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As a cosmic caravan of multi-colored kayak-laden vehicles started
the fill up Teter Creek Campground, it was no coincidence that most of
the long boats were being untied right in front of the old metal bridge,
spanning the Cheat at it's most popular put-in point like a rusty
starting line. Although the temperatures this day would reach the 80's,
by the 5:00pm start the sun had grown lazy in the sky and settled slowly
behind the lush canyon walls that stand guard over the classic rapids
below with names like Big Nasty, High Falls, and Coliseum.
The Albright gauge read something close to 2.5 feet, and although
this flow admittedly brings out the Cheat's friendlier nature, there
were still plenty of places to get on her bad side, and lots of
face-smacking waves to make sure full attention was paid. As always, one
of the best aspects of this race is the mass start. Like a true race,
every boat in the race took off at the same time, but by the time
Decision Rapid was approached 1/2 mile later, all 55 boaters had settled
into their jockeyed positions. |
