This past September, i had the pleasure of putting together one of the finest Westwater trips I have been on in the past few years. The plan was simple. A good crew, a couple of stand up boards, a couple of play boats, a raft, some alcohol, and a dog. The night before we launched, the crew (Mike Tavares, Haley Mills, Chris Menges, Dave, Lisa and Johnny Kloberdanz, Izzy, & Tracy Sage) all met at the put in for a few drinks and went to bed in dreams of the perfect westwater float. The next few days were as follows. Perfect weather, stand up board carnage, lots of swimming, and the perfect way to end a great kayaking season. Here's a few pictures of the trip
The scene at the put-in. A raft, some kayaks, and what the ranger called "some of them stand up duckies"
Dave, his rescue dog Izzy and Chris, Getting ready to head to the canyon
Haley and I somewhere on Day 1
Chris Menges shot this great photo of Haley Mills somwehre in the canyon on a Stand Up Board
Chris, the only person to do the whole length of the canyon on a Stand Up Board was perfecting his gymnastics skills.
Classic Westwater Fun
Doesnt get much better than that, Haley Mills soaking it all in at the end of the canyon
Stand Up trio, I look a little scared
Haley and Lisa showing us how its done
Chris at Lower Little D
On the way home, we were able to hit both the M-Wave and the fluffy Muffin in one shot. One of the greatest fall combos in Colorado.
Chris Shredding!
A Couple of pictures of Chris and I at the Muff
Looking back on the trip, I have come to the conclusion that the combination of Westwater and throwing in a little playboating at the M-Wave and the Muffin on the way out and the way back in one of the best fall trips in the region. Throw in a couple of stand up boards on westwater makes it even better.