https://stg.cascaderivergear.com/owe-the-duck/ Top quality rafts, kayaks, and river equipment Fri, 27 Aug 2021 00:07:03 +0000 hourly 1 https://stg.cascaderivergear.com/owe-the-duck/#comment-153417 Fri, 27 Aug 2021 00:07:03 +0000 https://stg.cascaderivergear.com/?p=81399#comment-153417 I had run the river recently and on my next trip I told the group that I was not going to scout Big Mallard. There was some heating discussion about my need to stop with the group and scout it. After a bit of a discussion it was decided that I would setup last in line before Big Mallard and let the my group stop to scout and watch while I made the run. In the discussion I told them “The run is the left slot. It looks tight but if you line up on the left shore then turn into it the water pulls you right in. But, I am going right.”.
The next day as we approached Mallard I hung way back. When my friends were all parked and scouting I setup for my run. I started on the left bank and as it curved around to the left I started pulling hard to river right. I was able to get enough momentum to make it on river right. I then pulled over, broke out my throw line and my camera, and waited.
They all saw me run river right and decided…I can do that. The only problem was they all started river center and could not get the momentum necessary to make the ferry. The first boat rolled right up on the big rock. I thought for sure a flip was going to happen. They hung there briefly then rolled off to the left and went through the slot. Next boat…almost the same thing. 4 boats in a row hit that rock but managed to avoid any serious carnage. The last boater decided left was prudent and ran it like a pro.
On subsequent trips we have seen boats get pinned, oars snapped, and gear lost. That trip was my only run to the right but who knows…maybe I will push my luck again soon.

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