Upset Rapid

As dusk closed around the canyon, we approached Upset Rapid knowing we had one last, serious challenge before camp. The river dropped sharply into a wide tongue that aimed straight for a towering, crashing wave near river left, with chaotic laterals and surging boils filling the channel. At the oars was Cindell Dale, our captain, calm and steady after a long day on the water. With quiet focus, she lined us up just right of the main wave, threading a line few could hold with such precision. The dory surged forward fast, rising clean over steep diagonals while cold spray hammered the bow and soaked our backs. The current pushed hard to swing us off course, but Cindell’s quick, powerful strokes kept the boat locked on line. The hull flexed and shuddered through each hit, but the dory held true. When we broke through the final standing waves and glided into the quiet pool below, the air buzzed with adrenaline and awe. It had been the final, epic run of the day and easily the best line of the entire trip.