Skykomish at 5000 cfs

RIP, Washington Ski Season 2004/2005. We were open for about 2 weeks on and off through January, and, as of this posting, there is about 50% coverage on the mountain of snow with patches of green grass and flowering shrubbery peeking out. I had two days of combined ski patrolling experience this season. The ski area has actually resorted to renaming their annual snowboarding fest from "Jib This" to "The Mudstock Rail Jam."

Fortunately, all is not lost, because there are some advantages to the spring coming about four months early. The Skykomish has been running at a great level since it peaked at about 70,000 cfs at the height of our monsoon/snowmelt three weeks ago. I ran it last Saturday with Andy, Mark and Brett at about 5000 cfs, and it was awesome. I think that I figured out how to post some pictures below, which are mostly taken of us surfing at Aquagasm (which was an big, surgy wave at this level) with a few pictures of Boulder Drop. Much thanks to Andy and Brett for getting the pics!

For the future, Dan and Dan just confirmed that they are going to be headed out this way sometime in March to go down to California and do some creeking, and hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on a digital camera before then. Mike Northrop is also coming up next week to do some paddling, so maybe we'll get some pics of that. Also, I need a job.

Andy ripping it up at Aquagasm! 

Here Brett is busting through a wave below house rocks. Brett is a guide on the Sky and knew the river in and out. 

I'm surfing at aquagasm 

Working our way through Boulder Drop at 5000 cfs. Mark is in the foreground going through the airplane turn while I wait in the eddy on river right. Mark is about to make a clutch combat roll right before he gets to house rocks... 

Mark from Corvalis surfing at Aquagasm...Oh sick!