Enter the Black

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is definitely one of the best runs in Colorado.  It has great rapids, challenging portages, unbelievable scenery, incredible camping, great fishing, and a scenic hike out.  What else could you ask for?  Here is a little photo dump from my recent trip!

The crew packing up at the put-in. Photo: Dan Piano

Entering the canyon. Photo: Dan Piano

Tom, Tyson & Sam in one of the early rapids.

Photo: Dan Piano

Photo: Dan Piano

Tyson styling the s-turn rapid. Photo: Dan Piano

Rolf and Tom checking out triple drop. Photo: Dan Piano

Tyson dropping in on ball buster. Photo: Dan Piano

Luc Strickland going for a boof on the legendary waterfall.

Photo: Dan Piano

Rolf helping Jim set up to shoot some vid.  Photo: Dan Piano

After the eighteen footer the fun begins.  Looking down at the big portage.

Photo: Dan Piano

Looking back at the falls from the portage.

Photo: Dan Piano

Tyson busting through the poison ivy. Photo: Dan Piano

Luc taking a breather on the beginning half of the portage.

Photo: Dan Piano

Cave Camp.  Photo: Dan Piano

Morning light day 2. Photo: Dan Piano

Photo: Dan Piano

Gearing up on the beginning of day two.  Photo: Dan Piano

The painted wall.  Photo: Dan Piano

Traffic jam on the first portage of day 2.  Photo: Dan Piano

This next set of photos is one of the portages that has been recently run by Christian and Tom.  Its been called by a few "Next Generation".  Tom and Christian have come up with there own names that i don't really want to put on my blog.  Ask them about it, creative for sure.

Tom stretching his hammies pre Next Generation.  Photo: Dan Piano

Sam Smiley taking a gandy at the Next Generation.

Photo: Dan Piano

Rolf Kelly entering the second set on Next Generation.

Photo: Dan Piano

Rolf stomping. Photo: Dan Piano

Christian Cook from Connecticut about to stomp his line.

Photo: Dan Piano

Christian working his way down.  Photo: Dan Piano

Booooooof that hole kid! Photo: Dan Piano

Jim giving the Next Generation a scout: Photo: Dan Piano

David Spiegle going for a mega-boof in the run out.  Photo: Dan Piano

Jim firing up Next Gen.  Photo: Dan Piano

A great place to cool off.. Photo: Dan Piano

Luc re-packing his bag after the gnarly swim.  Photo: Dan Piano

Sam Smiley in the run out.  Photo: Dan Piano

Other crew movin out after the sickness they just witnessed.

Photo: Dan Piano

Tyson scoping the Great Falls Portage. Photo: Dan Piano

Rolf scoping the mega-stout.  Photo: Dan Piano

Rolf killing it!  Photo: Dan Piano

Rolf with a Sick BOOOOOF! Photo: Dan Piano

Looking back up at the Great Falls Portage.  Photo: Dan Piano

The take out.  Photo Dan Piano

Self-Portrait of me loving the Chuckar Trail.  Photo: Dan Piano

Luc loving the Chuckar Trail.  Photo: Dan Piano

If you like a little more out of your kayaking trips than the Black is a must do.  Go get some!

Thanks to Christian, Tom, Tyson, & Rolf for showing us the lines you guys kill it!

Pic o da week 9/28/09

Rolf Kelly running what is usually a portage on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Photo: Dan Piano

Pic o da week 9/20/09

Canyon Creek, WA
Photo: Dan Piano

Pic o da week 9/14/09

Kevin Thompson running Stupid Falls, C.B. CO.

Photo: Kevin Fisher

Pic o da week

Pic o da week

Luc Strickland stomping out Bucking Bronco, Blue Grass Creek, WY

Photo: Dan Piano

Bluegrass 09er

So it is officially September and Blue Grass Creek is going off while the surrounding areas are drying up waiting for the winter restock. You can find this late season jem northeast of Lariame, WY on highway 34. Turn on tunnel rd. take a left after the bridge, followed by three more lefts on the 4x4 roads. You end up at the bottom of a hill staring at a river blasting out of a black hole.. For more info on AW click here.

Adam Mayo putting a booooof on stampede! Photo: Kevin Thompson

Scotty Gerber a.k.a. Old Man River boofing micro cherry bomb.

Photo: Kevin Thompson

Dan dropping into Bucking Bronco. Photo Sarah Hamilton

Sarah in the mix of the bronco. Photo: Dan Piano

Sam ran Bucking Bronco blind.  He was wearing some random reading glasses he found on the ground while scouting. I looked through them and couldn't see anything, classic. Photo: Dan Piano

Luc Strickland a.k.a. Luc Karnali stomping out a huge boof! Photo: Dan Piano

Sarah negotiating some wood in the landing. Photo: Dan Piano

Sarah taking it all in..ahhhhh. Photo: Dan Piano

After the main rapid on bucking bronco the river takes a hard left. Around the corner awaits a potential pin rock in the center of the river. Be prepared to drive hard left or right. Once you finish negotiating this first 1/2 mile of choice whitewater you get 20+ fences, miles of class II/III, some IV's and then the

MAIN EVENT.

The Main Event is definitely on private property. We met the land owner and wants boaters to be able to scout at the main event. He also said absolutely do not get out of your boat below the Main Event to the take out. Lots of private property in this area, respect!

The entrance to the falls. Photo Dan Piano

Luc Strickland on the lead in of the Main Event. Photo: Dan Piano

Vintage photo of Kevin Fisher stomping out the Main Event. Photo: Kevin Thompson

Sarah Hamilton charging into the depths of the main event. Photo: Dan Piano

Luc Strickland on the Main Event. Photo: Dan Piano

Dan, Main Event. Photo: Luc Strickland

Sarah exiting the room below the falls. Photo: Dan Piano

Sarah approaching the last horizon on the main event. Photo: Luc Strickland

Wyoming. Photo: Dan Piano