Grand Canyon of the Elwha - 2013

There's nothing better in this world than shared misery.

Once a year there is a 2 to 3 week window when the Grand Canyon of the Elwha is at a reasonable level to boat.

The Canyon is great for a couple reasons. First is the awesome boating. While the rapids are not crazy, they are intense. You are very isolated and it has a very exploratory feel. There are a couple rapids that you cannot scout and there is always the excitment of not knowing what's around the corner. A tree in the wrong place could spell hours upon hours of difficult climbing and bushwahcking to get out of the canyon.

There are places in the first canyon where I'm not sure you could actually get out of the canyon.

Second is that this is probably the first true creekboating we've been able to do in a month or two. We have such good boating conditions here in the PNW that we always take it for granted. Most of the creeks have dried up by early July and we are totally dependent on rainfall for Robe, Ernie's or Tumwater. So for most of us 9-5r's this is a great "off the couch" run while it's still great weather, before the rains come.

Then there is the best reason of all to run the Canyon: you get to suffer with your friends. There is no way to get around the 9ish mile hike to the put in. You just gotta do it. I know this is a stretch and people will scoff. But we are so, so spoiled here in the Pacific Northwest. Almost every run is roadside and shuttles are easy.

You have to earn this run. You've gotta break out the backpack you use twice a year. Grab all your ultralight gear and hump that junk over a couple really steep ridge lines.

If you're in the area and feel like punishing yourself while seeing one of the coolest canyons in Washington, head to the Elwha!

The paddlers this year included Joe Howard, Adam Griffin, Jon Shelby, Jed Hawkes, Matt Taylor, Jon Dufey and myself (Daniel Patrinellis). I know Brian Burger and Brett Barton were in there a week or so before us. Then young buck Sam Grafton did a one day decent with a new to the area charger. But thats it, unless someone did a stealth run. Only 11 people got into one of the most incredible and scenic runs in the PNW for 2013.

Cheers