Upset Rapid
About Upset Rapid
Scout Upset on river right. The pull-in for the scout is along the rocky shoreline, a few hundred feet above the start of the rapid. The name Upset comes from Emery Kolb turning his wooden boat over here in 1923 on a USGS survey trip, called the Birdseye Expedition. This was the group that left their inscription way upriver at mile 16.
How to run Upset Rapid
Upset rapid’s main feature is a large hole at the bottom center of the rapid. Many rafts have flipped in this hole. It is possible to run left or right of the hole. A left run starts with center-to-left momentum at the top and works down the left side of the rapid, staying off of the left cliff. There is a left lateral right above the center hole that can surf boats into the hole if it is not either passed on the left or hit with sufficient momentum. Make sure to keep pushing as you run the left side.
A right run is a dry run and is done by entering center-right and pulling right to stay close to the shore and pass by the hole. It is a tight line so make sure to maintain your angle. The current tractor beams into the hole so a lost angle at the top of the rapid can be devastating.
Video of the left line
Entering Upset. This boater is going for the left line. Note the slight left angle. He is entering with plenty of right-to-left momentum.
Entering upset. This boater is going for the right line and is holding his angle as he pulls towards the right shore.
Punching through the bottom of the rapid just to the left of the big hole. Perfect line!
A clean right line. The boater straightened out his angle at the bottom once he knew he was clear of the hole.