As you may know, a handful of our members help out a Veterans paddling group Team River Runner.  Last few years we have enjoyed the Wild and Scenic Rogue River.  In looking forward to the Presidents Day trip, I thought this right up drafted by Jason Davis would be fitting.  Thank you to Team River Runner and everyone who was there.

 

Rogue River Clinic 2023 

Written by: Jason Davis

10/19/2023

The Rogue River Clinic preparations started early September.  David Pauli and his crew of PDX, would meet up and set gear aside while loading rafts.

The early preparations paid off for a smooth kick off on Thursday Oct 19, 2023.  The crew of fifteen Team River Runner Northwest and Western Regional members would meet up at the Galice Resort, in Galice Oregon.  Then we all went to Merlin Oregon and ate a delicious dinner at Baldini’s Restaurant.  After dinner we went back to the resort.  We had an orientation as to what to expect, we made our formal introductions.  Then we enjoyed some hot tub time. 

10/20/2023

Our first day on the river we left Almeda Boat ramp.  We loaded up our boats, oriented ourselves to the river, conducted our safety briefing and we were on our way down the Wild and Scenic Rogue River.  On our way down as we entered “Argo Riffle”, we came across a craft that was pinned on a rock.  Sending us our message to be safe. 

We safely navigated Grave Creek Rapid and Grave Creek Falls (which some of us nicknamed Little Howards Plunge), because of how much fun we had.

A few miles later we introduced ourselves to Rainie Falls.  Which consists of three lines.  The leftmost line is running the actual falls.  The center line is “the middle shoot” (which the smart people ran and still hung up on the boney rocks.  The safe line is “the fish ladder”.  Everyone who ran the fish ladder got hung up a lot.  Hands down to Patrick Tracy for running the second half of the fish ladder backwards in his IK and not swimming.

We safely landed at our first campsite after approximately seven miles at Whiskey Creek Campground.

 

10/21/2023

On our second day we left the campsite at approximately 0930.  We navigated through Tyee Rapids safely, then navigated Wildcat and paid homage to a local who recently passed away on the river. We had a little clinic and oriented ourselves to the event. 

Later down the river as we approached Black bar Rapids, a group of us pulled over as a conducted a clinic on how to scout rapids.  We covered how to identify lines, current and identifying hazards.  As the clinic was wrapping up, the TRR boats that stayed behind navigated the rapids so those attending the clinic could verify or amend the lines they chose in the clinic.   Thank you to John Rogie for sharing your knowledge in the clinic.

We arrived approximately eight miles later at Horseshoe Bend where we camped for the night.

 

10/22/2023

Today was a fairly easy day on the water.  We were able to let some less experienced paddlers get some stick time.  We introduced some paddlers to gear boating with the oars, and some paddlers started the section in the IK. 

We arrived at Rogue River Ranch campground ten miles later, Patrick Tracy grilled us some chicken and some fruit salad.  A delicious lunch using his mom’s recipe. 

John and Bradley Thatcher used Mule Creek as a section to try their hands at Gold Panning.  And they found some great color “there’s gold in them there hills”.

10/23/2023

This morning we started with a safety orientation.  Discussed the hazards and some helpful maneuvers for the hazardous sections of Mule Creek Canyon, Coffee Pot and Blossom Bar.

With the exception of a few swims in Mule Creek Canyon due to the churning currents, everyone safely navigated Blossom Bar a class IV rapid at very low water.  Which made it more technical.  Which warranted a standing ovation to all. 

Immediately after Blossom Bar we navigated Devils Stairs a class III rapid and enjoyed a lunch break immediately after.

On our way to our last campsite, we had a small group break off so they could get a look at “The Eagles Nest”.  Which was a post WW2 vacation getaway to three Generals including General Curtis Lamae.  Who developed our nation’s strategic air defense. 

We arrived at our last campsite Camp Tacoma approximately 10 miles later.

 

10/24/2023

The chilliest and quietest of waters.  It was a serene day.  Many new and close relationships formed; people were sad for the expedition to end.  We arrived at Foster Bar Boat ramp six miles later.  Where everyone came together as a team to pack up their gear and prepare for a long safe drive home. 

Grand total we paddled 38 miles.  With the exception of a few swims, there was an uneventful expedition.  At the culmination of class II, III and IV rapids there was no injuries.  The weather was great, a lot of laughter, and new relationships formed. 

We want to say a huge thank you to David Pauli and Team River Runner for making this event happen. 

 

“Perfect learning experience” Kenny Pee

“Most time I have been able to spend with my brother John” Matt Rogie

“I didn’t know Jason could boof a raft” Dayne Law

“It’s an honor to be among great people” Tim Reuser

“Take it personally” Terry Viertel

“There’s gold in them there hills” Bradley Thatcher

“The river is like life, always moving forward” Jason Davis

“Perfect week” Daniel Stutz

“You never float the same river twice” Steph

“He sure plays a mean pinball” Brian Christopher

“Don’t tell a joke you wouldn’t tell a pastor” unknown.

 

I was able to speak with Patrick Tracy, who shared with me a little bit of his story.  The anniversary of his wife’s passing was shortly before we left.  A few years after his wife’s passing Patrick also lost his daughter, then shortly after his daughter’s passing Patrick also lost his mother.  His daughter and mother’s passing triggered emotions from his wife’s passing.  Patrick started some self-destructive behaviors.  Stan reached out to Patrick introducing Team River Runner at a VA Recreational Therapy Department meeting.  Patrick found himself at his local chapters pool session.  There Stan introduced him to the kayak.  Patrick and Micheal Lanning met each other.  Through his connections with his newfound friends Patrick was able to find himself again and be himself, without being condemned for it. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read about our experience,

Jason Davis

A few more paragraphs

Finish the Trip Report