Vallecito Creek: Third Time's the Charm

The Vallecito Creek was the second highlight of our trip; first being the Embudo. The Vallecito is said to rank in the top 5 creeks of the country. A list which includes the White Salmon, the Green River (NC), and the Rio Embudo. Due to high flows and blizzard conditions it took us three attempts to finally descend this famous gorge. Man did it live up to the hype.

View of the San Juan's on the hike into the Vallei Gorge

Clayton and Daniel after running the 18 footer Entrance.

Clayton lining up for the entrance of Trash Can rapid. Heading into the unknown gorge.

Josh likes to call this rapid Big F%&*ing Peter Cotton Tail

Clayton launching off of Big Fuzzy Bunny.

Daniel launching of the pad and screaming Big Fuzzy Bunny. Its tradition to yell the name as you run the drop. If you don't. Carry back up and run it again, but make sure to yell "Big Fuzzy Bunny" this time.
Daniel sticking the exit.

Ben, "BIG FUZZY BUNNY!"

Big Fuzzy Bunny from below.


Ben in the manky rapid above Paddle Bitch. Ben chose this line but the line chose to hand Josh and Daniel some mank. Check the vid.

Erin's gettin the boys' attention. Thanks for visiting and sharing the good brew, brats, and marshmellows.

To watch the vid click here Vallecito Creek

3rd Gorge of Lime Creek: What a Day for Ben

We must apologize for a the absence of good whitewater pics on the post. We were unable to capture the day's excitement due to chasing Ben's boat through the entire 3rd Gorge of Lime. But damn was it an exciting solo for Josh, Clayton, and Daniel. If you want the details just ask Ben.

Hike in to 3rd Gorge of Lime. 1.5 miles and amazing views of the San Juans

Another Pyranaha Ad. at the put in.

The aftermath of Ben's swim

A Brian Jones pic.

What the hell is Daniel up to.

Too Cold for Summer Vacation

Mid week we awoke to a Winter Wonderland and decided to do some scouting of some surronding park-n-hucks.

Ice Lakes triple drop. A little wood at the entrance made it too sketchy to fire up.

Same drop

Josh gettin arsty on us.

From orange to green

Ben gettin artsy
"I think its good to go!"
Daniel and his damn enthusiasm.

Durango: Kickin It

Durango, a must visit if your passing through Southern CO

Our humble abode, curb side service.

Josh's view of the world and Ben agrees.

Clayton is contemplating his view of the world.

Nuevo Mexico Dos (Taos Box) & Rio Embudo Vid

To watch the wk 1 vid click link below
Rio Embudo

Clayton meditating good lines for tomorrow.
Clayton starting the Decent

View of Taos Box during hikein

Daniel, Ben, andClayton putting in on Taos Box

Josh entering Arsenic


Ben practicing his ballerina pose.

Clayton in the run out of Arsenic


Clayton at the False summit of the 1.5 mile hike out

Brews and Views

On the Road to the CO

Nuevo Mexico

Cruisin down I-40 through the bigness of Oklahoma and Texas. We ain't in Kansas no more. May 14th and 15th merge into one day as we make our 30 hr drive from the Carolinas to New Mexico. We witness gas prices rise, 4 o'clock thunderstorms, and water temps drop to .. What happen to the desert heat and dryness.








Day one and two begin on the Embudo. Class V+ for 5 miles in a 1000' Gorge. Big water, paddle your ass off, no techy Verde moves hear. Hands down this run met all of our expectations and ranks in our top 5 best days spent on the river. The run starts off with a nice .5 mile warmup allowing you time to soak in your surrondings. Upon entering the first gorge you come to Long Rapid, followed by another stretch of class three boogy, and the run terminates with a final gorge of V+ fun ( Cheese Grader, MJ Falls, and the Slots of Fun).

Embudo put in parking lot.


Daniel Windham eyeing Cheese Grader

Benjamin Blake in the meat of Cheese Grater Another South Easterner in Cheese Grater, Billy Jones

Clayton Gaar MJ Falls
Clayton practicing his backward draw through the Slots of Fun



Josh took this one for Amanda future Mrs. Werts.

Check back soon for the Embudo vid and a TR of Taos Box of the Rio Grand

AHH! THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

...BUT NOT WITHOUT LABATTS. BEING THE INTERNATIONAL SPOKESMAN THAT I AM; I HAVE TAKEN THE TASK UPON MYSELF TO CONSULT WITH MANY OF MY ESTEEMED CANADIAN COLLEGES ABOUT HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN ADVENTURE OF SUCH GRANDEUR. THE ANSWER ONE AFTER ANOTHER WAS THE SAME "LABATTS!" SO, THIS ON LARGE CONGLOMERATE OF KAYAKING MANLINESS AIN'T LEAVING THE SOUTH EAST WITHOUT A COOLER FULL OF LABATTS.

N E E D P R O O F