Sockdolager Rapid

Sockdolager Rapid announced itself with the deep, steady roar of big water echoing off the canyon walls long before we could see it clearly. As we approached, the river dropped into a wide, turbulent chute where powerful standing waves marched across the channel in bold, rolling sets. The horizon line dipped sharply and the dory surged forward, catching the first crest with a dramatic lift that sent the bow skyward before plunging us deep into the following trough. A heavy wall of cold water crashed over the front, drenching us and blinding our view for a heartbeat as we braced and pressed forward. The rapid was long and fast, with wave after wave demanding constant adjustments and strong oar strokes to keep the boat on track. The canyon walls towered high and close around us, their red and ochre layers flashing past as the current drove us deeper into the heart of the run. By the time we slid into the calm eddy below, our faces were wet and grinning, hearts still racing from the raw, surging energy of the ride. Sockdolager was big, clean and unforgettable, one of those rapids that left us catching our breath and looking back with a quiet sense of awe.