Well, I didn't run it either - I was on shore shooting video. Ha. We actually ran it the next morning when it had dropped significantly. Definitely a chaotic scene at those flows!
Did the 226 miles of the Canyon in '86. Don't remember the flow at Crystal but do remember seeing another party's raft flip. One person on a rock island, one on the upside down raft and one girl in the water all the way around the bend and out of sight with no one yet able to be going after her. Our ready throw lines couldn't reach her. Their second boat hugged the shore like crazy picking up stragglers as they went. Next day we found a 1st aid kit in an eddy and when we got to their beach they had everything spread out drying.. The 1st aid kit was the only thing they lost. Young woman was OK.
Fun footage! I ran in 1984 and 1985, with our high being under 50,000 cfs. Crystal just grows with the more water poured into it. I will say that it has mellowed somewhat from the huge curler wave that would stretch from the left side almost to the right shore. There was a small slot to skirt, otherwise it was all hands on deck! It was a BEAST! I wish we had the technology back then to record it...but, it still is imprinted in my mind.
I've done some big water in Cataract and Westwater canyons. Even Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas... but this is borderline mental! Even seeing another raft go through you don't really have a grasp on the size of the waves in there until it's you in the middle and you feel the power of that river. 40k is a lot of water. Love that people were staking their rafts just a few feet up from a very clear high flow cleft in the sand thinking that's as high as it would go. lol
That wave action just looks nasty -- great video!! Can feel the power of the river through the lens and I can only imagine how muted that is compared to the real thing! Thank you!
My parents and I were on a guided trip during the most recent high-flow experiment towards the end of April this year. Sadly, we ran Crystal two days prior to the start of the experiment so it was not as nasty as it could have been plus all rafts in our trip had clean runs that day. But even at normal levels that rapid is LOUD. Lava was the only one to come close to Crystal's snarls resonating upstream from its lair. Also we DID get to run Lava, Waltenberg, Bedrock, and one other below Lava whose name I forget but was also very impressive at high water. The rapid's name started with a hard C I remember that.... Also not willing to get up to fetch my mile-by-mile guide. But, all in all, it was a great experience (aside from the sand driving me crazy with sensory overwhelm and no means to escape it) and a lucky one all things considered (no flipped rafts, no encounters with venomous wildlife, and no serious injuries).
I floated down The river in 1998 and Crystal scared the shit out of me !! Everyone talks about lava being the gnarlyest but it was no we’re near as sketchy as Crystal
Good job on the video and edit. I have been down a few times and seen a 16’ hit the hole and this year a 14’ and both of them tail walked out of it! Whe had to wait this year for about 3 hours for a helicopter to pick up 3 people stuck on the island below (7500cfs) so it was an easy pull to the right but that 14’ boat just pushed and ran the hole. Haha. Love the Grand! That should be a hashtag #lovethegrand
Did they have a boat stuck on the island as well? My biggest fear in Crystal is dumping and getting the boat stuck on the island with no one or not enough people with the boat to flip it back. Usually people just get flushed downstream, and if the boat makes it you might as well swim from the island to your boat.
@@jfo738 yeah. They got their rental 18’ stuck on the island and by the time we got caught up to their group the river dropped so it was about 6’ out of water and we couldn’t make the pull to the island but we knew there was a kayaking trip a day behind us so they got to the island and reflipped em.
@@JRonyStarDust That doesn't really make sense. Even if it's upside down and beached you can pull the frame straps and pull the raft off. It would really suck to have to fully de-rig that way, but that's what you have to do. Much better than waiting for a helicopter or spending the night waiting for another trip to come by. Of course, I wasn't there to see it, and I'm hoping I don't have to experience it first hand.
@@jfo738 yeah. They were newbies and had no idea how to self rescue. If we could have gotten out to them safely we would have had to de-rig upside down and re flip.
I would like to do this one day. I am really inspired. This was peaked after listening to an album the called The River Speaks plainly by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys which led me to be currently reading The Emerald Mile. Just read how this rapid formed.
Emerald Mile is an incredible read. Would be something else to see Crystal back in those days - today's hole is a shadow of it's former self. But this is probably as close as most of us will ever see. Pretty awesome still! Thanks for the note.
In 2007, Chrystal picked me up off of a boat cushion that I was sitting on and I was holding a rope very tightly. For what seemed like forever my body was parallel to the deck and about two feet above the deck.
Awesome video! I think I know someone in your group (Pace?) - so random to watch a RUclips video and then see someone you know!! What happened to the group in the still shot?!
Thanks for the note Ben. That boat actually didn't flip, it sat back down if you can believe it. Wish I had shot video of it, but only have photos of that run. Definitely an awesome rapid, only gets more intimidating the bigger the water gets. Wish I had a chance to see it in '83, must have been insane.
When I Die, Toss my old river rats ashes In a river flowing free. That I may kiss the sea. Loved ones can touch the river in canyons dark, feeling my old river rats soul embracing them there. When the cottonwood's leafs rustle in the canyon winds, May it remind them of my joy and laughter when the Desert sun is shining bright upon the canyon walls, may they remember me smiling. For I will live on in those white water waves. And Towering Castle Red Rock Walls... Hoping and praying no man will come along and build a Dam, And Destroy Me... The Outlaw Poet Rafter
Strong work. I think I'd have to walk around that one.
Well, I didn't run it either - I was on shore shooting video. Ha. We actually ran it the next morning when it had dropped significantly. Definitely a chaotic scene at those flows!
Did the 226 miles of the Canyon in '86. Don't remember the flow at Crystal but do remember seeing another party's raft flip. One person on a rock island, one on the upside down raft and one girl in the water all the way around the bend and out of sight with no one yet able to be going after her. Our ready throw lines couldn't reach her. Their second boat hugged the shore like crazy picking up stragglers as they went. Next day we found a 1st aid kit in an eddy and when we got to their beach they had everything spread out drying.. The 1st aid kit was the only thing they lost. Young woman was OK.
Awesome footage and editing. We went through after the 2014 high flow and it was amazing to have clean beaches and no footprints anywhere.
Fun footage! I ran in 1984 and 1985, with our high being under 50,000 cfs. Crystal just grows with the more water poured into it. I will say that it has mellowed somewhat from the huge curler wave that would stretch from the left side almost to the right shore. There was a small slot to skirt, otherwise it was all hands on deck! It was a BEAST! I wish we had the technology back then to record it...but, it still is imprinted in my mind.
Excellent footage and edit! Just ran it a month ago. Awesome to see the contrast.
Fabulous mix of TL, Video and Stills!
Great video. Brings back lots of memories from my run there in 1984 at 50k, flipped in that big hole, quite an exciting swim out.
You're always above Crystal
Totally AWESOME!! Can't imagine what it was like at 70+ for Grua, Petschek and Reynolds in '83
I've done some big water in Cataract and Westwater canyons. Even Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas... but this is borderline mental! Even seeing another raft go through you don't really have a grasp on the size of the waves in there until it's you in the middle and you feel the power of that river. 40k is a lot of water.
Love that people were staking their rafts just a few feet up from a very clear high flow cleft in the sand thinking that's as high as it would go. lol
Mental indeed. Just the sheer noise is wild. Glad we got to see it! Thanks for the comment.
This video is freaking sick!!!!!!!
I did the Colorado river in a kayak and the memory is still one of my best memories
That wave action just looks nasty -- great video!! Can feel the power of the river through the lens and I can only imagine how muted that is compared to the real thing! Thank you!
My parents and I were on a guided trip during the most recent high-flow experiment towards the end of April this year. Sadly, we ran Crystal two days prior to the start of the experiment so it was not as nasty as it could have been plus all rafts in our trip had clean runs that day. But even at normal levels that rapid is LOUD. Lava was the only one to come close to Crystal's snarls resonating upstream from its lair. Also we DID get to run Lava, Waltenberg, Bedrock, and one other below Lava whose name I forget but was also very impressive at high water. The rapid's name started with a hard C I remember that.... Also not willing to get up to fetch my mile-by-mile guide. But, all in all, it was a great experience (aside from the sand driving me crazy with sensory overwhelm and no means to escape it) and a lucky one all things considered (no flipped rafts, no encounters with venomous wildlife, and no serious injuries).
Awesome work Dan! Love it!!!
Nice edit
That's some great footage. I ran the river at 50,000cfs and it was a hell of a ride. Crystals always a bit scary
Wonderful edit. Wow. Great piece, great trip, it appears.
Cheers, thanks Barry!
Well done Dan!
Thanks Robb!
VERY cool video!! Thanks for posting. We were at Owl Eyes when the river started to rise: over 10 feet in about 4 hours. Pretty wild.
Dope footage. Dope editing
Thanks Alex!
Drain Lake Foul. Bring back Glen Canyon.
I floated down The river in 1998 and Crystal scared the shit out of me !! Everyone talks about lava being the gnarlyest but it was no we’re near as sketchy as Crystal
Schön gemachtes Video. Die Zeitraffer Aufnahmen am Anfang fande ich super. Grüße ronactive
And for a moment, the Crystal of '83 legend almost made a return from its watery grave
Good job on the video and edit. I have been down a few times and seen a 16’ hit the hole and this year a 14’ and both of them tail walked out of it! Whe had to wait this year for about 3 hours for a helicopter to pick up 3 people stuck on the island below (7500cfs) so it was an easy pull to the right but that 14’ boat just pushed and ran the hole. Haha. Love the Grand! That should be a hashtag #lovethegrand
Did they have a boat stuck on the island as well? My biggest fear in Crystal is dumping and getting the boat stuck on the island with no one or not enough people with the boat to flip it back. Usually people just get flushed downstream, and if the boat makes it you might as well swim from the island to your boat.
@@jfo738 yeah. They got their rental 18’ stuck on the island and by the time we got caught up to their group the river dropped so it was about 6’ out of water and we couldn’t make the pull to the island but we knew there was a kayaking trip a day behind us so they got to the island and reflipped em.
@@JRonyStarDust That doesn't really make sense. Even if it's upside down and beached you can pull the frame straps and pull the raft off. It would really suck to have to fully de-rig that way, but that's what you have to do. Much better than waiting for a helicopter or spending the night waiting for another trip to come by. Of course, I wasn't there to see it, and I'm hoping I don't have to experience it first hand.
@@jfo738 yeah. They were newbies and had no idea how to self rescue. If we could have gotten out to them safely we would have had to de-rig upside down and re flip.
Was there in '83. It was big. We're talking Crystal.
I would like to do this one day. I am really inspired. This was peaked after listening to an album the called The River Speaks plainly by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys which led me to be currently reading The Emerald Mile.
Just read how this rapid formed.
Emerald Mile is an incredible read. Would be something else to see Crystal back in those days - today's hole is a shadow of it's former self. But this is probably as close as most of us will ever see. Pretty awesome still! Thanks for the note.
Great video!
Great video....
New sub with that edit! Holy Cow
PS- There would be no sleeping going on camped above Crystal at 40k
In 2007, Chrystal picked me up off of a boat cushion that I was sitting on and I was holding a rope very tightly. For what seemed like forever my body was parallel to the deck and about two feet above the deck.
Do they also have safety kakayers
Pretty awesome flow. Hey started river right. Got sucked to the left (bad news) amazing power of the river...
We flipped a big, heavy boat in '21 in Crystal. Burned in my memory for life (don't go sideways into that last big hole!)
very cool.
Been there '83.
Which song is this
Glad to know we weren’t the only ones scrambling and shuffling camp around for hours figuring out what to do with the water on the rise. 😂
so, so good!
Awesome video! I think I know someone in your group (Pace?) - so random to watch a RUclips video and then see someone you know!! What happened to the group in the still shot?!
Haha, yeah that's Pace. Those guys got quite a tube stand - but they didn't flip. Wild ride.
where is the rock-garden?
Under about 15-20 feet of water!
Nuts …pure nuts
Try 55,000 cfs that was the flow my first trip through Crystal the hole is enormous
Ran it last May at maybe 10k cfs. It nearly flipped the lead boat. This thing is scary at nearly any level. I presume that last boat here was a wreck.
Thanks for the note Ben. That boat actually didn't flip, it sat back down if you can believe it. Wish I had shot video of it, but only have photos of that run. Definitely an awesome rapid, only gets more intimidating the bigger the water gets. Wish I had a chance to see it in '83, must have been insane.
@@DanRansom Yeah, can you imaging the waves at up to 30' with a pipeline curl! WOW!
Do you edit professionally? All of your edits are really good.
Yeah, mainly corporate work. The stuff on RUclips is just for shits and giggles. Thanks!
@@DanRansom good laughs from this one!
Gnarly!
When I Die, Toss my old river rats ashes
In a river flowing free.
That I may kiss the sea.
Loved ones can touch the river in canyons dark, feeling my old river rats soul embracing them there.
When the cottonwood's leafs rustle in the canyon winds,
May it remind them of my joy and laughter when the Desert sun is shining bright upon the canyon walls, may they remember me smiling.
For I will live on in those white water waves.
And Towering Castle Red Rock Walls...
Hoping and praying no man will come along and build a Dam,
And Destroy Me...
The Outlaw Poet Rafter
I'm happy someone liked it, I just had my lawyer write up a will yesterday. My son will scatter my ashes in Cataract Canyon 👍🤣
Nice
Absolutely Awesome 👍 Made my ol'river rat soul sing🕉️ ☮️
Kenton Grua likes this
Hahaha. Kenton Grua would laugh at how small it looks compared to 83!
I need to run this river before I die
Crystal at 40 grand is like the Niagara Gorge in normal moments (but Crystal is shorter).
Damn. Gnarly.
sweet
Looks death defying.
Once had a guide tell our group, "Just use common sense." Well, sh!t...
I had one guy tell me to pick a spot to swim out to on the scout..
You thought that was bad, you should have seen in in '83 at 100 cfps. d d d ddddeadly!
Ut guide license # 0001 has some really gnarly photos of that place before the dam was built..
Miss Crystal is famous for her kisses..
Yelling “holly shit” is right. Scary. I did only Cataract Canyon.
So big
when will you kids hit Cat? I guess pretty late, but in June it's gonna be ripping like this.
@@DanRansom I think we will be in Cat late June or early July
Fuck sakes!