Green Race 2008

Another year, another Green Race. This year was a pretty monumental year, one because the Dagger Green Boat came out for sale, and team paddler (for Liquid Logic) Tommy Hilleke was not able to come out because his wife was too busy having (or trying to have) their third child. My mom hiked in to watch (just like she always does) and this is just a fraction of the spectators that were out there.
The Green Race is known around the world for being one of the most intense downriver races. This year, however, had a different factor, low water. All the rapids are still good to go, but Gorilla gets scary, its shallow in the landing and there is a breaking wave at the top instead of a nice launch pad. Thankfully this year went on without anyone even running Gorilla upside down, and no injury at all. We did have some interesting lines from some well known names but all went without a hitch.

Photos by:Mike Cochran

See my head up there? Whoa!

Pat Keller won Long boat, Eric Deguil (FR) won Ironman, and Myself and Laura Ferrill tied for first in the womens division.

Busting through the pad, full speed ahead!

This race was the 13th Annual Green Race heald in Saluda North Carolina. Average times are about 5:10. Gorilla isn't the only rapid that racers have to style, there are more called: Frankenstein, Whale Tail, Boof or Consequence, Go Left and Die, Zwicks Backender, Chiefs, Flying Squirrel, Scream Machine, Neices Pices, Power Slide, and Rapid Transit. Gorilla sits right in the middle of all the action.

Doin the Shane Benedict, low water Gorilla, movin that elbow away from the veil.

Happy to have my face intact, shoulders where they are supposed to be and boat in one piece. Thanks to all my sponsors: Liquid Logic, Shred Ready, IR, and Astral I couldn't do any of this stuff without your help!

Till next time, Happy Paddling and pray for rain!!

Adriene

Black and White

These shots are a bunch I took while in BC. I just

recently downloaded the new beta version of Picasa 3 and messed around with the black 

and white.....enjoy!

Fall on the Ashlu

Following a couple days spent on the Callighan, Josh and I headed South to the Ashlu.  The Ashlu is the site of the new hydroelectric dam that will supposedly be done in the next year.  We were lucky enough to see it before things change....

We arrived on Wednesday morning in hopes that our third paddler would show and some new friends from Squamish would arrive for a run down the Box Canyon of the Ashlu and the Mine Section upstream.  Unfortunately,  our third paddler did not arrive which meant that running the Box was a little sketchy - Dan "from everywhere" arrived and was eager to hop on it, but since two of us had not been down it before, we were all a bit nervous with only three people.  Till next time Box! We will return.  Due to time restrictions, we hopped on the Mini Mine section for two laps- VERY quick laps.  It's a fun run with the final drop called Last Tango....super fun :)

Below- the put-in...note mini dam just upstream...this is where water will be pumped out and downstream to the hydroelectric site

Above-Me on the drop called Last Tango....a pretty beefy drop but eveything goes...it's got a somewhat sticky hole at the bottom :)

Stay tuned for photos of the Box Canyon of the Ashlu!

Happy Paddling,

Christina Russell