Q: Is it possible to paddle a Class V run such as Gore Canyon in your first season?
A: Absolutely yes.
Q: Is it possible to do it safely in your first season?
A: Absolutely yes.
Q: Is it likely you will put in enough days on the right rivers in one season to be able to do it safely?
A: Probably not.
Gore Canyon is the most well known Class V run here in Colorado. It ranks high on the goal list of progressing kayakers in Colorado who feel the desire to go beyond Class III & IV rapids. Beginners and intermediates discuss the run often, even though they may never have seen it.
There seems to be a general acknowledgement among many boaters that the mythical Gore Canyon is a rite of passage into the world of advanced boating in this region. It interests me primarily because it represents an easy to get to, big water shoot location for
the movie Savage Snow. Gore Canyon is actually one of the closest runs to my home in Summit County. As I have progressed in kayaking, I have bumped up some of the scenes in the film with new plans to have them take place in more difficult water than originally considered.
Much of the Gore Canyon run is Class IV, but there are serious Class V rapids in Gore, and the whole run is very isolated and can require helicopter search and rescue teams to extract people when things go bad.
I have personally met 2 people who have had to be flown out on helicopters.
I strongly wanted to paddle Gore ths year, even though this is really only my first serious season of kayaking. I have believed for the last few weeks that it would be possible to move into Class V water this summer "if" I could get enough days in, and on the right preparatory rivers.
Also, this weekend is considered by many to be the absolute safest time of year to run Gore Canyon. The annual Gore Canyon Race and Festival is underway. In the days leading up to the race, there are large numbers of boaters in the canyon to help with rescue if needed, and today during the actual race, anyone can run the river even if they are not participating in the race. Volunteers are stationed at all the major rapids with throw bags and rescue equipment to help boaters who get in trouble along the run. If you are considering running Gore Canyon and don't have a lot of Class V experience, this may be a weekend to look forward to in Colorado.
Some business issues drew me to China this summer, right in the middle of prime boating season. I got back just in time for the Gore Canyon Festival, but I have wisely decided not to paddle Gore today.
I am sure I could have found some boaters who would have let me come along with them, but I know I am a few days and a few experiences short of being ready. If I had not spent the last month in Asia and if I had found a few more Class 4 runs to learn from in the preceding month, I may not have been able to keep myself from paddling Gore Canyon today.
But I still have time, and Gore will be there for me when I am ready.
So today, instead of paddling Gore Canyon during the festival race, I decided to hike it and give it a good thorough scouting.
I photographed and shot video of many of the features in Gore Canyon, and I will add them to this page soon.
But first I will get some Gore Canyon experts to help identify the rapids for me, so I can label everything correctly before posting it here. Even I could identify the main Gore Rapid though. It is a serious, convoluted, and exciting looking mess of a rapid.
By chance I was fortunate to get the photo above of one of my former CKS instructors Tom Campbell running Tunnel Falls today. I was able to recognize him from his helmet as he approached Tunnel Falls, but I only barely got the camera on and ready in time for the shot.
The new updates page will mention when the additional Gore Canyon photo & video material is available here.
-Dan
