Picking up groceries in Boise before we hit the river

Looks like we have enough to feed a small army

The weather took a turn for the worse. This is what it was like in Jordan Valley before our put-in at Three Forks.

Jeff Wihtol and Kim Kelsey on the Owyhee River canyon rim

Al Scholes and myself on the way to the put-in

Just getting to the put-in was an adventure. Twenty some odd miles of mud road.

Rigging the boats

and packing gear

in the snow

At the time, I was wondering what we were going to do when we didn't have a pickup to warm up in.

Dann Coffey using a paddle to shovel mud off his trailer

And loving it -- yea right!

Now that the thick is off, just needs a rinse

Figuring out where to put everything

Rafts are inflated, frames are on, next are the coolers, dry boxes, and personal gear.

Making final adjustments

Talking about it

Just a few more things

Rearrange it again

And finally get on the river

Sure good to see an empty put-in beach

Kim and Al on there way as the weather cleared up -- at least for now.

Our first rapid, The Ledge, a class 4 rapid, was less than 2 miles from the Three Forks launch site.

Scouting Ledge rapid

Ledge rapid looking downstream

Ledge rapid looking upstream