Arriving in California Matty's lengthy period in a windowless room with Immigration was matched by my fairly tedious wait on the tarmack in Vancouver. All sorted itself out eventually and we are now the proud drivers of a substantial American carrrr, and have got out on the water.
Our warm up run on the Chamberlains Falls run on the American River demonstrated they've had a pretty weird spring here. Gleams of sunshine were followed by spots of rain. In late May! The forecast says it's all about to warm up.
Happily, the weather cleared as we drove south to the Tuollome river and ran the lower river. This eighteen mile stretch was a super exciting high water trip when I ran it ten years ago - this time with a third of the flow and a much larger boat it is a fun way to see a beautiful wild canyon with some friendly locals.
Having had our first experience getting lost at midnight, we found the north fork of the Stanislaus. I asked the locals nicely for some intermediate creeking - and that's what we got. Friendly boofs and short steep rapids in a pretty granite gorge with huge pines. We're here!More photos soon.
Polly, Matty, Mike
