Wenatchee RiverFest '07 and Top Tye

The way was long, the road was dark but last week an bunch of us Oregonites, natives and transplants alike, ventured up to the Washington and the little town of Cashmere for some fun in the sun.. or clouds. So the weather didn't cooperate for Saturday but the water level was prime for Granny's, where they held the rodeo and those folks know how to put on a festival. A rodeo, downriver race, lots of vendors, a couple different auctions, live music, an exclusive campsite and just plain good people!

Some of the good people!

Granny's is a big fast wave in the middle of a wave train at the last rapid of the normal run on the Wenatchee. Some of the competitors had a rough time on the wave; it can be a little flushy on one of the shoulders. I didn't show up in time to compete. Instead we got up late, had a run on Lower Icicle with some minor carnage, a breakfast and Sandy's Waffle Haus in Leavenworth. So once again, I was behind the camera for this one.

Top: Rob, still crazy after all these years (notice the lack of skirt)
Bottom: A new generation of crazy: Robbie

Later that night, after a play run and some chill time, I found Jeff, staggering around the parking lot, Lisa uncomfortably asleep in back of my van so we decided it was time to head to the campground but as we went to leave, more and more people wanted a ride back... So.

Post party load up.

In the morning, a quick play run followed by a journey up to the Seattle are gem the Top Tye!
The Skykomish at Goldbar was at 7500 or so and since the floods last winter, its apparently reading about 25% low. So it was pretty high but it only equalled big water fun times! A group put on upstream of us and before we even had gotten ready, one member came down after swimming in one of the first ledges, hoping to find his boat. Another member of their group had his first swim in 6yrs at Box Drop, a straight forward ledge that drops into a meaty hole below a sketchy ferry above a rock/log sieve. Most of our group portaged with the exception of James, who had a smooth line.

Don't get me wrong, we had our share of carnage! A swimmer at Monkey Cage, whose boat travelled over Crack in the Earth without him and we were chasing his gear, and portaging CITE, Thad ran the gnarly ledge below and had a good surf and out of boat experience.

The rest of the run was fairly uneventful but following a portage around Paranoia, we can to the best part of the run. Big boofs, big water feel and tight twisty drops with push! Good Times!

Monkey Cage for me, shortly before being upside down


Monkey Cage for Brad... an hour after being upside down!

I recommend getting on it that high if your confident and it made a great end to a great weekend with great people. Isn't that great? The drive back home was long, and dark but we made it safely. Got to go for now though. I'm heading to Idaho for two weeks starting tomorrow morning.

Big thanks to Sybille and all those who organized the Wenatchee Festival, another gret job guys. And thanks to Conor for the shots on the Tye!

Cheers!