All play and no creeking makes the BUK crew dull boys.... It was time. All the lads agreed - if she really loved us she would be there when we got home. We just needed a change, some space, a chance to rest and rediscover ourselves. So after outfitting the new van with a roof rack, ripping out some seats, and loading up the trusty kuwharau (a lean mean shuttlin' machine - okay a crappy bike) we said our goodbyes. With tears in our eyes (well Sam's anyway) we left our sweet, sweet buseater in search of some new runs on some steep creeks. Now it isn't easy to leave behind one of the worlds best waves but we got some inside info from some guy named Stephen Wright (I think he boats for some 'Jackson' company or something?) that piqued our interest. He claimed to understand what it was we wanted and he told us that in order to find out what it is we sought, to drive to Pennsylvania. I must say I had my doubts. If one were to look up some facts on the state you may be quite surprised to discover that Pennsylvania's Indiana County is considered the Christmas tree capital of the world. Yup, the Keystone state is full of wonder. It's the home of one of the most loved weather rodents, Punxsutawney Phil and it even boasts the United States' first public zoo founded by none other than Mr. Ben Franklin. More important than all these things though, (to a whitewater junkie anyway) is something known as the Delaware water gap. The Pennsylvania state motto of Virtue, Liberty, and Independence could be morphed for the whitewater kayaker into steep, deep, and technical! The first run on the list for the BUK crew (which consisted of Sam, Tyler and Dan) was the class V Hornbecks creek. After driving through the night to get there I was a bit disappointed to see a small trickle of water coming from the culvert at the Put-in. Yee Haw. After about a 38.5 sec hike downstream we realized that there was plenty of water and after seeing the river disappear over a horizon line it was more like YEEE HAAAAW! This little beauty bangs! The action starts fast and furious with a junky 30 foot slide thing with a rock right where you want to be at the bottom. I just grazed it on the first run, Tyler glided past it with no problems and Sam (wanting to be different) decided to land on it with his face. Don't worry ladies he's still just as charming (no Sam that's not a compliment) but he did however hurt his shoulder. As it turns out he actually separated it (even though he paddle the rest of the week. What a trooper). For those keeping score, thats two separations (one in each shoulder) for Sam in the last 6 months. Oh yeah, the river. The Hornbeck has lots of tight twisting drops, several amazing canyons, one monster drop, and it ends in an absolutely orgasmic rapid. The last, and best, rapid could be summarized as follows - 8 foot slide, 10 foot slide, 20 foot boof, 25 foot slide, 15 foot boof into 60 foot slide, pump fist. Our next stop was the Raymondskill. If you want to break some waterfall records I bet you could do it here. With 3 drops in the 50ft range within about 50 ft its truly a huckers heaven. Unfortunately the first drop was unrunnable (but I bet with more water.....) making it real tricky to get into the second drop (which is totally good to go) but pretty sketchy to get out before the last drop (might go... you try first). The short section above contains some great action from slides and boofs to really big boofy, slidy, thingy. That description might seem vague but when you see it you'll understand. There is a great portage beside it though. Just drop your boat down the hill and let it crash into the trees below. Honest, I don't know how we break so many boats?! After checking out a few more waterfalls in the area (up for a class V++ first D anyone?) we ended our PA stint on the Shohola. A nice warm up in the form of a 85ft slide, prepares you for a very deep, and scenic class IV gorge (with 100ft high rock walls on both sides it's somewhat committing) a winding, twisting swiftwater section, and a short canyon section to finish off with. Another great run. With water levels fading fast we decided to head north and hit up one of my all time favorite runs- The Twin Falls section of the Grasse in New York. This is a big one. Big drops, big slides, big holes, Big Poppa. After firing up Large Marge (Rainbow Falls) and the 'holy crap the world really is flat and I'm about to go off the edge of it' drop Twin Falls, a quick boatercross to the finish and we were all good. After checking out a few more park and hucks in the area we decided that it was time we headed home. It's not quite as easy to put on wet gear in the morning when its frozen, and besides, the old girl at home (Bussy) was probably missing us. Upon our return Tyler and I did some local exploration and got a likely first D on the Pettigrew (and almost got arrested) while Sam is slowly nursing his shoulder back to health through baking and naked yoga. Anyway, I'd hate to leave you with that image in your mind so check out some of our pics and another tasty little vid we have for you. Signing off for the Bottoms Up Crew, Dan Caldwell PA / NY Creeking
Large Marge or Rainbow Falls, Grasse River, NY
Top Drop,
Shohola River, PA
Top Drop,
Shohola River, PA
Top Drop,
Shohola River, PA
Top Drop,
Shohola River, PA
Top Drop,
Shohola River, PA
High Falls,
Grasse River, NY
Bottoms Up Boys Given Props after clean lines
Raymondskill River, PA
Raymondskill River, PA
Exiting the last canyon
Shohola River, PA
 
Grasse River, NY
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