I’m sure at some point or another, we all put together a list:  rivers to paddle, countries to visit, places to live, foods to try . . . my list:  Waterfalls to Huck! 

For some time now, I’ve been eagerly waiting for Upper North Falls to be in.  I’d see the gauge rise too high and the next day too low.  It’s difficult to get the ‘perfect’ level and when it happened to be at this ‘perfect’ level, prior commitments always stood in the way.

    Our first visit to Upper North this season was sometime around Feb/March.  Chuck Taylor and Johnny Ott called us and said, “We’re heading to Upper North!  Wanna go?”  “What’s the level?  Is it in?” I asked.  “Not sure!” they replied.  So, I jumped online to look at the gauge and it seemed to me that it might be pretty low . . . but, being that this waterfall was a priority on my list, I was optimistic and headed out.

    We drove a long distance to confirm my initial thought . . . the waterfall could definitely use more water.  However, Chuck and Johnny were fired up . . . so Nate and I positioned ourselves for photo/video/safety.  Both Chuck and Johnny had similar lines and super hard hits.  I think they both came up seeing stars.  Conclusion:  Upper North Falls would have to stay on my list until there was more water . . . this came sooner than I had anticipated.

    On June 2nd, a bizarre rainstorm passed through our area.  Rarely do we get to enjoy “hucking” during the late spring, so we were even more excited.  I watched the gauge closely . . . it kept rising!  The next morning, the gauge read pretty high, however I knew this would be the last chance to hit this waterfall until this winter . . . so, with the response from Chuck’s text:  “Let’s just give ‘er!”, and Nate saying, “Let’s just go, so you can quit obsessing about it!”, Nate, Todd Wells, Chuck and myself headed for round two of Upper North Falls.

    About a half mile downstream of this waterfall, the river rolls over 130 feet onto rocks . . . so, our concern was that the river would be too high and that there wouldn’t be enough time to safely exit the fast moving current before this waterfall.  But, to our surprise, the level was perfect. 

Todd went first, followed by myself . . . we both had similar lines and broke our paddles.  Comparing this hit to other waterfalls I have ran, it was one of the hardest hits I’ve experienced – but, still super fun.

    Chuck Taylor went next . . . the way Chuck came off of the waterfall has got to be one of the sickest things I have witnessed firsthand!  He came off of the flake at the top which flipped him 5-feet down from the lip.  So as he was falling the rest of the 55 feet to the pool, he was upside down . . . the coolest thing EVER!  Best part . . . he had the softest hit out of all of us.

    Nate went last . . . and, as always super styled it!  Funny thing here . . . Nate was the only one to NOT break a paddle, even though the paddle he started out with was the only paddle of the four that was broken BEFORE going off the waterfall.  Hahaha

    What a fun day . . . thanks to the crew for short notice and a quick rally.  You’d think my waterfall list would get shorter now . . . but, I think I just added another one!  Until then, have fun and enjoy your summer on the water!

Heather