Trip Report: American (South Fork "Chili Bar" - 1500cfs) - October 22, 2005

Run: Chili Bar to Marshall - 1500cfs) - October 22, 2005
Difficulty: III+ to IV-
Flow: 1500cfs

Standard run from Chili Bar. The season is pretty much over so the parking lot & put-in at Chili Bar was closed, meaning that we had to park in the upper lot and walk down which isn't a big deal. Seemed boney even at 1500cfs.

Maya had a great surf wave going as did First Threat, so I got some good surf time. By 3pm or so the water was dropping quite quickly so by the time we hit Troublemaker it was even bonier. The eddy was moving and a bit harder to catch than normal, especially for novice to intermediate paddlers. The tongue you need to catch out of the eddy was very small and right next to the big munchy hole in the middle of the rapid so was a little sketchy. The ferry over to the right of Gunsight was also tricky and probably preferable compared to going over Gunsight at this flow. Some folks in the group just avoided the eddy and came straight down left of center to the right of the hole then off to river right completely avoiding Gunsight altogether. Probably my line the next time at that flow.

Trip Report: Feather (North Fork - 1200/1300cfs) - Oct 15/16, 2005

Run: North Fork Feather (Cresta & "Lobin")
Difficulty: III+ to IV (optional V-)
Flow: 1200 to 1300 cfs
(Includes Video)

We headed back up to the Feather for the scheduled October release to run the Cresta section again and to run the Lower Tobin (Lobin?) section, which was my first time. You can also read the trip report for the September release.

We stayed at the Tobin Resort in their "Dorm". It is basically a long cabin with three bedrooms (collectively 5 singles plus a double) and a shower/toilet. Since it rained this was better than camping outside but it was very basic, but we didn't need much of anything else anyway. Breakfast at the Tobin Resort started at 8am and wasn't bad at all. There's not much up there to buy, so don't forget to bring everything you'll think you need to eat/drink.

Day 1

We managed to run the Cresta section twice on Saturday, which was great. Our first run was delayed by a wrapped IK at County Line rapid requiring rescue. We got rained on, but not a big deal.


Beginning of the Cresta run 


View from the Feather River 

At the beginning of the second run Mike & Brian decided to do the V- right below the Cresta dam. I had the extreme privilege of scrambling across the rocks in the rain to take video & run safety. In my humble opinion, the put-in is a major nightmare since you not only have the already nightmarish drop down into the canyon but then you have to climb over the boulders to get to the top of the Class V rapid, don't believe me? Check it out for yourself:

Class V- Put-In Video 8MB

Brian & Mike in action doing the Class V- Portage Video 6MB

Brian Running the Rapid - Class V- Video 19MB

Mike Running the Rapid - Class V- Video 24MB


Class V put-in under the Cresta Dam 


Class V put-in under the Cresta Dam 


The crowd gathers at the Class V put-in under the Cresta dam. 

Here's a couple of action shots midway through the rapid - unknown paddlers:


Bye Bye - Midway through the Class V Cresta Rapid 


Midway through the Class V Cresta Rapid 

Day 2

We ran the Lower Tobin section on Sunday, my first time through. I was told it was fun section, more so than Cresta, and I have to agree since it was a blast.

Since I'm too lazy to post all the video with descriptions separately (maybe I'll do it later), you can view them all here.