Cataract Canyon Float Trip June 2018

[Jammer]

Just a week after finishing my Zion to Arches Hike (more on that soon), @Nick extended an invite for an impromptu float trip down Cataract Canyon with a few others. Though I was just getting adjusted back to life in civilization -- I couldn't turn down an offer like that and was excited to return to Canyonlands for a different perspective. It was really my first time rafting (except for a "tourist" trip on the Snake when I was a kid) and it was an awesome experience. The flow was about 13,000 cfs which is evidently a sweet spot for not being too crazy high or low. I'll let the other more experienced guys chime in with details (though I think they are all up on the Salmon right now), but in the meantime here's a little video that I put together:

 

[Dave]

So bummed I missed this. Looks like it was a blast.

 

[Artemus]

Sweet, Jammer! Brings back memories. Course I remember the scary parts being more scary than the ones you filmed

 

[Scott Chandler]

RIP GoPro, may you be used by the rapid gators.

 

[Jammer]

Sweet, Jammer! Brings back memories. Course I remember the scary parts being more scary than the ones you filmed

Yep -- that's why I almost hesitated putting any POV footage in the video because it doesn't really do the trip justice -- again it was only the class II rapids that I shot. There were some really big waves on the class III and class IV stuff. The beach views of Big Drop 2 and 3 just don't have the same feeling as compared to looking at them from in the water. Big Bertha seemed liked a monster which towered over us. I can't even really imagine what these rapids would be like in high water! It was definitely a good initiation for me as it was.

 

[mattvogt7]

Hell yea!