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Here we go again: We did this run last fall a bit later and determined to try for an earlier launch. We made a major phone call effort and one of our members, Tom Hammond, got through after extra efforts and made it happen. Thanks Tom!

Now the effort comes to make it real. We have gear boats lined up and space will be available for our non-paddling members and guest to enjoy the action and scenery. Our intrepid whitewater rafting guide and Assistant Organizer, Rick Fox, will be heading up the main plans for the river and I'll be chiming in to hopefully add some value. We will want you to answer some questions to qualify for this run as these trips are only fun if they are first of all safe, and we want to make sure everyone is ready for the challenges this trip will present. So please answer the questions associated with the trip and watch the Message board for important beta. This will be an overnight run. It will be in the desert but expect the nighttime temps in the Canyon to potentially be as cold as near freezing. Last year we had frost on the tents at the put-in even though the evening in the Canyon was warmer. It could range from 32º to 45º at night, and daytime temps in the 60s, but water temps will be chilling, not bikini weather except perhaps on the flatwater in and out. We'll post an equipment list for you to check off. In consideration of others as well as your own safety, make sure you have experience and comfort in class III-IV whitewater and that you own your own type III or V PFD. If you don't know what that is you're not qualified~ (first test question...)

See here for beta on the run and travel to get to the put-in:

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1840/

Also, if you have any special needs concerning diet or medical please contact Bob or Rick in a separate email to let us know. Thank you!

Paddling outing for newer paddlers - listed not as wildwater ....but mildwater. This section takes about two hours to run - providing possibilities for a multiple-run day, giving people the opportunity to try different boats - bow/stern positions - different lines.... The section has four Class II rapids and a lot of riffles. The scenery is more arid-mountain than stark canyon walls - but beautiful in its own right. There is no plan, at present, to provide a raft.

Let's meet at the Stegosaurus Lot on the southeast corner of the Morrison/I-70 exit at 7:30am, Saturday, 22AUG09. We'd like to be on the road as quickly as possible - since this is a longer drive - and we will have to take our best guess regarding ride-sharing/shuttling before we head-out. We will reconvene at the parking-lot next to the river - at the I-70/Dotsero exit.

It has also been suggested to follow the above-Dotsero-section with a Shoshone run - that is a true Class III run.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org

Responses indicated most are in-favor of running the above-Dotsero section a number of times. However, this does not rule-out the Shoshone option - as two members favor it highly. Plan is for everyone to run Dotsero once - and we will decide what subsequent run to do - how to split-up at that take-out. We will try getting everyone back together at the Dotsero-exit parking-lot - before heading home - to choose a place to get some dinner.

Type III or V life jacket plus helmet. Suggest a spare paddle & throw-line.

Please e-mail Chris w/comments/suggestions/questions.

Less of an outing – more of a volunteering opportunity.

Each summer, Adaptive Adventures hosts its “Stars of Tomorrow” kids’ camp, including hand-cycling, wake-boarding, and kayaking – on Sloan’s Lake in Denver. This year’s event is August 6th/7th and the kids’ paddling program could be improved with the addition of “paddling volunteers”. Involvement will range among paddling-instruction, safety-boating, helping get life-jackets on & off, and relating (good) paddling stories to nervous moms – who want their kids to have this chance ….but are plagued w/attendant fears experienced by mothers of disabled kids. We are in high need of safety-boaters (you’ll need to bring your own boat) – and your patience in aiding the kids is key. We will not be trying to “make paddlers”, and our attitude will not be “follow me” …but rather we will follow behind them – in their exploration of things-new – at their pace. You will see disabled kids realize that in a boat – they can enjoy paddling at a level commensurate with their able-bodied peers. Witnessing this dawning realization – in the surprised expressions on young faces - is your reward.

Limited to eight volunteers per day - please choose one of the two days.

http://www.adaptiveadventures.org/Programs/ask/starsTomorrow.html

Contact Chris Hahn for more details (720) 401 6856

This is the permitted run that is the result of the Permit Party in January. It will be a five-day run, and plan on a travel day on either end. Trip organizers will provide food for the group, as this is the only practical way of doing this kind of trip. It will be a group experience, so let us know if you have special dietary considerations. We will accommodate as best we can and communicate as clearly as we can. Alcohol consumption is on your own, though glass containers are forbidden. Once the group is formed we may make specific plans for the organized party.

Also, keep in mind that Meetup requires to list a "Meetup meeting place" here. We have to be approximate as our destinations, like this one, often do not easily match the street address requirements of this program. The elect will get more detailed instructions. It's about a five hour drive from Denver.

There are 25 spots on the permit, some of which are spoken for already by permit holders and leaders. Here is the pecking order for the invitation to this beautiful run:

1. Permit Party attendees (yes, if you submitted a permit your fee will be deducted. Your refusal letter is your discount coupon!)
2. Rafters with qualifying craft and experise (14'+, capable and willing to carry food and/or paddlers)
3. First come/first serve with this caveat; if you are in a solo or tandem hardboat you will want some experience in whitewater. Most of this run is class II so you will need a whitewater boat. The type of boat you plan to paddle + skill will be considered as part of this run. Questions? Let's discuss at the meeting on the 22nd or via email. see this website for more photos/description of the run: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_detail_id_437_#rapid645

River Description

The Yampa is a classic multi-day whitewater river. Most boaters spend 3 to 5 days floating the Yampa and Green. For most in-season runs a permit must be acquired from the Dinosaur National Monument Ranger Station. These permits are highly competitive and the possibility of winning a permit varies year to year. The permit generally specifies the camping beaches for each float trip.
As a high desert run the Yampa can range from freezing to over 100 degrees in less than a day during the early float season. Later runs in July or August are generally hotter and more predictable but can suffer from low water.

Almost every big rapid on the Yampa can be scouted on river right. The Yampa starts as a wide meandering river in an open desert. Within a mile or so it enters a box canyon and some easy but continuous rapids begin. There are several notable rapids on the Yampa and the gradient is fairly constant but not out of control for most of the first day. On the second or third day of paddling the Yampa becomes tranquil as it approaches its largest rapid, Warm Springs. Paddlers should get out on river right and scout Warm Springs. A huge flood that temporarily dammed the river formed this rapid. The rapid itself would not be much more than an easy class IV drop were it not on a multi day river excursion. Flipping a raft in Warm Springs almost always results in an unpleasant night with wet or lost gear.

Below Warm Springs the river continues to present complex rapids and wave trains, but never approaches the difficulty of Warm Springs until after the confluence with the Green in Split Mountain Canyon.

The old story about the Park service banning whitewater canoes on the Yampa is not true. Any whitewater boat (C-1, OC-1, OC-2, Raft, K-1, K-2, etc can float the Yampa.)

Also: Budget another $50 for shuttle fee. This may be less depending upon number of vehicles and people per vehicle, but consider $50 for budgeting purposes. As we solidify the participant list w/driving arrangements we'll add details for the shuttle.

This trip is a class II adventure for those paddlers looking to either learn or sharpen their skills for more demanding whitewater. The character of the run is a winding stream with pool and drop rapids of class II difficulty. For a more thorough description of river difficulty classification please see the message posted here on this site.

We will be able to walk any rapid that you wish. The water at this writing (Wednesday) is on the high side. It's been raining so there's no telling if it will be higher or lower by Sunday but you may check flows at www.mountainbuzz.com/flows.

We will obviously not be paddling at the Sedalia Grill, but since Meetup only accommodates street addresses we have to create a "meetup" spot and then carpool from there. The Sedalia Grill is a good option for us to meet of Hwy 85 before heading west to the South Platte to the river. There are a number of destinations we may choose to begin and end our trip which will vary with the water levels and skills of participants. We'll determine our put-in and take-out on Sunday.

You should be paddling a boat equipped for whitewater for this run. If in a kayak, make sure you have a sprayskirt and helmet. This will be a fun outing to get familiar with moving water and whitewater.