Tshletshy Creek 2012
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=12204
Printed Date: 19 Sep 2025 at 9:13pm
Topic: Tshletshy Creek 2012
Posted By: water wacko
Subject: Tshletshy Creek 2012
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 9:24am
A great trip this year. Plenty of snow for infrequent, yet thrilling moments of kayak bobsledding. Adventure is out there. And fortunately just a short drive away.
http://creeksides.blogspot.com/2012/06/tshletshy-creek.html - http://creeksides.blogspot.com/2012/06/tshletshy-creek.html
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"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
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Replies:
Posted By: NateW
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 10:40am
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 12:59pm
Thanks, Nate. Always have fun making em.
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"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
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Posted By: Scott_H
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 4:14pm
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Way cool. I grew up spending lots of time in the Olympics; it really is a hidden treasure. It was weird to me when I moved to Seattle and started exploring the Cascades and would see....people. Not a lot of people in the Olympics. I need to go back to the Olympics - this time with a boat.
Really cool pics and story - thanks for posting.
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“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.”
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Posted By: BRoss
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 4:26pm
Awesome, what a mission!
So, what are your thoughts about Gary Korb's statement "the best whitewater in Washington" in the guidebook??? Do you agree, or did the run get woodier, did they catch it at a "better" flow, or has the perception of a quality run changed with the years?
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"That boated a lot better than it looked." "It always does until it doesn't."
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 9:26pm
BRoss, I think "the best" will always be subjective. Trips like these aren't about the crushing whitewater, at least for me. These trips offer me an opportunity to cruise through a zone no one's been to, probably since Ryan and I were in there last year... and get through it feeling good at the end. These hike-in trips are a lot of work and that's part of the reward in the end. It's no Middle Kings, no endless crushing whitewater. Although, there are great drops and lots of canyons and LOTS of rapids. In order to really enjoy these trips I think you need to want to be there, the whole length of the trip. If you're just wanting the Tshlasm or the Lower Canyons for example, the rest of the trip just might suck for you. I dig the Tshletshy trip... maybe not the last couple pitches getting up to the low saddle, but well, you know.. Remote locale, days from outside help, challenging conditions including weather, navigating class IV-V river conditions. I prefer the difference between a 'comfortable' trip and 'harsh conditions' trip being wise choices, not an unknown.
It is what it is. It's the best if that's the trip you want. It was the best last year, the best this year, even though it was still physically punishing. Scott Matthews recalled about a dozen portages. We had more than that this year.
It seems there is a different mentality permeating the sport of kayaking these days that wasn't as prevalent 20 or 30 years ago. Back then the idea was to get as much river in with as little walking as possible, spending the better part of the day out there. Bridge to bridge style. Great. They were exploring limits, too. Not only in feet-per-mile, but manufacturers were making huge improvements with new materials and improved designs. When guys like Gary Korb and Scott Matthews began hiking into these runs people thought they were crazy, or at least a little weird. Kayaking was a leisurely activity. Class IV was getting extreme. Guys like Yvon Choiunard, Lars Holbeck, and Walt Blackadar, heck Chris Spelius even... these guys were icons at the time, larger than life. Out there on the fringe of life barely hanging on, but making it. The stories were compelling, breath taking. Read some of Messner's feats in the climbing/mountaineering world back in the '70's. Legendary to this day.
The iconic status of these men spoke more to the spirit of adventure than the ability to dominate anything. Maybe they were simply trying to survive it. That same spirit is what calls to me. I feel the need to explore and these are the places I'm moved to go. So yes, I suppose this is some of the best.
These guys started doing this kind of exploring around here, but it seems (from my limited perspective) local paddling peers just thought they were strange. I heard some great stories each night in camp on our way down Tshletshy though. I like the adventure, the complexity trips like this contain. Wildwater - The Movie talks about the quest, the search. There are many sentiments that ring true for me in this film as I'm sure they do for everyone. Doug Ammons speaks to the inner drive and motivation very well. For me it is about being out there. Surviving. Well, not just surviving, but having fun and doing the little things along the way you want. See the stuff, snapping the shots, living my way "through" the trip and being as present with the experience as I can be... without a judgement or story. Making wise decisions along the way and learning from my mediocre ones. I learn a lot and enjoy living nomadically. Camping for a few hours then moving out, leaving no trace.
I suppose it can become a lifestyle if one isn't careful. Might quit yer job and buy a van. The best can happen every trip.
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"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
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Posted By: jalmquist
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 9:42pm
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Way to go, Brett. Nice to see Scott back in action. FYI (for your next T-Creek adventure) - West Boundary Rd (FSR 21) is now the route to the Sams confluence / Queets CG. You could still opt for the bonus exercise on the Queets, but at least stash a few beers for those last 17 miles. I'll bet Scott's Foster's oil cans were well gone by then.
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