Weekend Hucks!

By: Christina
Russell

Date: October 13,2007

(Left) Photo by Kim Russell

This weekend I picked up my sister from Eugene. Schoolwork was light so I made the trek over to the valley after classes to get her (her car needed work because of a blown coolant hose). Got back around midnight and this morning we proceeded to make a speed run down Dillon through Lava Island Falls.

(right) flatwater between Dillon and Lava

We met up with Adam Craig around 11:15 am at the Lava take out. The three of us headed on up to Dillon and following about three miles of flatwater and a nice waterfall, we made it to Lava Island Falls. A super fun class V section. The level has dropped about two hundred cfs since thursday when I last went but it was still fun. True there were a LOT of F*%$ you rocks everywhere, but there were no pins woo hoo!

(Right)Photo by Kim Russell

So after the sprint run, Kim and I headed back to town for some good Mexican food...I bow down for cheese quesadillas :D Following the fantabulous horchata and quesadilla, we drove back up to the falls for a park and huck. Wait, before I move on I have to ask, have any of you had Horchata before? It's amazing! It's this rice, milk, and cinnamon combo in a drink....super tasty. You should all try it sometime.



(Left) Fall is here!
Photo by Christina Russell


Kim and I have always shot from the river left side, today I decided to paddle across to the other side of the rio and shoot photos.






Let me just say, taking pictures from river left is much easier, however, you can't get the full scale of the drop. River right provides the full view of the waterfall and what's downstream. To get there: you have to hike near the edge of the lave field, through lots of thorny bushes and down a VERY unstable slope to get to a good shooting location.




Ok this is kind of an off note but... I just repainted my helmet and we have decided I'm like rudolf this helmet glows so well. Ha ha I remember Kim asking, "Adam did you see Christina's line on lava 2?" the response was... "No but I saw her helmet" ha ha that says it all....safety safety safety. I know it's so obnoxious and um...a wee bit bright but eh, atleast I'm visible if there are any problems!


(Below) I finally got around the big lava flow that blocks the direct trail down to the river. Here I'm standin' at the top of the lava field. It was gorgeous out...sunny, sort of warm, and just the two of us. Photo by Kim Russell





After the hiking, Kim ran the falls a couple times while I got pictures. This is when we realized just how much the water level had dropped since morning. Kim hit a rocky shelf as she landed and managed to bang her elbow up pretty bad. Not cool. She hiked her boat up to the top and ferried across to take pics for me....












Kim has been living over in Eugene for college...she's a Duck now! WOO HOO! I'm still in Bend going to college so the weekends are when I get to see my sis :D









Anyhooo, back to hucking......

(Left) Me taking the "Im going to save my butt and not hit the shelf" boof.
Photo by: Kim Russell


The falls was great today even though the flow was a little low. The lip of the falls is getting pretty shallow and the shelf at the bottom is right in the landing zone. Note to self- do NOT pencil....

FYI- at higher flows the rocky shelf on river left (visible in the picture just to the right of me) is completely covered with water. You can boof between the flakes.








Dill Hole(Right) This hole is the "Im going to eat you" hole. It's super sticky on the right side. Most of us run it down the tongue but that line often fails (you get sucked back in sometimes). I'm a fan of the far left line.....

Photo by: Kim Russell












(Left) Looking down the canyon.
Photo by: Christina Russell

It was a sweet day out on the river and next weekend, if it actually rains, I'll be hittin another creek :) WOO HOO! It all depends on how much water we have out West.

Hope everyone is getting out on the river!

Happy Paddling,
Christina :)