Feeling good on the Gallatin River

Getting a float in on a Tuesday evening strikes me as something very special about living in Bozeman, Montana. Is that why I'm here? Probably yes. To be able to drive 35 minutes to a beautiful whitewater float, on a world class trout river, with zero traffic on a whim is truly grand. The two fellows I rafted with (Kendall and Matt) represent the epitome of what I like most about fellow packrafters: They love the water, the eloquence of a lightweight packable craft, and are out to have fun period.

As the sun sank behind the Gallatin canyon walls, the mayflies were hovering all over the flat parts of the river shooting around like my image of a chain atomic reaction, particles zipping zipping, colliding, buzzing. It looked like a 'hatch' - which would explain the quietly persistent anglers wading near the holes. The run was an easy Class II with a few drops, a bunch of butt-bumping rocks (low water), and one fun surfable wave where we spent a good half hour. I look forward to seeing this piece of water in higher flows come springtime.

Firsts for me: First packraft in Montana. First non-dam-controlled water I've floated. First nightime-ish float.

See Topo map here


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Put in: Moose Creek Flats Campground
Take out: Lava Lakes trailhead (Gallatin National Forest)
Flow: 500 CFS (low)
Approx. River Miles: 5
Air Temperature: 65F
Water Temperature: 55F
Class: PR II

Talkeetna Mts Adventure: in words & pictures

Talkeetna Mts Adventure: Gear & Methodology

Things I wish I had taken with me:

1. Water-proof/breathable oversocks. These are calf-high socks that go over your regular socks, but also fit inside my trailrunning shoes. They would have been perfect for crossing icy streams, and prevented my feet from becoming numb on day 2 in the tundra, where we stepped in some cold bogs and crossed streams. As a workaround I used my waterproof paddling pants (Kokatat Semi-Dry) -- with the socks, these kept my feet much warmer but are not fit for bushwacking as the durable water repellent (DWR) coating wears away quickly in the face of brush.
2. An extra pair of dry socks. Minimal weight, would have given me a 'second chance' to get my outfit together instead of completely soaking my hiking pair -- with no chance of drying -- and having to use my other pair originally for sleeping only, to hike.
3. Better bushwacking pants. Bushwacking in Alaska required me to rethink how I dressed. I started off the first day in Ex-Officio bug-repellant travel pants, which absorbed water and were uncomfortable. They provided a bit of brush repellancy though, so I couldn't have gotten away with shorts. Several in the group wore Arc'teryx Palisade pants, which they raved about. I will have to check these out.
4. Lightweight gloves or mittens. I also would love a cozy for my titanium cooking mug so I can grab it right off the stove and transfer heat to my perennially cold hands. I think a pair of hand coverings would solve both. I am experimenting with fashioning some burned DeFeet socks into mitts.
5. Event-bottomed dry sacks. Allows you to squeeze more air out of the bag, reducing bulk.
6. A Heavier-duty backpack. I love my 72 liter GoLite Pinnacle, but I think it was overburdened with my 45 lb. pack for this trip and will probably use it only for trips of sub 35 lbs. in the future. I felt like I was going to rip the armstraps everytime I lifted it to put it on my back. Luckily, that never happened.
7. A 4 or 5 piece paddle. Bushwacking through the alders with two paddles sticking out of my pack was a nightmare. Every time I would step through an opening in the thicket I would get whip-sawed back when the branch caught on my paddle, then I'd have to negotiate a back-bend yoga move to get under and through. Having a more collapsible paddle would solve this.
8. More map coverage. My map didn't cover much of the 'escape route' along the train tracks, so planning an B option wasn't easy because I didn't include much unnecessary space on my custom topo maps. For a trip with a given level of uncertainty, this is a good idea.

Mokelumne Electra Run - 7/3/10

In anticipation of my packrafting trip to Alaska, I took a float down the Mokelumne River near the town of Jackson, CA. I was alone so I found a group floating in inflatable canoes to run with me. I gaged that this would increase my safety in case I went for a swim. After about the first half mile, I didn't see them until the takeout! Bastards!

Put in: right below Electra Powerhouse

Take out: CA-Rt. 49 bridge

Flow: 1800 CFS (high)

Approx. River Miles: 3

Air Temperature: 85F

Water Temperature: 58F

The run was really fast, and the waves were big -- the biggest I've seen in my Alpacka Denali Llama raft. There were myriad strainers, many times above the main current which piled against the banks of the river. Anticipation and backpaddling kept me out of all but one. I definitely felt at some point that the river was running me; but this is always the case...

One near-swim occurred at the S-Turn (mile 2.6) where the water piles up against the rock and wanted to yank the right side of my raft underwater. It was a sucking, tugging feeling, and ultimately I braced myself and two paddles brought me through.

Overall, the "Moke" was an ideal practice run for getting colder and bigger (versus Cache Creek near Rumsey, CA).

Notes on Technique & Gear:

• I found that turning up the 'rpm' of my paddling increased my stability inside the rapids (versus 'ruddering' with a stationary paddle). It also, by virtue of the motion, brings your center of mass forward and towards the center of the boat, which also helps stability.
• My GoLite Pinnacle backpack was stuffed with a surplus of water to simulate heaviness at the front of my raft (in lieu of unnecessarily jeopardizing equipment by stuffing it with clothes or other valuables) -- which made it slide down the raft and 'pool' on the deck. I will have to work to balance and secure it tightly at the beginning of the day, while also keeping certain supplies available quickly (TP, water, snacks). Overall, stability felt great with the extra weight up front.
• My throw-rope was strapped to 'guard rail' directly behind my back. I find this position impossible to access in-boat, and difficult even while out-of-boat. I think a better spot will be within the pack-tach system right in front of me, quick-draw style.
• I did not wear sunglasses, which improved my ability to discern the rapids and did not jeopardize a valuable (lost two pairs in rivers already!). Also, they get wet with splashing and perspiration that further degrades visibility on the water. I will consider installing a removable visor that will be nice on sunny, exposed days.

A good description of the run can be found at: http://cacreeks.com/mok-elec.htm

(note: I got out prematurely at mile 2.9, so missed "Devil's Toiletbowl"...the Class III. Will have to check this out next time)

- - - - - - -

To round out the weekend, I floated Cache Creek the following morning for fun. It was a quick float from the confluence of Bear Creek to Middle Campground at ~800 CFS. I hit plenty of rocks with my butt, but did not swim. My brother Bryant and his girlfriend Paige were there to greet me upon take-out. We took a few photos because well, it's Independence Day -- and it's good to be alive!