Aargh - the levels are awesome. I cant believe i am missing the race this year. All these emails are killing me! You all must report on what a wonderful time you have so i can enjoy it vicariously.
--This excellent writeup doesn't mention a one year old USGS gauge at the Albright bridge that offers real-time Cheat levels accessible on the web. See http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?03070260 Subtract about 10.1 to get the level according to the painted lines on the bridge visible from boats or from the parking area just downstream of the bridge on river right. I calculate the 10.1 by eyeballing the level at midday last Saturday, and then subtracting the level seen by laser eyed Eric Colbert----2.1416 = pi -1---and confirmed by LAKS leader Hank.
By this approach the current level is 2.8346 and rising nicely!!!
-rl
From: pfbross@verizon.net
To: upper_yough_training_group@googlegroups.com
Subject: cheat_training_group Cheat Sheet
Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 08:19:46 -0400
The Mighty Cheat Canyon
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/menasha/padshe5.htm
Section 1: Teeter's put in to Big Nasty
Beginning rapids
The first rapid is Decision (Class III+). It is 1.5 miles below Albright, where the Canyon begins. This rapids starts as a wide rubble bar and gradually narrows as it drops over smaller rocks and ledges, forming several holes. Through this upper part, a left-of-center line is easiest, with an interesting chute on the right. Then move right toward a house-sized boulder through a short pool (or wave train at higher levels) before the river drops over a set of large eroded ledges. This rapid is similar to numerous others in the Canyon and is certainly easier than many. If Decision is too much, please carry out now.
After about another mile of pools and three significant smaller drops comes Beech Run (Class III IV). Enter this long rapid on river right before moving left to dodge rocks or holes depending on water level. About two-thirds of the way through and just below the steepest section, a group of closely spaced rocks obstructs the main channel at levels below about 3.0 feet. Run these on the left.
Big Nasty (start center and then go LEFT !!!)
Above Big Nasty, flooding deposited many small and medium-sized boulders, building up the entire riverbed and raising the level of the pool there. The small rapid below Big Nasty has also been obstructed by rubble. In between these pools, the entire river has been channeled toward the right bank and over a ledge. The result is a steep, fast rapid aiming all of the Cheat's water and anything on or in it into one big hole. At 2.0 feet the question "what hole?" seems appropriate, but at 3.0 feet, the hole is hard for decked boats to punch and is fully capable of holding or recirculating floating objects. Around 3.5 feet, it becomes truly nasty, flipping and holding 10-man rafts and recirculating swimmers more than once. At 5.0 feet, Big Nasty is a real circus. First, rafts and boaters must take a tightrope line on the approach. Then, for those who slip off the tightrope, the hole pulls repeated stunts like violently flipping and juggling up to three large rafts at once. Finally, the megahole pulls a true disappearing act with swimmers—making them disappear, then reappear up to 50 feet downstream. Above 5.0 feet, the hole is fortunately too violent to recirculate swimmers; it just gets bigger! Regardless of the water level, successful lines all aim to the extreme left. Still, it is necessary to negotiate several lateral waves or diagonal holes constantly pushing toward the hole. At very high water a left-side sneak appears. A portage is an honorable option.
Section 2: Big Nasty to Surfing wave (above Cue Ball)
Typewriter – on L - Fun! Fun!
A super surfing wave/hole still remains 200 yards downstream on river left. You'll find it after you cross the cobble rapids forming the pool below Big Nasty. This usually benign hole is called Typewriter because you can easily move back and forth on it. Covering the left half of the river, it is gentle on the right edge, stickier on the left.
Little Nasty/Even Nastier (fairly long rapid, sneak/race line on L. or take center drop and head left)
After one more rapid, the paddler reaches Even Nastier (Class III IV). This long rapid is entered just right of center and propels all comers through a respectable wave train leading to the left. From here it is either boiling eddies or ultraquick boat-scouting for the remaining 100 yards to avoid two offset boulders and holes. This rapid can also be entered on river left.
Flat pool
1-5. Small to med rapids (including Doldrums)
Surfing wave (big rock on L)
The middle third of the trip (a good three miles) is known as the Doldrums. Here you have Prudential Rock, great playing waves, and lovely scenery. This "flat" section, with a half-dozen significant lesser rapids, ends as you enter the last third of the trip.
Section 3: Surfing wave to Tear Drop
Cue Ball – on left - lunch spot and more surfing Fun!
Mnemonic for rapids after Cueball: "First Time Hikers Make Crappy Packers"
After Cue Ball, a Class III boulder drop with a great surfing wave on the left, the river begins to act more serious. Fist, with a fast, open chute up against a cliff on river right, is just downstream. After passing through the chute, work over to the center, where the river opens up again. Sneak/race line center.
Section 4: Tear Drop to Pete Morgan Rapid
Tear Drop (sneak L –big hole in center at high water – heroes R)
Below here is Teardrop, a deceptive rapid that may lure you into a tricky chute on the far right or trash you in a nasty hole in the center. The easiest run is on the far left, to the inside of the turn.
High Falls (center and 15' L. of knob rock – sneak/slide/portage far R) – easier @ high water – harder at low water gets creeky no flip zone 'Bob's slide' on far L below 1')
By now the approaching cliffs and a growing roar signify your arrival above High Falls. Note the high, thin ribbon of water coming in on river left, then get ready for action. This drop is Class IV+ even at moderate levels. Scout from the right shore. There's a sneak route down river right, too shallow at low water, but a good choice when the river is high. There's a tricky route down the far left that flips many boats. The preferred center line is scrapy at low water and rambunctious at higher flows. Start a boat length to the right of a washed-out eddy above the drop. This turns into a small wave at high water. Look for a smooth wave at the lip of the drop and paddle through the left shoulder of the wave, angling your boat left. A few forward strokes will carry you between a huge pour-over on the right and a large stopper on the left. Ride the waves over the last ledge into the pool below.
Maze (read and run)
Maze Rapid is just downstream. At low levels the preferred route winds between giant boulders and is tight in places. Higher water opens up the passages, but huge, pillowed boulders and nasty holes complicate the route. Work from left to right to miss the deviously arranged boulders, then cut right at the bottom to finish. Solve the puzzle and win a chance at a trip down the hardest rapid in the Cheat Canyon: Coliseum Rapid.
Coliseum - enter L of top recyclotron hole, do not catch the first eddy on let (there is a strainer in there) consider catching eddy river L next to Coliseum rock- avoid deceptively friendly looking pillow on L by peeling out upstream and go well to R of the chute – pass L of cloud chamber hole and be ready for very swirly water below – if you flip take extra time for setup. Sneak route on L.
Upper Coliseum Rapid (Class V) was formed when the 1985 flood completely filled in the right side of the river. The left chute, formerly a high-water line, now carries the full flow of the river. This wild drop has changed several times in the last decade; don't trust my description or your memory! Eddy out upstream on the right, just above a gorgeous tributary waterfall, and work your way downstream on foot and scout this drop carefully. The best view is from the top from a large rock on river right; the best portage route is on the left.
Recyclotron, a giant hole dominates the top of the rapid. There is a left-side route complicated by a breaking wave. After you thread your way between these obstacles, you'll confront a powerful chute moving from left to right which can often cause flips and rolling in the swirly water can be problematic. Some paddlers like to run to the left of a breaking wave at midstream, then cut to the right. Others like to catch a left-hand eddy, then ferry back out into the chute. The run-out of the drop is fast and powerful, it is difficult to roll up there and it will be hard to recover swimmers. Try to stay on the left.
Lower Coliseum (read and run on L side – be ready to punch hole to L of big rock or go just R of big rock - easier if you are not swimming!)
Now the river enters Lower Coliseum, cutting left and roaring through a short, complex boulder garden. A huge, pyramid-shaped rock looms downstream. There is a huge hole on the left of the rock, and the right side is somewhat easier.
Section 5: Pete Morgan to Jenkinsburg bridge
Pete Morgan (cool slot line down L/center but stay L – RC Forney was fatally strained to R of center rock due to a tree)
The river moves at full speed into Pete Morgan Rapid. This drop honors the owner of the gas station at the Albright bridge; he gave river gauge readings to inquiring paddlers for many years in the '60s and '70s. The gas station washed away in the 1985 flood, which also rearranged the rapid. The best route is down the left chute, starting on the right side and cutting left to avoid an aggressive stopper at the bottom. It's easily scouted from a cobble bar on the left. Pause for a moment in an eddy and note the unique fluted sandstone columns on the left side of the run-out before moving downstream.
1-3. Med, long rapids
4-5. Small, long rapids
Watch for occasional hidden strainers which may snag playboats.
After Pete Morgan Rapid you'll encounter several long Class III+ drops before the river calms down as it approaches the Jenkinsburg bridge. About a mile from the take-out a clear stream cascades in from river right. The slate outcrops at the mouth of this little stream are a great place to look for fossils and catch some sun. Paddle under the bridge and take out on river right.
Gauging the Canyon
There is a painted gauge on Route 26 where it crosses the Cheat in Albright. The river can be run at well below a foot; two to four feet would be considered moderate levels, and anything above that is high water. The gauge readings have fluctuated considerably since the 1985 flood, but we now think that it reads about three inches higher than the pre-1985 level.
It takes about 12 hours for the water at Cheat Bridge to get to Parsons and it takes about another 12 hours for it to reach Albright. Cheat watershed: –drains 1,400 sq miles so levels can change very quickly. For Cheat Canyon prediction, take the river level at Parsons and subtract 1.5 you get an estimate of the maximum probable flow on the Cheat Canyon 12 hours later, unless it is raining hard or there are local thunderstorms, in which case all bets are off and you should probably stay away from the Cheat canyon! Check the level at Parson's and which way the gauge is trending before you put on to the Cheat Canyon.
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pbz&gage=psnw2
http://www.keelhauler.org/khcc/cheatalawa.htm
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