Leavenworth, What can I say. I went back to spend some time with my old town favorite rivers and my two favorite friends John, Michelle and their new little cutie June. It's been two years since I've been back. Icicle canyon is one of a kind and being back reminded me of why this area is so amazing and beautiful, not to mention I burried my dog up here and have years of memories being it my old backyard run. Sun, the alpine mountain backdrop and good friends always make it the best. It's a turning of age. We used to rally to Metallica or Regge now we are heading to the put in listening to the Mickey Mouse Club clapping with June. It's
nice, it gives class V a little Disney-esc sort of
feel.
Little June breakdancing at the take-out
Johny Fuqua running the goods in between babysitting
Joe coming through the entrance to Horseshoe
A typical outcome at the bottom of Horseshoe
On lap three the second day Marty the Jackson rep joined us for some Icicle action. Marty was stoked
and was ready for another lap as soon as we were done. It was cool to show him such a good run.
Joe showing good form
Me in my new Remix 79, still getting used to it.
the remix dropping the Plunge
Three stooges - Marty is fired up !!!
Joe
Fuqua coming through the Plunge
Marty on his first run of the Plunge without scouting, It's a right of passage.
Mua
Fuqua
Fun Week on the Cicle. Five runs on Icicle and we hiked Horseshoe four times in
on one day. We were lucky to jump on Tumwater the last day and show Marty
some big water because all he could see from the road was flatwater.. haha
Here are some random shots of Robe we got over this winter. Robe Canyon is our backyard run only 1 hour from Seattle and gets done a lot. It's my favorite river to paddle in the area !!!
Me on Sunshine
The view looking back up at Sunshine
Me coming through T-1 Before the wood blocked it
Unknown drop but awesome !!!!!
Evening sun making it's way into the canyon
Super Rob running landslide
Despite me not being very competitive Brett talked me into to the race after I talked him out of it to go run the multi-day Illinois river. After our trip got cancelled he won and we raced. I had just got my new Remix 79 and was not used to paddling it so it was interesting getting to know a new boat in a down river class V race. The Remix is awesome though, got me through everything and proved to be a fast boat. Though we only got 9th, I did flip in "20' falls" and ran cats paw to the right upside down and bruised the arm up pretty bad. After eddying out and Brett yelling WTF ? we still got 9th. room for improvment. But it was all about fun ! getting all the best boaters in the area together for a goot time and a gentlemens race. In the paddle out we had the biggest party at our favorite little spot with everyone hanging out for a while at the tree !! Good times.. Thanks to Todd Gillman for putting this event on and for all the beer!!!!
Check out this video of the race course shot by Fred Norquist on BombFlow.com
Here are the results:
1. ROBES: Darren Albright & Tao Berman (28:34)
2. Louis Geltman & Andrew McEwan (29:02)
3. Brian Fletcher & Aaron Johnson (30:15)
4. Ben Hawthorne & Rob McKibbon (30:48)
5. Lane Jacobs & Jamie Wright (31:05)
6. Fred Norquist & Jure Poberaj (32:13)
7. Jonathan Ehlinger & Scott Waidelich (32:32)
8. Leif Embertson & Chris Tretwold (34:05)
9. Brett Barton & Chris Totten (34:31)
10. Mike & Joe Howard (35:28)
11. Jon Dufay & Jon Prentice (37:06)
12. GNOME: Steve Arns & Matt Kompass (38:30)
For a full write up and more pics check out Therangelife blog at
http://therangelife.blogspot.com/
Click Here For A Video Of The Race Course On BombFlow.Com
Brett and I coming through Hotel California Exhausted trying to go fast