The Paddler ezine Issue 53 Late Spring 2020 | Page 50
ThePADDLER
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When we were ready for a change
of scenery, we took a day off from freestyle and
concentrated on river running through Heart Attack
and Land of 1000 Holes. On our rest day, we enjoyed
the walk-through town of Fort Smith, visiting the
Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre. In the
evening we took some time watching videos, analysing
the tricks and breaking them down during our flat
freestyle sessions.
After the rest day we came back for Rollercoaster to throw
tricks we had been thinking about on the rest day and surfing
with full energy again - one of the best surfing days! We had
taken playing with freestyle on all sizes of waves, which gave us
enough skill for bigger challenges. It was time to explore other
rapids and run some of the legendary lines.
SIZE AND POWER
We came back to Mountain Rapids this time starting from
the top – Running Furies, English Channel, Turnpike, Maelstrom,
Forgotten, Avalanche and ending at the Chico. Some of
the rapids we run following the lines only, then look back on
them – otherwise, we would probably be too hesitant, given
the size and power of them! Paddling at Mountain is
followed by Pelican the next day. We start easy from the
bottom with Pelican Bottom Ferry. The waves are huge, the
Ferry itself demands plenty of power and confidence because
of the size of green waves that like to crash.
You can either enter high and move through the whirlpools or
simply take it a bit lower, joining the current at the easier spot. With
the size of this rapid – it does not make much of the difference,
despite the line you choose – you will end up at the same place!
We take more time to run rapids like Prat Fall, Staircase Bottom,
Snow Catcher and return through Pelican Bottom Ferry. The group
takes a while looking at the Pelican trying to grasp its size and scale
while Leif, Pierce and I wander off to run it. Ferrying in through three
big breaking hole waves will set you on the line and once you are
there you go down.