So it has taken way to long to get the raw video, but now I have it and I pumped out a fun little video check it out. You can all so go back in the blog to December and January to see the original write ups for each area and some cool pictures. Check in soon for some Minnesota Kayaking Chris Baer. Wow, a month in Hood River went fast. Opel Creek, Canyon Creek and a Horrible swim. After a couple weeks in Hood it was time to go explore, Opel creek was first on our list.
A stunning hike in threw an old growth forest. Our first major drop on Opel creek, a funky boof into an ugly hole. Scott Baker styling the line. Same drop shot from below, The last drop on the Opel, a fun two tired item. There was also another drop spotted on the drive out that we had to stop and look at. Smiling away coming threw another steep wood infested boulder garden. So here I am doing a very ugly stern squirt in the fore mentioned hole.
Mom don't read this. I stern squirt, get the boat back down, and start paddling like hell. Got flipped, rolled back up facing the hole, and immediately ask for a rope. Then the rodeo session began threw some ends and quickly lost all control. At this point I realized I was not getting out of the hole in my boat. So now I am getting cartwheeled and flipped around in the hole with my paddle, boat, and camera. I manage to catch a decent gasp of air and see the guys on shore throwing ropes, my hands go up my head goes under and I couldn't find a rope to save my life I continue to get beat for a while occasionally coming close to the surface and flailing my arms feeling around desperately for the ropes.
I tried clawing and kicking off the undercut walls, but nothing was working. A few moments latter I have a decision to make, stay just under the surface and continue to feel around for the rope or to ball up hoping that the water grabs me as a hole and pushes me deep in to the low lying current.
Or in this case possible deep under one of the surrounding rocks, a scary decision to make but when faced with no oxygen, and the real thought that this might be it I barely went any further down then I had when I was just flailing around, time for other options.
