2 months and 23 days after knee surgery I finally was able to take a kayak trip. I tested out my kayak briefly a couple weeks ago but Sunday was my first trip through rapids. Happy to say that everything went really well and am looking forward to more easy kayaking soon.

Me and my trusty kayak after a test paddle on the Clack

If you look close you can see me favoring my good right leg!

So on a nice, warm, sunny March day on Sunday Paul and I headed down to the Little North Santiam to run the Troll’s Teeth section. I used to do this run a lot when I first started boating years ago and was curious to see what I thought of it after all this time. We hiked upstream for a bit to run an extra Class 3 rapid that I don’t think I’ve ever run. Paul ended up first and took the meat of the rapid through a tricky diagonal wave. I took the more conservative right-side sneak line. I was happy to learn that my body knew just what to do even if my mind was a little timid.

First Rapid of the Day

After this first rapid the river settles down to some pleasant floating with the occasional Class 2 rapid. I thought I remembered the big rapid of the day, Troll’s Teeth, being close to the beginning of the run so I kept looking for it throughout the first 3 miles. Turns out it is much further downriver! There was very little I remembered about this run but recognized Troll’s Teeth when we got there. After a bit of scouting, Paul took off through the rapid.

Paul enters Troll’s Teeth Rapid

In the Middle of Troll’s Teeth

Getting Ready to Finish Troll’s Teeth

I had a good run through most of the rapid but missed my line at the bottom and ended up going through more of hole than I wanted but it worked out o.k. I definitely felt rusty and nervous but it was a good test.

After Troll’s Teeth there is another fun Class 3 rapid which well. The scenery in this section is excellent with big canyon walls and no sign of the road. Fun rapids continue for another mile or so before getting quiet again. There were a couple surf waves we tried but that bothered my knee a bit so I didn’t do too much. After running the last long rapid at the end (which was smaller than I remember!) I was ready to get out and stretch my legs. All that was left was a short carry up to the road and Paul took off on the moped to run shuttle. All in all a great day back on the river!

Last Rapid of the day