Just wanted to see who all is headed down to the Russell Fork this weekend. I'm looking at doing a day trip Saturday and would like to share a ride down with someone. I can drive or contibute to the fuel fund.

Jeremy

Jeremy,

Brent and I are headed to RFG in the morning. Leaving Winchester at 8:00 AM and hope to start the journey home by 2:30 PM to be home in time for dinner after running the Gorge.

Do you still need a ride?

YT * 859*Seven Seven One * 0Seven1Two

Hey YT, if you've got room for one more it would be great to tag along. I can meet you at the Clay City exit and ride with you from there. That schedule sounds fine, I just need to meet some guys to head on up for an upper run once we get there.

Jeremy
ate 59 3 five 8 tu 455

How big is the upper RF?

Hey Ben, welcome to the club. The upper section of the Russell Fork is a class II-III run. I'm a newby like yourself, just joined the club in June. This is my first year paddling and after this weekend on the upper I can finally say that I had a swim free run on the Upper RF, Woo-Hoo!! It was frigid water, beautiful warm sunshine, and great company. The upper is an awesome section of whitewater and very challenging for the new paddler. Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but there are at least two if not three class III rapids on the upper section. Twenty Stitches and Johnny Rock for certain and possibly Railroad Rapid (possible wrong name?).

You ask most people about the upper and all they talk about is Twenty Stitches, and believe me it is well worth the discussion. Certainly a rapid you want to scout the first time you make the run. Thankfully I can say that I haven't had a swim there,....yet. It's a long rapid, very few eddy's, but great fun. Johnny Rock is more of a class III hazard I believe. There are some maneuving you need to be able to do, but mainly "Stay Off Johnny Rock". Not a place you want to get pinned. It's a big boulder in the middle of the river that the water piles up on. No one I've paddled with knows if it is an undercut or not, someone reading this may be able to shed some light on that. "Railroad Rapid" is the first good size rapid you come to. You don't necessarily see the end from the beginning due to the railroad bridge crossing overhead. For me it was very intimidating the first time I saw it, becuase it is long. However, it's mostly just technical getting around several small rocks, doing the ferry at the bridge piers from river right to river left, and there is one decent size hole at the bottom.

I've now paddled this run at 800, 1200, and 600cfs. And each time has definitely been a different run with new and different challenges. Between the class III's are some really great class II rapids. Look me up at the roll sessions and we'll talk. Should be there this Friday. You've found a great group to learn from and paddle with.

Jeremy

Jeremy, that's a nice description of the Upper RF but I do have one tiny, quibble with your observation that 20stitches has "very few eddy's". I've found that rapid to be littered with excellent eddys and finding them all has become something of a hobby with me:-) My favorite video eddy in that rapid is far river right just above the final drop: [www.youtube.com]
barryg

HA! Barry, that's where I always used to shoot on rafting trips. We'd put in at the confluence and take out at Ratliff Hole and I always wanted a little warm-up footage, so I'd usually shoot 20 Stitches.

You've got a good eye for video eddies.

Hanley

Well Barry, you would definitley know better than I. Typically I break through the first curler wave just right of the first boulder at the initial drop, and just hang on trying to keep my head above water. So far, I've stayed more river left throughout that rapid. But I'm starting to gain more confidence through the run and may start trying some different lines.

Jeremy

Hey Hanley thanks for your help at the roll session

Ben

Jeremy, thanks I have family in the area and I will be down that way over thankgiving. I was wanting to get some more experiance and wanted to know if I wanted to try the RF. I will be down there on Wednesday and Thursday of next week 11/25 & 11/26

Ben