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Mr. Tea September 15th 03 03:41 AM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 
I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe
low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation:

http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/

-D.L.



Randy Hodges September 15th 03 04:03 PM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 
Bravo! It looks like it was a great adventure.

Just curious, did you see many others on the river? Was there still
enough water for medium-sized rafts (With low water experience)? I
assume so since the Forest Service had a raft out there.

We have been trying to bag a MF permit for years without any luck.
Perhaps we should try for later in the year.

Randy

Bill Tuthill September 15th 03 04:17 PM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 
In rec.boats.paddle.whitewater Mr. Tea wrote:

I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe
low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation:
http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/


Nice rainbow pictures!

So you portaged The Chutes and Tappen Falls, but ran everything else?
And it seems like you did this during permit season at 1.7 = 1.6 feet.
I believe this river is open-permit (no lottery) after September 15th.

Did you have to roll after running the big hole at Rubber, or any of
the other major rapids in Impassible Canyon?


occ September 15th 03 05:17 PM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 
On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 02:41:47 GMT, "Mr. Tea"
wrote:

I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe
low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation:

http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/


Hi D.L.

Nice site I enjoyed reading about your trip

Thank you

John O'Connell

Wood burning camp stoves
Web page www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor
t





Mr. Tea September 19th 03 06:41 AM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 

"Randy Hodges" wrote in message
Just curious, did you see many others on the river?


The river is quieter during late summer. I was passed by the only other
private party I saw on the second day, though I again passed them, as well
as 3 commercial trips. I did see someone every day.

Was there still
enough water for medium-sized rafts (With low water experience)? I
assume so since the Forest Service had a raft out there.


The Forest Service rafts were Maravias - probably the best for abrasion
resistance. Commercial trips sometimes float the upper river empty and pick
up supplies and customers at Indian Creek - and a private party could do the
same. Costs are not prohibitive. Packing light - backpack style - is worth
considering.

You will hit rocks. The USFS and the Commercial guides ran everything
blind, but scouting is worth it for a first timer to reduce the number of
surprise pour overs. At 1.7-1.8 the upper river was boney, but I never had
to get out of my boat to drag it across a gravel bar. There were only a
couple of sections on the lower river that were similiar - the vast majority
of it was great.

We have been trying to bag a MF permit for years without any luck.
Perhaps we should try for later in the year.


Odds are 30:1 during the peak period. The lottery period ends after Labor
Day and in a good water year that is an option. I suspect that your
likelihood of getting a cancellation goes up considerably in the late season
too.

-Doug



Mr. Tea September 19th 03 06:42 AM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 
"Bill Tuthill" wrote in message
...

So you portaged The Chutes and Tappen Falls, but ran everything else?
And it seems like you did this during permit season at 1.7 = 1.6 feet.
I believe this river is open-permit (no lottery) after September 15th.


Yes. I believe the permits go to first come first serve after Labor Day.
In some years fall trips are possible, in some years not. Snow would
probably be possible in September, but over Labor Day this year temps were
in the upper 80's.

Did you have to roll after running the big hole at Rubber, or any of
the other major rapids in Impassible Canyon?


I swamped several times in the Impassable Canyon, including at Rubber. I
did get through both Redsides and Weber dry. Weber has a river wide ledge
at the top, but there is a bit of a sneak on the far left which lines you up
nicely for the remainder of the rapid. Devil's Tooth might well have been
the hardest rapid at this level.

There is a lot of maneuvering required on this river at this level. By the
time you get to the Impassable Canyon you are well warmed up for it. The
big risk is swamping an open canoe in the upper section of a rapid and
losing your ability to maneuver. That could easily result in a broach or a
swim. Of course if you are not comfortable moving a canoe around a lot you
could broach anywhere.

-Doug



Andrew Taylor September 20th 03 07:21 AM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 
Mr. Tea wrote:

I just completed a trip I've been planning all year - a seven day open canoe
low water descent of the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

Pics, a bit of writing, and a fairly decent web presentation:

http://home.comcast.net/~dltooley/

-D.L.


Nice web site and photos. Thanks


Chris October 1st 03 03:36 PM

Middle Fork of the Salmon River
 
great trip report and pic. not to rain on you, but this float has
been done solo by canoist many times


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