Monster river trip ...

[Getupngo]

Just got back from my three-day adventure on the Payette River in Idaho. This wasn't the flat-water trip I expected.

The huge runoff created monster, chaotic haystack waves on the Payette. I went out of my boat in the second rapid on the first day, and after a terrifying swim and rescue, I realized I had no business paddling that water in a small boat after five years off the river. So I let someone else use my boat and I joined four other people in a paddle raft.

That was the first day on the Main Payette -- the "easy" run.

The second day, the Carbarton run offered up even bigger rapids, followed by the tour de force: Howard's Plunge.

Howard's Plunge at this water level was a 30-foot drop with huge, smashing waves. The paddle boat that went down ahead of us got sucked under completely and all six aboard went into the drink. As we entered the rapid, our boat got hit by a enormous wave on the port side, and my fellow rear paddler Layla simply disappeared, washed overboard. I lost my paddle. Our paddle boat captain, Rick, also was washed overboard but managed to hold onto the rope. I pulled him back in. We did not capsize. Howard's Plunge feeds into almost a pond-like section of calm river, and it looked like a yard sale, as we picked up boats, people, paddles, shoes, hats ...

It was an incredible trip, but not without consequences. A woman in our group went out in one rapid, and we couldn't find her. She had to go through the next huge rapid before we could get to her -- a quarter mile in all. She badly banged up her leg on a rock and that night we thought maybe her femur was fractured. Another paddle captain swam and banged up his knee.

But we all survived ... and to tell you what the weekend was like, all but one of us took an involuntary dip in the drink.

Monday night was my first Fourth of July celebration in Crouch, Idaho. I had been forewarned. It was pure anarchy. Each year, this little mountain town's main street is cordoned off for anyone -- sober or drunk! -- to shoot off fireworks, no matter how large or small. Some were breathtaking & rivaled the simultaneous municipal firework show.

The chaos, smoke and din were incredible. We had to be alert as a few fireworks exploded on the street and sent their fiery discharge at the crowd. Others were awe-inspiring. Hundreds of people crowded into town for the spectacle and the party. (this video of the 2009 celebration shows what it's like. INSANE!)

Not all celebrators were benign. Some folks lobbed bottle rockets at spectators across the street, and one guy lit & dropped them on our outdoor dance floor & nearly hit one of our party. A few explosions felt & sounded like dynamite.

Nevertheless, we danced, twirled and formed a huge conga line as an immense number of fireworks exploded over our heads and ash floated down into our hair. What a rush! When the maelstrom ended, firework detrius covered the street.

Afterward, we walked back to our cars under pitch-black, starry skies with huge smiles.

On edit: I did not take pictures, but several others did and will be sharing them with me. I'll post them as I get them.

[Carolinagal]

Janice, I think if we had a vote on here of 'Who had the most exciting and insane 4th of July" , so far you would be way up front. What a time you had and so much fun just reading of it. Good for you, what a wonderful memory you have for yourself. I'll be looking forward to any pix you might be able to post for us.

So glad you all stayed safe, not so on our rafting waters in my area,
CArol

[Ladyhawk]

Ummmm.....I did laundry over the weekend and watched a movie on the 4th. Yep, you win in the excitement department. It sounds like you had a great time and I'm looking forward to the pictures.

[Redetotry]

Good Grief I can't imagine doing a rafting trip like that, I admire your courage!! I don't know which sounds more dangerous the river or the Fourth of July riot! Sounds like Halloween used to be here until they finally had to shut the party down completely it got so out of control.

[sharon]

OK, you win GF! I will no longer whine about doing 100+ MPH on the Fontana Speedway on a motorcycle on the 4th!! That would sure enough cure me of ever wanting to go river rafting again!

[Yakn1]

Well.....now that you have scared the bejeebers out of me!!
I am leaving tomorrow morning for a 6 day float and fish on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Big water rafting is a new experience for me - and I'm not sure I want THAT much crazieness

Wish me luck - don't know what to expect now!!!!

Vicki

[VickieP]

Wow! All I can say is I'm glad it was you and not me! I'm glad you had a great time.

Yakn/Vicki, I just Googled the Salmon River to see where it was...
"The Salmon River is located in Idaho in the northwestern United States. The Salmon is also known as The River of No Return."

[sharon]

Wow! All I can say is I'm glad it was you and not me! I'm glad you had a great time.

Yakn/Vicki, I just Googled the Salmon River to see where it was...
"The Salmon River is located in Idaho in the northwestern United States. The Salmon is also known as The River of No Return."

Oh My! I'll say an extra Hail Mary for you, Vicky!

[AlmostThere]

I'm glad no one lost their lives. Either on the river or the streets!
I am surprised that they were rafting when there has been so much news coverage of the high rivers and swift strong currents. Very lucky, indeed.
So glad you are safe! You are one adrenaline junkie!!

[Getupngo]

Well.....now that you have scared the bejeebers out of me!!
I am leaving tomorrow morning for a 6 day float and fish on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Big water rafting is a new experience for me - and I'm not sure I want THAT much crazieness

Wish me luck - don't know what to expect now!!!!

Vicki

I've ALWAYS wanted to do the Middle Fork. I've only run the Main Salmon (a little more tame) at high water and it's the most beautiful wilderness. My advice to you ... cinch up your life jacket tight! It'll be a great ride and you'll love it. I'd go with you if I could.

If you are going with an outfitter, they probably will put in below the technical top section of the Middle Fork because the water is so high. Check with them if you're concerned.

On edit: Most of our mayhem (ha!) involved people paddling "duckies" (little inflatable kayaks). The folks in the rafts mostly did just fine.

[Yakn1]

Well, Vickie------thanks for making feel so much better about this!!! Love you too!

I'm going with Idaho River Journeys, great outfitters, I'm sure it will be thrilling and fun. I'm sooooo excited!

[VickieP]

Well, Vickie------thanks for making feel so much better about this!!! Love you too!

You're welcome, just another one of those nice things I do for ya!

[WickedLady]

Wow! What a rush! I have only done class 3 rapids but would love to do a 5 with a good rafting company. It's on my bucketlist

[Getupngo]

I may be an adrenaline junkie, but a Class V is waaaay too scary for me.

@Vickie: Looked up Idaho River Journeys' middle fork trip, and yeah. They're not promoting the sphincter-clenching, adrenaline-pumping O.M.G. upper fourth of the middle fork.

Worst case for you, I think, is that the high river flows will give you short days on the river (you'll do your daily mileage quickly). So fish FAST!

[OutandAbout]

Yakn/Vicki, I just Googled the Salmon River to see where it was...
"The Salmon River is located in Idaho in the northwestern United States. The Salmon is also known as The River of No Return."

This is why Yank1 is the NICE VICKIE. Linda