FITW - 5/23/07

Yesterday after work there was a HUGE group of paddlers that were up at Fall in the Wall (FITW).  I think there were 10 in our group and probably 30 or more people were there through the day.  It was a low to medium low flow which means low consequenses and lots of fun.  This was my first time running it this season so it was fun to get back in the groove.  This is a really short classic creeking run close to Seattle that deserves lap after lap.

Our first lap was really slow as the group was leading a couple newbies down. I took a second and did the run without hitting an eddy.  It was great, non-stop action. 

I forgot my camera so no pics.  Hopefully I'll make it out again Friday after work or this weekend for sure... camera in hand.

Here's a breakdown of the rapids and lines I usually take.

• Seal lauch - The most used put-in is a ~15ft. seal launch.  Don't land too flat :)
• Larry's Ledge - Larry's is about a 4 foot ledge. Run left with left angle and Boof hard.  The right side has pinned boaters.
• Entrance to Fearsome Foresome - This ledge is okay to run wherever with a left boof to setup for FF #1
• Fearsome Foresome #1 - The typical line is left of center, lean forward and run the slide to a flake.  The right side is runnable but I have not run it.
• FF #2 - A slide, run center.
  
• FF #3 - A slide to a boof flake.  Run right of center over slide and boof the ledge.  This is one of my favorites.  Boof hard and you will fly!
• FF #4 - Another slide.  Run the middle, lean forward and try to boof at the end of the slide.
• Island Drop - Eddy our right, run left towards a pyramid looking rock which will shoot you right.  Boof at the ledge.  Right can be run too but I have not.  If running left stay right of the blue mitten. :)
• Fishermans - Fishermans is a series of two ledges with the second being super sticky at higher flows. Run center or right through the first ledge and try to get some spead and get far right with right angle and try to boof over the second ledge.  Paddle hard when you land if it's medium flow or higher if you don't clear it.  Setting saftey at the ledge on left is a good idea at higher flows.
• Green Room - The Green Room has a cool ledge that I run on the left and pushes you right.  After some slack water the next drop is the Green Room that you need some spead on that will send you deep but always flushes.  It's been known to shoot creek boats straight up in the air!  Wear a nose plug or expect some water up your nose.

After the Green Room is the typical take out.  There are a couple eddies to catch but don't pack too many people here.  Below some boogey water is Rootball which is a 40 foot slide many people have run.  There is a small pool at the bottom of Rootball and then it leads to Last Drop which is a 20 footer with an even smaller pool and then Franklin Falls.  Franlin's has an entrance slide and then to a 120 foot drop into a shallow pool.  Running this would be your last.  Setting saftey at Rootball and Last Drop is mandatory and don't scew 'em up!