Dangerous sweepers in the Yakima River
(5 votes)(report abuse)|
Taken 01/28/2010 around the end of Gladmar Road. Some really bad situations with partially submerged logs in the river. Would not want to catch one of these on a float.
|
|
Can't see through the water, BUT...
|
     (6 votes)
(report abuse)
(reply) |
|
All through this one chute there are logs submerged all the way across just under the surface. Anyone floating along comes along the nice quiet pond near the end of Wade Road, please don't take the right turn around the island. You'll never make it. Took a few pics of the current beaver activity along the river. They've been really busy lately. A. |
|
|
Wade's Pond
|
     (2 votes)
(report abuse)
(reply) |
|
A, lost a canoe years ago during high water exactly here. Could have been really bad but got lucky. No more canoes, just kayaks for me. This "chute" out of the pond into the river is much swifter than the river itself because of elevation drop. Spooky, especially with that sweeper there. |
|
|
Yes, no more canoes OR inflatable rafts...
|
     (1 votes)
(report abuse)
(reply) |
|
Life jacket is also mandatory. Almost lost a whole canoe load of friends on the river. They were doing fine in a big lake boat, all paddling along and hit a swift spot. Hit a sweeper, lost it, went sideways and it folded around them as it pulled everyone under. Caught on the bottom and stuck with them in it. Two had life jackets which did not help, they were trapped in a folded up boat. One person with serious above average strength had just enough oomph to leg press part of it free, squeeze out, somehow relieve the pressure and pass every one else under the obstacle. They were DARN lucky. While I've never seen it happen, I know those cheap little 2 person inflatable raft things can do the sweeper catch, body wrap, then pull you under too. Not a good scene. So yeah, I'll take my kayak Thank You Very Much! We can only hope people read about this then wise up and knock off the unsafe behavior on the rivers. Search and Rescue crew really would rather not have to deal with this stuff at all. I had to help fish two kids out of the river slightly down stream from Ensign Ranch once. Little two person inflatable, their mother set the kids loose without life jackets in what appeared to be a calm smooth little pool on the river. They went down stream, freaked out and bailed, and I picked them off a steep bank where they were barely clinging on. Had my daughter with me, was her first time floating in a 'yak. Felt SO fortunate that there weren't any serious problems with that one. Glad it was only an educational experience for all involved, and not the end of the road for a couple of little kids. A. |
|
|
RE: Yes, no more canoes OR inflatable rafts...
|
     (2 votes)
(report abuse)
|
|
|
The college needs to do more about their floaters, too. I've had vandalism and theft, including a beautiful pine bench with a salmon carving picked up on the bank and hauled downriver (I'm more vigilant now). Of course I do not know for sure if it was students to blame. But the college DOES need to better educate students renting river gear on the following: 1. Respecting private property 2. That the river, though only a Class II float, can and is very dangerous. 3. Non-swimmers should raft, not float, and must wear lifejackets. 4. Endorse a No Alcohol policy for renters...and stick to it. The best behaved riverfolk by far have been the professional fishermen with or without clients. They can land on my property any time because they respect it. The worst, of course, are the intoxicated. Generally, however, I enjoy the warm weather floaters and try to join them when I can. |
||
|
How About Floater and Sinker Certification?
|
     (1 votes)
(report abuse)
|
|
|
OK, well now? If THAT doesn't sound somewhat interesting? Kind of afraid to suggest one more tax/license/certification BUT it's another one of those things where some of the people using it aren't properly policing themselves. The fly fishing folks are a pretty decent solid bunch and all seem to really be in tune with how things go all the way around. And through their fishing license ect. they are paying their way onto the river scene. I've seen the jerk crowd being loud and obnoxious on the water. Sinking beer bottles as they go along. And cans. A lot of people when introduced into a recreational setting get really stupid and irritating once alcohol is introduced into their social situation. So I suppose some day there will be some kind of fee to do anything anywhere so the creek cops can be out on patrol to write up rabid offenders. A lot of situations, many problems, and no real good answers. Can't legislate morality and there's way too many stupid inconsiderate people out there that seem to love to abuse themselves and the environment in the name of recreation. Had lunch watching over 1,000 elk yesterday. Will get a pic or two up soon, maybe tomorrow if not tonight. Crazy. A. |
||
|
Goose VS. Kayaker
|
     (1 votes)
(report abuse)
(reply) |
|
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4002781/goose-vs-kayaker If you can handle the advertisements and other video that does not apply, there's a few seconds of a goose taking out a guy in a kayak. And of all things? The Bird looks like one of the locals that hangs out down there around Wade's Pond... A. |
|
