On Clear Creek we have a rapid called Hells Canyon. Boats enter Hell with a rapid aptly named Guide Ejector, and end with Deep Hole. It's over a 3/4's of a mile with rocky class IV technical nastiness. When boats enter Hell, I am always anxiously awaiting their safe emergence on the opposite side.
Hells Canyon is also a popular spot for rock climbing. And to access some of the walls, climbers need to cross the river. They have strung ropes across the river in Upper Hell to do so. I have had my eyes on these ropes for 4 years. And it wasn't until yesterday, that I took some initiative to get on them.
I borrowed a harness, some caribeaners, grabbed my camera, and put myself out on a wire. And there I dangled awaiting my 9 boat trip. A few minutes later I saw an upside down boat coming around the corner upstream. At the time I was cursing myself because I had missed the carnage above. As the second boat rounded the corner, I could see it was overloaded with 9 frantic people. And just as they passed below me, they dumped 6 into the water. It was mayhem! I was in the middle of the action all the while dangling safely from above. I was so close I had to lift my feet up so I didn't kick anyone.
This summer I am attempting to take my adventure photography to a new level. I'm putting myself in the action to get the shots that I envision. I'm doing things that people don't and won't do. Who knows what's next. I may be dangling over a 400 foot cliff to get a shot of a kayaker running a 1,000 foot slide. Plans are in the works, so be on the look out for some new and exciting angles.
