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| June 10-18, 2007 |
Christopher Creek has erupted into the Arizona's premier creeking destination over the last
2 years. Although to this date there has only been five descents. Its "waterfall strewn"
gorge, in a unique setting, makes it an amazing trip. Located 25 minutes out of Payson,
Arizona, Christopher Creek makes a steep descent through a Basalt rock gorge. For years
this place was frequently visited by Boy Scouts and Phoenicians escaping the heat. During
the summer months you will find wet pools and massive numbers of people swimming. It had
not been kayaked until 2005 when Bret Howard, Roy Lippman, Tyler Williams, Hut Wade
and Mark Reed attempted the first descent. It was stopped quickly after arriving to the 5th
fall where Roy Lippman pitoned and severely broke his ankle. The crew amazingly dragged
Roy up the steep walled gorge, and he then went under hours of surgery. The creek
remained unrun, until Evan Safford, Kyle McCutchen and Todd Gilman completed the first
descent of Christopher Creek on March 20, 2005. You can read their story at
coloradokayaking.com. The creek then was officially a padding destination. But with 2006's
drought, the creek had not flown since.
2 years. Although to this date there has only been five descents. Its "waterfall strewn"
gorge, in a unique setting, makes it an amazing trip. Located 25 minutes out of Payson,
Arizona, Christopher Creek makes a steep descent through a Basalt rock gorge. For years
this place was frequently visited by Boy Scouts and Phoenicians escaping the heat. During
the summer months you will find wet pools and massive numbers of people swimming. It had
not been kayaked until 2005 when Bret Howard, Roy Lippman, Tyler Williams, Hut Wade
and Mark Reed attempted the first descent. It was stopped quickly after arriving to the 5th
fall where Roy Lippman pitoned and severely broke his ankle. The crew amazingly dragged
Roy up the steep walled gorge, and he then went under hours of surgery. The creek
remained unrun, until Evan Safford, Kyle McCutchen and Todd Gilman completed the first
descent of Christopher Creek on March 20, 2005. You can read their story at
coloradokayaking.com. The creek then was officially a padding destination. But with 2006's
drought, the creek had not flown since.
Cody, boofin' Donnie's
The spring of 2007 brought marginal flows, and was determined that Christopher was good
to "get down". But it would be some bashing for sure. So Cody Howard and Mike Fisher
arrived at the put in on March 17th almost exactly 2 years after the first descent. Knowing
that Evan Safford and Crew where looking for water, Cody Howard made a quick call to
Evan and let him know that it was running. He was in route and was looking to get a later
start on the ELF flows. So the two put on and after the first entrance drops there where
cracked boats and bruised backs (see video). The rest of the run went fine, with a coupla
low volume slots and sketchy falls. They arrived to Roy's Smile to Trials and rested. This
was the location of the disaster in 2005. Immediately after that they got to the heart of the
gorge. "Big Lebowski" was waiting and looking nasty. A twisting 35 foot falls with a nasty
shelf lead in. Mike stepped up and probed it and Cody followed with a nasty face-grinding
carnage line.
to "get down". But it would be some bashing for sure. So Cody Howard and Mike Fisher
arrived at the put in on March 17th almost exactly 2 years after the first descent. Knowing
that Evan Safford and Crew where looking for water, Cody Howard made a quick call to
Evan and let him know that it was running. He was in route and was looking to get a later
start on the ELF flows. So the two put on and after the first entrance drops there where
cracked boats and bruised backs (see video). The rest of the run went fine, with a coupla
low volume slots and sketchy falls. They arrived to Roy's Smile to Trials and rested. This
was the location of the disaster in 2005. Immediately after that they got to the heart of the
gorge. "Big Lebowski" was waiting and looking nasty. A twisting 35 foot falls with a nasty
shelf lead in. Mike stepped up and probed it and Cody followed with a nasty face-grinding
carnage line.
| Left: Harlan on a tight drop. Right: Cody with a chipped bone. |
Following the big falls, the boys decided that the flows where too low to boat out the take
out (bear flats) and would hike out at Spring Creek. Cracked boats and all. After bashing
through an hour and half of Manzinita they arrived to highway 260. Finding that Evan
Safford and Crew had put on around 2:30 pm. Too late to warn them of the ELF flows.
After lunch at the Christopher Creek Lodge they returned and found the Crew exiting the
gorge and heading to Chevelon Creek. They day ended and so did the Second and Third
descents of the creek. Although low, the smooth Basalt gorge gave it up, and with gravity's
assistance the crews made it down. Smiles, Chipped Elbows, Broken Boats, Bruised Backs
and plenty of CACTUS thrown in for good measure.
out (bear flats) and would hike out at Spring Creek. Cracked boats and all. After bashing
through an hour and half of Manzinita they arrived to highway 260. Finding that Evan
Safford and Crew had put on around 2:30 pm. Too late to warn them of the ELF flows.
After lunch at the Christopher Creek Lodge they returned and found the Crew exiting the
gorge and heading to Chevelon Creek. They day ended and so did the Second and Third
descents of the creek. Although low, the smooth Basalt gorge gave it up, and with gravity's
assistance the crews made it down. Smiles, Chipped Elbows, Broken Boats, Bruised Backs
and plenty of CACTUS thrown in for good measure.
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