White Water

[phyzwiz]

White Water


Sweet rain falling gently on the green carpeted hills
Slowly makes its way into creeks and brooks meandering through the ravines
Gradually picking up speed as gravity engages in its endless task
The rushing waters merge with each other in a roiling marriage in the valley floor
The river becomes a raging crush of foam and froth hurriedly racing to seek its level
Saturday morning lunatics don rubber rafts for a chance to challenge the rock filled rapids
Intrepid paddlers shiver from the icy water and the adrenaline pumping through their veins
The rubber raft careens off the rocks and spins madly in the torrential fury of the rapid
Paddlers become swimmers guides become panic stricken
Guides issuing their commands two forward, all back
Bodies scurry to the high side as the raft pinned to a rock is pummeled by the freight train current
The raft becomes increasing difficult to maneuver as it fills with the weight of the river
Massive holes create hydraulics from which there is no escape
Amid the chaos the paddlers’ faces contort with exertion
As the raft clears the rapid and seeks the relative calm of the eddies,
Cheers of jubilation echo through the canyon
Faces go wide eyed in wonder at the sight of the rapid that has just been negotiated
A chance to catch one’s breath as the next rapid awaits
For the few who dare to risk their safety on the river, the reward is the sheer terror of a class V rapid

[Farkas]

Hi

When I was a boy I built my own raft and risked the spring flood through Devil's gorge. I agree with the description of the insanity and the terror of the moment when you realize you are no longer in control.

Farkas

[phyzwiz]

Farkas, that sounds familiar, where is Devils Gorge?

[dwells]

Don't forget your brain bucket and the falls just around the next curve (or is it this one?) - with you all the way PW and surfing can offer something similar. Cheers! - Dan
Do the paddles come with lanyards I'm wondering...

[phyzwiz]

Dan, we portage around the falls and in high water, Class Vs become Class VIs. Class VI, death is likely ( a significant probability). Portage around those too. I can't surf to save a lick.