A trip up Kootenai Creek

The other day while climbing in the Bitterroot I was fortunate enough to get pictures of something I've seen only a handful of times. Kayakers running the lower section of Kootenai Creek. I climb in the canyon regularly, but it is difficult to catch the creek boaters going down due to short length of the run and speed that they pick up. The lower section is a class V creek, considered by most to be technically difficult with an assumed risk of danger. This doesn't stop kayakers though. Two years ago I had a roommate who dislocated his shoulder and was forced to swim the lower section loosing his boat and paddle. With the recent hot weather and the high snowpack the creek has been running at a good level for the kayakers. I was content taking pictures from the shore.

LIfe Back in Missoula

Being back in Missoula is going well. Seeing old friends, making it outside to the rivers and the crags and doing the rounds at the graduation parties have consumed most of the time back in Montana. I have however had some small luck at finding work. The river company has a surplus of guides, but the video guy has to take some time off. The pay is substantially better and I'll still get a chance to do some training before the season really kicks off. The rough part is that I need some more experience with Imovie before I get going. My first day of work is tomorrow and coincidentally it is the annual Bartenders Float. If I can survive tomorrow I'll be doing OK, but the key word is survive. Otherwise Maggie is doing some part time catering until she finds something better. The photo is of Lochsa falls taken yesterday.