powerhouse and focusing on the basics. ------------- -Jay |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2012 at 3:28pm
| @Jay... yea right your just gutting tokul creek for the steelhead down there... can't fool me! |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2012 at 6:13pm
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Yeah, flows might be a tad high on Saturday for experimentation, but Sunday may be better, only time will tell. I was hoping for 2.5-3k, but we're looking at more than that.
It was just a thought. Let's see how gravity and warmth plays this out for us. |
Posted By: BrianP
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2012 at 6:14pm
| Anyone with knowledge of the sky drainage have a prediction for what they think flow might do by sat/sun? |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2012 at 7:56pm
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I bet the forecast graphs will be relatively accurate, or close enough. That and look at the weather forecasts. And Listen to Cliff Mass on KPLU at 9am tomorrow morning. His meteorology forecasts for the weekend are often spot on, more than any tv or radio "weatherman".
Yeah, Boulder Drop is never less than class IV. Even at ELF flows. I'd disagree with it being Class V until it gets up to at least 7k, but as Courtney rightly points out, the Bennett Bible calls it V from 5-10k. And rafters consider it class V also. All that sh*t is subjective but serves to drill the point home that it is certainly a respectable rapid. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: GHannam
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2012 at 3:02pm
Keep me posted for tomorrow! If a group doesn't head down to the Tilton tomorrow, I definitely want to go run the Sky! Would be fun! 
I agree with Courtney and jP... BD is not for a II+/III boater.
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