🌊 The River Briefing
Last August we launched, we paddled, we lost exactly zero crew members, and the books balanced. That's a successful voyage - anything you can float away from counts. So we're doing it again: camping at Oak Springs, rafting the Deschutes from Wapinitia Rapids down to camp, and eating like people who did absolutely nothing to deserve it.
We're not saying last year went swimmingly… but only because most of us stayed in the boat. Those who didn't are now part of the trip's oar-al history. Splash bragging rights are forever.
🛶 The Paddle Plan
| Date | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WED · AUG 12 | Advance team arrives to squat on the best campsites (squatting: our founding skill, in every sense) | Oak Springs |
| THU · AUG 13 | Fly fishing with the region's most decorated master baiters, floating, aggressive chair naps | Maupin area |
| FRI · AUG 14 | Full-day run, Wapinitia to Oak Springs - a real oar-deal | Deschutes River |
| SAT · AUG 15 | Full-day run, round two: back in the saddle rapids | Deschutes River |
| SUN · AUG 16 | Break camp, destroy the evidence, deny everything, depart | Oak Springs |
Schedule subject to current events. (River joke. The current. You get it. You groaned. Good.)
📸 Evidence From Voyage I
Featured attraction, returning by popular demand: the crawdad hunt. Last year our littlest platinum-blonde deckhand out-fished the adults and ate her catch on the spot. It was a "Craw Daddy Delight." The crawdads have been notified we are coming back.
PHOTO SLOT - campfire crew under the canopy
Fine dining, feat. the diesel heater
PHOTO SLOT - kids on the van roof
The lookout crew. Nothing was looked out for.
Crew morale: dangerously high
Our most fearless deckhand. Tongue deployed for balance.
PHOTO SLOT - the Craw Daddy Delight
Caught it. Boiled it. Ate it. No remorse.
PHOTO SLOT - the boil pot
Crawdads: a cautionary tale
🌊 Know Your Rapids
Harpham Flat to Sandy Beach, ~10.5 miles of basalt canyon dropping 24 feet per mile. Our camp sits right at Oak Springs, so the run ends at the tents. Nobody floats past Sandy Beach - Sherars Falls below is Class VI and not a suggestion.
| Mile | Rapid | Class | The Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | Wapinitia | III | Right out of the gate - wake up, paddle |
| 2.0 | Boxcar | III | Ledge drop, big hole on the left. Don't meet the hole. |
| 7.9 | Surf City | II+ | Wave surfing, maximum giggles |
| 8.3 | Oak Springs | III | Lava island - the right hole eats rafts. Camp's right here. |
| 9.6 | Elevator | II | The jump-out-and-swim wave train. Tradition. |
BLM boater passes required and they sell out August weekends - Jeff's buying them with the headcount, which is one more reason to RSVP sooner rather than later.
🎒 What to Bring
- Tent, bags, pads, chairs, cooler - the usual convoy
- River shoes (no flip-flops, we've discussed this, Kevin)
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses with a strap you'll actually use
- Layers: 90s by day, 40s by night, wind that files formal complaints
- Life vests provided by the outfitter; personal ones welcome
- A butt cushion - your cheeks will thank you by mile two
- Baby wipes. Ask no questions. Pack the wipes.
- Extra underwear. See: rapids, cold water, beans.
🛶 Paddles Up - RSVP
RSVP by July 31. Plus-ones welcome - plus 1 through plus 100.
Point positive, paddle hard, and get your name on the list.