Thursday, March 25, 2010

Twisting Falls - Elk

Yesterday, 3/24 I got the opportunity to go run the Twisting Falls section of the Elk river. I was supposed to go run Linville but not having a car got in the way again, so I got on board with Frank and Edgar for my 2nd ever Elk run.

We decided we didn't want to drive the 45 minute one way shuttle, so we opted to try out the hike in option, where the shuttle is more like 4 miles, with a "15 minute hike" to the river. After making our way up the road we found the trail and started hiking.  The trail disappeared into the woods after about 100 yards, and we ended up following game trails and hiking through rhododendron and following a creek until we met the Elk. I was relieved when I heard Edgar whoop when he saw the Elk, I was starting to have Steeles Creek flashbacks.

Frank hiking beside a cool boulder

With the hike in option, you only miss two rapids and it is a lot less time consuming than driving the long shuttle and paddling all the flatwater. But personally, I would rather do that then the hike, unless the trail was improved a lot. We may have just missed the easy way at some point though. 

The level was medium-low, but still good, the Watauga was at about 600 cfs this day. Shortly after putting on, we met up with Andre, Pete and Josh and paddled with them. After making it through all the big, shallow, fast slides the Elk has to offer, we made it to the Twisting Falls Portage.  Now I am not usually very scared of heights, but this portage is not fun at all. Especially because i was worrying about my knee the whole time.  

Passing the boats along the narrow ledge

The consequences. I am against the wall.

Twisting Falls

After gingerly making our way around and down twisting falls, and a sweet boof over a big hole, we arrived at the goods. The 15 footer had a very juicy hole at this level, while a few chose to run it, with one beat down, most of us seal launched from the ledge next to it, of equal height. Then came the prize, Compression Falls. The height is debated, my guess is around 30 feet of vert with another 10 foot high roll in for a total close to 40ft. 

Andre went first, and broke his paddle on the landing, even though he ran it perfectly clean. 
Rolling off

I was next, and had a pretty good line I think, but I was a little more vert than I hoped to be. I tucked up tight and landed fine though. I think I was about completely vertical, but the curtain on compression is a little off vert, so you want to have a little bit of angle. Unhappy with my line, I hiked back up for a second shot at it while Josh, Frank, and Pete fired off with good lines. 

My first line

I knew what to do on my second attempt, I just needed to tuck up later, not as soon as I spotted my landing. I did and it worked out perfectly. 

My second lap, about to tuck it up

After my good line on Compression I was much happier, as the last 2 I did I went vert too much. Compression is really the only "must plug" waterfall I have run so far, there just are not that many around the southeast, or Colorado really. I am more interested to find more around here though, I know there are some, they are just not very plentiful.

Waterfalls are a lot trickier than they appear, timing your tuck as to not go over the handlebars or break your paddle is tough. Edgar has run the Elk around 10 times, he said every time he has been someone has gotten hurt or broken something, this time was no exception. Compression does have a big hit at the bottom, it don't tickle. But, I am pretty stoked on waterfalls now, and looking forward to doing more bigger ones.

Boogie on the paddle out, with compression in the background

It has been a solid week so far, with me and Colin paddling some Red Roof and Laurel Creek slides on tuesday, Elk wednesday, Watauga today at a juicy level, and the rest of the week looking like Watauga race training and then the race on saturday, and clean up on sunday.  Another great week of boating in the high country, an awesome place to be in the spring time!

Video coming soon!

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